James, born James Oppenheim, grew up in New Rochelle, New York, and studied clarinet at eight, later switching to saxophone. At age 15, his family moved to Los Angeles, where he began playing in a fusion band called Line One that was strong enough to open for Flora Purim and the Yellowjackets. He earned a degree in history from UCLA but became a full-time musician after graduation, doubling on keyboards.
In 1985, James went on the road as a keyboardist with Morris Day. He spent four years with Day and became an in-demand sideman, playing with Randy Crawford, Sheena Easton, the Isley Brothers, Bobby Caldwell, and many others before going solo.
James has received four Grammy nominations, RIAA gold-certified albums, and millions of sales. His unique meld of soul-jazz, R&B, funk, and pop have come to define the sound of 21st-century contemporary jazz. Albums such as 1999's Body Language, 2004's Pure, and 2015's Futuresoul have influenced an entire generation of artists.
In 2020, James released his album Solid, featuring 11 self-penned compositions, including the single "Be Here," with Kenny Lattimore providing vocals. The album debuted at #10 on the Billboard Current Pop Albums Chart.
James remains a prominent figure in the contemporary jazz scene, with his unique sound and influence on the genre solidifying his place in music history.
My Grown Up Christmas List
Boney James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I sat upon your knee
I wrote to you with childhood fantasies
Well I'm all grown up now
And still need help somehow
I'm not a child but my heart still can dream
So here's my lifelong wish
Not for myself but for a world in need
No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
And everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end, oh
This is my grown up Christmas list
As children we believe
The grandest sight to see
Was something lovely wrapped beneath our tree
But Heaven surely knows
That packages and bows
Can never heal a hurting human soul
No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
And everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end, oh
This is my grown up Christmas list
What is this illusion called the innocence of youth
Maybe only in our blind belief, can we ever find the truth
No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
And everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end, oh
This is my grown up Christmas list
This is my grown up Christmas list
My grown up Christmas list
Boney James's song My Grown Up Christmas List is a nostalgic and heartfelt reflection on the Christmas wishes of the past and the present. The opening lines of the song evoke memories of writing letters to Santa Claus with childhood fantasies and sitting upon his knee, invoking a sense of longing for the innocent and carefree days of youth that have since passed. However, despite being all grown up now, the singer acknowledges that they still need help and support from others, indicating a desire for a better world.
The lyrics of this song emphasize a deep desire for peace, love, and unity in the world. The singer's "lifelong wish" is not for their own personal benefit but rather for the betterment of all people. They wish for an end to wars and for hearts to heal. They also hope that everyone will have a friend and that right will always win over wrong. The song concludes with the singer expressing their belief that the only way to find the truth is through the "illusion called the innocence of youth."
Overall, My Grown Up Christmas List is a powerful and emotional depiction of the enduring human desire for a better world. The singer's wistful reminiscence of their childhood Christmas wishes, followed by a plea for world peace and harmony, shows that even as we grow older, we still retain our hope and belief in the power of love.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you remember me
Asking Santa Claus if he still remembers the person writing this letter.
I sat upon your knee
Recalling a childhood memory of sitting on Santa Claus's knee while sharing wishes and dreams.
I wrote to you with childhood fantasies
As a child, the writer wrote letters to Santa Claus sharing uncommon fantasies, which now seem a bit embarrassing.
Well I'm all grown up now
The writer is now an adult, grown beyond the childhood fascination with Santa Claus.
And still need help somehow
Acknowledging that even as a grown-up, help is still needed to realize some wishes and dreams.
I'm not a child but my heart can still dream
Even though the writer is all grown up, the heart still holds on to its dreams and childlike wonder.
So here's my lifelong wish
Sharing with Santa Claus a lifelong wish with the same earnestness felt as a child.
My grown-up Christmas list
This Christmas list is not the same as those written as a child: it's for grown-ups and looks beyond material things.
Not for myself but for a world in need
The writer's Christmas wish looks beyond self-interest, focusing instead on the needs of the wider world.
No more lives torn apart
A wish for an end to conflicts and violence, which often cause untold suffering, pain, and loss of life.
That wars would never start
Nurturing a vision of a world without warfare or conflicts that lead to wars.
And time would heal all hearts
A call to allow time to heal hearts and help people move on from hurts and pains caused by past conflicts.
And everyone would have a friend
A wish for universal friendship, goodwill, love, and support for everyone regardless of background, race or creed.
And right would always win
A dream for a world where justice and fairness prevail and where the good always triumphs over evil.
And love would never end, oh
A heartfelt wish for an undying, boundless, and all-encompassing love that never fades away.
This is my grown up Christmas list
Re-emphasizing that this is a ‘grown-up’ wishlist for a better world, one that is rooted in values and passion beyond material gains.
What is this illusion called innocence of youth
A contemplative reflection on the concept of the 'innocence of youth' and its fleeting nature in a world that can be full of suffering and strife.
Maybe only in our blind belief, can we ever find the truth
Suggesting that the innocence of youth might be an illusion, and that only by holding true to blind belief in a better future can we find the truth.
This is my grown up Christmas list
Reiterating that this is a heartfelt and earnest call for a better world and that the writer has grown beyond the old childish fantasies.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LINDA THOMPSON, DAVID FOSTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind