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.
When I Had The Chance
Boney James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One more hour without you, I gotta let go
Breaks my heart, tears me apart, I let you slip away
Was that our last dance, I should have kissed you when I had the chance
Was that our last dance, should of kissed you when I had the chance
Was that our last dance, … oh, oh
You hold me so close now, I hear the beating of your heart
Let's go slow, loose out of control, it always happens this way
Was that our last dance, I should have kissed you when I had the chance
Was that our last dance, should have kissed you when I had the chance
Was that our last dance... ooo, ohh, yeah
Suddenly there you are, burning brighter shining star... ooo
If you come back to me, let me show what could be.ohh, ooo, ohh
Was that our last dance, should have kissed you when I had the chance
Was that our last dance, should have kissed you when I had the chance
Was that our last dance, should have kissed you when I had the chance
Was that our last dance, should have kissed you when I had the chance
Was that our last dance, when I had the chance, when I had the chance.
The "When I Had The Chance" by Boney James is a heart-wrenching song about missed opportunities in love. James paints a picture of regret and frustration in the lyrics, as the singer realizes too late that he should have taken a chance on love when it presented itself. The song explores the pain and loss of not seizing the moment, while also celebrating the joy that could have been.
The song opens with the stark realization that every minute and every second of life is precious, and that missing out on an opportunity to love is a devastating blow. The listener can feel the weight of the mistake as James mourns lost love. The heartbreak is palpable as he acknowledges that he must now let go of the person he loved so deeply.
The lyrics continue to explore the pain of the situation, revealing that not only did the singer let his love get away but that he also failed to kiss her at a critical moment. The song's chorus repeats the phrase "was that our last dance, should have kissed you when I had the chance" emphasizing the regret and loss felt by the singer. The lyrics are multi-layered, highlighting how fleeting love can be and how important it is to take the chance when it presents itself.
In conclusion, "When I Had The Chance" by Boney James is a poignant and emotional song that resonates with anyone who has felt the pain of a missed opportunity in love. The song does an excellent job of encapsulating the bittersweet feelings of regret and loss, while also urging the listener to take chances and embrace love when it presents itself.
Line by Line Meaning
Each moment, each minute and every second in it
Every passing moment without you is agony.
One more hour without you, I gotta let go
I can't keep holding onto the hope of being with you any longer. It's too hard.
Breaks my heart, tears me apart, I let you slip away
Losing you is tearing me apart. I regret not fighting harder for us.
Was that our last dance, I should have kissed you when I had the chance
I'm haunted by the thought that our last dance might have been the last chance I had to be with you, and I didn't take it.
You hold me so close now, I hear the beating of your heart
Being close to you makes me feel alive again. I've missed you so much.
Two hearts beat together, I don't want this to end
Our hearts are beating as one, and I know I don't want to ever lose that feeling.
Let's go slow, loose out of control, it always happens this way
I want to savor every moment with you, but I know that things between us tend to move too fast and get out of control.
Suddenly there you are, burning brighter shining star... ooo
I'm overwhelmed by how incredible you are to me. You shine like a star in my life.
If you come back to me, let me show what could be.ohh, ooo, ohh
If there's any chance of us being together again, I want to show you how much better things could be between us.
Was that our last dance, when I had the chance, when I had the chance.
The regret of not taking that chance to be with you is a constant reminder of what I lost.
Contributed by Peyton E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Mekisha
Boney James music doesn't ever and never disappoints!!
Taylor Downing
Love this song. LeToya should make more smooth jazz songs like this
Felicia Ward
I can listen to this song over n over again
Riogi
I feel the same way, Felicia. It is so intensely beautiful!
MsVette
Felicia Ward ikr
Carolyn Hayes
One of my favorites. This combination is beautiful together.
Lisa Saunders
I love any thing Boney plays! cheers!
Mark Masters
Fusion between smooth jazz and classical R&B🎯
Yolireals1
This grown folk music rite here!!!!
MzDonshea
This song is so amazing.... and it is so colorful... I'm really feeling this! I'm offically a fan of Boney James for life