James sang with North London dance bands in his early teens, and was a regular vocalist at the Cricklewood Palais by the age of seventeen. He joined the Henry Hall band, and made first radio broadcast in 1940. Joining the Army in 1942, after World War II he continued to sing with top post-war bands, including Geraldo's. Later still, James was also a part time member of The Stargazers, a popular early 1950s vocal group.
He was the singer of the theme songs of The Adventures of Robin Hood and The Buccaneers, from British television in the 1950s, and was a friend and associate of renowned record producer George Martin.
James entered the music publishing business as his singing career tapered off. In early 1963 he was contacted by Brian Epstein who was looking for a publisher for the second Beatles single Please Please Me and agreed an appointment for 11am the following morning. Having arranged a previous meeting at 10am Epstein left in disgust at 10.25 when the executive he was due to meet failed to appear and arrived at James's office at 10.40. Apologising to her for being early and despite offering to wait until 11.00 the receptionist contacted James who promptly ushered Epstein into his office. Having heard the record and telling Epstein it was a number one James was invited by Epstein to publish and promote it. James then called Philip Jones, producer of the TV show Thank Your Lucky Stars, played the record down the phone to him and secured the band's first nationwide television appearance. The pair subsequently established Northern Songs Ltd., with Beatles John Lennon and Paul McCartney, to publish Lennon and McCartney's original songs. (Fellow Beatles George Harrison and Ringo Starr were also signed to Northern Songs as songwriters, but did not renew their contracts in 1968). James's company, Dick James Music, administered Northern Songs.
What initially began as an amicable working relationship between the Beatles and James disintegrated by the late 1960s; the Beatles considered that James had betrayed and taken advantage of them when he sold Northern Songs in 1969 without offering the band an opportunity to buy control of the publishing company. James profited handsomely from the sale of Northern Songs, but the Beatles never again had the rights to their own songs.
During the 1960s he also handled Billy J. Kramer and Gerry & The Pacemakers.
James signed Elton John and his lyricist Bernie Taupin as untried unknowns in 1967, and formed DJM Records in '69. Indeed, all of John's early releases (up to 1976) were issued on the DJM record label. The label also carried Jasper Carrott, RAH Band and even John Inman.
John formed his own Rocket label in 1976, but in 1982, John was involved in a long court case with James about royalties. In June 1985, the British music magazine, NME, reported that John was suing James over the rights to his earlier material.
James died in London of a heart attack in early 1986, at the age of 65.
British chart hits
"Robin Hood" / "The Ballad of Davy Crockett" - (1956) - Number 14
"Garden of Eden" - (1957) - Number 18
Robin Hood
Dick James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Agar dua hati dapat menyatu
Bukan aku tak ingin cinta
Tapi aku takut menyakitimu
Dan kini aku jauh darimu
Ada yang hilang dari hatiku
Cinta tak dapat ditebak apa maunya hati
Bukan maksud menduakanmu
Aku tak ingin mendustai hati (hatimu)
Aku juga mencintaimu
Ku menjauh hanya untuk berfikir
Dan kini aku jauh darimu
Ada yang hilang dari hatiku
Letih memandang wajah hari
Yang memanduku tuk mencarimu
Cinta tak dapat ditebak apa maunya hati
Salahkah kita
Hanya tak bisa dustai hati untuk mencinta
Salahkah kita
Bukan aku tak ingin cinta
Tapi aku takut menyakitimu
Dan kini aku jauh darimu
Ada yang hilang dari hatiku
Letih memandang wajah hari
Yang memanduku tuk mencarimu
Cinta tak dapat ditebak apa maunya hati
Salahkah kita
Hanya tak bisa dustai hati untuk mencinta
Salahkah kita
Hoo. Cinta
Biarlah semua kini kita berpisah
Namun hati kita tetap menyatu
Ku sangat rindu ingin bertemu sampai
Tujuh purnama ku tetap menunggu
Bila waktu terus memanggil.
The lyrics of Dick James's song Robin Hood is in Bahasa, conveying a story of a love that is conflicted because of fear of causing pain. The first verse suggests that the singer is hesitant to be with their lover, not because they don't want to, but the prospect of causing emotional pain stirs their fear. The second verse shows the singer now apart from their lover reflecting on what they might have lost in their newfound distance. The chorus suggests that love is something that cannot be predicted; it happens beyond our control. The singer laments their inability to deceive their heart into not falling in love. The final verse indicates that although they cannot be together, their hearts remain united, and they hope to meet again someday.
The lyrics Mirror the internal conflict within someone who loves but is afraid of hurting the loved one. The lyrics depict a theme of love, separation, and hope, making the song relatable to most people. The lyrics also touch on the question of whether it is better to love and lose or keep away from love altogether. Despite the language barrier, the lyrics translate to a universal message that has universal appeal. The vulnerability and conflicting emotions that the song's lyrics explore make it a timeless classic that can be enjoyed by many.
Line by Line Meaning
Bila waktu terus memanggil
As time moves forward, we are prompted to take action.
Agar dua hati dapat menyatu
So that two hearts can become one.
Bukan aku tak ingin cinta
It's not that I don't want love.
Tapi aku takut menyakitimu
But I'm afraid of hurting you.
Dan kini aku jauh darimu
And now I'm far away from you.
Ada yang hilang dari hatiku
Something is missing from my heart.
Cinta tak dapat ditebak apa maunya hati
Love can't be predicted, it does what it wants.
Salahkah kita
Are we in the wrong?
Bukan maksud menduakanmu
I don't mean to betray you.
Aku tak ingin mendustai hati (hatimu)
I don't want to lie to your heart.
Aku juga mencintaimu
I also love you.
Ku menjauh hanya untuk berfikir
I'm only withdrawing to think.
Letih memandang wajah hari
Tired of looking at the face of day.
Yang memanduku tuk mencarimu
The one that guides me to seek you.
Hanya tak bisa dustai hati untuk mencinta
I just can't betray my heart to love.
Hoo. Cinta
Oh. Love.
Biarlah semua kini kita berpisah
Let's just part ways now.
Namun hati kita tetap menyatu
But our hearts are still together.
Ku sangat rindu ingin bertemu sampai
I very much miss meeting you until
Tujuh purnama ku tetap menunggu
Seven full moons, I'll still be waiting.
Contributed by Camden P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@sidkaskey
I am WAY over 60 and this damn theme song still rumbles in my head.
@TrevsMum
Likewise!
@suerichardson2067
I loved watching Richard Greene and was disappointed this showed mainly Errol Flynn apart from the opening sequence!! Yes I am 66 and it rumbles in my head as well - you are not alone!
@karenblackadder1183
@Sue Richardson Richard Greene was also my 'Robin'
Sunday 5.30pm, Talking Pictures. Relive your childhood!!
@paulgriggs6236
I grew up watching Robin Hood the song is a big part of the show stars come and go but that theme song stays forever love it
@trishasquire4450
Love this, my dad often used to sing it. Happy memories. :)
@alancooper9632
Can't wait to show my grandkids this, its awesome.
@jakartaman633
Great upload. Brings back a lot of memories as a young boy watching this in Australia. And speaking of ' Oz ' nice to see some great action shots of another Aussie, one Errol Thompson Flynn. Sadly he's been gone for nearly 60 years, but as of April 2016, his CO star. Olivia De Havilland is alive and well and is due to turn 100 years old this July.
@davewolfy2906
Olivia, cousin of the chap who designed the Mosquito.
Pub quiz question expert here.
@jakartaman3365
@Dave Wolfy I presume you're referring to her paternal cousin Sir Geoffrey de Havilland?