Darren's role in the gritty 1961 World War II film The Guns of Navarone was an attempt to break out of his teen image. He then achieved success co-starring as impulsive scientist and adventurer Tony Newman in the science fiction television series, The Time Tunnel (1966-67).
In the 1970s, Darren appeared as a celebrity panelist on Match Game.
Later, Darren had a regular role as Officer James Corrigan on the television police drama T.J. Hooker from 1983-1986. Subsequently he worked as a director on many action-based television series, including Hunter, The A-Team, and Nowhere Man, as well as dramas such as Beverly Hills, 90210 and Melrose Place.
In 1998 he achieved renewed popularity as a singer through his appearances on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine in the role of holographic crooner and advice-giver Vic Fontaine; many of his performances on the show were recorded for the album This One's From the Heart (1999). The album showed Darren, a close friend of the late Frank Sinatra, comfortably singing in the Sinatra style; the 2001 follow-up Because of You showed similar inspiration from Tony Bennett.
Some animation fans may know him as the singing voice of Yogi Bear in the 1964 animated film, Hey There, it's Yogi Bear, on the song "Ven-e, Ven-o, Ven-a". Prior to that, he was the singing and speaking voice of "Jimmy Darrock" on an episode of The Flintstones.
Darren has been married twice. His first wife was Gloria Terlitsky with whom he has one son, Jim Moret, who formerly worked as a CNN reporter. His second wife is Evy Norlund, with whom he has two sons.
A Lot of Livin' to Do
James Darren Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I mean to kiss me a few!
Oh, those chicks don't know what they're missin'
I've got a lot of livin' to do!
And there's wine all ready for tastin'
And there's Cadillacs all shiny and new!
Got to move, 'cause time is a wastin'
There's music to play, places to go, people to see!
Everything for you and me!
Life's a ball, if only you know it!
And it's all just waiting for you!
You're alive, so go on and show it!
There's such a lot of livin' to do!
Such a lot of livin' to do!
What a lot of livin' to do!
The lyrics to James Darren's "Lot of Livin' to Do" are all about life and the many experiences that are available to us. The first stanza talks about women, and how there are plenty of them out there waiting to be kissed. The lines “there are chicks just ripe for some kissin' and I mean to kiss me a few” indicate a sense of anticipation and excitement, as if the singer can't wait to get started. The phrase "those chicks don't know what they're missin'" suggests that the singer is confident and sure of himself, and knows that he has something to offer.
The second verse focuses on material things – wine and Cadillacs – and how they are just waiting to be enjoyed. The words "got to move, 'cause time is a wastin'" imply that the singer feels a sense of urgency, as if he knows that life is short and he wants to make the most of it. The chorus brings everything together, reminding the listener that life is full of opportunities, with "music to play, places to go, people to see". The singer urges the listener to get out there and experience it all, suggesting that "life's a ball, if only you know it".
Overall, the lyrics to "Lot of Livin' to Do" are joyful and enthusiastic, urging the listener to embrace life and all its possibilities. The singer has a lot of energy and enthusiasm, and wants to share that with everyone else. The song is all about making the most of life, whether that means kissing girls or enjoying material things, and the chorus drives home the message that there is so much out there waiting to be experienced.
Line by Line Meaning
There are chicks just ripe for some kissin'
There are many women who are just waiting to be kissed
And I mean to kiss me a few!
I plan to take advantage of this opportunity and kiss some of them
Oh, those chicks don't know what they're missin'
These women are unaware of the great time they are missing by not being kissed
I've got a lot of livin' to do!
I have a lot of life to experience and enjoy
And there's wine all ready for tastin'
There is wine that is waiting to be tasted
And there's Cadillacs all shiny and new!
There are brand new, shiny Cadillacs waiting to be driven
Got to move, 'cause time is a wastin'
I need to hurry and enjoy life because time is precious and limited
There's such a lot of livin' to do!
There are so many opportunities in life that I should take advantage of
There's music to play, places to go, people to see!
There are so many things to experience in life, such as playing music, traveling, and meeting new people
Everything for you and me!
There is something for everyone to enjoy in life
Life's a ball, if only you know it!
Life is an amazing experience, as long as you recognize and appreciate it
And it's all just waiting for you!
There are so many opportunities and experiences in life that are just waiting to be had
You're alive, so go on and show it!
Since you are alive, you should make the most of your life and live it to the fullest
Such a lot of livin' to do!
There are so many amazing things in life to enjoy and experience
What a lot of livin' to do!
There are so many experiences in life that are waiting for us to enjoy and take advantage of
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Iricom US Ltd, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Charles Strouse, Lee Adams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind