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.
Good Life
James Darren Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It rains pennies from heaven
Don't you know each cloud contains
Pennies from heaven
You'll find your fortune
Fallin' all over town
Be sure that your umbrella is upside down
Trade them for a package of sunshine and flowers
You must have showers
So when you hear it thunder
Don't run under a tree
There'll be pennies from heaven
For you and me
Trade them for a package of sunshine and flowers
If you want the things you love
You must have showers
So when you hear it thunder
Don't run under a tree
There'll be pennies from heaven
For you and me
The song "Pennies from Heaven" was first introduced in the 1936 film of the same name, and it has been recorded by many artists since then, including James Darren. In "Good Life," he sings about how every time it rains, it's like pennies from heaven falling from the sky. He encourages the listener to be aware of this opportunity to find their fortune, and to make sure that they are prepared to catch the abundance that's leaving the clouds.
The chorus advises what to do with the pennies - trade them in for a package of sunshine and flowers. The song is not just about the physical rain and money, but also about the emotional benefits that come from facing life's hard times. If you want the good things in life, you must go through the hard times first. The last part of the song tells the listener to avoid taking cover during a storm - by embracing the rough and mundane moments in life, they too can receive those "pennies from heaven" and enjoy the good life.
Overall, James Darren's "Good Life" is a cheerful and optimistic song about the abundance of life, and the potential for happiness and fortune that comes from weathering life's storms.
Line by Line Meaning
Every time it rains
Whenever it rains outside
It rains pennies from heaven
We receive unexpected blessings or good fortune in our lives
Don't you know each cloud contains
The clouds from which the rain is coming may hold the good fortune or blessings
Pennies from heaven
These unexpected blessings or good fortune are like pennies from heaven
You'll find your fortune
You will come across good fortune if it's raining pennies from heaven
Fallin' all over town
The good fortune or blessings can be found everywhere
Be sure that your umbrella is upside down
Make sure you are open to receiving these unexpected blessings or good fortune
Trade them for a package of sunshine and flowers
Use this good fortune or blessings to bring happiness and positivity in life
If you want the things you love
If you want to achieve your goals or fulfill your desires
You must have showers
You have to go through difficult times or struggles
So when you hear it thunder
When you face some sort of challenge or adversity
Don't run under a tree
Don't go for an easy or unsafe option, face the challenge head on
There'll be pennies from heaven
You will be rewarded with unexpected blessings or good fortune
For you and me
These unexpected blessings or good fortune can happen to anyone
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jack Reardon, Sacha Distel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind