The founding members of the band were drummer Jim Fox, bassist Tom Kriss, guitarist Ronnie Silverman, keyboardist Phil Giallombardo, and guitarist Glen Schwartz. In 1968 Joe Walsh replaced Schwartz when Schwartz left the band to join Pacific Gas & Electric. The band then released its debut album Yer' Album. In July of 1970, the band released its second album James Gang Rides Again which included the hit single "Funk #49." By this time, Dale Peters had replaced Kriss on bass. The band opened for The Who during a tour of Britain. After two more albums, Thirds, with the single "Walk Away,", and the live album James Gang Live in Concert, Walsh left the band to perform solo and later join the Eagles.
Vocalist Roy Kenner and guitarist Domenic Troiano then joined the band. Troiano left to join Guess Who and was replaced by Tommy Bolin. Bolin left in 1974 to replace Ritchie Blackmore in Deep Purple. After two albums, "Bang" and "Miami", Bolin was replaced by vocalist Bubba Keith and guitarist Richard Shack, who made "Newborn" (which featured a cover of the Elvis Presley song "Heartbreak Hotel"). The band broke up following a final recording, "Jesse Come Home" (which referred to the band's namesake, the outlaw Jesse James), which was made with the collaboration of early member Phil Giallombardo. Fox was the only remaining member of the original quintet when they disbanded early in 1977.
The "classic" lineup of the band (Walsh, Peters, Fox) reunited to perform at an election rally for Bill Clinton in 1996, appearances on The Drew Carey Show in the 1998-99 season, and at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in February 2001, drawing fans from all over the globe.
As of May 2004, Glenn Schwartz was playing guitar and singing Thursday nights at "Major Hooples" in the Flats, Cleveland.
In summer 2006 the Walsh/Peters/Fox lineup of the group toured the United States. In August 2006, the trio appeared performing live on The Howard Stern radio show on Sirius satellite radio.
Again
James Gang Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The betting's over, the gate is closed
And then you remember who I am
And then you call, and we do it all again, again
And now the book has reached the end
We're running out of time, still we pretend
And I've got no time left to spend
Again, again, again, again
The James Gang's song, "Again," is a poignant reflection on the cyclical nature of a relationship. The lyrics suggest that the relationship has been going on for some time. The first stanza describes a time after some event; perhaps a horse race, where the two individuals were betting against each other, and once the event is over, they come back together. The second stanza suggests that the relationship "book" is near its end. However, they continue to pretend that everything is fine, even though time is running out.
The most striking feature of "Again" is the repetition of the word "again." The repetition hammers home the point that the cycle of the relationship will continue, and despite its end approaching, they will start it all up "again." The lyrics suggest that the relationship is one of passion, yet it is also superficial. The two individuals continue to ignore the fact that the end is near, because their passion is what drives them.
Overall, the song is an excellent reflection of the human condition when it comes to love. The repetition of the lyrics, the tempo of the song, and the poignant lyrics all work together to create a heart-wrenching song that will evoke strong emotions in all who listen to it.
Line by Line Meaning
After the last race is run
Once everything is said and done
The betting's over, the gate is closed
You can no longer change the outcome
And then you remember who I am
You realize the importance of our relationship
And then you call, and we do it all again, again
We repeat the cycle of our relationship
And now the book has reached the end
Our story has come to a close
We're running out of time, still we pretend
We pretend that our time together isn't ending
And I've got no time left to spend
I don't have any more time to give
And then you call and we do it all again, again
We repeat the cycle of our relationship
Again, again, again, again
The cycle never ends
Lyrics Š Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOSEPH FIDLER WALSH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Beemerboy324
Ah, yes! Back in the days when players actually played analog instruments and singers actually sang. There was no pitch correction that you didn't do yourself and Joe Walsh was considered a great singer/songwriter/guitar player because he ACTUALLY WAS.
HeartoftheDragonColo
No one's commented on this song in 3 months. Well it's still one of my all-time favorite songs. I remember a pair of DJ's on little old KDTA radio out of Delta, Colorado when the James Gang was new. They were trying to get everyone they knew (in that very small market) to listen to the James Gang. Glad I did.
Bruce Fultz
I have for gotten how good this ablum is,dam they dont make music this good any more
Dirk Diggler
This goes into some 'Joni Mitchell' chordal/melody territory.
bjbhappy
Thank you ~Awesome album~
Rosalio Peralta
qe buena rola
smallbee1234
Long hair, bellbottoms, Nike Cortez, Sitting on the living room floor playing my favorite part over and over *again* until my mom would yell "Hey! Not Again!"
Barry Kurkowski
all these posts seem so old. Greatly underrated group from 1970. When Joe was Joe. Heard they might do a reunion tour, please.
robin kjems
Happy 70th Birthday Joe Walsh!!!
sotvomike
Question to all guitar players...I tried playing this and realized it is in an open tuning. Anyone have an idea which open tuning?