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.
Bluebird
James Gang Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Was There Something Else That I Could Do? Or Was It Over?
Had I The Chance?
So I Listened Once Again To My Bluebird Sing
Oh Yes And Children How She Made The Mountains Ring
Now When Hearts Be Stilled That Gentle Voice Is Spring
Oh My Precious My Soul Says To My Blue Eyed Sparrow
Come Back, Come Back. I Can Peal Away The Cages
Come Back, Come Back. Can We Turn The Next Page Together?
Listen To My Bluebird Laugh She Can Tell You Why
Deep Within Her Heart You See She Knows Only Cryin'
There She Sits Aloft At Perch Strangest Color Blue
Flying Is Forgotten Now Thinks Only Of You
Get Into All Those Blues Must Be A Thousand Years
And Each Is Differently Used You Just Know
You Sit There Mesmerized By The Depth Of Her Eyes
I Can Tell You No Lies
She's Got Soul, She's Got Soul She's Got Soul, She's Got Soul
She's Got Soul
Soon She's Goin' To Fly Away Sadness is Her Own
Give Herself A Bath Of Tears And Go Home
So I Listened Once Again To My Bluebird Sing
Oh Yes And Children How She Made The Mountains Ring
Now When Hearts Be Stilled That Voice Is Spring
Oh My Precious My Soul Says To My Blue Eyed Sparrow
Fly Back Home, Fly Back Home, Fly Back Home
The lyrics of "Bluebird" by James Gang tell the story of a man who is dealing with the pain of losing someone he loves. He is angry and unsure if there was anything else he could have done. He turns to his bluebird to find solace in her song and her gentle voice. The man longs for his lost love to come back to him and wants to put away his rage and start anew together. Listening to the bluebird laugh, he is reminded that even though she may seem carefree, underneath, she too knows the pain of crying.
The bluebird serves as a metaphor for love and the man's emotions. The bluebird's ability to fly away represents the fleeting nature of love and the inevitability of loss. The man is captivated by the depth of the bluebird's eyes, entranced by the thousand years worth of blues within them. He recognizes that the bluebird has soul, and that her voice is like a spring to his heart. Ultimately, the man bids a sorrowful farewell to the bluebird, knowing that she too will experience sadness and need to go home to heal.
Line by Line Meaning
The Pain Of Losing You Well It Made Me An Angry Man
The hurt of losing you made me bitter
Was There Something Else That I Could Do? Or Was It Over?
I wondered if there was anything left to be done or if it was the end
Had I The Chance?
I wondered if I had a chance to change things
So I Listened Once Again To My Bluebird Sing
I turned to my inner voice, my Bluebird, for guidance
Oh Yes And Children How She Made The Mountains Ring
My inner voice brought me joy and made me feel alive
Now When Hearts Be Stilled That Gentle Voice Is Spring
In moments of calm, my inner voice still brings me comfort and renewal
Oh My Precious My Soul Says To My Blue Eyed Sparrow
My soul connects with my inner voice, which I see as a Blue Eyed Sparrow
Come Back, Come Back. I Can Peal Away The Cages
I ask my inner voice to return and help me break free from my limitations
Come Back, Come Back. I Can Put Away The Rages
I ask my inner voice to return and help me control my anger
Come Back, Come Back. Can We Turn The Next Page Together?
I ask my inner voice to return and guide me to the next chapter of my life
Listen To My Bluebird Laugh She Can Tell You Why
My inner voice brings me joy and wisdom
Deep Within Her Heart You See She Knows Only Cryin'
My inner voice knows pain and sorrow, but still brings me joy and comfort
There She Sits Aloft At Perch Strangest Color Blue
My inner voice sits in a high place, represented by the color blue, ready to guide me
Flying Is Forgotten Now Thinks Only Of You
My inner voice is solely focused on helping me and guiding me
Get Into All Those Blues Must Be A Thousand Years
There are many different interpretations of the color blue and each represents a different emotion
And Each Is Differently Used You Just Know
Each emotion represented by the color blue has a unique purpose and meaning
You Sit There Mesmerized By The Depth Of Her Eyes
I am captivated by the depth and insights of my inner voice
I Can Tell You No Lies
My inner voice will always be honest and truthful with me
She's Got Soul, She's Got Soul She's Got Soul, She's Got Soul
My inner voice possesses great wisdom and insight
She's Got Soul
My inner voice possesses great wisdom and insight
Soon She's Goin' To Fly Away Sadness is Her Own
My inner voice will leave me eventually, but I can always rely on it during difficult times
Give Herself A Bath Of Tears And Go Home
My inner voice will renew itself, and then return to me when it is needed
Fly Back Home, Fly Back Home, Fly Back Home
I ask my inner voice to return to me when it is ready
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: STEPHEN STILLS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@catdaddy3302
I saw them do this in Memphis in 1970. Rare Earth opened for them. It was a helluva concert! 👏🏻👏🏻🤠🤠
@staggerproof5589
This album changed everything for me as a 15 year old bassist. I lost a lot of interest in how 'hard' rock could be when this song got to 4:49......the most expressive guitar lick I had ever heard. At 5:19....4 notes....I melted.
@staggerproof5589
Yes sir. Joe Walsh is still my favorite guitarist too. This was my favorite song by the JG but then came "The Bomber Medley"....
@ZoSo1973
+Bernard Allan This was actually originally by Stephen Stills when he was in Buffalo Springfield. Listen to it sometime, although I must this is my first time hearing this one and I like it more.
@jakelm4256
That lick is from the ending of Simon & Garfunkel's "Homeward Bound".
@whatwouldiknow1759
Great bass! It fills this song so well!
@lukeman62
One of the top ten rock and roll albums of all time. Commercial success can KMA. this recording is phenomenal. Oh, yeah. This digital copy cannot touch what one hears when listening to vinyl. sorry to those of you under 50. You'll never know what you missed unless you had hippie/rocker parents. (turn me over, turn me over. Play me again, play me again...) Do you think she loves you? Do you think at all?
@whatwouldiknow1759
I agree, it is a great LP. Joe's an innovative guitarist.
@JamesJohnson-qf2vm
I’m under 50 , my dad had long hair in 1969 , his dad was in world war 2 and told him to cut his hair or get out of his house, he eventually got drafted during the Vietnam war in 1970
@williampaul8556
Agree!