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.
Madness
James Gang Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well my neighbor came in screaming
When a murder down the hall?
They cut him for his ring and watch
And now listen daddy-o
They were put away for stabbing
Other people in their sleep
What they're doing out in the street?
We got madness, Yes we do
Floating everywhere today
We got madness, Hey
When's it going to go away
Well the world is one big junkie
And it always needs a fix
Everybody's hustling someone
Trying to get their kicks
People starving, People hating
And the people who don't care
See this boundary? Step across
I'll kill ya, If ya dare
We got madness, Hey
Floating everywhere today
We got madness, Ahhh
When's it going to go away
There's a sunset in the making
It may happen suddenly
There may not be a sunrise for your
Children's child to see
If we keep up with this taking out
And never putting back in
The world may soon be played itself
And where will we be then?
We got madness, Yes we do
Floating everywhere today
We got madness, Hey
When's it going to go away
The James Gang's song "Madness" is a commentary on the state of society and the presence of violence and chaos. The opening lines describe a violent incident that occurred in the singer's building, where someone was killed for their belongings. This event leads the singer to question why violent people are allowed to roam free on the streets. The chorus repeats the idea that there is "madness" everywhere in society, and the question is raised of when it will end.
The second verse expands on the idea that society is addicted to chaos and the pursuit of pleasure. This attitude is depicted as leading to a lack of care for others, and the boundary between people becomes violent and deadly. The chorus again repeats the phrase "we got madness" and asks when this chaos will come to an end. The final verse involves a metaphorical sunset and the warning that if society continues to take without giving back, there will be nothing left for future generations.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey hey hey hey hey
Introducing the topic of the song, madness and its prevalence in the world around us.
Well my neighbor came in screaming
Narrating a story of a neighbor who came in screaming due to a murder that took place down the hall.
When a murder down the hall?
Asking about the murder that took place down the hall and questioning its violence.
They cut him for his ring and watch
Explaining the reason behind the murder and emphasizing the greed and materialism that drives people to do violent acts.
And now listen daddy-o
Addressing the listener in a casual and familiar way, urging them to pay attention to the lyrics of the song.
They were put away for stabbing
Revealing that the murderers were caught and imprisoned for their crime.
Other people in their sleep
Describing the way in which the murderers committed their crimes, by attacking people while they were sleeping.
Don't it make you wonder
Asking rhetorical questions to the listener about the prevalence of madness and violence in society.
What they're doing out in the street?
Questioning the purpose of the release of the murderers back into society.
We got madness, Yes we do
Affirming the presence of madness in our society.
Floating everywhere today
Visualizing madness as something that is spreading and growing in our society.
We got madness, Hey
Reiterating the point of the presence of madness in society and asking when it will go away.
When's it going to go away
Questioning the timeline of when madness will disappear from society.
Well the world is one big junkie
Comparing the world to a junkie, someone who is addicted and in need of a constant fix.
And it always needs a fix
Explaining that the world is constantly in need of something, just like a junkie needs a fix.
Everybody's hustling someone
Noting the prevalence of people trying to deceive and take advantage of others in society.
Trying to get their kicks
Describing the motivation behind people's actions as trying to achieve personal pleasure and satisfaction.
People starving, People hating
Highlighting the negative aspects of society, such as the prevalence of poverty and hate.
And the people who don't care
Identifying another negative aspect of society, people who are indifferent to the suffering of others.
See this boundary? Step across
Warning others not to cross a certain boundary or line, as there may be violent consequences.
I'll kill ya, If ya dare
Making a violent threat, emphasizing the prevalence of violence in society.
There's a sunset in the making
Describing a sunset as a metaphor for the passage of time.
It may happen suddenly
Noting that the passage of time can be abrupt and unexpected.
There may not be a sunrise for your
Describing a bleak and uncertain future for future generations.
Children's child to see
Emphasizing the idea of intergenerational impact and how actions taken now can affect future generations.
If we keep up with this taking out
Critiquing the actions of society and how resources are consumed without being replenished.
And never putting back in
Emphasizing the need to replenish and take care of resources in order to sustain society and future generations.
The world may soon be played itself
Suggesting that if we continue with our current actions, society may self-destruct.
And where will we be then?
Asking the listener where they will be in this hypothetical future scenario.
Contributed by Mila M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.