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.
Take A Look Around
James Gang Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Walking around feeling low
You will never hear there
Goes a man who doesn t know
Too many roads to walk
Too many things to do
Too many words to talk
Moments too few
I don't think you know
Though you've been told a million times
Its not clear to see
Unless you read in between the lines
Look out your window
When did it start?
Nothing's for certain
It's just a part
If you're feeling low, no
And your world comes tumbling down
If you see how time stops
Better take a look around
Good things must end
They never last
Look to tomorrow
Forget the past
The James Gang's song "Take A Look Around" is a song about maintaining a positive outlook on life and not getting bogged down by the negative aspects. The opening lines of the song set the tone for the rest of the song, with the singer telling the listener that they will never see him walking around feeling low. He then goes on to say that there are too many roads to walk and too many things to do, so he doesn't have time to be down.
The chorus of the song is a warning to the listener to be aware of their surroundings and to pay attention to the world around them. The singer tells the listener that if they see how time stops, they should take a look around and appreciate everything that is good in their life. The song ends on a positive note, with the singer encouraging the listener to forget the past and look to tomorrow.
Line by Line Meaning
You will never see me
I never show my sadness or frustration to others.
Walking around feeling low
I don't let negative emotions control me.
You will never hear there
People don't say that I'm ignorant or clueless.
Goes a man who doesn t know
I'm aware of what's going on in the world.
Too many roads to walk
Life has endless possibilities and it's hard to choose a path.
Too many things to do
There are so many responsibilities in life.
Too many words to talk
Communication can be overwhelming.
Moments too few
Life is fleeting and it can be hard to make the most of it.
I don't think you know
There are things that can't be understood until you experience them yourself.
Though you've been told a million times
Others can try to explain things to you, but it won't make sense until you experience it.
Its not clear to see
Some things are hidden or not obvious.
Unless you read in between the lines
To truly understand, you need to look at the details and nuances.
Look out your window
Observe your surroundings.
When did it start?
The beginning of something may be hard to pinpoint.
Nothing's for certain
Life is unpredictable and anything can happen.
It's just a part
This is just one piece of the puzzle.
If you're feeling low, no
If you're not happy with your current situation.
And your world comes tumbling down
When things fall apart and everything seems hopeless.
If you see how time stops
When you realize how quickly time passes and how important it is to make the most of it.
Better take a look around
Pay attention to what's happening in your life and make the most of it.
Good things must end
Everything has a beginning and an end, including positive experiences.
They never last
Nothing stays the same forever.
Look to tomorrow
The future is full of possibilities.
Forget the past
Don't let past mistakes or regrets hold you back from moving forward.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOSEPH F. WALSH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind