1) James Ray (born Jam… Read Full Bio ↴There is more than one artist with this name:
1) James Ray (born James Ray Raymond in Washington, D.C. in 1941, died c. 1964) was an African American R&B singer of the early 1960s.
A resident of Washington, the diminutive, 5-foot (1.5-meter) singer was discovered in 1961 while destitute and living on a rooftop, and began recording as James Ray for Caprice Records. His best-known hit was "If You Gotta Make a Fool of Somebody", which reached #22 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1962 and was also a top 10 R&B hit. The single was issued in the UK in 1962 as well, and was performed by The Beatles before it was discovered by Freddie and the Dreamers who took it into the UK top 5 the year after.
In the U.S., Ray's single was followed by an eponymous album, which contained the follow up single "Itty Bitty Pieces", which reached #41 on the Hot 100, as well as a song called "Got My Mind Set On You". A severely edited version of this was released later in the year as a single on the Dynamic Sound label and reached #22.
Many of Ray's songs were written by Rudy Clark, later to become famous for "The Shoop Shoop Song" and others.
James Ray is thought to have died in 1964, due to a drug overdose.
The Beatles' George Harrison purchased a copy of Ray's album in 1963 when he went to the United States to visit his sister. Over two decades later he revived "Got My Mind Set On You" and took it to #1 in early 1988.
John Lennon was also a fan and included "If You Gotta Make a Fool of Somebody" on his jukebox, the contents of which were issued as a double CD in 2004 after the jukebox itself was purchased at an auction.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Ray_%28singer%29
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2) James Ray is a rock singer and band-leader, best known as a member of Andrew Eldritch's side-project The Sisterhood.
He was a founding member of "James Ray And The Performance", a rock band with ties to goth rock. James Ray has also formed the bands "James Rays Gangwar", "The MK Ultra", "4080peru" and his current band 25men
James Ray And The Performance
The Performance was a band started by James Ray and Carl Harrison. An early demo of tracks such as "Mexico Sundown Blues", "Dance" and "Edie Sedgwick" (the latter named after the actress) was sent to The Sisters of Mercy's record label, Merciful Release. The band were signed, and after Ray's contribution to The Sisterhood project "Gift", Merciful released the Mexico Sundown Blues single in July 1986. The singles "Texas" and "Dust Boat" were also released on Merciful, followed by the compilation A New Kind Of Assassin.
James Rays Gangwar
After The Performance, Ray formed James Rays Gangwar. The band were still contracted to Merciful for an album, so the band recorded the Dios Esta De Nuestro Lado LP, a more aggressive sounding album, still with the southern American influence, and a cover of Alvin Stardust's "[My] Coo Ca Choo" closing the album. The opening track, Rev Rev Lowrider was released as a single. Other non-album tracks were released as singles, "Fuel", "Another Million Dollars" and "Without Conscience".
After this, Gangwar released the Third Generation LP on Surgery Records, a much more techno-based album, with fewer guitars, and a more trance-like feel. The song "Fuelled Up" draws heavily from the earlier song "Fuel," which in turn borrows heavily from the melody of Knock on Wood.
The final Gangwar album was 'Psychodalek', combining the techno feel of Third Generation and their traditioanal overdriven guitar sounds. The album aslo featured a new recording of Edie Sedgewick, entitled only Edie, featuring These Crimson Dreams singer, Tamsin.
The MK Ultra
After the release of Third Generation, Ray formed the project "The MK Ultra", a solo effort, again releasing on Merciful Release. The first LP This Is This had a more dance-like feel than Third Generation, continuing to incorporate samples and Ray's own deep voice against the female backing vocals and techno rhythms. The first track, "Regeneration" is a remix of the title track from Third Generation. After This Is This, Ray released Beluga Pop, a collection of ambient techno pieces, far removed from much of his earlier work. The MK Ultra did not release any singles. Ray later wrote a novella entitled "Psychodalek" under the James Ray's Gangwar moniker, and released an album of the same name as a soundtrack to accompany the book. Both the novella and the album are currently available to download from his website.
Present day
In recent years, Gangwar have reformed, to play a handful of concerts, such as Wave-Gotik-Treffen. A further ambient project, 4080Peru was formed, writing long soundscapes. 4080Peru have also performed these tracks live. Ray is also currently working with the band 25men, and still keeping up with Speedy Dave.
25men
25men consists of various transient musicians and artists from around the world who contribute to 25men. Designed and directed by James Ray, 25men present an amalgamation of musical and artistic ideas resulting in a sound that takes the sound of Gangwar and 4080peru to another dimension.
If You Gotta Make a Fool of Somebody
James Ray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you gotta make a fool of someone
Do you really gotta hurt me
I'm the one thatll worry, about you
If you gotta make a fool of somebody
If you gotta make a fool of someone
Do you really gotta hurt me
Daytime or nightime, anytime at all
I'll rush to your side anytime you call
Just to be near you, you know
Anywhere I'll go
How could you hurt me so... Oh
If you gotta make a fool of somebody
If you gotta make a fool of someone
Do you really gotta hurt me
I'm the one thatll worry, about you
Take it easy baby
Please don't hurt me
The lyrics of the song "If You Gotta Make a Fool of Somebody" by James Ray express the pain and vulnerability of someone in love who is being taken advantage of. The singer is begging the person not to hurt them while acknowledging that they will always be there for them, no matter what they do. The lyrics talk about how the singer will drop everything and rush to the person's side whenever they need them, and yet the person they love is still willing to make a fool of them.
The lyrics are emotional and heart-wrenching, conveying the singer's love and devotion despite being taken for granted. The repetition of the line "If you gotta make a fool of somebody" emphasizes the hurt and pain caused by the person's actions, and the pleading tone in the singer's voice adds an extra layer of emotion to the lyrics. Overall, the song is a powerful statement about the ups and downs of love and the difficulty of letting go even when someone you love is hurting you.
Line by Line Meaning
If you gotta make a fool of somebody
If you feel the need to humiliate or deceive someone
If you gotta make a fool of someone
If you feel the need to play games and cause someone to look or feel foolish
Do you really gotta hurt me
Is it necessary to cause me pain or distress as a result of your actions?
I'm the one thatll worry, about you
I care about you and will be concerned for your well-being even if you choose to treat me poorly
I am the one thatll love you, always true
Despite any mistreatment, my love for you will remain constant and unwavering
Daytime or nightime, anytime at all
I am available and devoted to you regardless of the hour or circumstances
I'll rush to your side anytime you call
I will always be there for you, ready to provide comfort and support
Just to be near you, you know
Simply being close to you brings me joy and contentment
Anywhere I'll go
I am willing to go to great lengths and travel far distances for you
How could you hurt me so... Oh
I am struggling to understand how you could cause me such pain
Take it easy baby
Please be gentle with me and treat me kindly
Please don't hurt me
I am vulnerable and asking you to respect my feelings and avoid causing me harm
Contributed by Daniel V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
The Gothic Imp
Love this song. It's so sad that a man this talented died at such a young age, unsung and largely forgotten. Thanks for bringing a smile to my face, jameycruz2.
beatsinabar
Love this song — it's such a departure from the beaten track, with the 3/4 rhythm, the tuba bass, the non standard song structure. And the video - random street scenes from US and UK — what's that all about? Love it!
yankeear
I 've always loved this song. Its so raw and emotional. The song was probably done in a few takes. Whereas today with all the different instrument that are used in it. It would take a 'genious' to get that sound that Mr. Ray did so gracefully back then.
David Maslow
This is a masterpiece!
Larry Hillman
I remember hearing this song being done by Freddy and the Dreamers as a teenager. It was much better than any other material they did.. It is a shame that James Ray's original wasn't well known here in the States. It is an excellent song by an American who wasn't really ever known in his own country. The same applies to his song "I got my mind set on you" which good old George had a hit with in the 80's. Great songs by an underrated artist. RIP, James.
Pagan Morph
Freddy Garrity and the Dreamers were often to be seen at the Lunch time Cavern sessions in Liverpool. This is where they would have heard Bob Wooler the DJ playing James Ray constantly
Daniel D
An absolute gem that I haven't heard since the mid-60s. It takes me back to 1962, when music was marvelous. Thanks for posting this lost but not forgotten classic.
Natalia Molina
<3 Hermosa canción
Ty Byrd
I was 15, hanging out with some black guys who had access to the PX on their forces base. One of them bought this record which had just come out. I could not believe how great it was: my introduction to black blues. So wonderful to hear it again. Thank you youtube.
Sandra Reed
check out Great Big World, Say Something