1) Jimmy James… Read Full Bio ↴There is more than one artist with this name, including:
1) Jimmy James (died 2024) was a Jamaican R&B/soul singer remembered as vocalist for Jimmy James & The Vagabonds;
2) Jimmy James is American singer-songwriter James A. Fyke (born June 27, 1959);
3) Jimmy James is Ivorian rapper Koné Diarra Adama;
4) Jimmy James is American singer-songwriter James Jude Johnson.
1) Jimmy James (born Michael James on 13 September 1939; died 14 May 2024) was a Jamaican soul singer remembered for being lead singer of Jimmy James & The Vagabonds from the mid-1960s. Moving to the UK in 1964 and signing a recording contract with Pye Records, they released their best known studio album, The New Religion, in 1966. James is particularly remembered for his cover of Neil Diamond's "Red Red Wine". In the 1970s the band had hit singles in the UK Singles Chart with "I'll Go Where Your Music Takes Me" and "Now Is The Time".
2) Jimmy James is American singer-songwriter James A. Fyke (born June 27, 1959). James originally played the bass in the rock band Tommy Tutone, later switching to guitar and drums and performing the role of band leader. He has played bass with Animotion, keyboards with Mike Tramp (White Lion), and guitar with Bad Company featuring Brian Howe. He has performed solo acoustic guitar throughout Europe, supporting acts such as Kip Winger and Eric Martin (Mr. Big).
In his solo singer-songwriter career, he has released "All Talk / No Action" (1999) and "Solace in the Sun" (2015).
3) Jimmy James is Ivorian rapper Koné Diarra Adama.
4) Jimmy James is American singer-songwriter James Jude Johnson. James is originally from San Antonio, Texas, and now resides in New York City, where he performs regularly. As a child, James loved to escape into the world of variety television. Sonny & Cher, Flip Wilson, Carol Burnette and Johnny Carson were just some of the shows that influenced and inspired him. Even as a toddler he was always singing, dancing and dressing up in his mother´s clothes. His remarkable ability for vocal mimicry became apparent at a young age, his first imitation was the distinctive voice of Cher, a longtime idol of his. With dedicated practice on his own, James discovered that he could also accurately imitate the unmistakable voices of Eartha Kitt, Billie Holiday, Patsy Cline, Bette Davis, Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand and many others.
Throughout high school, James studied the dramatic arts where he developed skills with theatrical makeup. Using his own face as a canvas, he realized that like his voice his looks could also be transformed. He began to notice similarities in his facial structure with that of the late screen legend Marilyn Monroe. He then set out to re-create her trademark look and breathy vocal presence. The results of his efforts were spectacular. The "resurrected" Marilyn was an instant hit at the drag-shows and dance clubs where he performed.
It wasn't long before television talk show producers began to notice his talents. Through a steady stream of appearances on shows such as Donahue, Sally, Geraldo, Joan Rivers, Entertainment Tonight, CNN, Showtime and others, he gained incredible national and international exposure. Suddenly Jimmy´s one-man show- "Marilyn and Voices" -which he wrote and produced- was in high-demand worldwide. From New York to L.A., Provincetown to Atlantic City even as far as Europe, Asia and Australia Jimmy had a sellout smash which toured for several years.
In addition to the touring, Jimmy was hired for a number of high-profile commercial ad campaigns. Eyewear manufacturer L.A. Eyeworks used a stunning image of Jimmys´ Marilyn in full-page ads that ran worldwide. The campaign was featured in the 20-year anniversary issue of Interview Magazine- a tribute to Andy Warhol. Another highly successful campaign was shot for Kenar, a women´s clothing manufacturer. The ad featured Jimmy as three of his divas: Marilyn, Bette Davis and Judy Garland posing with supermodel Linda Evangelista. The highlight of the campaign came when the ad electrified a giant billboard in the center of Times Square, New York City.
Throughout his career Jimmy James has constantly evolved as an entertainer. By the mid-1990's he began to pursue a career as a recording artist in New York City by using his own soulful voice. A talented singer and songwriter, Jimmy has recently been signed to several dance record labels- domestically with Interhit Records/US, and internationally with Devox Records/Toshiba-EMI/Asia, Mushroom Records/Australia and Hi-Bias/Canada. His first single "Who Wants To Be Your Lover", -produced by the Berman Brothers with remixes by Eric Kupper, Chris Cox and DJ´s Rule- was released worldwide in early 1998.
People
Jimmy James Lyrics
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There's a train a comin'
You don't need no baggage you just get on board
All you need is faith
To hear the diesel comin'
Don't need no ticket you just thank the Lord
People get readyTrain to Jordan
Picking up passengers from coast to coast
Faith is key
Open the doors and board them
There's hope for all among the love the most
There ain't no room for the hopeless sinner
Who would hurt all mankind just to save his own soul
Have pity on those whose choices grow thinner
There ain't no hiding place from the Kingdom's throne
People get ready
There's a train a comin'
You don't need no baggage you just get on board
All you need is faith
To hear the diesel comin'
Don't need no ticket you just thank the Lord
There's a train there's a train there's a train comin' people
There's a train there's a train there's a train comin' people
There's a train there's a train there's a train comin' people
Just get on board
There ain't no room for the hopeless sinner
Who would hurt all mankind just to save his own soul
Have pity on those whose choices grow thinner
There ain't no hiding place from the Kingdom's throne
The song "People Get Ready" by Jimmy James & The Vagabonds is a gospel-inspired call to prepare for the coming of the Lord. The lyrics speak of a train that is coming to take the faithful to Jordan, symbolizing the promised land of heaven. The train represents the hope of salvation, and the lyrics urge listeners to have faith and not worry about material possessions or status.
The first verse encourages listeners to prepare for the train by letting go of their baggage and having faith. The second verse suggests that the train is picking up passengers from all over, regardless of their background or status. The lyrics emphasize that the key to boarding the train is faith, rather than any kind of ticket or material possessions. The chorus repeats the message of faith and reminds listeners of the train that is coming.
The third and final verse warns against those who act selfishly or cruelly, suggesting that they will not be able to board the train to salvation. The lyrics emphasize the importance of making good choices to avoid being left behind. The final chorus reinforces this message and encourages all listeners to get on board the train to a better place.
Overall, the song is a powerful call to faith and action, urging listeners to prepare for the coming of the Lord and the promise of salvation.
Line by Line Meaning
People get ready
Prepare yourself, something is about to happen.
There's a train a comin'
There's an opportunity coming your way.
You don't need no baggage you just get on board
You don't need to carry your mistakes and regrets with you, just take the opportunity.
All you need is faith
Believing in yourself and your abilities is what you need to seize the opportunity.
To hear the diesel comin'
To be aware of the signs that indicate the opportunity approaching.
Don't need no ticket you just thank the Lord
You don't have to pay for it, just be grateful for the opportunity.
Train to Jordan
Metaphor for spiritual journey.
Picking up passengers from coast to coast
The opportunity is available to everyone, regardless of their background or location.
Faith is key
Believing in yourself, your journey and the opportunity is of utmost importance.
Open the doors and board them
Be open to change and embrace the opportunity.
There's hope for all among the love the most
Everyone has a chance to succeed and be loved.
There ain't no room for the hopeless sinner
There is no place for negativity in pursuit of opportunity.
Who would hurt all mankind just to save his own soul
Those who want to benefit themselves at the cost of others will not succeed.
Have pity on those whose choices grow thinner
Empathize with those who struggle and have limited options.
There ain't no hiding place from the Kingdom's throne
One cannot hide from the consequences of their actions and decisions.
There's a train there's a train there's a train comin' people
The opportunity is getting closer and closer.
Just get on board
Seize the opportunity and take action.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Curtis Mayfield
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind