James grew up and began performing in Kingston, Jamaica, where he recorded as a solo artist with producers Coxsone Dodd, Clancy Eccles, and Lyndon Pottinger. His most successful release was an early version of "Come To Me Softly", which found local success and persuaded James to give up a job with the Inland Revenue for a music career.
The Vagabonds were originally formed in 1960. James teamed up with them under Canadian band manager Roger Smith and in April 1964, they relocated to the UK. "Ska-Time" (Decca Records) was recorded as Jamaica's Own Vagabonds within two weeks of their arrival, and is one of the first examples of Jamaican ska music to be recorded in the UK. After meeting manager Peter Meaden in 1965, Jimmy James and the Vagabonds supported The Who and Rod Stewart who was with his group The Steampacket at the Marquee Club in London. The band played the Shanklin Pier ballroom on the Isle of Wight in June 1965 and returned for two further sold-out concerts that summer. He and the Vagabonds shared several bills with Jimi Hendrix's band, The Experience, during the late 1960s when they were both trying to establish themselves. "We used to hang out a lot at clubs like the Bag O' Nails, the Cromwellian and Whiskey A Go Go. A great guy, very quiet and unassuming," James recalled. The Vagabonds and the Experience also played the Ricky Tick and Upper Cut clubs in London in December 1966 and January 1967 respectively, and at the Beachcomber Ballroom in Nottingham.
They signed a recording contract with Pye Records and released their best known studio album, The New Religion in 1966. The band also played as support for The Who, and Sonny & Cher, Rod Stewart (who was also on Pye Records at the time), and The Rolling Stones. The band often used the Abbey Road Studios, once being there at the same time as The Beatles were recording. Their live performance was captured in the album, London Swings – Live at the Marquee Club, also featuring The Alan Bown Set. Jimmy James and the Vagabonds were labelmates and rivals of Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band.
The Vagabonds disbanded in 1970, but James, who owned the name, reformed the band with a new, all white line-up in 1974. They had hits in the UK Singles Chart with " I'll Go Where Your Music Takes Me" and "Now Is The Time". Without James, the Vagabonds recorded an album (Ska-Time) as "Jamaica's Original Vagabonds" which was released in 1970.
Former Vagabonds bass player Alan Wood (1973–77) now runs his own management agency and represents Paul Carrack.
In 1979 a new band, Big Business, was formed by Alan Kirk and Andrew Platts, former Vagabonds and they continue to tour to this day. Big Business toured with Mick Jackson ("Blame It on the Boogie"). Kirk owns Hilltop Studios in Dronfield near Chesterfield. Platts is managing editor of the entertainment paper, Mercury Newspaper in Sheffield.
In 1999, drummer Russ Courtenay co-wrote the track "Whatever You Need", which appeared on Tina Turner's album, 24/7, and later on her All the Best and The Platinum Collection compilation albums. He is currently working on a project entitled 'Rainbow Beach'.
In 2007, James contributed the track "The Other Side of the Street" for Ian Levine's Northern Soul 2007 album.
James regularly performs around the UK with former Foundations frontman, Clem Curtis. The pair, along with Flirtations vocalist Earnestine Pearce have toured with 'The Soul Explosion'. In April 2007, James performed at the 'Classic Gold Weekender' along with Marmalade, Love Affair and Showaddywaddy. In 2013, they toured with James' early hero, Ben E. King.
In February 2014, the song "Whatever You Need", written by drummer Russ Courtenay and Harriet Roberts featured on Tina Turner's album, Love Songs.
The Vagabonds
Members of the Vagabonds have included:
Rupert Balgobin (drums, 1960–70)
Barry Sutton (Trumpet, 1967–70)
Colston Chen (bass, 1960–70)
Phil Chen (guitar, 1960–70)
Fred Fredericks (saxophone, 1960–70)
Carl Griffiths (saxophone, 1960–70)
Count Prince Miller (vocals, 1960–70) died in 2018
Carl Noel (keyboards, 1960–67)
Art Regis (Hammond organ, 1967–1969)
Wallace Wilson (guitar, 1960–70)
Stewart Blandamer (saxophone, 1970-1972
Steve Farr (saxophone, 1970-1972)
Bill Roberts (guitar, 1970-1972)
Eddy Spence (keyboards, 1970-1972)
Kelvin(Kelly)Cantlon (bass, 1970-1972)
Mick Dolan (drums, 1970-1972)
Alan Wood (bass, 1973–77)
Martin Dale (trumpet, 1971)
Dave Hopper (guitar, 1973–74)
Fred Guite (drums, 1973–74)
Pete Wright (drums, 1974–75)
Russ Courtenay (drums, 1975–77)
Chris Garfield (guitar, 1975–77)
Alan Kirk (keyboards, 1975–77)
Pete Gill (drums, 1974–1975)
John Steele (guitar, 1974–1975)
Rick Sequeira (keyboards, 1974–1975)
Andrew Platts (trombone and vocals 1977–1979)
Glenn Harland (Lead Guitarist 1981–1984)
John Wintony (keyboards 1981–1984)
Dave Bussey (drums 1981–1984
Chris Turner (bass 1981–1984)
Steve Ward (lead guitarist, 1990–1995)
David Cooke (keyboards, 1990–1995)
Pat Coleman (drums, 1990–1994)
Mario James (bass, 1990–1992)
Mike Scrimshaw (bass, 1992)
Dean Spain (backing vocals, 1998–current)
Discography
"Red Red Wine" – 1968 – Pye – No. 36 UK
A Man Like Me -1972 - Stateside Records Did not Chart
I'll Go Where your Music Takes Me– Pye – No. 23 UK
"You Don't Stand a Chance if You Can't Dance" - 1975 - PYE Records Limited
"Now Is The Time" – 1976 – Pye – No. 5 UK
I Gotta Dance to Keep from Cryin'
Jimmy James & The Vagabonds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Help me forget my hurtin' tears
About the only girl I ever loved
The only one baby
I gotta dance to keep from cryin' (crying)
Gotta dance to keep from crying' (crying)
Whoa, do the flop (do the flop)
Everybody, it goes like this
You gotta dance, got me swayin', got me, alright
Gotta dance, got me swayin', got me, alright
I'm so lonely since we parted
You memory leaves me so broken hearted
I gotta dance to keep from cryin' (crying)
Gotta dance to keep from crying' (crying)
Do the bird (do the bird)
Do the fly (do the fly)
Come on, gang, you know, by by by, oh yeah
Do the bang, yeah, you can't miss
Everybody, yeah, it goes like this
You gotta dance, got me swayin', got me, alright
Gotta dance, got me swayin', got me, alright
Heartaches can gather 'round
Misery I sure have found
I gotta dance to keep from cryin' (crying)
Gotta dance to keep from crying' (crying)
You goin' softer now, you goin' softer now...
You goin' soft right now, yeah yeah
Everybody clap their hands now...
Alright, yeah, alright, yeah
I want you to go harder now, baby
I want you to go harder now, baby
Yeah yeah, you go harder now
You walk right up, yeah yeah
You go harder now, yeah...
You go hard now, yeah...
You gotta dance, got me swayin', got me, alright
Gotta dance, got me swayin', got me, alright
You gotta dance, got me swayin', got me, alright
Gotta dance, got me swayin', got me, alright
The song "I Gotta Dance To Keep From Crying" by Jimmy James & The Vagabonds is a groovy soul track with a melancholy message about using dancing as an escape from heartache. The song features a catchy chorus that repeats "gotta dance to keep from crying" which emphasizes the theme of using dancing as a coping mechanism. The singer is lamenting the loss of his love, who is the only one he ever loved. He implores his friends to gather around him to help him forget his hurtin' tears caused by the memory of his lost love.
The song goes on to describe the various dance moves that the singer and his friends are doing to keep from crying, which includes the "flop," "twist," "bird" and "fly." These dance steps have been popular in the 1960s, which is the era when this song was released. The song's melancholic tone is amplified by the singer's description of his loneliness since his breakup and the heartache and misery caused by his lost love. Despite his pain, the singer manages to keep himself going by dancing with his friends.
Overall, "I Gotta Dance To Keep From Crying" is a poignant and soulful song about using dancing as a way to cope with heartache and loss. The catchy and fun melody are in contrast to the sad lyrics, which creates an interesting dynamic.
Line by Line Meaning
Gather 'round my friends here
Come closer my friends
Help me forget my hurtin' tears
Assist me in forgetting about the sadness and pain I feel
About the only girl I ever loved
Referring to the girl he loved in the past, the only one that was special to him
The only one baby
Emphasis on the uniqueness and significance of the girl he loved
I gotta dance to keep from cryin' (crying)
He has to dance to avoid breaking down and crying because of the emotional upheaval he's experiencing
Gotta dance to keep from crying' (crying)
Reiteration of the previous line
Whoa, do the flop (do the flop)
Instruction to dance the flop dance move
Do the twist (do the twist)
Instruction to dance the twist dance move
Everybody, it goes like this
Everyone should follow these simple dance instructions
You gotta dance, got me swayin', got me, alright
Dancing is making him feel better
Gotta dance, got me swayin', got me, alright
Reiteration of the previous line
I'm so lonely since we parted
Since parting with the girl he loved, he feels deeply lonely
You memory leaves me so broken hearted
The memories of her are causing him heartbreak
Do the bird (do the bird)
Instruction to dance the bird dance move
Do the fly (do the fly)
Instruction to dance the fly dance move
Come on, gang, you know, by by by, oh yeah
Let's dance and forget our troubles together
Do the bang, yeah, you can't miss
Instruction to dance the bang dance move, which is easy to do
Everybody, yeah, it goes like this
Everyone please follow these simple dance moves
Heartaches can gather 'round
Sad memories can accumulate and bring pain
Misery I sure have found
He's been feeling miserable
You goin' softer now, you goin' softer now...
The music is slowing down
You goin' soft right now, yeah yeah
The music is getting quieter
Everybody clap their hands now...
Instructions for everyone to clap their hands in rhythm to the music
Alright, yeah, alright, yeah
Encouragement to keep dancing and having fun
I want you to go harder now, baby
He wants the music to get louder and faster
I want you to go harder now, baby
Reiteration of the previous line
Yeah yeah, you go harder now
Request for the music to become louder and faster
You walk right up, yeah yeah
Instructions for people to continue dancing
You go harder now, yeah...
Request for the music to become louder and faster
You go hard now, yeah...
Request for the music to become louder and faster
You gotta dance, got me swayin', got me, alright
Dancing is still making him feel better
Gotta dance, got me swayin', got me, alright
Reiteration of the previous line
You gotta dance, got me swayin', got me, alright
Reiteration of the previous line
Gotta dance, got me swayin', got me, alright
Reiteration of the previous line
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JR., BRIAN HOLLAND, EDWARD HOLLAND, EDWARD, JR. HOLLAND, LAMONT DOZIER, LAMONT HERBERT DOZIER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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