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
Life
Jimmy James & The Vagabonds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A rose growing from the ground
Oh how your sweet kiss tasted
Stop running round and round
It's so damn easy to fall
My fear of drought, is all but missing
I wanna hear you call
Now I'm all reminiscing
Will you take me far and wide
Don't let me suffer
Will you always be my guide
Don't make it tougher
Come over here sweet Emily
Cause I'm longing
Baby I can make you feel
Like you belong
And bring me back to life
And bring me back to life
Move along, they say
Hard to tell if it's you
Two lifes, one soul
Tis' what I'm proposing
It's so damn easy to fall
My fear of drought, is all but missing
I wanna hear you call
Now I'm all reminiscing
So just
Will you take me far and wide
Don't let me suffer
Will you always be my guide
Don't make it tougher
Come over here sweet Emily
Cause I'm longing
Baby I can make you feel
Like you belong
And bring me back to life
And bring me back to life
The world will take it's toll on us
Fire burning, torn to dust
Don't wanna do it just because
So just
Will you take me far and wide
Don't let me suffer
Will you always be my guide
Don't make it tougher
Come over here sweet Emily
Cause I'm longing
Baby I can make you feel
Like you belong
And bring me back to life
Will you take me far and wide
Don't let me suffer
Will you always be my guide
Don't make it tougher
Come over here sweet Emily
Cause I'm longing
Baby I can make you feel
Like you belong
And bring me back to life
And bring me back to life
The song "Life" by Jimmy James & The Vagabonds is a love song that talks about the desire to be with someone who can bring back the joy in life. The song is sung from a perspective of someone who has been through tough times and feels like they are stagnant, but then meets someone who brings light into their darkness. The opening line "in dreams, much too wasted" sets the tone for the song, as it implies that the singer has been in a state of discouragement and despondency. However, when they meet Emily, they feel like she can help them regain their zest for life.
The "rose growing from the ground" metaphor describes how Emily has come into the singer's life and has started to bring beauty into their otherwise dull existence. The line "two lifes, one soul" shows how the singer sees Emily as the missing piece that can make them feel complete. The chorus is a plea for Emily to continue being there for them and to be their guide as they navigate life's challenges.
Throughout the song, there is a sense of vulnerability and a willingness to trust that is conveyed, as the singer asks Emily to take them far and wide and make them feel like they belong. The bridge talks about the toll that the world can take on us, but also how we have a choice in how we respond to it. The final repetition of the chorus is almost like a mantra, as the singer repeats their request for Emily to bring them back to life.
Line by Line Meaning
In dreams, much too wasted
I often dream while in a drunk or drug-induced state
A rose growing from the ground
Despite the hardships of life, there is still beauty to be found
Oh how your sweet kiss tasted
I remember the sweetness of your kiss fondly
Stop running round and round
I can't keep going in circles, I need a change
It's so damn easy to fall
It's easy to give in to temptation and fall into bad habits
My fear of drought, is all but missing
My fears of not having enough are gone because I have you
I wanna hear you call
I long to hear your voice and feel your love once again
Now I'm all reminiscing
I can't help but think back to memories of our time together
Will you take me far and wide
Will you take me on new adventures and expand my horizons
Don't let me suffer
Please don't let me suffer alone, be there for me
Will you always be my guide
Will you always be there for me and show me what's right
Don't make it tougher
Please don't make things harder than they already are
Come over here sweet Emily
Come closer to me, my love
Cause I'm longing
I miss you and yearn for your presence
Baby I can make you feel
I have the power to make you feel loved and whole
Like you belong
I can make you feel like you fit in and have a place in this world
And bring me back to life
Your love has the power to revive me and make me feel alive once again
Move along, they say
People tell me to move on and forget about you
Hard to tell if it's you
It's hard to tell if I should listen to the advice of others or follow my heart
Two lifes, one soul
We have two separate lives but our souls are intertwined
Tis' what I'm proposing
This is what I'm suggesting, that we come together as one
The world will take its toll on us
The world can be cruel and we will face many challenges
Fire burning, torn to dust
Our passion may burn brightly but it can also lead to destruction
Don't wanna do it just because
I don't want to do something just because others tell me to, I want to follow my heart
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Peter Nilsson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind