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
Never Like This Before
Jimmy James & The Vagabonds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Cause I know that good things don't ever last
I like believing in what I want to
Don't like no one to tell me what to do
And I like the times that we've had
But I couldn't tell you what's good or bad
I'm only hoping that you understand
This feeling that I'm feeling when I'm holding your hand
(I know what I like)
I know what I like
(I know what I like)
I know what I like to do
(I know what I like)
I know what I like
(I know what I like to do)
I like the sound of breaking glass
And if you don't believe me, why do you ask?
I like leaving town, and coming back home
I'm going to show you, when we're all alone
I like staying up all night
Watching old movies 'til the morning light
I don't pretend to know what's right or wrong
But I won't like leaving, if I stay here too long
(I know what I like)
I know what I like
(I know what I like)
I know what I like to do
(I know what I like)
I know what I like
(I know what I like to do)
Well what about you?
I like things that don't change
'Cause the more something changes, the more it stays the same
I might be simple, take it easy sometimes
But I can be stubborn when I've made up my mind
I know what I like
(I know what I like)
I know what I like
(I know what I like)
I know what I like to do
(I know what I like)
I know what I like
(I know what I like to do)
I know what I like to do
(I know what I like)
I know
(I know what I like)
(I know what I like)
(I know what I like to do)
The lyrics of "Never Like This Before" by Jimmy James & The Vagabonds express the singer's desire for independence and spontaneity. He likes things that are fast-paced and exciting because he knows that good things don't last forever. He also values the freedom to believe and do what he wants without anyone else telling him what to do. The singer then reflects on his relationship with someone special and how he enjoys the times they've had together. He doesn't judge them as good or bad but hopes that they can understand the feeling he gets from holding their hand.
The singer then shares more of his personal preferences, including the sound of breaking glass and leaving town to come back home. He enjoys staying up all night with someone special, watching old movies until the morning light. Even though he doesn't always know what is right or wrong, he knows he won't like leaving if he stays in one place too long. He likes things that don't change much since the more something changes, the more it stays the same. The song concludes with the singer reaffirming his knowledge of what he likes to do, inviting the listener to share their own preferences.
Line by Line Meaning
I like things that go fast
I enjoy things that move quickly
'Cause I know that good things don't ever last
I understand that enjoyable experiences don't typically last long
I like believing in what I want to
I prefer to hold my own beliefs and opinions
Don't like no one to tell me what to do
I dislike being told what to do
And I like the times that we've had
I have enjoyed our previous experiences together
But I couldn't tell you what's good or bad
I am unable to distinguish between good and bad experiences
I'm only hoping that you understand
I am hopeful that you can comprehend my feelings
This feeling that I'm feeling when I'm holding your hand
My emotions when we are holding hands
I like the sound of breaking glass
I enjoy the sound of shattered objects
And if you don't believe me, why do you ask?
Questioning why someone would doubt my statement
I like leaving town, and coming back home
I enjoy traveling and returning to my place of origin
I'm going to show you, when we're all alone
Implying an intimate act between both people
I like staying up all night
I enjoy staying awake throughout the night
Watching old movies 'til the morning light
Viewing classic movies until sunrise
I don't pretend to know what's right or wrong
I am not asserting I understand what is perceived as right or wrong
But I won't like leaving, if I stay here too long
I won't want to depart if I am staying for an extensive duration
I like things that don't change
I prefer things that remain unchanged
'Cause the more something changes, the more it stays the same
Explaining the concept that things may remain the same even when they appear to be different
I might be simple, take it easy sometimes
I am comfortable with simple living and an uncomplicated lifestyle
But I can be stubborn when I've made up my mind
I can possess a stubborn nature once I am determined
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHRISTOPHER JOHN HAYES, HUEY LEWIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind