Starting his entertainment career as a tap dancer, Jones joined a doo-wop group named The Berliners in 1954. They later changed their name to Sparks Of Rhythm.[1] In 1955 Jones co-wrote "Handy Man", which was recorded by the Sparks Of Rhythm in 1956 (after Jones left the group).
After recording with other groups, Jones went solo and, in 1959, teamed up with Otis Blackwell who reworked "Handy Man" which Jones recorded on the subsidiary MGM record label, Cub. When the flute player did not show up for the session, Blackwell famously whistled on the recording. "Handy Man," released in 1959, gave Jones his first U.S. and UK hit single. "Handy Man" went to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1960. Later in that same year, Jones' recording of "Good Timin'" shot to #1 on the UK Singles Chart and #3 in the U.S. Both "Handy Man" and "Good Timin'" were million sellers, earning Jones two gold discs.
Jones' subsequent career was low key although it included three more UK chart entries in the following twelve months. "Handy Man", which introduced a rock falsetto singing style to the British audience, later scored hits for Del Shannon and James Taylor who both covered it.
Although Jones had but two Top 40 hits, both million sellers, he nevertheless kept active in the music industry as both a songwriter and recording artist and made personal appearances as he saw fit. He kept recording through most of the 1960s and remained with Cub until 1962, scraping the lower reaches of the charts with "That's When I Cried" and "I Told You So." He recorded for Ro-Jac and Vee-Jay over the next two years, and his work gradually took on a New York style uptown soul flavor.[1] From 1965-1967, he recorded for Roulette, Parkway, and Bell, none of which restored his commercial standing.
His considerable influence using falsetto extended to Del Shannon, who paid homage to Jones and also The Ink Spots for Shannon's falsetto style. Later singers who used falsetto included Lou Christie and Barry Gibb. Gibbs cited Shannon, in turn, as an influence for his disco vocalizations with the Bee Gees.
Jones released Grandma's Rock & Roll Party in the 1990s on CD, perhaps, in part due to his popularity in the UK Northern soul circles. It included new versions of "Handy Man" and "Good Timin'". In 2002, Castle/Sanctuary issued a double album anthology titled Good Timin': The Anthology.
Good Timin’
Jimmy Jones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Good timin' a tock a tock a tock a tock a
Timin' is the thing it's true
Good timin' brought me to you
If little, little David hadn't grabbed that stone
Lyin' there on the ground
Big Goliath might've stomped on him
But he had
Timin' a tick a tick a tick a
Good timin' a tock a tock a tock a tock a
Timin' is the thing it's true
Good timin' brought me to you
Who in the world would've ever known
What Columbus could do
If Queen Isabella hadn't hocked her jewels in 1492
But she had
Timin' a tick a tick a tick a
Good timin' a tock a tock a tock a tock a
Timin' is the thing it's true
Good timin' brought me to you
What would've happened if you and I
Hadn't just happened to meet
We might've spent the rest of our lives
Walkin' down misery street
But we had
Timin' a tick a tick a tick a
Good timin' a tock a tock a tock a tock a
Timin' is the thing it's true
Good timin' brought me to you
Yeah, we had timin', woah, woah, woah good timin'
Yeah, yay, yay, yay timin' is the thing it's true
Good timin' brought me to you
Yeah, we had timin', woah, woah, woah good timin'
Yeah, yay, yay, yay timin' is the thing it's true
Good timin' brought me to you
The song "Good Timin'" by Jimmy Jones is an upbeat pop song that emphasizes the importance of timing in life. The song compares various historical events, such as David and Goliath and Columbus' discovery of America, to the idea of good timing leading to success. The lyrics suggest that the timing of meeting someone special can also be the result of good timing.
The repetition of the phrase "a tick a tick a tick a" and "a tock a tock a tock a tock a" emphasizes the concept of time and timing. The lyrics explain that if certain events hadn't happened at the precise moment they did, then outcomes would have been drastically different. The song suggests that timing is an essential factor in life's successes and failures.
The chorus highlights the concept of good timing as the reason for the union between the singer and the person to whom he's singing. The lyrics suggest that the singer may not have met this person otherwise, and their relationship was a result of a chance encounter that occurred at the right moment.
Overall, "Good Timin'" is a fun and catchy pop song that focuses on the concept of timing and its impact on life's events and relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh you need timin' a tick a tick a tick a
Timing is subtle and precise, just like a ticking clock
Good timin' a tock a tock a tock a tock a
When timing is successful, it delivers a clear and happy outcome, just like the sound of a clock ticking and tocking in unison
Timin' is the thing it's true
Timing plays the most critical role in the outcome of all endeavors
Good timin' brought me to you
Our meeting happened at the right time, which led to us being together
If little little David hadn't grabbed that stone
If David had not acted exactly as he did, things would have turned out differently
Lyin' there on the ground
The stone was there, waiting for David to find it
Big Goliath might've stomped on him
Goliath was a larger and stronger opponent, and David was in a vulnerable position
Instead of the other way
Things could have gone the opposite direction, with Goliath winning the battle
But he had
David had the timing and courage to act, which turned the tide of the battle in his favor
Who in the world would've ever known
Without the benefit of hindsight, it's impossible to predict the future
What Columbus could do
Columbus had the ability to explore and discover new lands, but his success was never a given
If Queen Isabella hadn't hocked her jewels
Without Isabella's financial support, Columbus may never have been able to set sail
In 1492
The year that Columbus first reached the New World
But she had
Isabella had the good timing to recognize the value of Columbus' voyage and invest in its success
What would've happened if you and I
If we had not met, our paths in life may have taken a different course
Hadn't just happened to meet
Our meeting was a fortunate coincidence, but also a result of good timing
We might've spent the rest of our lives
Without each other, our lives could have continued on a path of unhappiness or unfulfillment
Walkin' down Misery Street
A metaphorical place of sadness and despair
Yeah we had timin'
Our meeting was the result of good timing and we recognize its importance
Woah, woah, woah good timin'
We look back on our meeting with fondness, acknowledging its significance
Yay, yay, yay, yay timin' is the thing it's true
Timing is the crucial factor in determining the success or failure of any endeavor
Good timin' brought me to you
The result of good timing was our meeting, which ultimately led to us being together
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: FRED TOBIAS, CLINT BALLARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jilliannjones-hendricks9354
I've been reading the comments that have been made. How this song and my fathers music has touch each and everyone of you guys lifes in a special way. He is no longer with us but i know your memories and warm words that you have sheard would make him very proud. I want to say thank you. I to know he was and is one of the greatess voices to grace this earth. Thank you keep listening and buying his music. Jilliann Jones.
@Decadent36
+Jilliann Jones - Hendricks Sorry to hear he's passed on, Jillian. I was introduced to this song through Sirrius XM 50s on 5. I heard it again today and couldn't get it out of my head so I'm playing it on YouTube now. LOL
Take care!
@JeffGR4
+Jilliann Jones - Hendricks : Your Dad's music makes me feel good.
@jilliannjones-hendricks9354
Thank you, for all the wonderful commits on the music and life of my father. Continue to listen.
@mr.warmth1511
+Jilliann Jones - Hendricks ty hon that was nice
@peterthomas6486
James Taylor's Handyman is my favourite song of all time, but took many years to discover that it was a cover of Jimmys. So when I first heard it on the radio, I wasn't that impressed, but have since come around 100% and love the joy in his music. Thanks
@janebartles9582
Fabulous!!! Ive just lost my lovely Dad. He adored this song. Wonderful xxx
@remnant88starseed33
Speak to God☺☺☺☺☺
@thesongbird2383
I was a 7th grader in Southern California, back in 1960, when this song was popular. I listened to it on KFXM & KMEN radio stations. It was just before the Surfin' craze and the Beatles. Such great singers & musicians with no autotune! I still find myself singing this catchy song in 2022! Thank you Jimmy. 👍💜
@DooWops4Ever
San Bernardino area?