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 a tribute to the idea that timing is everything in life, and many significant occurrences in history stem from fortuitous timing. The lyrics suggest that if it weren't for perfect timing, David would have lost to Goliath, Columbus may have never landed in America, and the performers of the song may have never met. The emphasis on timing is driven home with the tick-tock of a clock woven into the lyrics, creating a fun and catchy song that celebrates the role of luck and timing in life.
The song is optimistic and upbeat, emphasizing the importance of being in the right place at the right time. The song begins with the line, "Oh, you need timin' a tick a tick a tick a" which sets up the entire song's theme. The lyrics symbolize the idea that if one has good timing, they can achieve great things and meet the right people who will ultimately bring them happiness. The song's verses then move on to further explore the idea that timing has played a prominent role in major historical events, which leads to the idea that good timing can bring a great romance into one's life.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, you need timin' a tick a tick a tick a
The importance of timing is emphasized through repetition of the phrase "tick a tick a tick a."
Good timin' a tock a tock a tock a tock a
The lyrics introduce the concept of "good timing" which is defined as a "tock a tock a tock a tock a."
Timin' is the thing it's true
The singer declares that the most important thing in life is timing.
Good timin' brought me to you
The singer credits good timing with the good fortune of meeting the listener.
If little, little David hadn't grabbed that stone
The story of David and Goliath is used to illustrate the importance of timing in one's actions.
Lyin' there on the ground
The stone was conveniently placed to be used as a weapon by David.
Big Goliath might've stomped on him
If David had not acted when he did, he may have been killed by Goliath.
Instead of the other way
David's victory shows that even the underdog can triumph with good timing on their side.
Who in the world would've ever known
The significance of Columbus' journey is highlighted.
What Columbus could do
Columbus was able to make his famous voyage to America thanks to the support of Queen Isabella.
If Queen Isabella hadn't hocked her jewels in 1492
Queen Isabella's decision to invest in Columbus' voyage is seen as a pivotal moment in history.
But she had
Queen Isabella's timely investment allowed Columbus to set sail and make his life-changing discovery.
What would've happened if you and I
The hypothetical scenario of the listener never having met the singer is posed.
Hadn't just happened to meet
The two individuals' meeting is seen as a fortunate event that brought them together.
We might've spent the rest of our lives
The negative outcome of never having met the listener is described as a missed opportunity for happiness.
Walkin' down misery street
The metaphorical imagery of "misery street" is used to convey a life of sadness and regret.
Yeah, we had timin', woah, woah, woah good timin'
The chorus repeats the idea that "good timin'" is what brought the listener and the singer together.
Yeah, yay, yay, yay timin' is the thing it's true
The singer reiterates that timing is the most important factor in one's life.
Good timin' brought me to you
The song ends with the idea that good timing has brought the singer and the listener 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?