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.
Live and Let Live
Jimmy Jones Lyrics
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Cars and houses, bear-skin rugs to lie before my fire
But there's something missing,
Something isn't there,
It seems I'm never kissing the one whom I care for.
I want Something To Live For
Someone to make my life an adventurous dream
Oh, what wouldn't I give for
And make it seem gay as they say it ought to be.
Why can't I have love like that brought to me?
My eye is watching the noon crowds
Searching the promenades seeking a clue
To the one who will someday be my
Something To Live For.
I want Something To Live For
Someone to make my life an adventurous dream
Oh, what wouln't I give for
Someone who'd take my life
And make it seem gay as they say it ought to be.
Why can't I have love like that brought to me?
My eye is watching the noon crowds
Searching the promenades seeking a clue
To the one who will someday be my Something To Live For.
The lyrics of Jimmy Jones's song "Live and Let Live" express a sense of discontent despite having achieved material success. The singer lists off all the things they possess, such as cars, houses, and even bear-skin rugs, but asserts that there's something missing in their life. They long for someone to share their life with and make it an "adventurous dream." The phrase "Something To Live For" is repeated throughout the song, conveying the depth of their desire.
The singer's longing for love is so intense that they actively search the streets, hoping to find a clue that will lead them to the one who will be their "Something To Live For." The repetition of this line emphasizes their yearning for someone to love and who will love them back. The song is relatable in the sense that it speaks to the deep desire for human connection that many people possess. Despite having everything that one could want from a material perspective, love and companionship are still essential to leading a fulfilling life.
Overall, the lyrics of "Live and Let Live" paint a vivid picture of a person who desires love and connection above all else. It's a universal theme that rings true across generations and cultures.
Line by Line Meaning
I have almost ev'ry thing a human could desire,
I have nearly everything that one could want in life
Cars and houses, bear-skin rugs to lie before my fire
I have cars, houses, and even bear-skin rugs to make my life comfortable
But there's something missing,
Despite all this, I feel like there's something lacking in my life
Something isn't there,
There seems to be a void that I can't quite put my finger on
It seems I'm never kissing the one whom I care for.
I feel like I'm not able to be with the person I truly love
I want Something To Live For
I desire a purpose, someone or something to live for
Someone to make my life an adventurous dream
I seek someone who can make my life exciting and fulfilling
Oh, what wouldn't I give for
I would do anything to have
Someone who'd take my life
Someone who would be willing to share their life with me
And make it seem gay as they say it ought to be.
And make it joyful and satisfying like it's meant to be
Why can't I have love like that brought to me?
I wonder why I can't find someone to love me in that way
My eye is watching the noon crowds
I'm constantly searching for that special someone
Searching the promenades seeking a clue
I'm looking for any sign or hint that might lead me to my true love
To the one who will someday be my Something To Live For.
I hope to one day find the person who will give my life meaning and purpose
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Reservoir One Music, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: BILLY STRAYHORN, DUKE ELLINGTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@fredicagoillanoise1309
This goes out to you......
@dekone5758
Mr scruff edit ? Whats that trendy muppet doing anywherw near this great record ?