In 1963, he renamed the rest of the band "The Shondells", after one of James's idols, guitarist Troy Shondell. Later in 1963, they recorded the Jeff Barry/Ellie Greenwich-penned song "Hanky Panky" (originally by The Raindrops), which failed to chart. The Shondells disbanded thereafter, until James reformed them early 1966 with Gray, Vale, Rosman and Lucia. Their first single was a re-recording of "Hanky Panky", which surprisingly became a national number one hit in June 1966. At first, Tommy James and his Shondells played straightforward rock and roll (as their first hit proves) but soon became involved in the budding bubblegum pop musical movement. One of their main songwriters these days was Ritchie Cordell who gave them the hits "I Think We're Alone Now" (later a hit for dance pop idol Tiffany and power pop rockers The Rubinoos as well) and "Mirage" in 1967. The former hit, labeled by one critic as the "bubblegum apotheosis", has had major airplay for decades and decades.
From 1968, the group members additional tried themselves as songwriters, with James and Lucia penning the psychedelic pop/rock classic "Crimson and Clover". The song was also completely recorded and mixed by the two of them, with James taking over vocal duties and playing all instruments, and it featured the then remarkable use of electronic gadgetry such as vocoders and phasers. Further hits included "Crystal Blue Persuasion", "Sweet Cherry Wine", and "Mony Mony" (1968). That last song was written by James (together with Vale) with allegedly inspired by the sign for prominent bank Mutual Of New York that hung outside his office window, the track receiving major airplay for quite a while and spawning off a successful Billy Idol version in the 80s.
The band took in major inspiration from contemporary bubblegum music and spirited pop rock as well as psychedelia, James finding himself intrigued by his growing spirituality and eventually dabbling in Christian rock music as well. The group carried on with constant success until early 1970, when James became exhausted from the strenuous touring and decided to drop out. His four bandmates carried on for a short while under the name of Hog Heaven but disbanded soon afterwards.
James launched a solo career in 1971. He created one major hit in "Draggin' the Line" (and "Three Times In Love," a #1 Adult Contemporary single in 1980), taking things at a smoother pace in his older days. He's undertaken well-received live tours for decades as well.
In October 2007, Tommy James and the original Shondells reunited in a New Jersey studio to record once again. The entire band has performed off and on for a while since then. For more information, see:
http://www.tommyjames.com/
Note that their name appears as "Tommy James and the Shondells" on their 1966 debut album 'Hanky Panky' and elsewhere, with the use of an ampersand coming in later. They're officially classified as 'Pop-Rock' with respect to the Roulette Records label R/SR-25336.
I'm Alive
Tommy James & The Shondells Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I see things mighty clear today, I'm alive
I'm alive
And I'm breathin' clean, fresh air today, I'm alive
I'm alive
Who cares if my hair is a little bit long? I'm alive
I'm alive
I'm real
I can see and touch and taste and feel and I'm alive
I'm a man
And I'm red and yellow and black and tan, I'm a man
The song "I'm Alive" by Tommy James & The Shondells is about feeling alive and appreciating life. The lyrics describe the singer's newfound feeling of being alive and clearheaded. The singer emphasizes that he is alive and breathing clean air, which may suggest that he has just gotten over a difficult period in his life. The lines "Who cares if my hair is a little bit long?" and "I'm doin' my thing and singin' my song" suggest that the singer is happy being himself, regardless of societal expectations or opinions.
The singer then declares, "I'm real," emphasizing his physical presence in the world and his ability to experience sensations. He is proud to be a man of all races, represented by "red and yellow and black and tan." Overall, the song's message is one of gratitude and living life to the fullest.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm alive
I am currently living and existing
And I see things mighty clear today, I'm alive
I have gained newfound clarity and perspective on life
I'm alive
I am currently living and existing
And I'm breathing clean, fresh air today, I'm alive
I am breathing in pure, untainted air and feeling rejuvenated
I'm alive
I am currently living and existing
Who cares if my hair is a little bit long? I'm alive
My hair length should not dictate whether or not I am able to live my life fully
I'm alive
I am currently living and existing
And I'm doin' my thing and singin' my song, I'm alive
I am living my life on my own terms and expressing myself through music
I'm real
I am an authentic and genuine human being
I can see and touch and taste and feel and I'm alive
I am able to experience the world through my senses and being able to do so confirms my existence
I'm a man
I am a male individual of the human species
And I'm red and yellow and black and tan, I'm a man
My race and skin color do not diminish my status as a human being
Contributed by Alyssa F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.