One Of The Three - The James Band Archive

Author Archives: Dan Starr

Fairground

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Fairground is track three on the 1988 James album Strip-Mine.

It made a reappearance in James’ setlists in shows where the band performed with an orchestra or ensemble in 2009, 2011 and 2015.

Details

LyricsListenReleaseAvailable OnGigsGuitar Tabs
Why is it always, when I open my mouth
I clash with whatever you do
When we dance together your rhythm and tempo
Cuts through my quick step and tune
You cry, I, I, can't take anymore
But you can't find the bloody door
Oh you might think we're free
'Til we slip back into memory

We're joined by a purpose that will not release us
'Til we have come to some terms
Some love and acceptance, not hate then repentance
These skills are things to be learned
You cry, I, I, can't take anymore
But you can't find the bloody door

Oh you might think we're free
'Til we slip back into memory

I love you so
I'm stuck, can't you let go
Let's try again
This time we will be friends
I cannot change
All my tracks have been laid
Playin' the game
It's just, it's just, it's just, it's just a memory

Lost in memory
Here's to memory

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Song:Fairground
Released:26th September 1988
Main Associated Album (or Single):Strip-mine
First Heard Live:Liverpool System – 23rd August 1985
Played at:
Chords:

G, Em, G

"you cry...." : C, D, G

"oh you might.." : Em, G, Em

Are You Ready?

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Are You Ready is track ten on the 1988 James album Strip-Mine and track ten on the 1989 live album One Man Clapping.

First aired on a Peel Session in 1985, this track was not on the original track-listing of Strip-Mine, but replaced Stutter before release, being James’ concession to Sire’s request for a more commercial sound – “a pure unadultered attempt at commerciality to pacify Sire and its bollocks.”

Details

LyricsListenReleaseAvailable OnGigsGuitar Tabs
Hey hey hey
Julie says that I must wake up
I am losing touch 'cause I think too much
I'm afraid to feel, my life feels unreal
You will not find love if you think you're not good enough

Are you ready to rebel
Change your mind, I know you live in hell
Are you ready, oh

All of my beliefs, they come back to me
I think life is tough, so my life is tough
She says find a way to develop love
To receive my love, believe you are good enough

Are you ready to rebel
Change your mind, I know you live in hell,
Are you ready

Hey, hey, hey
When we forget why we're here
Out goes love, in comes fear
I need nothing, I'm all alone
I need nothing 'til my mind takes hold
Hold, hold, hold, hold, hold, hold

Are you ready to rebel, are you ready to rebel
Are you ready, are you ready, are you ready

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Song:Are You Ready?
Released:26th September 1988
Main Associated Album (or Single):Strip-mine
First Heard Live:London Bloomsbury Theatre – 17th July 1985
Played at:
James - Are You Ready

Taken from the album Strip Mine

Written and performed by James

Riff 1:

e------5-5-------------5-5-------------7-7-7-7----5-7-7-7-7--
B--8-8-----8--8-5--8-8-----8--8-5--8-8----------8------------
G------------------------------------------------------------
D------------------------------------------------------------
A------------------------------------------------------------
E------------------------------------------------------------

Riff 2:

e-------------------------5--7---7--5-------------------
B--8--7--4---4--7--8---8--7--8---8--7--8----------------
G--7--7--4---4--7--7---7---------------7----------------
D-------------------------------------------------------
A-------------------------------------------------------
E-------------------------------------------------------

Riff 3:

e-------------------------------------------------------
B-------------------------------------------------------
G-------------------------------------------------------
D----7------5-------------------------------------------
A--8---8--5---------------------------------------------
E-------------------------------------------------------

Song Structure:

An early "folk pop" song, this contains two riffs that start it off which both crop up at varying points as well, usually one after the other. Along the way an acoustic guitar also strums the chords, adding to Larry's sharp strumming of the G chord during the chorus. Watch out for the F chord that appears at the end, when Riff 3 is played!

Lyrics/Chords:

G Em G Em
Julie says that I must wake up

G Em D
I am losing touch 'cause I think too much

G Em G Em
I'm afraid to feel, my life feels unreal

G Em D
You will not find love if you think you're not good enough


G
Are you ready to rebel

Change your mind, I know you live in hell

Are you ready, oh


G Em G Em
All of my beliefs, they come back to me

I think life is tough, so my life is tough

She says find a way to develop love

To receive my love, believe you are good enough



Are you ready to rebel

Change your mind, I know you live in hell,

Are you ready



Hey, hey, hey

When we forget why we're here

Out goes love, in comes fear

I need nothing, I'm all alone

I need nothing 'til my mind takes hold

F G
Hold, hold, hold,

F G
Hold, hold, hold



Are you ready to rebel, are you ready to rebel

Are you ready, are you ready, are you ready




Transcribed by Alex Carter 2001.

alex@shandy3000.fsnet.co.uk

Doubts

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Doubts was a previously unreleased track that appeared on the studio disc of The Gathering Sound boxset in 2012.

It featured in James setlists, in acoustic and electric formats, from 1985 through to 1987, where it was performed acoustically with Gavan on piano for Radio Manchester’s Meltdown programme, the version that appears on The Gathering Sound.

Details

LyricsReleaseAvailable OnGigsGuitar Tabs
(as performed on Radio Manchester 1987)

There's a noise in my head
I wish they'd turn down the volume
A voice that's not been fed
Shut away, shut away in a dark room

Get back, get back, get back in your corner now
Shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up for sanity's sake
Get back, get back, get back in your corner now
No-one will look at you
Looking
Looking like that
Looking like that

Need a leader to pull them all together
Together under one umbrella
It's like trying to hold marbles on a tray
If I make a move they just roll away
Roll away, roll away, roll away
Roll away, roll away, roll away

Get back, get back, get back in your corner now
Shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up for sanity's sake
Get back, get back, get back in your corner now
No-one will look at you
Looking
Looking like that
Looking like that
Doubts
Doubts
Song:Doubts
Released:10th December 2012
Main Associated Album (or Single):The Gathering Sound
First Heard Live:London Bloomsbury Theatre – 17th July 1985
Played at:
Unavailable

Why So Close

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Why So Close is track nine on the 1986 James album Stutter and track six on the 1989 live album One Man Clapping.

It is a semi-acoustic rendition of the Fire So Close track off James’ debut single Jimone and the Village Fire EP. The song was brought back into the setlist for the 2011 orchestra tour.

Details

LyricsListenReleaseAvailable OnGigsGuitar Tabs
Why so close
Big boys in black hats
Cowboys with white guns
White guns shoot blue white
Blue white baptism
No buffaloes
No Indians
No more buffaloes

Red sky is falling
Blue blood no stalling
White heat will strip you
No time to run far

Ivan's built a wall of lead round his house
Nobody can get in or out
Running out of food for ammunition
Frightened of the darkness
Sending out scouts

Why hang the fire so close
Why hang the fire so close
Why hang the fire so close
Why so close, so close

Wayne's got a wall that's much more subtle
Wore headphones since he was born
Watches Ivan through dark glasses
Hand on his gun waiting for the storm

One false move and we all fall down
No funeral games, no such fun
Here's your ticket to the party
That's what you get for playing with a gun

Six-gun so close

Ivan's got a wall of lead round his house
Nobody can get in or out
Running out of food for ammunition
Frightened of the darkness
Sending out scouts

Wayne's got a wall that's much more subtle
Wore headphones since he was born
Watches Ivan through dark glasses
Hands on his gun waiting for the storm

Why stand the fire so close
Why stand the fire so close
Why stand the fire so close
Why?

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Orchestral Version

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Song:Why So Close
Released:21st July 1986
Main Associated Album (or Single):Stutter
First Heard Live:London Bloomsbury Theatre – 17th July 1985
Played at:
James - Why So Close

Taken from the album Stutter

Written and performed by James

Riff:

e-10-10-10-10-10--8-8-8-8-8--10-10-10-10-10--3-5-8------
B-10-10-10-10-10--8-8-8-8-8--10-10-10-10-10--3-5-8------
G-------------------------------------------------------
D-------------------------------------------------------
A-------------------------------------------------------
E-------------------------------------------------------

Song Structure:

Well, this is a no-brainer! Two chords, Dm and G, repeat themselves throughout
this very folky number, only briefly pausing to allow some rather nice vocal harmonies
before coming back in. And when they do, a "riff" appears instead of the relentless
chords until the fade-out.

Lyrics/Chords:

Why so close

Dm G
Big boys in black hats

Dm G
Cowboys with white guns

Dm G
White guns shoot blue white

Dm G Dm
Blue white baptism

G Dm
No buffaloes

G Dm
No Indians
G Dm
No more buffaloes



Red sky is falling

Blue blood no stalling

White heat will strip you

No time to run far



Ivan's built a wall of lead round his house

Nobody can get in or out

Running out of food for ammunition

Frightened of the darkness

Sending out scouts



Why hang the fire so close

Why hang the fire so close

Why hang the fire so close

Why so close, so close



Wayne's got a wall that's much more subtle

Wore headphones since he was born

Watches Ivan through dark glasses

Hand on his gun waiting for the storm



One false move and we all fall down

No funeral games, no such fun

Here's your ticket to the party

That's what you get for playing with a gun



Six-gun so close



Ivan's got a wall of lead round his house

Nobody can get in or out

Running out of food for ammunition

Frightened of the darkness

Sending out scouts



Wayne's got a wall that's much more subtle

Wore headphones since he was born

Watches Ivan through dark glasses

Hands on his gun waiting for the storm



Why stand the fire so close

Why stand the fire so close

Why stand the fire so close

Why?





Transcribed by Alex Carter 2001.

alex@shandy3000.fsnet.co.uk

Discreet Campaigns Vol 1 (What’s The World live)

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A 1985 Compilation (non James) Album featuring James.

Summary

A live version of What’s The World included on a compilation cassette

Track List

What’s The World (live)

Details

ReleaseAboutSongsGallery
Release Name: Discreet Campaigns Vol 1
Artist Name: James
Release Date: 1st July 1985
Format: Compilation (non James) Album
Catalogue: n/a

A live version of What’s The World included on a compilation cassette

This may be available to purchase on Discogs

Audio

Songs related to this release:

June 1985

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Village Fire EP released. James withdraw from The Smiths tour of the US a couple of days before they were due to depart. James perform at the Glastonbury and WOMAD festivals.

Village Fire – Five Offerings From James EP

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Village Fire - Five Offerings From James EP, a 1985 EP by James.

Summary

Compilation of first two EPs that reached #1 in the UK Indie Charts.

Track List

What’s The World / Folklore / Fire So Close / If Things Were Perfect / Hymn From A Village

Details

ReleaseAboutSongsListenVideosGallery
Release Name: Village Fire - Five Offerings From James EP
Artist Name:
Release Date: 1st June 1985
Format: Compilation EP
Catalogue: FAC-138

With James negotiating with major labels and demand for the two singles JIMONE and James II far outstripping initial production runs, Factory decided to combine the two into the Village Fire EP. The EP went straight to number one in the indie charts, serving only to fuel the bidding war that was going on to secure James services and giving the band even more favourable press.

Artwork for the EP came from John Carroll.

Reviews

Sounds

Laboured five track EP of more concept than content.

Songs related to this release:

Not found on Spotify.

    No content found.

May 1985

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James announce to Factory Records that they want to leave the label and record for a major label.

Medieval

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Medieval is track five on the 1988 James album Strip-Mine.

It was surprisingly brought back into the setlist in 2011 for the orchestra tour after an absence of twenty years and continued to be included through 2012 and 2013 on a regular basis.

Details

LyricsListenReleaseAvailable OnGigsGuitar Tabs
Caught in the long grass, got separated from his company
Those men he thought were friends turned out to be the enemy
Their uniforms were black not brown, they marched to a different step
But he soon tuned in to their frequency
By shifting up one fret
But the one thing that united them
Was they all had life to give
But it wasn't their intention to serve that way, but to kill so they may live
We are sound, we are sound, we are sound
We are sound, we are sound, we are sound

Set them marching, stop them thinking
Psyche them up with your will
Stir them up with frantic rhythm
Send them out to kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill

We are sound, we are sound, we are sound
We are sound, we are sound, we are sound
We are sound, we are sound, we are sound
Back in human form, skin tight uniform, caught upon the barbed wire
Back in human form, skin tight uniform, crucified upon the pulpit wire
The wire
We are sound
We are sound
We are sound

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Orchestral Version

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Live At The Acropolis

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Song:Medieval
Released:26th September 1988
Main Associated Album (or Single):Strip-mine
First Heard Live:Edinburgh Hoochie Coochie – 26th May 1985
Played at:
Unavailable

Ya Ho

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Ya Ho is track seven on the 1988 James album Strip-Mine and also on the 1989 live album One Man Clapping. It was released as a single in September 1988.

It began life as a primarily acoustic slower number in the early eighties and featured in a Peel Session in 1987.

Ya Ho was originally intended as the first single off the Strip Mine album in 1987 before the decision was made to remix the album, so the eventual release is a different mix to the album version and bears an earlier catalogue number to What For even though it was released six months later.

A live version appears only on the CD version of One Man Clapping.

Details

LyricsListenReleaseAvailable OnGigsGuitar Tabs
I nearly died, when you jumped in
But you had to drown before you could swim
All the people on the beach, they were so impressed
That they wanted to join you
But no, they wouldn't undress
Or let that wetness splash their skin
So they pray for a whirlpool to pull you in
Ya Ho Ya Ho Ya Ho

So they looked away, and they tried to pretend
That it was for you, but no it wasn't for them
So the fear of sinking remains in place
But it's the fear of failure that's a real disgrace
Ya Ho Ya Ho Ya Ho

Let me be the one, let me be the one, let me be the one, let me be the one
To get over your wall, to get over your wall

Head in the sand, sea out of reach
Swept away by the games of the beach
Those people sat and watched your stand
And the weight of their fears
Pulled them underground

Will anyone learn from the stories that are told
Of the tribe who drowned in the grave of gold
Ya Ho Ya Ho Ya Ho Ya Ho

Let me be the one, let me be the one, let me be the one, let me be the one
To take a cool long look with eyes prised wide
To face those fears from which I hide
Ya Ho Ya Ho Ya Ho Ya Ho Ya Ho Ya Ho Ya Ho Ya Ho Ya Ho

Heads down, someone's calling, but your head's down
Someone's drowning
Look up, see what's before your eyes
Someone escaping or someone drowning
Head's down, you can help them, but your head's down

Your head is underground, your head is underground
Your head is underground, your head is underground
Your head is under the ground

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Single Version

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Song:Ya Ho
Released:September 1988
Main Associated Album (or Single):Strip-mine
First Heard Live:London Hammersmith Riverside – 12th May 1985
Played at:
Unavailable

Really Hard

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Really Hard is track six on the 1986 James album Stutter and track eleven on the 1989 live album One Man Clapping.

Originally titled Riddley Ya because of the phonetics Tim uses frequently when writing lyrics, Really Hard was performed on a John Peel Session in 1985.

It has made returns to the setlist on a number of tours, most notably the 2007 reunion tour and the 2011 orchestra tour.

Details

LyricsListenReleaseAvailable OnGigsGuitar Tabs
To be loving when the knives are out
Takes much courage and a mind without doubt
I'm just some robot, wind up the clock
Work jerk
Trying to impress is the nature of my work

And it's so hard to remain open
If it's true, it can't be spoken
Really hard, really hard, really hard, really hard, really hard
Really hard, really hard, really hard, really hard

Rhetoriticans think they're running this show
Words as power is all they'll ever know
I'm just some reflex
When struck, the knee will jerk
Trying to impress, trying to impress is the nature of our work

And it's so hard to remain open
If you bend, you won't get broken

Really hard, really hard, really hard, really hard, really hard
Really hard, really hard, really hard, really hard

Wake up from this dreaming state
Her lungs scream out, it's not too late
I am dying to begin
I am dying to begin again

Really hard, really hard, really hard, really hard, really hard
Really hard, really hard, really hard, really hard

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Song:Really Hard
Released:21st July 1986
Main Associated Album (or Single):Stutter
First Heard Live:London Hammersmith Riverside – 12th May 1985
Played at:
James - Really Hard

Taken from the album Stutter

Written and performed by James

Opening Riff:

e----------109--75--------------------------------
B--5/10---------------5/7-7-5/7-75--5-5/7-7/10-10--
G--------------------------------------------------- x 2
D---------------------------------------------------
A---------------------------------------------------
E---------------------------------------------------

e-------------------------------------------9----------------------------------------
B--10-109-109--7-7-5/7-75--5-5/7-7/10-10---10-10-109-109-7-7-5/7-75--5-52-2---
G----------------------------------------------------------------------------------2-
D------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
E------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Song Structure:

Something that sounds like the Opening Riff opens the song, and something that sounds like it also runs throughout the song and appears after the first chorus. After the second chorus it appears to take in some notes based around the chord of F. Indeed, the whole song changes from an A D E progression to an A F progression at that point, before returning to A D E for the last chorus.

Lyrics/Chords:

A D E
To be loving when the knives are out

A D E
Takes much courage and a mind without doubt

A D E
I'm just some robot, wind up the clock, work jerk

A D E
Trying to impress is the nature of my work



And it's so hard to remain open

If it's true, it can't be spoken

Really hard, really hard, really hard, really hard, really hard

Really hard, really hard, really hard, really hard



Rhetoriticans think they're running this show

Words as power is all they'll ever know

I'm just some reflex

When struck, the knee will jerk

Trying to impress, trying to impress is the nature of our work



And it's so hard to remain open

If you bend, you won't get broken



Really hard, really hard, really hard, really hard, really hard

Really hard, really hard, really hard, really hard


A F
Wake up from this dreaming state

A F
Her lungs scream out, it's not too late

A F
I am dying, dying to begin

A F
I am dying, dying to begin again


Really hard, really hard, really hard, really hard, really hard

Really hard, really hard, really hard, really hard




Transcribed by Alex Carter 2001.

alex@shandy3000.fsnet.co.uk