Just Like Fred Astaire is track two off the 1999 James album Millionaires and was the second single from it prior to the album’s release. An acoustic version recorded live at Glasgow’s Lighthouse features on the special 2 disc edition of the album.
First revealed on the Winter 1998 tour, it is an unashamed love song, written for Tim for his fiance Kate. It was originally titled simply Fred Astaire, but Fred’s estate objected to the use of the name and his image.
Released ahead of the upcoming Millionaires album, the song reached a disappointing number 15 in the charts despite being described the band as a potential number one and a song to replace Sit Down as the band’s most well-known song.
However over time its popularity has grown. It is a firm fan favourite and is regularly used as the first song that the bridge and groom dance to at weddings and is always one of the most requested songs from fans.
Details
Palpitations, my mind is diseased
Even my vision is impaired
I'm losing my hair
Cause when I hold her in my arms I feel like Fred Astaire
Lovesick, my temperature's high
Just met a girl, who believes we can fly
I'm a bull, not a bear
I'm a millionaire
Cause when I hold her in my arms, I feel like Fred Astaire
I believe in happiness
I believe in love
I believe she fell to earth from somewhere high above
I believe in Hollywood
Don't believe that love must bring despair
Cause when I hold her in my arms, I feel like Fred Astaire
He said love is just a disease
A plague for the naive
These days no one believes
Meteors may strike the earth
Nations live and die
I'm the boy who got the girl
And now we're gonna fly
We can cross the race divide
Bridge a gap that wasn't really there
Cause when I hold her in my arms, I feel like Fred Astaire
I'm gonna hold her in my arms, just like Fred Astaire
I'm gonna hold her in this charm, like Fred Astaire
Like Fred Astaire (come dance the water's rising)
Like Fred Astaire (come dance the water's rising)
Like Fred Astaire
Song: | Just Like Fred Astaire |
Released: | 4th October 1999 |
Main Associated Album (or Single): | Millionaires |
First Heard Live: | Newport Centre – 8th December 1998 |
- 11 Tracks from Millionaires (CDR) :Promo, Album, 1999
- Millionaires (label promo) :Promo, Album, 1999
- Millionaires (CDR) :Promo, Album, 1999
- Live 6 Tracks at The Lighthouse (CDR) :Promo, Album, 1999
- Just Like Fred Astaire CD promo (v1) :Promo, Single, 1999
- Just Like Fred Astaire CD promo (v2) :Promo, Single, 1999
- Just Like Fred Astaire Mexican CD promo :Promo, Single, 1999
- I Know What I’m Here For and Just Like Fred Astaire – two-track Mercury CDR :Promo, Single, 1999
- Millionaires album promo :Promo, Album, 1999
- Millionaires Japanese Promo tape :Promo, Album, 1999
- Just Like Fred Astaire CDR promo :Promo, Single, 1999
- Millionaires Canadian Promo CD UMP09417 :Promo, Album, 1999
- Just Like Fred Astaire :Studio, Single, 1999
- Just Like Fred Astaire (Germany) :Studio, Single, 1999
- Just Like Fred Astaire :Video, Single, 1999
- Just Like Fred Astaire (VHS) :Promo, VHS, 1999
- Millionaires (Europe) :Studio, Album, 1999
- Millionaires (Singapore) :Studio, Album, 1999
- Millionaires :Studio, Album, 1999
- The Best of James (Canada) :Compilation, Album, 2006
- Fresh As A Daisy (Reference CD) :Promo, Album, 2007
- Fresh As A Daisy – The Videos :Studio, DVD, 2007
- Fresh As A Daisy – The Singles :Compilation, Album, 2007
- The Gathering Sound :Compilation, Box Set, 2012
- The Campfire EP :Studio, EP, 2021
- 1999 Singles & B-Sides :Compilation, Album, 2024
- Toronto History – 14th October 2024
- Thessaloniki Earth Theatre – 3rd September 2024
- Birmingham Utilita Arena – 12th June 2024
- Leeds First Direct Arena – 8th June 2024
- Glasgow OVO Hydro – 7th June 2024
- Stockton Globe – 31st May 2024
- Barcelona Sala Razzmatazz 1 – 15th May 2024
- Guadalajara Guanamor Teatro Studio – 15th March 2024
- Halifax Piece Hall – 7th July 2023
- Bristol Canons Marsh Amphitheatre- 23rd June 2023
- London Royal Albert Hall – 17th May 2023
- Blackpool Opera House – 12th May 2023
- Manchester Apollo – 9th May 2023
- Dublin 3arena – 1st December 2021
- Oxford O2 Academy – 17th August 2021
- Porto Parque Da Pasteleira – 13th September 2019
- Bingley Weekender – 1st September 2019
- Sedgefield Hardwick Live Festival – 18th August 2019
- Doncaster Racecourse – 17th August 2019
- Ledbury Eastnor Castle Lakefest – 11th August 2019
- San Diego North Park The Observatory – 6th August 2019
- Chicago Aragon Ballroom – 23rd July 2019
- Silver Spring The Fillmore – 14th July 2019
- New York Pier 17 – 12th July 2019
- Malta Aria Complex – 12th June 2019
- Thessaloniki Fix Factory Of Sound – 7th June 2019
- Lisbon Coliseum – 4th April 2019
- Porto Coliseum – 3rd April 2019
- Hull Bonus Arena – 22nd March 2019
- Birmingham Academy – 21st March 2019
- Carlisle Sands Centre – 20th March 2019
- Edinburgh Usher Hall – 18th March 2019
- Newcastle City Hall – 17th March 2019
- Stoke-On-Trent Victoria Hall – 15th March 2019
- Southampton Guildhall – 14th March 2019
- Nottingham Royal Concert Hall – 12th March 2019
- Cambridge Corn Exchange – 11th March 2019
- London Royal Albert Hall – 9th March 2019
- Bath Forum – 7th March 2019
- Leeds First Direct Arena – 9th December 2018
- Glasgow Hydro – 5th December 2018
- Absolute Radio – 16th August 2018
- BBC Radio 5 Live Session – 6th August 2018
- BBC Radio 2 Latitude Festival – 13th July 2018
- Oban Corran Hall – 23rd May 2018
- Liverpool Hope And Glory Festival – 5th August 2017
- Newmarket Nights – 4th August 2017
- Newcastle Times Square – 29th July 2017
- Mexico City El Plaza Condesa – 29th March 2017
- Liverpool Echo Arena – 10th December 2016
- Sheffield O2 Academy – 9th December 2016
- Wolverhampton Civic – 7th December 2016
- Nottingham Royal Centre – 6th December 2016
- Lisbon MEO Arena – 4th December 2016
- Melbourne 170 Russell – 14th November 2016
- Brisbane The Tivoli – 12th November 2016
- Auckland Powerstation – 9th November 2016
- Mares Vivas Festival, Vila Nova da Gaia – 16th July 2016
- Ejekt Festival, Athens – 8th July 2016
- Sunset Festival, Sigulda Castle, Latvia – 6th July 2016
- Sheffield Botanical Gardens – 30th June 2016
- Berlin Columbiahalle – 20th June 2016
- Amsterdam Melkweg – 19th June 2016
- Paris Le Trabendo – 17th June 2016
- Birmingham Barclaycard Arena – 20th May 2016
- Glasgow Hydro – 19th May 2016
- Newcastle City Hall – 17th May 2016
- Hull City Hall – 16th May 2016
- Manchester Arena – 13th May 2016
- Llandudno Venue Cymru – 12th May 2016
- Bournemouth Academy – 10th May 2016
- London Kentish Town Forum – 4th May 2016
- Southend Cliffs Pavilion – 3rd May 2016
- Bristol Colston Hall – 2nd May 2016
- Bermondsey Music Bank – 30th April 2016
- Glasgow BBC Quay Studio – 23rd March 2016
- BBC Radio 2 Chris Evans – 18th March 2016
- Dubai Jazz Festival – 24th February 2016
- London Scala – 18th February 2016
- Manchester Academy 2 – 17th February 2016
- Edinburgh Ross Bandstand – 26th August 2015
- Hardwick Live, Sedgefield – 22nd August 2015
- Expofacic Festival, Cantanhede – 1st August 2015
- Festa do Albarino, Cambados, Spain – 31st July 2015
- Kendal Calling – 30th July 2015
- Jersey Folklore Festival – 14th June 2015
- Bearded Theory Festival – May 24th 2015
- Scarborough Open Air Theatre – 22nd May 2015
- Lisbon MEO Arena – 29th November 2014
- Multiusos de Guimaraes – 28th November 2014
- Leeds First Direct Arena – 23rd November 2014
- London Brixton Academy – 21st November 2014
- Glasgow Hydro – 15th November 2014
- Liverpool Echo Arena – 14th November 2014
- Bristol Colston Hall – 12th November 2014
- Cambridge Corn Exchange – 11th November 2014
- Oxford O2 Academy – 10th November 2014
- Stirling Albert Halls – 8th November 2014
- BBC 6 Music Now Playing – 15th June 2014
- Thetford Forest High Lodge – 13th June 2013
- Manchester Arena – 26th April 2013
- Leeds Academy – 23rd April 2013
- Bournemouth Academy – 22nd April 2013
- London Brixton Academy – 20th April 2013
- London Brixton Academy – 19th April 2013
- Bristol Colston Hall – 17th April 2013
- Sheffield Academy – 16th April 2013
- Newcastle Academy – 15th April 2013
- Stockton Weekender – 5th August 2012
- Kendal Calling – 29th July 2012
- Tempe The Marquee – 16th April 2012
- Las Vegas Hard Rock Cafe – 15th April 2012
- London Royal Albert Hall – 4th November 2011
- Gateshead Sage – 2nd November 2011
- Manchester Bridgewater Hall – 1st November 2011
- Manchester Bridgewater Hall – 31st October 2011
- Liverpool Philharmonic – 29th October 2011
- Liverpool Philharmonic – 28th October 2011
- Nottingham Royal Centre – 27th October 2011
- Glasgow Royal Concert Hall – 25th October 2011
- Birmingham Symphony Hall – 24th October 2011
- Cardiff Millennium Centre – 23rd October 2011
- Coimbra Praca do Cancao -13th May 2011
- Manchester MEN Arena – 18th December 2010
- Glasgow SECC – 17th December 2010
- Birmingham O2 Academy – 12th December 2010
- Los Angeles Music Box At The Henry Fonda Theatre – 13th October 2010
- Salt Lake City The Complex – 5th October 2010
- Chicago Vic Theatre – 2nd October 2010
- Royal Oak Theatre – 1st October 2010
- Salford University Robert Powell Theatre – 12th July 2010
- Manchester MEN Arena (vs Cancer) – 12th December 2009
- London Camden Proud Galleries – 7th December 2008
- Guadalajara Foro Expo – 8th October 2008
- Mexico City Auditorio National – 7th October 2008
- Anaheim House Of Blues – 5th October 2008
- Toronto Phoenix – 23rd September 2008
- Montreal Club Soda – 22nd September 2008
- Manchester Hilton Cloud 23 Bar – 11th May 2007
- Manchester HMV Market Street – 30th April 2007
- Liverpool Kings Dock Summer Pops – 8th July 2001
- Grimsby Auditorium – 6th July 2001
- London Leicester Square Sound – 18th June 2001
- Geneva Villars 24 Heures Grand Prix – 13th January 2001
- Nottingham Rock City – 7th November 2000
- Sheffield City Hall – 6th November 2000
- Leeds University – 21st October 2000
- 11 O’Clock Show – 21st December 1999
- London Wembley Arena – 12th December 1999
- Manchester MEN Arena – 11th December 1999
- Glasgow SECC – 9th December 1999
- Newcastle Telewest Arena – 8th December 1999
- Birmingham NEC – 5th December 1999
- Brighton Centre – 4th December 1999
- BBC Radio 1 Jo Whiley – 1st December 1999
- Dublin Olympia – 30th November 1999
- GLR – 26th November 1999
- Just Like Fred Astaire – CDUK – 23rd October 1999
- Later With Jools – 23rd October 1999
- Just Like Fred Astaire – BBC1 Top Of The Pops – 22nd October 1999
- Just Like Fred Astaire – Channel 4 TFI Friday – 15th October 1999
- London Embassy Rooms – 11th October 1999
- Norwich UEA – 10th October 1999
- Just Like Fred Astaire – T4 – 9th October 1999
- Glasgow Lighthouse – 14th September 1999
- Manchester Heaton Park – 12th September 1999
- Guildford Festival – 24th July 1999
- Blackpool Tower Ballroom – 23rd July 1999
- Liverpool L2 – 9th July 1999
- Bolton Octagon Theatre – 16th May 1999
- Glasgow SECC – 14th December 1998
- Manchester MEN Arena – 12th December 1998
- Brighton Centre – 9th December 1998
- Newport Centre – 8th December 1998
Your basic chords are:
E--0-------0------2------0
B--2-------2------3------0
G--2-------1------2------1
D--2-------2------0------2
A--0-------0------X------2
E--X-------X------X------0
A Amaj7 D E
Amaj7
Doctor, what is happening to me? Palpatations, my mind's diseased,
D Amaj7
Even my vision is impaired, I'm losing my head.
E D Amaj7
Cos when I hold her in my arms, I feel like Fred Astaire
This is the same throughout the song.
THERE ARE TWO BASS PARTS IN THE SONG - Do not get them confused with the guitar parts
Throughout the first half of the song, one guitar plays
E--0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0
B--0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0
G--6-6-6-6-7-7-6-6-6-6-7-7 Whilst the other guitar plays Amaj7
D--7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7
A--0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0
E-------------------------
The short solo after the 'I believe in happiness...' part of the song
E------------------------
B------------------------
G--7=9--11---7-----------
D------------------------
A--5=7---9---5-----------
E------------------------
When the guitars come in after the quiet bit, the lead guitar plays
E---------------------------------------------------------------
B-9-10-10-10-9-9-9-10-10-10-9-9-9-10-10-10-12-9-9-10-10-10-12-9-
G-9--9--9--9-9-9-9--9--9--9-9-9-9--9--9--9--9-9-9--9--9--9--9-9-
D---------------------------------------------------------------
A---------------------------------------------------------------
E---------------------------------------------------------------
over the top of a basic A chord
And thats it!