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David Jaymes

  • Music Department
  • Producer
  • Soundtrack
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
David Jaymes was the bass player for 1980's Latin American pop band Modern Romance, which he formed with Geoff Deane.

The pair had previously been part of the 'Leyton Buzzards', an English punk/rock band that produced one minor hit, 'Saturday Night (Beneath the Plastic Palm Trees)'. The single reached No. 53 in the UK. The 'Leyton Buzzards' also featured keyboard player Milton Reame-James, formerly of Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel. The band released five singles in total and one album - 'Jellied Eels to Record Deals' - and recorded four sessions with John Peel between 1978 and 1980. Their final single was a cover of 'Can't Get Used To Losing You'. The band were signed to major label Chrysalis Records who, at the time had also signed Spandau Ballet.

In 1980 David and Geoff Deane recruited Robbie Jaymes (David's brother and keyboard player), Paul Gendler (guitarist), John Du Prez (trumpet player and writer of movie soundtracks like the Rob Lowe vehicle Oxford Blues (1984) and A Fish Called Wanda (1988)), and drummer Andrew Kyriacou, who quickly replaced Tony Gainsborough. They were signed to WEA Records.

David was the band's founder member, main songwriter, bassist, and also provided vocals, although Geoff Deane was lead vocalist. Modern Romance released their first run of singles in what is known as the 'Deane/Jaymes' era, between 1980 and 1982. 'Modern Romance' (1980) and 'Tonight' (1981) were the band's first singles. Their first UK chart hits, however, were the salsa-driven 'Everybody Salsa' (No. 12) and 'Ay Ay Ay Ay Moosey' (No. 10) both in 1981. They also released their first album 'Adventures in Clubland' that year.

They had a modest hit with 'Queen of the Rapping Scene / Nothing Ever Goes the Way You Plan' (1982), which reached No. 37 in the UK. Its b-side, 'Can You Move' or 'Can You Dance' nevertheless reached No. 2 on the U.S. dance charts. 'By the Way ... (I'm Still in Love with You)' followed in 1982, and then one more top twenty hit, a cover version of the famous 'Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White' (No. 15). Geoff Deane would then leave Modern Romance and concentrate on writing screenplays for British TV.

David replaced Deane with Michael J. Mullins, who had provided backing vocals for the band on 'Adventures in Clubland' and the single 'By the Way'. They released their first single of the Jaymes/Mullins era at the end of 1982 in time for Christmas. 'Best Years of Our Lives' would become the band's biggest hit, making the UK top 5 (No. 4). The song has since made it onto a myriad of compilation albums.

David and Modern Romance would then score a string of hits following the success of 'Best Years of Our Lives', and 1983 would be their watershed year. The following singles made top ten-top twenty appearances: 'High Life' (No. 8), 'Don't Stop That Crazy Rhythm' (No. 14), the uncharacteristic ballad 'Walking in the Rain' (No. 7), and 'Good Friday' (No. 97). They had two further hits in 1983 with the albums 'Trick of the Light' (No. 53) and 'Party Tonight' (No. 45), the latter being a Christmas compilation released on the Ronco Label.

1983 saw many magazine and TV appearances including The Krankies Klub (1982), The Keith Harris Show (1982), Rod and Emu's Saturday Special (1983), Get It Together (1977) and further appearances on Top of the Pops (1964). Radio One also used the songs 'Best Years of Our Lives', 'High Life', and 'Good Friday' as advertisement jingles over the Christmas period. Modern Romance were holding their own alongside bands like Spandau Ballet, The Human League, Heaven 17, and Duran Duran.

David, apart from having significant success as a songwriter and musician, has since moved into the management side of the business. He has contributed as songwriter to the movie Shrek (2001) and as Music Supervisor on the film Fascination (2004) starring Jacqueline Bisset and James Naughton. He has worked with John Du Prez composing music for advertisements and feature films. David has managed artists such as 'Sinead O'Connor', Justin Adams, Miles Hunt, Republica, and Drum Club. He has also worked as consultant for the likes of Harry Nilsson, Jimmy Webb, George Fenton, and Chuck Mangione.

He recently worked with a host of musicians on the Haiti earthquake disaster single 'I Put A Spell on You' (2010), including Shane MacGowan, Nick Cave, and Johnny Depp.

David has carved out a successful career in the music, TV, and film industry as a singer, songwriter, musician, consultant, and manager.
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  • Known for

    Cameron Diaz, Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and John Lithgow in Shrek (2001)
    Shrek
    7.9
    • Soundtrack
    • 2001
    Fascination (2004)
    Fascination
    3.9
    • Music Department
    • 2004
    Philip Glenister and Keeley Hawes in Ashes to Ashes (2008)
    Ashes to Ashes
    8.1
    TV Series
    • Soundtrack
    Top of the Pops (1964)
    Top of the Pops
    6.9
    TV Series
    • Soundtrack

    Credits

    IMDbPro

    Music Department



    • Fascination (2004)
      Fascination
      3.9
      • music supervisor: Spirit Music and Media
      • 2004

    Producer



    • Sinead O'Connor: Goodnight, Thank You, You've Been a Lovely Audience (2002)
      Sinead O'Connor: Goodnight, Thank You, You've Been a Lovely Audience
      7.7
      Video
      • executive producer
      • 2002

    Soundtrack



    • Jennifer Lopez and Brett Goldstein in Office Romance (2026)
      Office Romance
      5.8
      • writer: "I Can't Get Enough"
      • 2026
    • Sounds of the 80s (2014)
      Sounds of the 80s
      TV Series
      • writer: "Best Years of Our Lives"
      • 2017
    • One Hit Wonderland (2012)
      One Hit Wonderland
      8.5
      TV Series
      • writer: "Best Years of Our Lives"
      • 2013
    • Philip Glenister and Keeley Hawes in Ashes to Ashes (2008)
      Ashes to Ashes
      8.1
      TV Series
      • writer: "Clubland Mix: Everybody Salsa / Moose on the Loose / Salsa Rappsody / Ay Ay Ay Ay Moosey"
      • 2008
    • Cameron Diaz, Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and John Lithgow in Shrek (2001)
      Shrek
      7.9
      • writer: "Best Years Of Our Lives"
      • 2001
    • Murphy's Mob (1982)
      Murphy's Mob
      7.7
      TV Series
      • writer: "Best Years of Our Lives"
      • 1984
    • No 73 (1982)
      No 73
      7.1
      TV Series
      • writer: "Don't Stop That Crazy Rhythm" (uncredited)
      • 1983
    • Top of the Pops (1964)
      Top of the Pops
      6.9
      TV Series
      • writer: "Queen Of The Rapping Scene (Nothing Ever Goes The Way You Plan)"
      • writer: "Ay Ay Ay Ay Moosey"
      • writer: "Ay Ay Ay AY Moosey" ...
      • 1979–1982

    Personal details

    • Alternative name
      • Dave De Prave
    • Publicity listings
      • 1 Magazine Cover Photo

    Did you know

    • Trivia
      Bass player with the band Modern Romance, which also featured his brother Robbie on keyboards.
    • Quotes
      [on the 1980s style]: "It's how you carry it off. It's the way that you walk. It's the way you do everything. It's the way I'm gesticulating now with my cigarette," he says. "Although, wearing pink suits can cause problems," [he] admits. Interview (with Huw Collingbourne) from 'Flexipop!' magazine, circa 1981.
    • Trademarks
        David and Modern Romance wore bright colored suits - Blue, Pink, Gold, Red, White, Yellow - and wedge haircuts, in keeping with the 1980's New Romantic fashion (1981-1983).

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