His first single "Permission to Love" was released in June 2013 with remixes from label mates Touch Sensitive and Charles Murdoch.
His debut EP, Hayden James was released on 30 August 2013. Since then, James has supported Disclosure and Odesza on their US and Australian tours. He has also played at the major Australian music festivals Splendour in the Grass and Groovin The Moo.
His single "Something About You" was released in December 2014 and went Gold in Australia. It has now been streamed over 68 million times on Spotify, SoundCloud and Youtube.
James released "Just a Lover" in June 2016 which received an ARIA nomination for Best Dance Release and was followed by a national tour with producer Dena Amy as a support.
His latest single "NUMB" featuring GRAACE was released in October 2017.
Numb
Hayden James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've seen how this all works
So when you tell me lies
Look me in the eyes first
I'm just trying to protect my heart
Showed you every single scar
Say "it's you not me"
'Cause that's my favourite part
Why does it hurt so much
With every single touch, we thought this was love
Why do I want to stay numb
I want to be alone, I just don't know how
Why does it hurt so much
With every single touch, we thought this was love
Why do I want to stay numb
(Love, love, love)
Love me in the morning anyways
If I'm never lonely, I won't ever feel the pain
Love me in the morning anyways, anyways
Love me in the morning anyways
If I'm never lonely, I won't ever feel the pain
Love me in the morning anyways, anyways
I saw it in your eyes
Baby blue, like a sky
And all these puzzled games you played
Fucking with my mind you would never stay
I saw it coming soon
'Cause when you looked at me she would look at you
Say "it's you not me"
'Cause that's my favourite part
Why does it hurt so much
With every single touch, we thought this was love
Why do I want to stay numb
I want to be alone, I just don't know how
Why does it hurt so much
With every single touch, we thought this was love
Why do I want to stay numb
(Love, love, love)
Love me in the morning anyways
If I'm never lonely, I won't ever feel the pain
Love me in the morning anyways, anyways
Love me in the morning anyways
If I'm never lonely, I won't ever feel the pain
Love me in the morning anyways, anyways
I want to be alone, I just don't know how
All of these games you play
I want to be alone, I just don't know how
Fucking with my mind you would never stay
I want to be alone, I just don't know how
All of these games you play
Love me in the morning anyways
If I'm never lonely, I won't ever feel the pain
Love me in the morning anyways, anyways
Love me in the morning anyways
I won't ever feel the pain
Love me in the morning anyways, anyways
The lyrics of Hayden James's song NUMB explore the emotional confusion and pain that comes with a relationship that isn't working out. The singer of the song is guarded, having been hurt in the past, and is wary of allowing someone else to get close enough to do so again. They ask the other person not to come any closer and to be honest with them about their intentions. Despite their best efforts to protect themselves, they find themselves caught up in a relationship that hurts with every touch. They want to be alone but at the same time, they yearn for love and connection. The mixed emotions and confusion are evident in the repeated refrain of "Love me in the morning anyways / If I'm never lonely, I won't ever feel the pain."
The song touches on a universal feeling of vulnerability and the need for human connection, while at the same time dealing with the pain and confusion of a relationship that isn't healthy. It's a poignant and relatable message that has resonated with many. The repetition of the refrain throughout the song underscores the singer's yearning for love, even as they try to protect themselves from the pain that comes with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't come any closer
I need my space because I have been hurt before
I've seen how this all works
I have been in this situation before and I know what to expect
So when you tell me lies
I know when someone is lying to me
Look me in the eyes first
I can tell when someone is lying by looking into their eyes
I'm just trying to protect my heart
I don't want to get hurt again
Showed you every single scar
I have been hurt before and I am showing you how much it hurt me
Say "it's you not me"
Blaming the other person is better for my ego
'Cause that's my favourite part
I like to believe that I am not at fault
Why does it hurt so much
I am feeling a lot of pain
With every single touch, we thought this was love
We thought we were in love but it was just an illusion
Why do I want to stay numb
I want to avoid feeling the pain again
I want to be alone, I just don't know how
I need to be lonely to heal but I don't know how to be alone
Love me in the morning anyways
I want to be loved but I am scared of getting hurt
If I'm never lonely, I won't ever feel the pain
I want to avoid feeling the pain by never being alone
I saw it in your eyes
I could tell by looking into your eyes
Baby blue, like a sky
Your eyes were a shade of blue
And all these puzzled games you played
You were playing mind games with me
Fucking with my mind you would never stay
You were messing with me and you never wanted to stay
I saw it coming soon
I knew this relationship wouldn't last
When you looked at me she would look at you
You were interested in someone else while we were together
I just don't know how
I don't know how to move on and be alone
All of these games you play
You kept playing games with me and it hurt
I won't ever feel the pain
If I am never alone, I won't have to feel the pain
Lyrics Β© Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Grace Pitts, Hayden Luby
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Crispy1434
Chapβs intro π₯ great song!!
@InsaneSpaceLad
This song has so much pain and power in it. It deserves a music video. It would be so deep
@fluffy_minion_unicorn4117
This is my new favourite song that I will play over and over again
@Averro
What a beautiful track!
@Nillowo
The build up from 2:39 is phenomenal
@janett6043
Peace for my ears π
@dinakudryk149
Janett Juuse same π
@bobthebiker6395
This track gives me chills around my eye ball. Bless up old people
@Jennie-os9fj
Man, that drop @ :55 ... absolutely amazing!! Beautiful song.
@Dionyzos
Heard this live at ODESZA's concert in Amsterdam. Was hooked immediately and had to check his Soundcloud