James formed in Manchester in 1982, when Paul Gilbertson (guitar), Jim Glennie (bass), and Gavan Whelan (drums) met Tim Booth (vocals) at Manchester University and asked him to join their fledgling band. During the next year, James became regulars on the local club circuit, and by 1983 they had signed to Factory, releasing their debut EP, Jimone, later that year. Two years later, their second EP, James 2, was released, and Morrissey, the lead singer of the Smiths, publicly endorsed the group, asking them to open for his band. By the summer of 1985, Larry Gott had replaced Gilbertson, and the group signed to Sire Records. Working with producer Lenny Kaye, the group recorded its debut, Stutter, that year, releasing it in early 1986 to generally positive reviews.
Over the next two years, James toured constantly, building up a solid fan base. They released their second album, the folky Strip-Mine, in 1988. The record failed to capitalize on their live following, and the band departed Sire the following year, signing with the independent Rough Trade. On their new label, James released the moderately successful "Sit Down" and the live album One Man Clapping, which climbed to number one on the indie charts. In 1990, Whelan was replaced by David Baynton-Power, and James expanded to a septet with the addition of keyboardist Mark Hunter, violinist Saul Davies, and trumpeter Andy Diagram. The new lineup signed to Fontana Records and released Gold Mother in the fall. Following a handful of minor hit singles, Gold Mother finally became a breakthrough success in the spring of 1991, when a re-recorded version of "Sit Down" -- now boasting a contemporary baggy beat -- climbed to number two on the U.K. charts and became a staple on U.S. modern rock radio. Although the success of "Sit Down" was a blessing, it also was a curse, as the single became all James were known for. The band began to rebel in concert, playing almost nothing but new material, and its next album, 1992's Seven, was perceived as a misguided stab at big arena rock.
For the follow-up to Seven, James stripped away Diagram and worked with producer Brian Eno. The resulting record, Laid, was a quieter, more ambitious album, and it received some of the band's best reviews. While the album was ignored in the U.K., it was an alternative rock hit in the U.S. on the strength of the title track, which became a crossover hit. During the Laid sessions, James recorded another album's worth of experimental music with Eno that was released in the fall of 1994 as Wah Wah. The album received mixed reviews and the group took an extended break throughout 1995, partly due to guitarist Gott's departure. In 1996, Tim Booth recorded a collaboration with composer Angelo Badalamenti (Twin Peaks, Blue Velvet) entitled Booth and the Bad Angel, which received generally positive reviews.
With guitarist Adrian Oxaal in tow, James returned in early 1997 with Whiplash, a more straightforward record that was greeted with mixed reviews. Released in 1999, Millionaires, recorded with new guitarist Michael Kulas, was initially released only in the U.K. Their spectacular follow-up, 2001's Pleased to Meet You, was also available only in the U.K. A few months later, frontman Tim Booth announced his departure from the band he founded nearly 20 years before, and James called it quits following a winter tour of the U.K. in December 2001. The break was short-lived, however, as the band re-formed in 2007 and embarked on a tour in support of the double-disc compilation Fresh as a Daisy: The Singles. The following year saw the release of Hey Ma, James' tenth studio album.
The band returned in 2010 with a pair of "mini-albums" called The Night Before and The Morning After, respectively, before late 2011 brought a short, but novel, U.K. tour (the Orchestra of the Swan and the Manchester Consort Choir were their backup bands). In 2012, the lavish and long-awaited box set The Gathering Sound was issued, and included previously unreleased audio material alongside long-unavailable video concert footage. Details of the Max Dingel-produced La Petite Mort emerged in February 2014, and this first post-Mercury studio album was released four months later in June. Dingel then returned to produce their 2016 record, Girl at the End of the World. Written in Scotland and recorded in London, the album was described by the band as "big but personal, abrasive but warming" and "ultimately uplifting." Two years later, James teamed with producers Charlie Andrew and Beni Giles for Living in Extraordinary Times.
During the 2020 pandemic, Tim Booth teamed up with his Topanga Canyon neighbor Jacknife Lee to construct the basic tracks the rest of James completed while in quarantine. The resulting All the Colours of You was released in June 2021.
Biography by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
There are other artists using the same name:
2) James is the vocalist of popular Bangladeshi band Nagar Baul. He was a member of the band Feelings and later formed the band Nagar Baul. James was raised in Chittagong and later moved to Dhaka for his singing career. Stylishly longhaired James--overwhelmingly known as the Nagar Baul (the City Bard), was the pioneer of psychedelic rock in Bangladesh. Originally a lead singer and guitarist, he has always been respected for his solo projects. He became affectionately called Guru by his fans. His tunes were bright and his singing a divergence from the archetypal tunes preferred by the commercial-type directors. His songs expressed love, rage, discontent, frustration, and happiness.
3) A Dutch rapper connected to the Fakkelteitgroep.
4) James Lee - known as James - was a former member of Royal Pirates, a South Korean band. On 2015, he got into an accident that caused him unable to play bass any longer. Hence, he decided to left the band.
James moved back to Los Angeles and decided to release music written post accident in a project called ’the Light EP’ consisted of 5 tracks. (http://jamesleeofficial.com/)
God Only Knows
James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Look at my squad
We cannot be stopped
Man what are the odds
I only fear God
Look at my squad
We cannot be stopped
Man what are the odds
Look at my squad
Always go hard
Never try
Take my
Soul I'm
Armed
Look at my squad
Always go hard
No lie
So fly
We blessed by God
Halo shining
Angels all around me
It don't matter what you say or think about me
When I look behind me
Got an army by me
So I fear nobody
Cant nobody stop
Look at my squad
Look at my
Look at my
I only fear
I only fear God
Look at my squad
We cannot be stopped
Man what are the odds
I only fear God
Look at my squad
We cannot be stopped
Man what are the odds
Tag on my back so I secure
Covered in his blood so I know that I'm pure
Revival is coming I'm praying for more
I'm praying for more
Im praying for more
My squad is an army for sure
Strapped up and ready for war
Were strapped up and ready for war
Were strapped up and ready
Squad is deep like a pack wolves
But the Holy Spirit tells us how to move
Blessing stacked like a treasure chest
Grace pulled me out when I was in a mess
God got the best for me
Got faith of a mustard seed
I only fear God
I only fear God you see
I only fear God
Look at my squad
We cannot be stopped
Man what are the odds
I only fear God
Look at my squad
We cannot be stopped
Man what are the odds
The lyrics to James's song "God Only Knows" carry a strong message of faith, empowerment, and resilience. The opening verse declares that the only entity worth fearing is God, and that the artist's squad is unbreakable and unstoppable. The song portrays a sense of protection and security that derives from an unwavering belief in a higher power. Throughout the song, James highlights the strength of his squad as a testament to the presence and blessings of God in his life. He emphasizes that his squad always goes hard, never gives up, and knows how to move thanks to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. No matter what obstacles or challenges they may face, the team relies on their faith to remain resilient and united.
The second verse continues to evoke the imagery of a well-prepared army, with James asserting his security and purity through the metaphor of being "covered in his blood." The lyrics also mention a forthcoming revival and express the artist's hope for more blessings and guidance from God. The chorus reiterates the central message of the song, claiming that nothing can stop James and his squad because they put their trust in God alone.
Overall, "God Only Knows" offers a powerful message of faith, resilience, and solidarity that speaks to listeners who may be feeling lost, uncertain, or alone.
Line by Line Meaning
I only fear God
The only thing that James fears is God.
Look at my squad
James asserts that his group of supporters is formidable.
We cannot be stopped
James is confident that his squad is unbeatable.
Man what are the odds
The likelihood of James and his squad being stopped is very low.
Always go hard
James and his team always work hard towards their goals.
Never try
James and his team never give up on their goals.
Take my
James is willing to sacrifice himself for the cause.
Soul I'm
James will put himself in danger for the squad.
Armed
James and his squad are well-equipped for any situation.
No lie
James speaks the truth about his squad.
So fly
James and his squad are impressive.
We blessed by God
James believes their success is due to God's blessings.
Halo shining
James sees himself as a heavenly figure.
Angels all around me
James feels God's protection.
It don't matter what you say or think about me
James is not concerned with others' opinions of him and his squad.
When I look behind me
James can depend on his squad's support.
Got an army by me
James has an impressive group of supporters behind him.
So I fear nobody
James has no reason to fear anyone because of his squad's support.
Cant nobody stop
James and his squad are unstoppable.
Tag on my back so I secure
James has a sense of security and assurance in his mission.
Covered in his blood so I know that I'm pure
James believes that God has given him purity and redemption.
Revival is coming I'm praying for more
James is hopeful for more success to come.
My squad is an army for sure
James' supporters are a powerful force for achieving his goals.
Strapped up and ready for war
James and his squad are prepared for any challenge.
Were strapped up and ready for war
James repeats that his squad is ready for a battle.
Squad is deep like a pack wolves
James' supporters are numerous and organized.
But the Holy Spirit tells us how to move
James believes that God guides him and his squad's actions.
Blessing stacked like a treasure chest
James recognizes his blessings and the abundance of goodness in his life.
Grace pulled me out when I was in a mess
James acknowledges the power of God's grace in his life.
God got the best for me
James trusts that God will provide the best for him.
Got faith of a mustard seed
James has a strong faith in God, even if it is just a small amount.
I only fear God you see
James reiterates that he has no reason to fear anyone except God.
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: JAMES CARTWRIGHT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind