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/)
Gold Mother
James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One body in my mother's belly
Chinese dolls, box in boxes
How do you sail the ship from the bottle?
How do you sail the ship from the bottle?
Heart of gold heart of gold heart of gold
Gold, gold mother, gold, gold, gold mother
I can see the head now
Between her legs now
Purple headed alien
Water logged old man
In the blood silence
In the blood silence
Silence, silence
Cry for me mother cry for me mother crimean mother cry me another
My feet and hands won't work
My feet and hands won't work
In my baby's body
My brand new baby's body
I'll suck my fingers red
I'll suck my fingers red
In my baby's body
My brand new baby's body
I can see the head now
Between her legs now
Purple headed alien
Water logged old man
In the blood silence
In the blood silence
Silence
Silence
Silence
Shut up
In the bright lights and harsh sounds, there's a man
In green ceremonial robes and mask, dipping a straw through your nose
Mouthwash of meconium lungs full of meconium
Heart full of meconium
Meconium
Meconium
Chinese dolls in boxes
Chinese dolls in boxes
I'll go out the same way I came in
Chinese dolls in boxes
And everything you touch
And everything you love
And everything you touch
Turns to gold
As precious as
As rich as
As dear as
As strong as
As hard as
Gold
Mother
Past the boudaries of all pain
You journey to the edge of death in search of a child
Gold mother there's only one
Gold mother and she's mine
She's all mine
Shut up let's hear it
Shut up
The song "Gold Mother" by James explores the concept of birth and the deep connection between a mother and her child. The repetitive chorus of "Heart of gold, gold mother" illustrates the preciousness and value of the mother's love and the importance of the bond between a mother and child. The first verse paints the image of the fetus inside the mother's womb, describing it as one body and referencing Chinese dolls in boxes, which could represent the complexity and mystery of birth. The line "How do you sail the ship from the bottle?" can be interpreted as a metaphor for the difficult journey of birth and bringing a child into the world.
The second verse describes the actual process of birth, with imagery of the baby's head emerging from the mother's body, accompanied by the intense feeling of pain and silence in the room. The lines "Cry for me mother, cry for me mother, Crimean mother, cry me another" could be referencing the practice of using "cry rooms" in hospitals where mothers could go to express their emotions after giving birth. The following lines continue to describe the physical sensations of birth, with the singer feeling helpless in their brand new baby body.
The final verse takes a surreal turn, with vivid descriptions of a man in ceremonial robes performing strange rituals on the newborn, using meconium (the baby's first bowel movement) as a symbol of the beginning of life. The repeated phrase "Chinese dolls in boxes" could represent the fragility of life and the preciousness of every human being. The final lines of the song express a sense of awe and reverence for the experience of birth, acknowledging the pain and risk involved but also celebrating the incredible power of motherhood.
Line by Line Meaning
Heart of gold heart of gold heart of gold
This line is repeated several times throughout the song, and likely represents the overarching theme of the song. The heart of gold could refer to a mother's love or the preciousness of life. It may also reference the sentimentality and closeness we feel to those we love.
One body in my mother's belly
This line references the intimacy of the bond between mother and child, and the connection that exists between them. The singer is acknowledging that he was once a part of his mother's body.
Chinese dolls, box in boxes
This line could be interpreted in different ways, but it seems to represent the idea of being contained or trapped. It may also reference the fragility of life.
How do you sail the ship from the bottle?
This line could be interpreted in different ways, but it seems to represent a sense of wonder or curiosity about the world. It may also represent the idea of doing something seemingly impossible.
Gold, gold mother, gold, gold, gold mother
This line highlights the preciousness and value of a mother's love. The repetition of "gold" emphasizes the idea of something that is held in high regard and treasured.
I can see the head now
This line is likely referencing the experience of childbirth, and the moment when the baby's head becomes visible. It may also represent the excitement and anticipation of new life.
Between her legs now
This line is also referencing childbirth, specifically the position of the baby as it is being born.
Purple headed alien
This line may be a description of the newborn baby, who appears strange and otherworldly to the artist. The use of the word "alien" emphasizes the sense of unfamiliarity and newness.
Water logged old man
This line could be interpreted in a few different ways, but it seems to represent the sense of vulnerability and helplessness experienced by a baby. The artist may be imagining the baby as an old man, weakened and dependent on others.
In the blood silence
This line could be interpreted in different ways, but it seems to represent the experience of childbirth as a surreal, almost silent moment. The idea of blood may represent the intensity and pain of the experience.
Cry for me mother cry for me mother crimean mother cry me another
This line is a call for comfort and support from the mother. The reference to a "crimean mother" may add to the sense of urgency and desperation expressed in the line.
My feet and hands won't work
This line could be interpreted in different ways, but it seems to represent the helplessness and reliance of a newborn baby. The artist may be imagining what it would be like to be in a baby's body and have limited control over their movements.
In my baby's body
This line is a continuation of the previous line, and emphasizes the idea of experiencing life from a helpless and dependent perspective.
I'll suck my fingers red
This line may represent the limited ways in which a baby can comfort themselves. Sucking on their fingers may be one of the only ways a baby can self-soothe when they are feeling distressed or uncomfortable.
In the bright lights and harsh sounds, there's a man
This line may be referencing the medical environment in which childbirth often takes place. The reference to the "bright lights and harsh sounds" may represent the clinical or impersonal setting commonly associated with hospitals.
In green ceremonial robes and mask, dipping a straw through your nose
This line is a vivid and unsettling description of a medical professional performing a procedure on the newborn. The use of the word "ceremonial" adds a sinister or ritualistic quality to the description.
Mouthwash of meconium lungs full of meconium
This line describes the medical intervention of removing meconium (a baby's first stool) from the lungs of a newborn. The presence of meconium in the lungs can be dangerous and requires urgent attention from a medical professional.
Heart full of meconium
This line may represent the vulnerable state of a newborn baby, who is struggling to breathe and survive. The idea of the heart being full of meconium emphasizes the seriousness of the situation.
Chinese dolls in boxes
This line is repeated several times throughout the song and could be interpreted in different ways. It may represent the fragility and vulnerability of life, or the idea of being contained or trapped.
And everything you touch turns to gold
This line may represent a sense of magic or wonder associated with the experience of love. Everything the artist touches may feel precious or special because of the love they feel from their mother.
As precious as / As rich as / As dear as / As strong as / As hard as / Gold
These lines emphasize the value and importance of the artist's mother and the love they have for them. The use of the word "gold" adds a sense of preciousness and rarity to this love.
Past the boundaries of all pain / You journey to the edge of death in search of a child
This line describes the intense experience of childbirth and the sacrifice made by mothers in order to bring new life into the world. The use of the word "death" emphasizes the physical and emotional struggle of the experience.
Gold mother there's only one / Gold mother and she's mine / She's all mine
These lines represent the singer's deep love and connection with their mother. The repeated use of "gold" emphasizes the value and importance of this relationship.
Shut up let's hear it
This line may be a meta-reference to the song itself, suggesting that the artist wants to stop the noise of everyday life and focus on the beauty of the music.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JAMES GLENNIE, LAWRENCE GOTT, TIMOTHY BOOTH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@smithjohn2222
i love james,no one even came close,i love the roses and the mondays,but james all day for me
@miapretti
Put on at least 5o,00 miles on my bike listening to these three albums
@gorgo335
Awesome bassline! And the 90's begin...
@amandalou34
This was my fave song on the Album also because Inspiral Carpets contributed on it and they were my fave when it was all kicking off in the Madchester era
@skinhead1975
played this album to death on my walkman whilst doing a paper round,good days
@kathyeaton3882
I'm hearing you there. Have just replaced the cassette from years gone by with a bargain buy on Amazon.
@katevann157
Me too!
@TheProtocol48
What an awesome unique lick!
@gameasabagel
heard this on the wireless....Speechless!
@aquablushgirl
Superb. Excellent lyrics. Excellent song.