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/)
Got The Shakes
James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm so fried
What did I do?
Knuckles scraped, please don't blame me
Can't hurt a fly
I couldn't hurt you
Change my shape when I'm crazy
Three strikes, and then they go under
Don't tell me it's over
Please wait for me, I swear I'll go sober
Please wait till this hell freezes over
Some people shouldn't mess with the thunder
I'll go sober
Don't mess with the thunder
I'll go dry
I'll go dry
I'll go dry
I'll go dry
It's not over
The song "Got The Shakes" by James is a desperate plea for forgiveness and understanding from a person who has lost control due to excessive drinking. The opening line "Got the shakes, too much gravy, I'm so fried" references the physical symptoms of withdrawal after consuming large quantities of alcohol. The singer is regretful and possibly ashamed, asking "What did I do?" and insisting that they "couldn't hurt you." They continue to describe how their behavior changes when they are "crazy," implying that they become a danger to themselves and others.
The second verse includes the metaphor of "flat stones skim[ming] the surface of water" to describe how the singer's life is teetering on the edge of disaster. They fear that "three strikes, and then they go under," foreshadowing their imminent downfall if they don't make changes. The chorus is a plea for forgiveness as the singer begs their loved one to "wait for me" until they can "go sober" and turn their life around. They acknowledge that they have been playing with fire, warning that "some people shouldn't mess with the thunder."
Overall, "Got The Shakes" is a poignant and emotional track that highlights the destructive power of addiction. The lyrics are raw and vulnerable, revealing the inner turmoil of someone struggling with alcoholism. The use of metaphors and vivid imagery effectively conveys the singer's sense of desperation and fear. The song is a reminder of the importance of seeking help and support when facing addiction and the courage it takes to confront one's demons.
Line by Line Meaning
Got the shakes, too much gravy
I feel anxious and nervous, probably due to the excessive amount of luxury or comfort that I've been accustomed to
I'm so fried
I'm completely worn out and depleted of energy, probably due to excessive drug use or exhaustion
What did I do?
I'm not sure what I have done wrong or bad, but I feel responsible and guilty for the situation I'm in
Knuckles scraped, please don't blame me
I might have been in a physical altercation, but it wasn't my fault, and I don't want to be blamed or punished for it
Can't hurt a fly
I'm harmless and non-threatening, and I'm incapable of causing any harm or damage to anyone or anything
I couldn't hurt you
I care about you, and I don't want to do anything that would cause you harm or hurt your feelings
Change my shape when I'm crazy
My behavior or personality can radically transform when I'm under intense stress or mental instability
Flat stones skim the surface of water
My actions or decisions have fleeting or superficial effects or consequences, like skipping rocks on a pond
Three strikes, and then they go under
People or things can only tolerate a limited amount of pressure, tension, or trauma, after which they break or collapse
Don't tell me it's over
I'm not ready to accept or acknowledge the end of a relationship or a situation, and I'm still hopeful for a resolution or a second chance
Please wait for me, I swear I'll go sober
I need more time or support to overcome my addiction or dependence on substances, and I promise to work on my recovery
Please wait till this hell freezes over
I'm not ready or willing to face or confront the painful or challenging aspects of my life or myself, and I prefer to delay or avoid them
Some people shouldn't mess with the thunder
Some individuals or entities should be cautious or respectful when they challenge or provoke something or someone powerful or dangerous
I'll go sober
I'll stop drinking or using drugs and I'll seek help for my addiction or substance abuse
Don't mess with the thunder
Don't provoke or upset something or someone who's powerful, violent, or unpredictable
I'll go dry
I'll stop drinking or using drugs and I'll abstain from any substance that might impair my judgment, health, or well-being
It's not over
Despite the challenges and obstacles, I'm still hopeful and determined to overcome them, and I believe that there's a chance for growth or redemption
Contributed by Brooklyn S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.