James emerged from their native Manchester in the mid-'80s playing a brand … Read Full Bio ↴James emerged from their native Manchester in the mid-'80s playing a brand of urgent, ringing guitar pop distinguished by Tim Booth's keening, insistent vocals. Booth's dramatic stylings and James' dedication to textured guitars earned the group the designation of "the next Smiths," a connection strengthened by Morrissey's endorsement of the band. By the dawn of the '90s, James shook off these comparisons by embracing acid house, the first of many adventurous left turns the band took over the decades. "Sit Down," an old open-hearted tune re-recorded for the age of "baggy," proved to be their breakthrough, reaching number two in the U.K. in 1991 and becoming an alternative rock hit in the U.S. With its singles "Sound" and "Born of Frustration," Seven consolidated that success in 1992, but it was 1993's Laid that established the group's mature sound. Working with Brian Eno, the group took aural risks that paid off artistically and commercially: the title track became their biggest American hit. From there, James had a flurry of activity in the late 1990s before entering a hiatus in 2001. The band regrouped in 2007, releasing Hey Ma the following year and then settling into a groove where they alternated tours with ambitious album projects such as 2010's two-part The Night Before and The Morning After, as well as 2021's pandemic journal All the Colours of You.

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/)

Homeboy
James Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You're a late child, you're a love child
It's enough child that your so appealing
You're appealing, you're appealing
To a need that we all have been feeling
You don't fit where you've been put
They're so straight
Straight out of some book
Tried to fake it with a real man

Tried to fill your father's size ten

Alone [living] in this world
You're not a boy or a girl

Don't let them wear you down
What a wonderful ego
You should be so proud
Far out is the life for you
Not just a life that you must make do

Alone in this world
You're not a boy or a girl

Nothing is certain
Every things changed
More than just words
When it's you who's in pain
You hold the chalice
You hold the plate
Bring them together and see what you've made
Facing the future inside a cocoon
Feeling the control when you've been so abused
Alone in this world
Your're not a boy or a girl

You're not alone in this world
You're not a boy or a girl

Overall Meaning

The song "Homeboy" by James is a powerful message about acceptance, individuality, and the struggle to find one's place in the world. The lyrics are an analysis of the experience of being different, of not fitting into societal norms, and of embracing one's uniqueness. The song is filled with paradoxes and contradictions expressed in the lyrics, such as the lines "You don't fit where you've been put / They're so straight / Straight out of some book." The overall message is that although it can be challenging to exist outside of prescribed roles, it is possible to thrive within one's own personality.

The lyrics also explore the issue of gender identity, as seen in the lines "Alone in this world / You're not a boy or a girl / Don't let them wear you down." The song speaks to people who question the gender binary and who seek to create their own identities apart from traditional roles. The lyrics suggest that it is essential to stay true to oneself, even in the face of societal pressure.

Overall, the song "Homeboy" is a moving exploration of identity, acceptance, and the struggle to find one's place in the world. It is a beautiful message that encourages individuals to embrace their uniqueness and strive to create their paths in life.

Line by Line Meaning

You're a late child, you're a love child
You were born after expected, but you were still loved.

It's enough child that your so appealing
You have all the qualities that make you attractive to others.

You're appealing, you're appealing
Your presence is desirable and sought after.

To a need that we all have been feeling
Everyone has an innate desire for someone like you to exist.

You don't fit where you've been put
The expectations and roles society has assigned you don't feel right.

They're so straight
Those expectations are rigid and inflexible.

Straight out of some book
They're based on outdated and limiting stereotypes.

Tried to fake it with a real man
You tried to conform to societal expectations by dating a man, but it didn't feel authentic.

Tried to fill your father's size ten
You attempted to live up to your father's expectations, but his way of life doesn't align with yours.

Alone [living] in this world
You feel isolated and misunderstood.

You're not a boy or a girl
You don't identify with traditional gender roles and expectations.

Don't let them wear you down
Don't allow societal pressures to diminish your self-worth.

What a wonderful ego
Embrace your unique qualities and recognize the value you bring to the world.

You should be so proud
Take pride in who you are and what you stand for.

Far out is the life for you
You need to live a non-conventional lifestyle that aligns with your true self.

Not just a life that you must make do
Don't settle for a life that doesn't fulfill you.

Nothing is certain
Life is unpredictable and ever-changing.

Every things changed
Things are not the same as they were before.

More than just words
Experiencing difficulties goes beyond just talking about them.

When it's you who's in pain
When you're the one experiencing the pain and struggle.

You hold the chalice
You have the power to change things.

You hold the plate
You have the responsibility to make things right.

Bring them together and see what you've made
Take control and make something beautiful out of your struggles.

Facing the future inside a cocoon
You're going through a transformative period in your life.

Feeling the control when you've been so abused
Taking control of your life after being mistreated or marginalized can be empowering.

Your're not alone in this world
There are others who don't fit the mold and understand your struggles.

You're not a boy or a girl
Your identity is valid, even if it doesn't conform to societal norms.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: JAMES E BROGAN, JASON BEEBOUT, SERGIE LOOBKOFF

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

Voetistasneua

Heard this on the radio a few times back in 1997. Still fantastic over a quarter-Century later! Each time this gets played, Rock gets much-needed life support!