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/)
Honest Pleasure
James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Moves so liquid, she's in her flow
Legs akimbo, I can't contain her
I surrender, let her go,
Let her go.
She's so holy, please anoint me
In her temple, I feel at home.
We're connected by honest pleasures.
Don't you let it go
It's an honest pleasure.
Don't hold back, surrender.
Keep to your own flow,
You're the greatest mover
Let your body moan, moan, moan ... moan
Let's get loaded, open those highways.
Preen these feelings, no sensor here
This life is measured by honest pleasure
There's this hunger that must be satisfied
Don't you let it grow
It's an honest pleasure
Don't you let it grow
Into honest pleasures...
The song "Honest Pleasure" by James begins with a description of a woman who is effortlessly confident and captivating- "knocking me sideways" and "Moves so liquid, she's in her flow." The singer surrenders to her allure, unable to contain her and acknowledging that she is a force to be reckoned with- "Legs akimbo, I can't contain her / I surrender, let her go". The next verse seems to describe a more spiritual connection to this woman- "She's so holy, please anoint me / In her temple, I feel at home / She's inside me, don't need to touch her / We're connected by honest pleasures." Here, the singer seems to be suggesting that this woman represents something transcendent or divine, perhaps finding a sense of meaning or purpose by being in her presence.
The chorus is a call to embrace these "honest pleasures" and to not hold back in expressing oneself- "Don't you let it go / It's an honest pleasure / Don't hold back, surrender / Keep to your own flow / You're the greatest mover / Let your body moan, moan, moan ... moan." The song seems to celebrate the idea of releasing oneself to the moment, being present in the physical and emotional experience that life offers without shame or judgement. The final verse encourages the listener to continue seeking out these moments- "Let's get loaded, open those highways / Preen these feelings, no sensor here / This life is measured by honest pleasure / There's this hunger that must be satisfied / Don't you let it grow / It's an honest pleasure / Don't you let it grow / Into honest pleasures."
Overall, "Honest Pleasure" seems to be a celebration of connection, exploration, and living life fully. The woman in the song represents both a physical and spiritual connection, a force that inspires the singer to let go of their inhibitions and embrace the sensual pleasure of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Here she comes, knocking me sideways.
She arrives and shakes up my world, catching me off guard.
Moves so liquid, she's in her flow
Her movements are smooth and effortless, she is fully immersed in the moment.
Legs akimbo, I can't contain her
She is free and uncontainable, breaking free from societal norms and expectations.
I surrender, let her go, Let her go.
I accept and release her, letting her follow her own path.
She's so holy, please anoint me
She holds a sacred aura and I wish to be blessed by her presence.
In her temple, I feel at home.
When I'm with her, I feel comfortable and safe.
She's inside me, don't need to touch her.
Our connection is deeper than physical touch, it's a spiritual bond.
We're connected by honest pleasures.
Our relationship is based on mutual honesty and genuine pleasure.
Don't you let it go, It's an honest pleasure.
Don't abandon or deny our authentic pleasure and connection.
Don't hold back, surrender.
Let go of inhibitions and allow yourself to fully experience the moment.
Keep to your own flow, You're the greatest mover, Let your body moan, moan, moan ... moan
Stay true to yourself and your unique style, embrace your body's movements and sounds.
Let's get loaded, open those highways.
Let's indulge in substances that heighten our sensations and broaden our perspectives.
Preen these feelings, no sensor here
Nurture and cultivate our emotions, there's no judgment or censoring.
This life is measured by honest pleasure
Life is best lived when we prioritize truthful, fulfilling experiences.
There's this hunger that must be satisfied
There's a desire within us that longs for fulfillment and satisfaction.
Don't you let it grow, It's an honest pleasure, Don't you let it grow, Into honest pleasures...
Don't let our honest, genuine connection turn into something artificial or dishonest.
Contributed by Annabelle P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Gloria Jaimes
Gusta bastante soy número (one)1 de esta genial banda 💕💕💕💕💕 gracias JAMES por existir y crear buena música
Ismail OZAY
Here she comes, knocking me sideways
Moves so liquid, she's in her flow
Legs akimbo, I can't contain her
I surrender, let her go
Let her go
She's so holy, please anoint me
In her temple, I feel at home
She's inside me, don't need to touch her
We're connected by honest pleasures
Don't you let it go
It's an honest pleasure
Don't hold back, surrender
Keep to your own flow
You're the greatest mover
Let your body moan, moan, moan ... moan
Let's get loaded, open those highways
Preen these feelings, no sensor here
This life is measured by honest pleasure
There's this hunger that must be satisfied
Don't you let it grow
It's an honest pleasure
Don't you let it grow
Into honest pleasures...
Segi gise
<3 one day i will get my hands on that b-sides ultra album
Ismail OZAY
B-side??!?! Please attention!... Especially, Booth's unique vocals starting at 2:34!!
alex wright
Number 106 in the A-Z of James songs.
Bigfeaz
This is good James here, love me some whiplash