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/)
Just Like Fred Astaire
James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Palpitations, my mind's diseased
Even my vision is impaired
I'm losing my hair
'Cause when I hold her in my arms
I feel like Fred Astaire
Just met a girl who believes we can fly
I'm a bull, not a bear
I'm a millionaire
'Cause when I hold her in my arms
I feel like Fred Astaire
I believe in happiness
I believe in love
I believe she fell to earth
From somewhere high above
I believe in Hollywood
Don't believe that love must bring despair
'Cause when I hold her in my arms
I feel like Fred Astaire
You say love is just a disease
A plague for the naïve
These days, no-one believes
Meteors may strike the earth
Nations live and die
I'm the boy who got the girl
And now we're gonna fly
We can cross the race divide
Bridge a gap that wasn't really there
'Cause when I hold her in my arms
I feel like Fred Astaire
I'm gonna hold her in my arms
Just like Fred Astaire
I'm gonna hold her in these charms
Like Fred Astaire
(My goodness, the water's rising)
Like Fred Astaire
(My goodness, the water's rising)
Like Fred Astaire
The song "Just Like Fred Astaire" by James is a fun, upbeat commentary on the transformative power of love, comparing the feeling of being in love to the legendary dancer and actor Fred Astaire. The opening lines, sung in a worried, frightened tone, describe a physical and mental decline, as the singer shares symptoms of lovesickness, implying that falling in love can have the same debilitating effects as an illness. However, when he is with the object of his affection, the feeling is transformative, making him feel "like Fred Astaire". The lyrics are a nod to the iconic dancer's grace, elegance, and charisma, ultimately suggesting that love can have the same effects on a person, elevating them to new heights in the way that Astaire's performances once did for his audiences. The song is a lighthearted celebration of love, Hollywood, and the potential for magic in all aspects of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Doctor, what is happening to me?
I am experiencing health problems such as palpitations, impaired vision, and hair loss and seeking medical advice about them.
Palpitations, my mind's diseased
I am experiencing irregular heartbeat or a pounding heart, which can be a symptom of anxiety or other health problem affecting my mind.
Even my vision is impaired
My eyesight is not clear, and I may have difficulty seeing things properly.
I'm losing my hair
I am experiencing hair loss, which could be due to stress, hormonal changes, or other factors.
'Cause when I hold her in my arms, I feel like Fred Astaire
When I am with the girl I love, I feel happy, confident, and graceful, like the legendary dancer Fred Astaire.
Lovesick, my temperature's high
I am infatuated with a girl and feel overwhelmed with emotions, such as excitement or anxiety, which is causing a feverish sensation.
Just met a girl who believes we can fly
I have found a girl who has a positive, optimistic outlook on life, and we share the belief that anything is possible.
I'm a bull, not a bear
I am optimistic and bullish about the future, confident that things will turn out well for me, rather than being pessimistic like a bear.
'Cause when I hold her in my arms, I feel like Fred Astaire
When I am with the girl I love, I feel happy, confident, and graceful, like the legendary dancer Fred Astaire.
I believe in happiness
I have faith that happiness is attainable, and I am optimistic about life.
I believe in love
I believe that love is a powerful force that can transform lives and bring joy and fulfillment to those who experience it.
I believe she fell to earth from somewhere high above
I feel that the girl I love is extraordinary, almost otherworldly, and has come into my life as if by fate or serendipity.
I believe in Hollywood
I am enamored with the glitz, glamour, and romance of Hollywood movies.
Don't believe that love must bring despair
Although love can be painful and difficult at times, I believe that it can also bring hope, joy, and inspiration, rather than just despair.
'Cause when I hold her in my arms, I feel like Fred Astaire
When I am with the girl I love, I feel happy, confident, and graceful, like the legendary dancer Fred Astaire.
You say love is just a disease
You may be skeptical or cynical about love and see it as nothing more than a biological or psychological condition or illness.
A plague for the naïve
You may believe that only naive or gullible people fall in love and that it is a source of suffering and misery rather than joy or fulfillment.
These days, no-one believes
In these modern times, many people have become cynical or disillusioned about love and lost their faith or hope in it.
Meteors may strike the earth
Unexpected, catastrophic events can happen at any time and disrupt people's lives, just like a meteor hitting the earth.
Nations live and die
History shows that nations and empires rise and fall, and nothing is permanent.
I'm the boy who got the girl
Against all odds, I have found the girl of my dreams, and I feel lucky to have her in my life.
And now we're gonna fly
With her by my side, I feel like I can achieve anything and soar to new heights of happiness and success.
We can cross the race divide
Our love transcends our racial or cultural differences, and we can overcome any obstacles or prejudices that may exist between us or in society.
Bridge a gap that wasn't really there
We can connect and unite as human beings, despite any perceived differences or divisions, and create a more loving and harmonious world.
'Cause when I hold her in my arms, I feel like Fred Astaire
When I am with the girl I love, I feel happy, confident, and graceful, like the legendary dancer Fred Astaire.
I'm gonna hold her in my arms, just like Fred Astaire
I am determined to cherish and protect the girl I love and savor every moment I have with her, like the way Fred Astaire danced with his partners.
I'm gonna hold her in these charms, like Fred Astaire
I am going to use my charm, wit, and romantic gestures to win and keep the heart of the girl I adore, like Fred Astaire did with his leading ladies.
(My goodness, the water's rising)
This could be a reference to a literal flooding or natural disaster, or a metaphor for a crisis or challenge that may arise unexpectedly.
Like Fred Astaire
Despite any adversity, I will remain optimistic and graceful, like Fred Astaire, and face life's challenges with style and elegance.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: DAVID JOHN BAYNTON-POWER, JAMES GLENNIE, MARK HUNTER, SAUL DAVIES, TIMOTHY BOOTH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ismail OZAY
One of the James song that felt me so happy after the years..
Doctor, what is happening to me?
Palpitations, my mind's diseased
Even my vision is impaired
I'm losing my hair
'Cause when I hold her in my arms
I feel like Fred Astaire
Lovesick, my temperature's high
Just met a girl who believes we can fly
I'm a bull, not a bear
I'm a millionaire
'Cause when I hold her in my arms
I feel like Fred Astaire
I believe in happiness
I believe in love
I believe she fell to earth
From somewhere high above
I believe in Hollywood
Don't believe that love must bring despair
'Cause when I hold her in my arms
I feel like Fred Astaire
You say love is just a disease
A plague for the naive
These days, no-one believes
Meteors may strike the earth
Nations live and die
I'm the boy who got the girl
And now we're gonna fly
We can cross the race divide
Bridge a gap that wasn't really there
'Cause when I hold her in my arms
I feel like Fred Astaire
I'm gonna hold her in my arms
Just like Fred Astaire
I'm gonna hold her in these charms
Like Fred Astaire
Like Fred Astaire
(My goodness, the water's rising)
Like Fred Astaire
lou9878
Doctor, what is happening to me?
Palpitations, my mind's diseased
Even my vision is impaired
I'm losing my hair
'Cause when I hold her in my arms
I feel like Fred Astaire
Lovesick, my temperature's high
Just met a girl who believes we can fly
I'm a bull, not a bear
I'm a millionaire
'Cause when I hold her in my arms
I feel like Fred Astaire
I believe in happiness
I believe in love
I believe she fell to earth
From somewhere high above
I believe in Hollywood
Don't believe that love must bring despair
'Cause when I hold her in my arms
I feel like Fred Astaire
You say love is just a disease
A plague for the naive
These days, no-one believes
Meteors may strike the earth
Nations live and die
I'm the boy who got the girl
And now we're gonna fly
We can cross the race divide
Bridge a gap that wasn't really there
'Cause when I hold her in my arms
I feel like Fred Astaire
I'm gonna hold her in my arms
Just like Fred Astaire
I'm gonna hold her in these charms
Like Fred Astaire
(My goodness, the water's rising)
Like Fred Astaire
(My goodness, the water's rising)
Like Fred Astaire
Ray Joiner
How the hell can anyone give this musical masterpiece a thumbs down 😲
It's bloody brilliant 🥰
MrTuryn
its just boring ^^
Edward William Morris
If you can't see the excellent mastery of music in this song you are suffering from brain damage. It's superb
Solvej Nielsen
I’m mesmerised ❤
Hare Typer
The moment I realized I was in love with my husband (a couple weeks after we met) was while I was listening to this song for the first time 8 years ago in the car driving to meet him after my friend's wedding where this song was on the wedding favor which was a mix CD made by the groom. My husband died 1 year ago today from cancer at 38 years old. I am thankful I have that moment of realization and feeling preserved in this song forever and am right back in the car driving again every time I hear it. "I believe in happiness, I believe in love, I believe he fell to earth from somewhere high above". I will always miss you and will love you forever. <3
PAUL WADDINGTON
Your post literally made me cover my mouth and shed a tear for your loss..... I cannot imagine how hard it must be.....
Hare Typer
PAUL WADDINGTON Thank you Paul. That is so sweet of you to be so touched by my comment and to admit it publicly. I am sorry it upset you though. It IS very hard, but I'm doing OK... usually. :) Sometimes I can't believe he's gone and reality hits me like a slap in the face. Sometimes I feel like I hate this life without him, but not all the time and there are usually more good days than bad ones now. I try to live my life now being thoughtful of him being proud of what I'm doing. I have a 3 year old son that looks JUST like my husband and for him I'm very thankful. My husband knew he was dying and during that time he told me several times he wanted me to find someone else and remarry when I was able, he was so selfless like that. I love that being human means we are capable of loving many people at the same time and have enough love to go around. Sometimes I can't imagine how hard this is either, but we're forced to be strong when we have to be and either stop living or force ourselves to keep going and do what is scary and uncomfortable and appreciate life and make those that we lose along the way proud by living better- being our best selves. I never understood really the term "live one day at a time" until this last year. It'll never be OK, it'll never be right, it'll never be easy but I choose to be happy and allow love in and that does allow for healing. That's what he wanted and I'm trying to do that, I am doing that :)
Thomas Cook
Just read your post and it brought a tear to my eyes, i also love the line you quoted
Hare Typer
Thomas Cook
Thank you Thomas.
bigtommyt71
What can you say about James..... seriously under-rated, they have done a bucket load of amazing songs like this but never get mentioned. James you guys rock