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/)
Next 2 U
James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They don't love you like I do
And you want me to let go but I refuse
Let me know what I should do
All I wanna do is be right next to you
I just want to be with you
I don't have a fucking clue
All I know is I can't stop thinking bout you
It's been driving me insane lately
got me searching in My mind tryna find know I ain't crazy
that's something I just couldn't change baby
cause either way I'm going crazy over you and no you can't save me
so true
got me thinking bout the old you
If your the one then who the one who gone hold you
If your the one then who the one who gone hold you
They don't love you like I do
And you want me to let go but I refuse
Let me know what I should do
All I wanna do is be right next to you
They don't love you like I do
Pretty lady I love your smile and I love your Style its true
If your the one then who the one who gone hold you
They don't love you like I do
And you want me to let go but I refuse
Let me know what I should do
All I wanna do is be right next to you
The lyrics of James' song Next 2 U portray a relationship that is repeatedly falling apart and coming back together again. The singer acknowledges that the relationship has become toxic, but can't seem to break free from their cycle. The cycle starts with an argument, during which both parties say things they don't mean, leading to a break-up, followed by making up only to repeat the cycle over and over again. The singer knows that they're better off apart, but still finds themselves thinking about their partner's smile and touch, even when they meet someone new. They admit that it isn't fair to compare others to their partner, but they just can't help coming back.
The singer wonders if their partner sees their relationship in the same light and whether they will ever find the strength to let go and move on. They question whether the adage "if you let someone go, they'll come back to you" is true. The singer is torn between wanting to know the answer and knowing that they're better off apart.
Line by Line Meaning
Somehow
The singer knows that there is a problem in the relationship that needs to be addressed.
We've got to break our cycle
The couple always fights, breaks up, and then makes up, but the singer wants to break that pattern.
I know that it's toxic
The singer recognizes that the relationship is unhealthy and detrimental to their well-being.
Maybe it's because of our ego
The artist thinks that their ego may be the root of the problem in the relationship.
But it always starts with an argument
The couple always begins their fights with an argument or disagreement.
Then we both start saying things
Eventually, both people in the relationship start saying hurtful things to each other.
We know we don't mean
Despite the things said, both partners know that they do not mean them.
So we break up
The fighting leads to a breakup of the relationship.
Just to make up
But the couple always gets back together after breaking up.
We do this over and over again
They repeat this cycle frequently, with the same result every time.
I know we're better apart
The singer understands that the relationship is not healthy for either of them, and that they may be better off separated.
But lately I find myself thinking about your smile your touch
Despite this, the artist still thinks about their partner and the good things they shared.
I just keep on coming back to you
Even when the singer meets new people, they keep thinking about their ex and coming back to them.
Even when I meet someone new
The singer tries to move on by meeting new people, but it does not seem to make a difference.
It never fails
No matter how many new people the singer meets, they always compare them to their previous partner.
I compare them to you
The artist compares their ex to the new people they meet, which is not fair to those new people.
It isn't fair to them
The artist recognizes that it is unfair to compare new people to their ex, but they cannot help it.
How I just keep on coming back to you
Despite recognizing that the relationship is not healthy and trying to move on, the singer keeps thinking about their ex and coming back to them.
I wonder do you see us the same as I do
The singer wonders if their ex feels the same way about the relationship, and if they also recognize it is unhealthy.
Will I ever build up the courage to let go and just move on
The artist wants to move on from the relationship, but it is difficult for them to let go.
Is it true what they say, if I let you fly away, will you come back to me someday
The artist has heard that if they let their partner go, they may come back to them in the future.
I need to know it, I need to know
The artist wants to know if their ex will come back to them if they let them go.
But I know we're better apart
Despite their feelings, the singer knows that they need to move on from the relationship.
I just keep on coming back to you
Despite knowing that they should move on, the artist still thinks about their ex and is drawn back to them.
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Eric font
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nceba Namane
JT Taylor songs are mostly heavenly. He has an angelic voice.
R. Kevin Wiggins
Just like most of you here, I've been a fan of James "JT" Taylor since his days with Kool & The Gang. From the time I first heard his vocals on "Ladies Night" (1979), I knew JT would be a musical force to be reckoned with. JT is truly gifted with a wonderful singing voice. The main thing I love about him besides his vocal skills, is that even though he has become a GREAT solo artist, he stills performs with Kool & The Gang. That's what I call TRUE LOYALTY. The man doesn't forget where he started from. Thank you JT for your gift of vocals and thank you Kool & The Gang, for introducing the music world to James "JT" Taylor.
Monique N. Torres
I've been listening to this man's music since 1979. I remember my momma had a huge crush on this man. She had all the Cool And The Gang tracks on A track. Wow! He always had an amazing voice too. It's 2021 and I'm still listening to Cool And The Gang. 😍💙🎶🎤🎧📺
Alberic Kadomo
We all wish they could get together with the gang especially if DT Thomas and Khali's were still alive Charles Smith too that was a great team work.
Skhumbuzo Msomi
he's one of the most talented musicians of our time.i followed him while he was stil with the cool & the gang.
Mysterious J 123
Underrated artist.
alain segarini
JT Taylor is a FAN-TAS-TIC singer! Great song!
Khazamula Mnisi
This man is doing amazing thing in these industries of music .
sharon andrews
YES!..J.T. OUCH! he sounded and look good at his concert! last month! a 60 year old man! still can sing and dance! OUCH!
lizabs68
Bless him. I have been following JT since the 80's, thank you for good music brother.