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/)
Out To Get You
James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Invisible to these crowds, always double vision
I've been losing my mind listening to broken speech
Stacking up broken seats, it's a lonely picture
And I hear your voice as it echoes 'round my head
Always that same thing that you said
Get out, get out, while you still can
The world is wide from where you stand
So get out, get out while you still can ooh ooh
As I'm sweeping up glass, I see the exit lights so green
These people falling into the streets
Something comes together
I've been here too long and if I stay, they'll tie me down
I know this trench won't hang around, so I'm gone forever
And I hear your voice as it echoes 'round my head
Always that same thing that you said
So get out, get out, while you still can
Don't let the nights slip through your hands
The world is wide from where you stand
So get out, get out while you still can ooh ooh
Packing up my suitcase, racing down for gun street
Making my tracks along the cracks in the coke
Seeing those headlights shining down upon my feet
If you find me, you will find me on the run
For all the bleeding hearts pushing 'round the stubborn cards
I've seen the green of glass, I've seen the faster cars
And I don't need your heavy hours
I don't need your lonely bars
I'm ejected like a bullet from a gun
So take your final look at me, may even take my hand
Standing on the staircase, come and chase the master plan
Long way to get away, play it like a grand slam
This is no encore, we have only just begun
So get out, get out, while you still can
Don't let the nights slip through your hands
The world is wide from where you stand
So get out, get out while you still can
Ooh ooh ooh ooh (get out, get out)
Ooh ooh ooh ooh (get out, get out)
Ooh ooh ooh ooh (get out, get out)
Ooh ooh ooh ooh (get out, get out)
Ooh ooh ooh ooh (get out, get out)
Ooh ooh ooh ooh (get out, get out)
The song "Out To Get You" by James speaks about the feeling of being trapped in a certain place, surrounded by people who seem to be pushing down on you. The singer describes himself as invisible, watching the "empty hours" pass by and listening to "broken speech". The repetition of the phrase "get out, get out" conveys the sense of urgency and desperation the singer feels to escape this claustrophobic environment. He feels like if he stays any longer, he'll be tied down, and so he decides to leave forever.
As he prepares to leave, we see a reference to gun street and cocaine, which could indicate a dark and dangerous world that he's trying to run away from. He sees the headlights shining down on his feet as he runs away, making it clear that he's in a hurry to leave before anyone catches him. The final lines of the song express a sense of determination and defiance; the singer is not just escaping, he's taking control of his own destiny and heading towards a "master plan".
Overall, "Out To Get You" embodies the struggle for freedom and self-determination in the face of adversity, as well as the feeling of constriction and helplessness that can arise when we feel trapped by our circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been looking all night watching them empty hours
I've been searching all night, but the hours have been empty and unfruitful in terms of finding meaning or purpose.
Invisible to these crowds, always double vision
Despite being surrounded by people, I feel invisible and disconnected from them. My vision is blurry and unfocused.
I've been losing my mind listening to broken speech
The nonsensical rambling and broken messages I'm hearing are causing me to feel overwhelmed and crazy.
Stacking up broken seats, it's a lonely picture
The numerous empty and broken chairs around me create a stark and lonely image.
And I hear your voice as it echoes 'round my head / Always that same thing that you said
Your voice echoes in my mind and I can't stop thinking about your repeated message.
Get out, get out, while you still can / Don't let the nights slip through your hands / The world is wide from where you stand / So get out, get out while you still can ooh ooh
Escape from this situation before it's too late. Don't waste your time and let opportunities slip away. The world is vast, and there are still possibilities out there. So don't hesitate, leave as soon as you can.
These people falling into the streets / Something comes together
As I watch people spill out onto the streets, I feel a sense of comradery and togetherness with them.
I've been here too long and if I stay, they'll tie me down / I know this trench won't hang around, so I'm gone forever
I've been in this place for too long and if I don't leave now, I will be stuck here. I know that it won't last forever, so I'm leaving this place for good.
Packing up my suitcase, racing down for gun street / Making my tracks along the cracks in the coke / Seeing those headlights shining down upon my feet / If you find me, you will find me on the run
I'm hastily packing my things and hitting the streets. My footsteps are creating a trail as I depart. The headlights cast a spotlight on my feet. If you come looking for me, I'll be on the run.
For all the bleeding hearts pushing 'round the stubborn cards / I've seen the green of glass, I've seen the faster cars
Despite those trying to be kindhearted and help me, I've seen through their façade. I've seen the glitz and glamour of the richer lifestyle.
And I don't need your heavy hours / I don't need your lonely bars / I'm ejected like a bullet from a gun
I don't need the weight of your expectations and the sadness of your solitude. I'm propelled away from this situation like a bullet from a gun.
So take your final look at me, may even take my hand / Standing on the staircase, come and chase the master plan / Long way to get away, play it like a grand slam / This is no encore, we have only just begun
Take one last look at me, maybe even say goodbye. I'm standing at the top of the staircase, ready to make my escape. It's a long way to get away, but I'm going to do it with style. This isn't the end, it's just the beginning of my new life.
Ooh ooh ooh ooh (get out, get out)
Reiterating the message to get out before it's too late.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: ED HARCOURT, JAMES MICHAEL BAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@pillywily
I'm so alone tonight
My bed feels larger than when I was small
Lost in memories, lost in all the sheets and all old pillows
So alone tonight, miss you more than I will let you know
Miss the outline of your back, miss you breathing down my neck
All out to get you, once again, they're all out to get you, once again
Insecure, what ya gonna do
Feel so small, they could step on you
Called you up, answer machine, when the human touch
Is what I need, what I need is you, I need you
Looked in the mirror, I don't know who I am any more
The face is familiar, but the eyes, the eyes give it all away
They're all out to get you, once again, they're all out to get you
Here they come again
Insecure, what ya gonna do
Feel so small, they could step on you
Called you up, answer machine, when the human touch
Is what I need, what I need is you
Let me breathe, if you'd let me breathe
They're all out to get you, once again, they're all out to get you
@user-ju1zh2kp6i
I'm so alone tonight
My bed feels larger than
When I was small
Lost in memories
Lost in all the sheets
And old pillows
So alone tonight
Miss you more than
I will let you know
Miss the outline of your back
Miss you breathing down my neck
They're all out to get you
Once again
They're all out to get you
Once again
Insecure, what you gonna do?
Feel so small, they could step on you
Called you up, answering machine
When the human touch
Is what I need
What I need
What I need
What I need
What I need
Is you
I need you
Looked in the mirror
I don't know
Who I am anymore
The face is familiar
But the eyes
The eyes give it all away
They're all out to get you
Once again
They're all out to get you
Here they come again
Here they come again
Here they come again
Here they come again
Here they come again
Here they come again
Here they come again
Here they come again
Insecure, what you gonna do?
Feel so small, they could step on you
Called you up, answering machine
When the human touch
Is what I need
What I need
What I need
What I need
What I need
What I need
What I need
What I need
What I need
Is you
(What I need)
Is you
(What I need)
Is you
Is you
Is you
Is you
If you let me breathe
If you let me breathe
If you let me breathe
If you let me breathe
They're all out to get you
Once again
They're all out to get you
To get you
Once again
@stuartj1234
I cant ever put into words how dark the times were in my little world during the mid to late 90's...but i can say this band seriously helped me through it. No other band has ever written so many songs that struck so many chords within my soul.
Forever in your debt and your forever in my heart an soul James.
@weechill333
I’m feel the exact same! Huge help during my darkest times 🍻
@CrunchyFeet
@@weechill333 Me three.
@TheWorldsWorstMan
Me four, helped me feel alive again in the 00s
@dmbrod1000
Same here.
@jasonspurs
i am going through it now im 52yrs old
@rascalw.492
2020.. loving it.. Not the year lol. Ughhhh.. still listening. Always will ..
@isoladipietra6616
One of the best songs ever written.
@kylemeg
Since the first time I heard this song back in the early 90's, still remains my all-time favorite of any band. Probably because of the nostalgia and memories it carries, but still, that's the power of music.
@shouldicare5011
i'm here from the kissing booth 3. i love this song sm