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 โthe Light EPโ consisted of 5 tracks. (http://jamesleeofficial.com/)
Recover
James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For the ones we have lost we have loved
Wash your hands
There's a thief of our breath
Stay inside
Stay alive
It will be alright
Stay inside
It will be alright
Nature needs a break
So we wait in our home
Our foxhole
I'm out of a job
Confronting my life
The walls of my home
It will be alright
It will be alright
Will he get better?
A cold
Will he get better?
Just a chill, a sore throat
Will he recover?
In a ward all alone
Will he recover?
He can't breathe without a machine to carry the load
It will be alright
It will be alright
We will remember
Your wicked sense of fun
We will remember
Now the circus has moved on
We will remember
Your last call was a song
We will remember
How to pass your spirit on
The lyrics of James's song "Recover" convey themes of loss, hope, and resilience in the face of difficult circumstances. The first verse begins with a call to cry for the loved ones who have been lost, possibly referring to death or separation. The line "wash your hands, there's a thief of our breath" alludes to the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the importance of taking precautions to stay safe and protect ourselves and others.
The chorus encourages staying inside and staying alive, reassuring that everything will eventually be alright. It acknowledges the need for a break, as nature itself requires one. The comparison to a foxhole, which is often associated with a place of refuge during war, suggests that staying at home is a necessary protection against the surrounding challenges.
The second verse delves deeper into personal struggles, mentioning being out of a job and confronting one's life within the walls of home. These lines highlight the difficulties many individuals faced during the pandemic, such as unemployment and the isolation that comes with it.
The following lines express concerns about someone's health, possibly referring to a COVID-19 patient. The uncertainty and anxiety surrounding the person's recovery are depicted through questions and doubts. The mention of needing a machine to breathe suggests a severe condition and the dependence on medical intervention.
The chorus repeats the message of reassurance that everything will be alright, providing a glimmer of hope amidst the uncertainties. The lyrics then shift towards remembering someone who brought a sense of fun and joy into others' lives, possibly referring to someone who has passed away. The image of the circus moving on implies that life continues, even after the loss of a significant figure.
The final mention of passing on the spirit suggests that despite the hardships faced and the pain of loss, there is a possibility of keeping the person's memory alive and finding ways to carry forward their impact, whether through their songs or by embracing their spirit of joy and zest for life. Overall, the lyrics of "Recover" acknowledge the challenges and pain experienced, while also offering a sense of hope and the importance of remembering and honoring those who have made a difference.
Line by Line Meaning
Cry
Express grief and sadness
For the ones we have lost we have loved
Mourn for the individuals who have passed away as we cherished them
Wash your hands
Cleanse and protect yourself
There's a thief of our breath
There is a dangerous force stealing our ability to breathe
Stay inside
Remain indoors
Stay alive
Continue to survive
It will be alright
Things will eventually be fine
Nature needs a break
The natural world requires some rest
So we wait in our home
Hence, we remain in our dwellings
Our foxhole
Our secluded refuge
I'm out of a job
I am unemployed
Confronting my life
Facing my existence
The walls of my home
The boundaries of my dwelling
Will he get better?
Will he recover from his illness?
A cold
A common respiratory infection
Will he get better?
Will he improve his health condition?
Just a chill, a sore throat
Merely experiencing a mild cold and throat discomfort
Will he recover?
Will he regain his health?
In a ward all alone
Isolated in a hospital room
Will he recover?
Will he make a full recovery?
He can't breathe without a machine to carry the load
He requires a mechanical device to support his breathing
We will remember
We will hold memories of
Your wicked sense of fun
Your mischievous and delightful sense of amusement
We will remember
We will retain in our minds
Now the circus has moved on
Now the spectacle has shifted and progressed
We will remember
We will recall
Your last call was a song
Your final communication was a melodious expression
We will remember
We will not forget
How to pass your spirit on
How to continue your energy and influence
Lyrics ยฉ Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Garret Lee, James Glennie, Mark Hunter, Saul Davies, Timothy Booth
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jack Gunn
How can a band thatโs been going so long still keep pumping out quality music like this? I would say that, since they re-formed, there has barely been a misstep. Amazing, talented bunch!
tonyf68
That's a nice dedication at the start. I'm very sorry for your loss and for everyone who has lost someone during these incredibly difficult times. Take care.
Phil B
The greatest band live I have been lucky enough to see. They never age and like a fine wine mature with age.
Valรฉrie Clayman
Absolutely heartbreaking. Beautiful track.
MrForchy01
You are all just brilliant, thank you for continuing to brighten up my days with incredible music and live performances. James are one constant that I look to each year for a concert or album that just makes each year complete.
W 1
Great song, love the lyrics๐ It's very fitting for me because as a family, we've just lost two people one 46 years old and the other 52 years old. (I'm sure this song is fitting for so many more people too). Since the 1980s when James started I still haven't heard even a mediocre song yet, they're all brilliant ๐ keep it up๐
Bruno Braunsburger
This song is so meaningful. This is the story of a lot of families in these hard times. Its sad and hopeful at the same time. Its simply poetic. Thank you James for this. Greetings from Brazil. Stay safe.
Carl Nicholson
Poignant and beautiful as ever, true artists at work.
Alica Thomas
This is extraordinary.
I adored Moving on in this theme too.
Enjoyed this on first listen......cant wait to see them live this Autumn. Keep on keeping on James, you are incredible.
J Chez
Nice track loved James since i was 7years of age so glad my dad got me into this band also Have my son named after this Band.. Much love to James the Band..