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/)
Shine
James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Crisis as an opportunity
Curtain call to loud applause
As you fall upon your sword
Wake up in a stranger's bed
Hangover and then some
Can't remember what was said
Wake up in a stranger's head
This one stresses income
On the rich list, born and bred
Blames attached to every sum
Shot myself, ricochet
Crisis as an opportunity
Loud applause
Revealing the conceal
Loser
Shot myself, ricochet
Crisis as an opportunity
Curtain falls to loud applause
The tattoo says it all
Hope and glory
Here's to hope and glory
Where is the peace and the whole
In a half-life?
I can't control my saboteur
Call it my nature
Name it addiction
Kiss on the lips will soon turn sour
Innocence lost in the grip of a hand job
After the surge of ecstasy
I'm walking out the door
Hope and glory
Sh sh sh shine like a ghost
Sh sh sh shine to be loved the most
When you're gone your songs outlive your story
Sh sh sh shine like a ghost
Sh sh sh shine to be loved the most
When you're gone your songs outlive your story
Let it shine
Let it shine
When you're gone your songs outlive your story
The lyrics of James's song "Shine" offer a complex and somewhat dark reflection on various themes such as crisis, addiction, fame, and life itself. The first stanza starts with a striking metaphor of shooting oneself and the ricochet effect, which can be interpreted as a self-destructive behavior or a failed attempt at something. The line "crisis as an opportunity" can be read in different ways, as it may suggest the possibility of a positive outcome from a difficult situation, but also the danger of exploiting uncertain moments. The image of a curtain call to loud applause and falling upon one's sword evokes the idea of a final act, either glorious or tragic, and the consequent recognition or shame.
The second stanza shifts to a different scene, where the singer wakes up in a stranger's bed with a hangover and no memory of what happened. The ambiguity of the relationships (a casual encounter or a more serious affair?) and the sense of detachment are emphasized by the repeated lines "wake up in a stranger's head" and "what's her name or what we've done." The third stanza introduces a new character, born rich and privileged, who is now struggling with the burden of expectations and blame. The repetition of "shot myself, ricochet" and "crisis as an opportunity" suggests a connection between the two characters and a common sense of desperation or recklessness.
The final part of the song brings together some of the previous ideas and adds a touch of hope or defiance. The chorus "sh sh sh shine like a ghost" may refer to the idea of leaving a mark that transcends one's existence, whether in music, art, or any other form of expression. The line "when you're gone your songs outlive your story" reinforces this notion and suggests that the legacy of creativity can be more powerful than the memory of personal mistakes or tragedies. The repeated call to "let it shine" is a message of encouragement to pursue one's dreams and talents despite the challenges and uncertainties of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Shot myself, ricochet
I made a mistake that ended up hurting me.
Crisis as an opportunity
Taking a negative situation and turning it into something positive.
Curtain call to loud applause
A proud moment, receiving recognition for something well done.
As you fall upon your sword
Taking responsibility for a mistake made and facing the consequences.
Wake up in a stranger's bed
Feeling lost and confused, unsure of what happened the night before.
Hangover and then some
Suffering the consequences of poor decision-making.
Can't remember what was said
Loss of memory due to excessive drinking or drug use.
What's her name or what we've done
Feeling regret and shame about engaging in casual sex with a stranger.
Wake up in a stranger's head
Feeling disconnected from those around you, unsure of how to fit in or belong.
This one stresses income
Being from a privileged background and having difficulty relating to those who struggle financially.
On the rich list, born and bred
Being born into wealth and privilege.
Blames attached to every sum
Feeling guilty and responsible for the wealth you've inherited or earned.
Loud applause
Receiving recognition and approval from others.
Revealing the conceal
Turning something hidden or secret into something that can be openly discussed.
Loser
Feeling like a failure or that others see you as a failure.
The tattoo says it all
Having a visible reminder of something significant or meaningful.
Hope and glory
Desiring success and to be remembered for something positive.
Here's to hope and glory
A positive outlook for the future.
Where is the peace and the whole
Feeling incomplete or unfulfilled.
In a half-life?
Not fully experiencing life or feeling like there's something missing.
I can't control my saboteur
Feeling like there's an internal force that's holding you back or causing you to make poor decisions.
Call it my nature
Blaming your behavior on your natural tendencies or personality traits.
Name it addiction
Recognizing that your behavior is compulsive and difficult to control.
Kiss on the lips will soon turn sour
Expecting something to be positive or meaningful but realizing it's not what you wanted or expected.
Innocence lost in the grip of a hand job
Feeling like you've lost something important due to engaging in casual or meaningless sexual behavior.
After the surge of ecstasy
Feeling the high of something exciting or pleasurable, but knowing it won't last forever.
I'm walking out the door
Leaving something behind, moving on from a situation or relationship.
Sh sh sh shine like a ghost
Being remembered for something positive after you're gone.
Sh sh sh shine to be loved the most
Desiring love and recognition even after you've passed away.
Let it shine
Encouraging others to let their light and positive qualities shine through.
When you're gone your songs outlive your story
Your legacy is what you leave behind, how people remember you long after you've passed away.
Contributed by Hunter D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.