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/)
So Long Marianne
James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'd like to try to read your palm
I'm standing on a ledge
And you fine spider's web
Is fastening my ankle to the bone
So long, Marianne, it's time that we began
To laugh and cry and cry and
We met when we were almost young
You made me forget so very much
I forgot to pray for the angels
And then the angels forgot to pray for us
So long, Marianne, it's time that we began
To laugh and cry and cry and
Laugh about it all again
For now I need your hidden love
I'm cold as a new razor blade
You left when I told you I was curious
But I never said that I was brave
So long, Marianne, it's time that we began
To laugh and cry and cry and
Laugh about it all again about it all again
So long, Marianne so long, Marianne
Marianne! Marianne!
Now you're really such a pretty one
I see you've gone and changed your name again
And just when I climbed
This whole mountainside
I see you in the distance, on the plains
So long, Marianne, it's time that we began
To laugh and cry and cry and
Laugh about it all again about it all again
About it all again so long, Marianne
So long, Marianne all the fights
With that big kitchen knife all the lies
And the hate that you spat
All those long, long, furious nights
All those long, long, furious nights
All the tears that we shed
The excitement we had and the unmade bed
With that big kitchen knife
And the crimes we committed at night
Yeah, the crimes we committed at night
For a love we could never get right
For a love we could never get right
So long, Marianne! So long, Marianne!
Marianne!
The song So Long Jimmy by James Blunt is a tribute to a musician named Jimmy who appears to have had a significant impact on the singer's life. The lyrics talk about a moment spent with Jimmy on the sofa, listening to a song that no one else knows. There is a sense of admiration and wonder for Jimmy's talent and creativity as the singer questions whether Jimmy wrote the song himself or if some kind of voodoo magic was involved in its creation.
As the song continues, the singer reflects on the experience of being around Jimmy and the effect he had on those in his presence. The line "Are you just cool and I'm just baked?" suggests a feeling of inferiority, as though the singer doesn't feel he can measure up to Jimmy's charisma and talent. However, despite any insecurity, the singer still acknowledges Jimmy's impact on his life and on the lives of others. The repeated refrain of "So long Jimmy, so long" feels like a bid farewell to someone who has left a lasting impression on the singer and the people around him.
Overall, the lyrics of So Long Jimmy are a reflection on the power of music and the impact that someone with true talent and creativity can have on those around them. It's a bittersweet tribute to someone who has left a mark on the singer's life but has now moved on, leaving a sense of longing and admiration behind.
Line by Line Meaning
I just can't believe that it's over
I am shocked that this experience has come to an end.
We were chilling out on the sofa
We were hanging out and relaxing together.
Digging how the guitar goes
Enjoying the sound and playing of the guitar.
In a song that no one knows
A hidden gem that is not widely known or recognized.
Did you lick that line yourself
Did you come up with that clever line on your own?
Or did the voodoo magic help?
Did some sort of magic contribute to your success?
Does everyone have a different take?
Do people interpret things in different ways?
Do you seem real but I seem fake?
Do you come across as genuine while I do not?
Does everyone get hypnotized by your fire?
Does everyone become mesmerized by your passion?
So long Jimmy, so long
Farewell, Jimmy.
Though you only stayed a moment
Even though your presence was brief.
We all know that you're the one singing
We recognize and appreciate your talent.
Sure we're glad for the experience
We are grateful for the memories.
We miss you now you've gone
We feel a sense of loss without you here.
We're just swimming in your soul
We are immersed in your music and creativity.
'Cause we all wish we wrote this song
We all wish we had come up with this brilliant piece of art.
Life goes on
Despite the end of this experience, life continues.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Leonard Cohen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
teclarojo
I have no idea where that last verse came from but James really makes it part of the song with authority. It kind of sounds spontaneous, but nonetheless, I love it! Also Tim Booth changed the fourth line of the verse that starts with "oh now, you're really such a . . . . ." by adding "I see you in the distance on the plain." It fits well and is a joy to listen to. Great cover of the song and not a copy of what was previously recorded by the masterful Cohen.
Melvin Price
It’s a brilliant riff on Laid.
He gives a name to the unnamed woman from Leonard Cohens classic.
Szabolcs Mezei
that's an improvisational part Tim used to add live
sparkyguitar 00
lyrics from biggest hit of theirs "Laid"
Nibb9
An amazing tribute by a wonderful band to a great poet. R.I.P.
Andy, your trumpet will be forever magic !
chinesesloppyplop
@Steve Corby I think its 2 seperate sentences,
1. Great poet (Leonard) RIP.
2. Andy, (Andy Diagram - James) Long may your trumpet blow. haha
Steve Corby
RIP Andy?
bully ruf
My favourite version of this wonderful song. Thank you for uploading and sharing.
clanmunro 77
never get tired of hearing this gem
Anthony
Bump! And a worthy one. "Im your Fan is one of the best albums ever. This version esp the breakdown I used to rewind on my walkman over and over. "With that big kitchen knife all those long long furious night those long long furious nights" him just growling it out. Someone find these fellows and buy them a drink.