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/)
Stones
James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For all of the ways that you fucked me up
When will I ever thank you enough?
Oh for the tears that toughed
You dragged me down so I learned to stand up
(Thank you love)
Can't even hold her hand
'Cause castles all fall into sand
(Damn)
I never wanted to write you that letter
I still keep your photo locked up in my dresser
Saw from my eyes on the day I met her
I'm dying
I push you away
Then I wonder why you won't stay
It's so obvious to anyone else
And I can't catch a break
But it's funny 'cause I can't blame
Anybody but my own fucking self
Day after day I waste
Keeping this pain away
Thinking I'm good on my own
I make this mistake
Until my heart turns gray
And I'm left with this heart of stone
So we'll break up
'Cause I never wanted to take love
And change me to we and I to us
Chose to suffer so selfish
And I know
I say I'm better alone
So you'll let me go
How hollow
How low
I knew on the day that I gave you my sweater
I'd make you escape from my frozen weather
Least you're warm now that we're not together
Stop crying
I push you away
Then I wonder why you won't stay
It's so obvious to anyone else
And I can't catch a break
But it's funny 'cause I can't blame
Anybody but my own fucking self
Day after day I waste
Keeping this pain away
Thinking I'm good on my own
I make this mistake
Until my heart turns gray
And I'm left with this heart of stone
In the song "Stones", James conveys his desire for affection and appreciation while he is still alive. He prays that those around him do not wait until it is too late, and that they give him the appreciation he needs today instead of waiting until he is deceased. In the second verse, James talks about his significant other, explaining how he is willing to do everything for her, and that she is the perfect woman for him. He talks about how he dodges other women like Matrix bullets and emphasizes that he cannot take chances of losing her. He also mentions that he cannot take risks because he had a child at the age of eighteen, and he cannot gamble with his life.
The chorus in the song emphasizes James’ desire to be appreciated before it is too late. The line "set in stone like that shit engraved, girl" emphasizes the importance of giving someone their flowers while they are still alive. Likewise, the line "I need my flowers today, not when I'm in a grave" exemplifies James’ desire for instant gratification for his work, rather than waiting until he is no longer around to enjoy it. Overall, the song "Stones" is a reminder to appreciate people while they are still around and to show love and respect to those closest to us.
Line by Line Meaning
I pray that they don't wait
Until it's to late
I need my flowers today
Not when I'm in a grave
Baby I pray that you wait
The singer wants to be appreciated and acknowledged when they are still alive, not after they die. They pray that their loved ones don't wait too long to show them love and affection, and that their partner is patient enough to wait for them.
We
Set in stone like
That shit engraved girl
Woah
The singer wants their relationship to be solid and unchanging, like something that is carved in stone. It's a way of expressing the value and importance of their love.
You prefer the liquor
I'd rather smoke
Too far gone
But I gotta keep you close
Close
Girl I gotta keep you close
Real close
The singer and their partner have different habits, but they still want to be together. They realize that they might have their own issues or difficulties, but they want to stick together despite them.
DTR baby oh I know
You're always down to roll
Down to roll
The artist knows that they can rely on their partner. They trust that their partner is always there for them, and is always ready to support them and be with them.
Keep my head up when its low
Yeah
And my backs against the ropes
The artist relies on their partner to help them through tough times. They want them to be there for them when they are feeling low or hopeless, and when they feel like life is pushing them against the wall.
You came at the right time
Yeah the right moment
Right moment
Move slime but I'd do the right
Things for the right woman
Right one
And you're too fine
Just to two time
Say it two times
So you know I mean that shit ay
The singer feels that their partner came into their life at the perfect time. They are willing to do anything for them, and they want their partner to know that they are not interested in anyone else. They also want to express how serious they are about their love.
Know I had to get it poppin on you
I saw the potential
Cindy said to get a rock up on you
Plan A with the M.O
Never saw another option for you
It was you from the get go
Let go
Let me take you
Down
The singer is proud that they pursued their partner and won them over. They saw the potential in their relationship, and it was always their plan to be with them. They want to take their relationship to another level and be close to their partner.
Long time no see
Pardon my lateness
I know you've been patiently waiting
I know you done tore up
Your whole room
For that outfit but you look amazing
The artist is apologizing for not seeing their partner for a while. They know that their partner has been waiting for them, and they appreciate their patience. They also compliment their partner on their appearance.
Skin is cinnamon can I taste it
Can I
If I put it in I'ma baste it
If I got a shot I'ma take it
If I got a shot I won't waste it
The artist is attracted to their partner and wants to be intimate with them. They want to experience the taste of their partner's skin and want to make the most of any opportunity they have to be with them.
I been dodging women like
Bullets in matrix
You everything I could'a dreamed
No exaggerating
The artist has been avoiding other people, especially women, because they are not interested in them. They feel like their partner is everything they could have ever dreamed of or wanted in a relationship.
I could hold you down
Like the anchor
That you tatted on your ribs
The singer wants to support their partner and be there for them no matter what. They want to be a source of stability and safety, like an anchor.
Come and see how I live
Vatican on a whim
I know
That pussy should be mentioned
When they speaking of Great Lakes
When I dive in have me sinking
Like mayday
The artist wants to share their life with their partner and show them everything they have to offer. They also compliment their partner's body and the pleasure they experience when they are intimate with them.
Had a kid at eighteen
So I can't take chances
I can't take no chances
I can't take no chances
I can't take no chances of losing you
Baby you decide a rendezvous
I can't take no chances
I can't take no chances
And baby you know
The singer has a child and knows that they can't risk losing their partner. They want to make sure their partner is committed to them, and they don't want to take any risks in their relationship.
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Roman Kozloski
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Delight Loves Movies
I love Chadwick Boseman in this film. He was James Brown.
Fire Striker
Not
James Drummond
No one wanted to come on after James Brown. They made a big mistake not letting him close the show. James Brown left the fire on the stage that know extinguisher can put out.
Fire Striker II
All of that is false
Defexto
Guess they didn't realize back then how big rolling stones were gonna be. Now their international stars !
James Drummond
James Brown did close the show after that performance. Because when the Rolling stones came after James Brown they could not compete.
Fire Striker II
Rolling Stones DID compete
VOZZIO
The Stones were dangerous when they started writing their own songs
Rocknrolladube
Follow that...
ELWOPPO2010
Impossible. One of the greatest