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/)
Sunday Morning
James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Clothes on the floor before we say a word
Baby, I like the way you operate
Take off the halo from your head
Crazy how you can be two different girls
Right now I love the way you are
But when you wake up
Telling me, telling me everything we did was wrong
But you were the one that brought me home
You say
You're a saint and I'm a sinner
But I guess that I'm good enough when you're lonely
That's when you call me
Yeah, yeah
You're a saint, I'm a sinner
But I guess that I'm good enough when it's 3AM and you're lonely
As long as I'm gone by Sunday
Sunday morning
Sunday, Sunday, Sunday
Sunday morning
Sunday, Sunday, Sunday, Sunday
You say that we could never work
Telling me that we come from different worlds
You don't even like the way I operate
So why did you call me up again
Kissing me like you never said a word?
I guess it's just the way you are
But when you wake up
You put on that angel face again
Telling me, telling me everything we did was wrong
But you were the one who brought me home
And you said
You're a saint and I'm a sinner
But I guess that I'm good enough when you're lonely
That's when you call me
Yeah, yeah
You're a saint, I'm a sinner
But I guess that I'm good enough when it's 3AM and you're lonely
As long as I'm gone by Sunday
Sunday morning
Sunday, Sunday, Sunday
Sunday morning
Sunday, Sunday, Sunday, Sunday
(Sunday) morning
Sunday, Sunday, Sunday
Sunday morning
Sunday morning
I wanna wake up
I wanna wake up in your bed
Don't wanna wait 'til
It's 3AM to see you again
I wanna wake up
I wanna wake up in your bed
Don't wanna wait 'til
It's 3AM to see you again
I wanna wake up
I wanna wake up in your bed
Don't wanna wait 'til
It's 3AM to see you again
I wanna wake up
I wanna wake up in your bed
Don't wanna wait 'til
It's 3AM and you say
You're a saint and I'm a sinner
But I guess that I'm good enough when you're lonely
That's when you call me
Yeah, yeah
You're a saint, I'm a sinner
But I guess that I'm good enough when it's 3AM and you're lonely
As long as I'm gone by Sunday morning (Sunday)
Sunday, Sunday, Sunday
Sunday morning (no, no)
Sunday, Sunday, Sunday
Sunday morning (Sunday)
Sunday, Sunday, Sunday (oh)
Sunday morning
Sunday morning
The lyrics of James's song, "Sunday Morning," depict a complicated relationship between two individuals that is characterized by hidden identities and disharmony. The song delves into the theme of contrasting personas - a "halo" that one person puts on and takes off as and when they please. The singer is showing frustration with their partner's erratic behavior as they switch from being a saint to a sinner week after week. The singer feels that they are only good enough for their partner when they're lonely or when it's 3am, and they're desperate to hear a familiar voice. The title of the song, "Sunday Morning," is ironic as Sunday Morning typically connotes peace, calm, and rest - the complete opposite of what the lyrics are depicting.
The song's chorus, "You're a saint, and I'm a sinner, but I guess that I'm good enough when you're lonely; that's when you call me," perfectly encapsulates the conflicting nature of this relationship. The singer is well aware that their partner is two-faced and incapable of acknowledging their good qualities, yet they remain in the relationship. The repeated chorus adds emphasis to these confrontational lyrics, calling out the inconsistency in the partner's behavior. Along with the text, the song's repetition of "Sunday, Sunday, Sunday" adds even more poignancy and highlights that the stress created by the duality of the partner's familiar narrative seeps even into the most peaceful time of the week.
Line by Line Meaning
Open the door and let me in
I want to come in and be with you
Clothes on the floor before we say a word
We were intimate before we even talked
Baby, I like the way you operate
I'm attracted to your style
Take off the halo from your head
Stop acting so pure and innocent
Crazy how you can be two different girls
You have two personalities, one for me and one for the world
Right now I love the way you are
I'm enjoying being with you at this moment
But when you wake up
After the night is over
You put on that angel face again
You act innocent and pure again
Telling me, telling me everything we did was wrong
You regret being intimate and blame me for it
But you were the one that brought me home
You initiated bringing me here
You say
You claim
You're a saint and I'm a sinner
You see yourself as good and me as bad
But I guess that I'm good enough when you're lonely
But you still call me when you're feeling alone
That's when you call me
You only contact me when you need someone to be with
Yeah, yeah
That's what you always say
As long as I'm gone by Sunday
As long as I leave before Sunday
You say that we could never work
You don't think we can have a real relationship
Telling me that we come from different worlds
You see us as too different to be together
You don't even like the way I operate
You don't like my style
So why did you call me up again
So why did you contact me again?
Kissing me like you never said a word?
Being intimate with me, even though you don't like my style?
I guess it's just the way you are
I guess that's just how you behave
I wanna wake up
When I wake up
Don't wanna wait 'til
I don't want to wait until
It's 3AM to see you again
It's the middle of the night to see you again
I wanna wake up in your bed
I want to be with you when I wake up
You're a saint and I'm a sinner
You see yourself as good and me as bad
As long as I'm gone by Sunday morning
As long as I leave before Sunday morning
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Antonio Egizii, David Musumeci, Michael Bywaters, Mitchell James
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@consultoriaempresarialar3148
Sunday morning
Sunday morning
It's just a restless feeling in my side
Sunday morning
Sunday morning
It's just the wasted years so close behind
Watch out the world's behind you
Watch out someone around you who will fall
For nothing at all
Sunday morning
I am falling
I've got a feeling I don't want to go down
Sunday morning
Sunday morning
It's all the streets you crossed, not so long ago
Watch out the world's behind you
Watch out someones around you who will fall
For nothing at all
Watch out the worlds behind you
Watch out someones around you
Who will fall,for nothing at all
Sunday morning
Sunday morning
Sunday morning
Sunday morning
Not another Sunday morning
Every day is just like a Sunday morning
Everyday waiting for a happy Monday morning
Lets go for a walk
From my Chelsea hotel
Down the sidewalks to Greenwich Village
Pass CBGBs, Max Kansas City
Lets go meet Sam Shepherd
And Robert Mapplethorpe
A knife a fork a bottle and a cork, that's the way to sell New York
A knife a fork a bottle and a cork, that's the way to sell New York
A mouth a fork a bottle and a cork, that's the way to sell New York
A knife a fork a bottle and a cork, that's the way
That's the way, that's the way to the Village
I am waiting for my man
Waiting for my man
Black leather angel
But he down work weekends, he don't work
Do do do do do do you have anything for me
Do do do do do do you know where I can score
Do you know where I can find a doctor at this, this late hour
Where I can score some sweet Jane
Some sweet Jane you're my Heroin
You're my sweet angel Heroin
My sweet black angel of Heroin
Ive got pale blue eyes and pale blue skin
@andrewjsmith4585
LOVE IT. Doesn't stray from the template. When I first heard it I was wondering what the point was. Then I twigged that if it's opening the song up to a new generation of kids - go for it! There’s an interesting ‘ a knife, a fork, a bottle and a cork..’ fade-out. Worth a listen (said the big James fan).
@stoysville
I agree, I love this cover. I had a great live version of this on cassette around '90 - would love to hear it again.
@consultoriaempresarialar3148
Sunday morning
Sunday morning
It's just a restless feeling in my side
Sunday morning
Sunday morning
It's just the wasted years so close behind
Watch out the world's behind you
Watch out someone around you who will fall
For nothing at all
Sunday morning
I am falling
I've got a feeling I don't want to go down
Sunday morning
Sunday morning
It's all the streets you crossed, not so long ago
Watch out the world's behind you
Watch out someones around you who will fall
For nothing at all
Watch out the worlds behind you
Watch out someones around you
Who will fall,for nothing at all
Sunday morning
Sunday morning
Sunday morning
Sunday morning
Not another Sunday morning
Every day is just like a Sunday morning
Everyday waiting for a happy Monday morning
Lets go for a walk
From my Chelsea hotel
Down the sidewalks to Greenwich Village
Pass CBGBs, Max Kansas City
Lets go meet Sam Shepherd
And Robert Mapplethorpe
A knife a fork a bottle and a cork, that's the way to sell New York
A knife a fork a bottle and a cork, that's the way to sell New York
A mouth a fork a bottle and a cork, that's the way to sell New York
A knife a fork a bottle and a cork, that's the way
That's the way, that's the way to the Village
I am waiting for my man
Waiting for my man
Black leather angel
But he down work weekends, he don't work
Do do do do do do you have anything for me
Do do do do do do you know where I can score
Do you know where I can find a doctor at this, this late hour
Where I can score some sweet Jane
Some sweet Jane you're my Heroin
You're my sweet angel Heroin
My sweet black angel of Heroin
Ive got pale blue eyes and pale blue skin
@jstand32
This is the best cover ever. Live at G-MEX (in the snow) was amazing as I'd never heard the song before but it immediately felt beautiful. Since then all I could get was the VU original which was great. Didn't know it was a B side for a while. Seen James plenty since but I wish they would perform this song again as I'd appreciate it so much more. Love to get this on YouTube as I've not got a video any more!!
@notavailable9794
I've seen James live 4 or 5 times. Their concerts are what I always wanted going to church to be like.
@cheekyboneka
i had this exact version dubbed from a friend's cd onto a cassette and i listened to it most of my teen years haha...james is an awesome band...
@phillonghi7348
I first heard this on a Velvets tribute album called Heaven and Hell. Fantastic cover!
@TheDag201
One of the rare times the cover surpasses the original
@omantim8727
This brings back great memories of when they did this amazing cover at the Barras in Glasgow in December 1990.Thanks for posting.
@los.ausentes
Love this cover .. best sunday morning VU cover .. by far