Since 2005, and prior to his participation in The X Factor, he was a vocalist and guitarist in a number of bands, and later, as a solo artist as well as forming his own The James Arthur Band and James Arthur Project.
Arthur was born in Middlesbrough, England to English mother Shirley Ashworth and Scottish father Neil Arthur. James’ father was a delivery driver, but also used to be a DJ and a drummer for many years. Arthur’s parents split when he was just two-years-old and each settled with a new partner. Neil and Shirley were not on talking terms with each other for more than twenty years. But they agreed to attend the show together in a family reunion to attend their son’s performance.
Arthur first went to Ings Farm Primary School in Redcar, North Yorkshire. When he was nine, he moved with his mother Shirley and his step father Ronald Rafferty to Bahrain where he studied at the local British School of Bahrain for four years. When they split, Arthur, then 14, had to move back with his mother and his two half-sisters Jasmine and Neve to the UK to live in a modest house in Saltburn-by-the-Sea.Upon his return, he continued his studies at Redcar’s Rye Hills School.
Arthur has five siblings, an older brother called Neil Arthur, an older sister called Sian Arthur, and three younger sisters, Charlotte Arthur and Jasmin and Neve Rafferty.
Arthur has been writing and recording songs since he was 15 as an unsigned artist both solo and in many bands including:
Moonlight Drive - a Cleveland-based progressive, experimental, rock five-piece band with Arthur in lead vocals. The band was active between 2005 and 2008. They had recordings such as «Said You’d Be There», «Hole in My Heart» and «Tear Me Apart».
Cue the Drama - an alternative rock band based in Marske-by-the-Sea and active between 2005 and 2008. Recordings included «On the Radio 98KUPD», «It’s Killing Me», «I Reach You» and «It Hurts».
Save Arcade - a Middlesbrough alternative rock band made up of Arthur (vocals, guitar), Josh Brown (keyboards, vocals), Matthew Green (guitar), Alex Beer (bass, vocals), Travis Shaw (guitar, percussions, vocals) and Karl Dowson (drums). In 2009, the band released a three-track EP called Truth, carrying the title track «The Truth», as well as «Echoes» and «I Un-Proudly Present». In June 2010, the band released a five-track EP, Tonight We Dine in Hades, which in addition to the title track «Tonight We Dine in Hades» included «Superhero», «You Always Want a Fight», «Juliet Is Not Dead» and «She Aims to Please». Both releases were on the independent 57 Records UK.
Emerald Skye - a four-piece indie pop/rock band formed in March 2011 based in Redcar / Saltburn-by-the-Sea and made up of Arthur (guitar, vocals), Dean Harrison (piano, violin), Paul Gill (bass) and Save Arcade bandmate Green (drums).
Arthur also uploaded many of his own songs to Soundcloud and YouTube including an album entitled Sins by the Sea. In 2011, he auditioned for The Voice UK and made it into the final 200 contestants but no further.
In early 2012, he recorded songs and released two EPs as The James Arthur Band. The band consisted of Arthur (vocals and guitar), Jez Taylor (guitar), Chris Smalls (keyboards), Jordan Swain (drums) and Rich Doney (bass). In 2012, the band released The EP Collection CD with nine tracks with R&B, soul and hip hop influences, a compilation of tracks on both EPs. Arthur also released an EP named Hold On under the name The James Arthur Project in August 2012 in collaboration with John McGough. The tracks were written and arranged by McGough, and mixed by Matt Wanstall with all vocals by Arthur.
Arthur auditioned for The X Factor with an acoustic rendition of judge Tulisa Contostavlos’s «Young», before explaining his past, including spells in care and time spent on the streets after break-ups within his family. He also revealed his father and mother had not spoken to each other for over 20 years, and this was a reunion of sorts for them to attend his audition. After his judges’ houses performance of «I Can’t Make You Love Me», he was picked by his mentor Nicole Scherzinger as one of the 12 contestants for the live shows, and one of just three in the «Boys» category. After the second live show, Arthur suffered from an anxiety attack backstage. Whilst being treated at the studio, paramedics determined he did not need to go to hospital, and he was ordered back to his hotel to rest. He later returned for the results show the following. Arthur was in the bottom two in week 7 after performing «Can’t Take My Eyes Off You». He sang «Fallin’» for survival against Ella Henderson, with the judges going to deadlock after their vote was evenly split 2-2 (mentor Scherzinger and Gary Barlow voting to keep him, while Contostavlos and Louis Walsh voted in favour of Henderson). Arthur was then saved by the public vote. On 8 December, he made it through to the second night of the live finals.
Arthur won The X Factor on 9 December 2012, with 53.7% of the vote, against Jahméne Douglas who received 38.9% of the vote.
Emergency
James Arthur Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As they struck, the men sleep next to me
I am closer to the axe 'cause they're reflecting me
I'm a patient and I'm paralyzed
Scared they'd tell me I just can't suffice
Oh, they cutting me, I internalize, oh, no
See, this is emergency
Somebody get this out of my mind
There's just no urgency
And I'm in agony
Oh, I guess no one listening
But then a hand reach out, told me I was next
Told me I was found and I feel so blessed
And now my heart beats again, my heart beats again
Oh, my heart beats again, my heart beats again
Oh, my heart beats again, my heart beats again
And my girl keep saying that I'm paranoid
And it's something that I can avoid
I can practice till I find my voice oh, yeah
Oh, this is emergency
Nobody's helping me
Somebody get this out of my mind
It's such an urgency
To keep on hating me
Oh, is anybody listening?
Then a voice came down, told me I was next
Told me I was found and I feel so blessed
And now my heart beats again, my heart beats again
Oh, my heart beats again, my heart beats again
Oh, my heart beats again, my heart beats again
Oh, this is emergency
Nobody's helping me
Somebody get this out of my mind
It's just no urgency
And I'm in agony
Oh, I guess no one listening
But then a hand reach out, told me I was next
Told me I was found and I feel so blessed
And now my heart beats again, my heart beats again
Oh, my heart beats again, my heart beats again
Oh, my heart beats again, my heart beats again
The song "Emergency" by James Arthur is about feeling trapped and helpless in a situation. The opening lines suggest that the singer has been stuck in this situation for a while, and the presence of other people around him doesn't provide any comfort or solace. He feels closer to the axe, which can be interpreted as a metaphor for danger or violence, because the people around him are also in danger. The lines "I'm a patient and I'm paralyzed / Scared they'd tell me I just can't suffice" suggest that he feels inadequate and helpless.
The chorus repeats the urgent need for help, as the singer feels like nobody is listening to him. He desperately wants someone to "get this out of [his] mind." The repetition of "my heart beats again" reinforces the idea that the singer has been feeling numb and detached from his own emotions.
In the second verse, the singer's girl says he's paranoid, but he believes it's something he can't avoid. He feels like he needs to find his own voice and "practice till [he] find[s] [it]." The lines "To keep on hating me / Oh, is anybody listening?" suggest that the singer feels like he's being hated on, but nobody is taking his concerns seriously.
The second chorus and bridge repeat the same sentiment as the first, but the addition of a voice that tells him he's next and has been found makes it seem like there is finally some hope. The repetition of "my heart beats again" becomes a triumphant assertion that the singer has overcome his paralysis and despair.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been in this place since they were seen
I've been stuck in this situation since the moment they appeared
As they struck, the men sleep next to me
As they attacked, the men around me were asleep
I am closer to the axe 'cause they're reflecting me
I am at risk of being harmed because I am associated with those who are actually the targets
I'm a patient and I'm paralyzed
I am helpless and unable to move or act
Scared they'd tell me I just can't suffice
I'm afraid they'll say I'm not good enough
Oh, they cutting me, I internalize, oh, no
Their criticism is hurting me deeply
See, this is emergency
This is a critical situation
Nobody's helping me
No one is coming to my aid
Somebody get this out of my mind
I need to find a way to stop thinking about this
There's just no urgency
No one seems to understand the severity of the situation
And I'm in agony
I'm in great pain
Oh, I guess no one listening
It seems like no one cares or is paying attention
But then a hand reach out, told me I was next
Someone reached out to help me and told me I would be next in line
Told me I was found and I feel so blessed
They reassured me that I was not forgotten and made me feel fortunate
And now my heart beats again, my heart beats again
I feel alive again and full of hope
Oh, my heart beats again, my heart beats again
I feel a renewed sense of life and energy
And my girl keep saying that I'm paranoid
My girlfriend keeps telling me I'm overly worried
And it's something that I can avoid
I could avoid feeling this way if I could control my thoughts
I can practice till I find my voice oh, yeah
I can work on expressing myself until I feel more confident
To keep on hating me
People continue to dislike or criticize me
Oh, is anybody listening?
I wonder if anyone is paying attention, or if I'm just talking to myself
Contributed by Charlie K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@planetace9346
I've been in this place since they were seen
As they struck, demons sleep next to me
I am closer to the edge cause they're reflecting me
I'm a patient and I'm paralyzed
Scared they'd tell me I just can't sacrifice
Oh, they can't hear me, I internalize, oh, no
See, this is an emergency
Nobody's helping me
Somebody get this out of my mind
There's just no urgency
And I'm in agony
Oh, I why is no one listening
But then a hand reach out, told me I was next
Told me I was found and I feel so blessed
And now my heart beats again, my heart beats again
Oh, my heart beats again, my heart beats again
Oh, my heart beats again, my heart beats again
And my girl keep saying that I'm paranoid
And it's something that I can avoid
I can practice till I find my voice oh, yeah
Oh, this is an emergency
Nobody's helping me
Somebody get this out of my mind
There's such an urgency
To keep on hating me
Oh, is anybody listening?
Then a voice came down, told me I was next
Told me I was found and I feel so blessed
And now my heart beats again, my heart beats again
Oh, my heart beats again, my heart beats again
Oh, my heart beats again, my heart beats again
Oh, this is an emergency
Nobody's helping me
Somebody get this out of my mind
There's just no urgency
And I'm in agony
Oh, why is no one listening
But then a hand reach out, told me I was next
Told me I was found and I feel so blessed
And now my heart beats again, my heart beats again
Oh, my heart beats again, my heart beats again
Oh, my heart beats again, my heart beats again
@Mama-Ames
♥️ The INCOMPARABLE Mr. James Arthur, now on his 2022 "IAMSITE" N. American Tour, is selling out venues & has millions of fans worldwide.
Over the years, James has worked SO hard to face & to conquer his demons & has LONG since PROVEN himself worthy of MUCH GREATER acknowledgement from the "Industry." AND... as if his hard work isn't reason enough... James Arthur is ALSO (IMHO) the MOST PROFOUNDLY GIFTED MALE VOCALIST OF OUR TIME.
Today (May 15, 2022), James' success & fame COULD be & CERTAINLY SHOULD BE EPIC!!!🔥🚀🔥 But sadly, his "Promoters"
(Hmmm???)... his Marketers... AND his Label HAVE failed him & CONTINUE TO fail him by INADEQUATELY promoting him, his voice & his music.
James certainly deserves BETTER... so the entire world can witness his pure, raw, natural talent... a talent quite rare (if not entirely non-existent), even in the most popular, most celebrated "Artists" today. I am confident music lovers around the world who've not yet heard the emotional depth & brilliant artistry of James' music... or heard his exquisite, absolutely
B R E A T H T A K I N G
voice would undoubtedly be THRILLED to embrace such an extraordinarily talented Artist who is ALSO a beautiful, warm, truly humble man.
Therefore my friends, IT'S UP TO US... his millions of loyal, unyielding, adoring fans... to grow his JArmy!!! And OHHH YES... dear fellow James Arthur fans:
♥️ I A M A L L I N ! ! ! ! ! ♥️
In closing (& this is of course a rhetorical question, but)... ARE YOU?!?🙏♥️🇺🇲✌
@raquelfranklin1248
Nossa,amo demais essa música ❤️
@sabrinacavalcanti6976
Vc canta muito parabéns
@ednad854
I always lovin' james arthur music..& it won't change ever!
@taramiller9317
So I slipped out from under the ock I'd been living under within these past few months and you have QUICKLY shot up to my top 3 favorite musicians...all time favorite is Recovery...for sure...and the way YOU sing "Hurts" is never have known it was a cover bc you did it 300× better than the original artist it belongs to...amazing vocals n just such natural talent you're amazing man keep it up 😘👊
@cathcrow9352
same for me.Tired of public radio that plays the same 8 or so songs on rotate endlessly so just stopped listening several years ago...buried myself in books till my granddaughter asked if she could listen to the radio in my van..one thing led to another and I found James...listen to him all the time now...not on the radio though.
@bentedejong3539
LOVE THIS SONG❤️
@lobaetoile8440
Me fascina esta canción.
@FireOfJagz
Damn this is so groovy, why isn't this on the radio!?
@ValDaAzn13
I was slowly regretting being up at 2am but then this poped up and I REGRET NOTHING NOW
@ameliliaa5756
this song is like 3 years old