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.
Hometown Glory
James Arthur Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And missing out the cracks in the pavement
And tutting my heel and strutting my feet
"Is there anything I can do for you dear? Is there anyone I could call?
No, and thank you, please madam, I ain't lost, just wandering"
Round my hometown, memories are fresh
Round my hometown, ooh, the people I've met
Are the wonders of this world, are the wonders and now
I like it in the city when the air is so thick and opaque
I love it to see everybody in short skirts, shorts and shades
I like it in the city when two worlds collide
You get the people and the government
Everybody taking different sides
Shows that we ain't gonna stand shit
Shows that we are united
Shows that we ain't gonna take it
Shows that we ain't gonna stand shit
Shows that we are united
Round my hometown, memories are fresh
Round my hometown, ooh, the people I've met
Are the wonders of my world, are the wonders of my world
Are the wonders of this world, are the wonders of my world
Of my world, yeah, of my world, of my world, yeah
Read more: ADELE - HOMETOWN GLORY LYRICS
The lyrics of James Arthur's song "Hometown Glory" convey a sense of nostalgia and longing for one's hometown. The first verse highlights the singer's familiarity with the streets of his hometown, and his attention to detail, noticing the cracks in the pavement. The line "Is there anything I can do for you, dear?" suggests that the singer may be lost or searching for something, but he assures the person offering help that he is simply wandering.
The chorus emphasizes the importance of the people the singer has met in his hometown, and how they are the wonders of his world. The repetition of "round my hometown" serves to drive home this point, emphasizing the significance of the place and people he is describing. The second verse shifts focus to the city, and how the clash between different groups creates unity among them. The final line of the verse, "shows that we ain't gonna stand shit," suggests a defiant attitude towards authority and a willingness to stand up for one's beliefs.
Overall, "Hometown Glory" is a poignant reflection on the importance of one's roots and the memories and people that shape who we are. The lyrics capture a sense of longing and wistfulness that is all too familiar to anyone who has ever left their hometown.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been walking in the same way as I did
I've been living my life in a routine and not changing much
And missing out the cracks in the pavement
I've been missing out on the small details and not paying attention to my surroundings
And tutting my heel and strutting my feet
I feel confident and self-assured
"Is there anything I can do for you dear? Is there anyone I could call?
No, and thank you, please madam, I ain't lost, just wandering"
People keep asking if I need help, but I'm just wandering around on my own
Round my hometown, memories are fresh
I have vivid memories from my hometown
Round my hometown, ooh, the people I've met
The people I've met in my hometown are special to me
Are the wonders of my world, are the wonders of my world
These people are amazing and make my world a better place
Are the wonders of this world, are the wonders and now
These people are some of the best things in the world and important to me
I like it in the city when the air is so thick and opaque
I enjoy being in the city when the air feels heavy and mysterious
I love it to see everybody in short skirts, shorts and shades
I love seeing people wear cool clothes in the city
I like it in the city when two worlds collide
I enjoy seeing different cultures, beliefs, and values come together in the city
You get the people and the government
In the city, both the people and the government coexist
Everybody taking different sides
Everyone has their own opinion and stance on issues in the city
Shows that we ain't gonna stand shit
This shows that we won't tolerate being treated poorly or unfairly
Shows that we are united
This demonstrates that we are together in our beliefs and values
Round my hometown, memories are fresh
I have strong and vivid memories from my hometown
Round my hometown, ooh, the people I've met
I've met some fantastic and special people in my hometown
Are the wonders of my world, are the wonders of my world
These people are the most amazing and great things in my life
Are the wonders of this world, are the wonders of my world
These people are one of the wonders of the world and mean a lot to me
Of my world, yeah, of my world, of my world, yeah
These people are a significant part of my life and world
Contributed by Cooper G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.