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.
I AM
James Arthur Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Woo-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Woo-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Woo-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
I'm a problem, I'm the killer, I'm the cure, I guess
I'm the end, I'm the beginning, the apocalypse
I am something from nothing, I heard 'em say
I'm the future, I'm the relic, I'm the "not done yet"
Oh, oh, oh I am
Forevermore I'll be
What you wanna believe
All I know, it's too late for me to change your mind
(What you wanna believe) I'll let go, let you decide
What you wanna believe
What you wanna believe
I'm the blaze, I'm the siren, I'm the exit door
I'm the cape, I'm the villain, I'm the metaphor, or
I'm a good gun in a bad man's war, I paved the way
I'm a left hook, I'm a battered jaw, I'm the pain
I'm a preacher, I'm a sinner, I'm a broken law
Oh, oh, oh I am
Forevermore I'll be
What you wanna believe
All I know, it's too late for me to change your mind
(What you wanna believe) I'll let go, let you decide
What you wanna believe
What you wanna believe
Who am I to tell you what you think you see?
It ain't my business to tell you what to think of me
What you wanna believe
What you wanna believe
What you wanna believe
All I know, it's too late for me to change your mind
(What you wanna believe) I'll let go, let you decide
What you wanna believe
(A path of corruption and destruction) what you wanna believe
(Everyday that they live they have another opportunity to be saved)
The first stanza of "I Am" by James Arthur exemplifies the complexities of his personality. He acknowledges that he is a problem, a killer, and that he is the one who can cure it. He considers himself the apocalypse and the beginning of something new. He acknowledges the fact that he comes from nothing, but he believes that every mistake he has made has made him richer. He also believes that he is still a work in progress, that he is not finished yet. Overall, the stanza describes James Arthur as a person who has gone through highs and lows in his life, which have shaped him into the person he is today.
In the chorus, James Arthur reflects on the fact that he cannot change the opinions that people have of him. He understands that everyone has their own perspective of him, and he accepts it. He acknowledges that he does not know what people want to believe, but he knows that he cannot change their minds. The lyrics show that he is at peace with the fact that people have formed their opinions of him.
The second stanza of the song continues to exemplify the complexities of James Arthur's personality. He sees himself as a siren, an exit door; he is the cape, the villain, and the metaphor. James Arthur sees himself as a good gun in someone else's war, but he knows that he is also a source of pain. He considers himself a complex person who has many facets that cannot be described in just one way.
Overall, "I Am" by James Arthur is a self-reflective song that explores the many facets of James Arthur's personality. It acknowledges that he is not a simple person, and that he has gone through a lot in his life that has shaped him into the person he is today. The song emphasizes his acceptance and peace with the opinions that people have of him.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a problem, I'm the killer, I'm the cure, I guess
I can be good or bad, helpful or harmful, it all depends on the situation
I'm the end, I'm the beginning, the apocalypse
I represent both the end and beginning, a time of great change and potential destruction
I am something from nothing, I heard 'em say
I came from humble beginnings and exceeded expectations
Rags to the riches, your best mistake
I succeeded despite early setbacks and made the most of my mistakes
I'm the future, I'm the relic, I'm the 'not done yet'
I am both modern and ancient, evolving but not yet finished
I'm the blaze, I'm the siren, I'm the exit door
I am both dangerous and helpful, an escape from danger
I'm the cape, I'm the villain, I'm the metaphor, or
I can be the hero, the villain, or anything in between, a symbol for something greater
I'm a good gun in a bad man's war, I paved the way
I am a force for good in a world of bad, a trailblazer for others
I'm a left hook, I'm a battered jaw, I'm the pain
I am both attacker and victim, causing and feeling pain
I'm a preacher, I'm a sinner, I'm a broken law
I am both righteous and sinful, a broken rule or law
Who am I to tell you what you think you see?
I cannot control what others think of me or what they choose to believe
It ain't my business to tell you what to think of me
It is not my place to dictate what others think of me, they can interpret me however they want
(A path of corruption and destruction) what you wanna believe
Some may see me as leading down a path of evil or destruction, but it is up to them to believe
(Everyday that they live they have another opportunity to be saved)
Others may see me as an inspiration or chance for redemption, it is their decision to make
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, JOSEPH BIHARI LIVING TRUST DBA MODERN MUSIC PUB COMPANY, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAMES ARTHUR, ADAM ARGYLE, ANDREW JACKSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gaurav Pokhrel
#LYRICS
I'm a problem, I'm the killer, I'm the cure, I guess
I'm the end, I'm the beginning, the apocalypse
I am something from nothing, I heard 'em say
Rags to the riches, your best mistake
I'm the future, I'm the relic, I'm the "not there yet"
Oh, oh, oh I am... forevermore I'll be
What you wanna believe
All I know, it's too late for me to change your mind
What you wanna believe
I'll let go, let you decide
What you wanna believe
What you wanna believe
I'm the blaze, I'm the siren, I'm the exit door
I'm the cape, I'm the villain, I'm the metaphor
Or I'm a good gun in a bad man's war, I paved the way
I'm a left hook, I'm a battered jaw, I'm the pain
I'm a preacher, I'm a sinner, I'm a broken Lord
Oh, oh, oh I am... forevermore I'll be
What you wanna believe
All I know, it's too late for me to change your mind
What you wanna believe
I'll let go, let you decide
What you wanna believe
What you wanna believe
Who am I to tell you what you think you see?
It ain't my business to you what to think of me
What you wanna believe
What you wanna believe
What you wanna believe
All I know, it's too late for me to change your mind
What you wanna believe
I'll let go, let you decide
What you wanna believe
A path of corruption and destruction
(What you wanna believe)
Everyday that they live
They have another opportunity to be saved
Thiago Cabral
"Quebre o silêncio da solidão
Cale meus medos com seu beijo
Me tenha no seu coração
Acabe com todos os segredos
Estou me segurando para não cair
Viver é perigoso tenho que admitir
Ficar mas fácil com você aqui
Minha boca agora sabe o que é sorrir
Sei que tem algo em você
Que bate por mim posso sentir."
David Ward
So much talent. Forgot how much I loved some of the older stuff. Can’t wait for the new album in a couple weeks
Patrícia
Poucos são os cantores que se adequa a qualquer ritmo. Adoro você e as suas músicas 💕
《Baby girl♡》
Eu adoro as músicas dessa lenda✌😏
ᴛɪᴀ ʟᴀᴅʀɪᴇɴ ఌ
Nossa sim
Franciele Vieira
Cada música uma melhor que a outra!! Incrível ❣️
Kiera C
ugh this song is honestly my favorite. so beautiful ❤️❤️❤️
Harry's child
THIS IS GOING TO BE ON LOOP FOR THE WHOLE DAY!!
Carmen Guerra Serrato
Esta es fantástica. Su voz estremece manera descomunal ❤️❤️🇪🇦
Bruno Dacruz
I never gets bored of his voice .
Candyland
One of my top 10 favorites of all time, probably. My soul feels this deep.