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.
If Only
James Arthur Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But forgotten my royal mistakes
If only
I could go back in time
When you were a friend of mine
If only
We were just a little less tired and true
You were being you, and I was being too human
Oh if only
If only I could trust you
Rest your head and turn the light on
If only I could wish your kiss was not a falling star
If only I was yours, the shoulder that you'd wanna to cry on
If only you could pull me safely through these prison bars
Oh if only
(If only, if only)
(If only, if only)
I took your crown of thorns
Laid down to be reborn
If only
I wasn't flesh and bone
I could rise up from being stoned
If only
You could see through someone like me
Tryna be free, maybe just a little less lonely
Oh I was so lonely
If only
If only I could trust you
Rest your head and turn the light on (if only, if only)
If only I could wish your kiss was not a falling star (if only, if only)
If only I was yours, the shoulder that you'd wanna to cry on (if only, if only)
If only you could pull me safely through these prison bars (if only, if only)
Oh if only (if only, if only)
It's out with the old, I'll be new
And don't worry about the drink and drugs, I'm through
If only I believed that was true
We'd be living all the dreams in a house with a view
If only, if only you knew how the voices of demons could drown out the truth
Now my one place of freedom is sleeping with you
If only, if only you knew
If only I could trust you
Rest your head and turn the light on (turn the light on, if only)
If only I could wish your kiss was not a falling star (oh no, no, if only)
If only, if only I was your shoulder to cry on (if only, if only)
If only you could pull me safely through these prison bars (if only)
Oh if only
If only, if only
If only
These lyrics from James Arthur's song "If Only" convey a sense of longing for a past relationship and a desire to change certain aspects of it. The singer reflects on their mistakes and wishes they could go back in time when the person they were singing to was still a friend. They express a yearning to trust the other person again and be there for them emotionally. The line "If only I wasn't flesh and bone, I could rise up from being stoned" suggests a desire to overcome their human flaws and be stronger for the other person. The lyrics convey a sense of loneliness and longing for connection.
Overall, the lyrics reflect on past mistakes, the longing for a lost friendship, the yearning for trust, and the desire to be a better person for someone they care about.
Line by Line Meaning
I still remember my name
I haven't forgotten who I am
But forgotten my royal mistakes
However, I have forgotten the major mistakes I made
If only
I wish that things could be different
I could go back in time
I wish I had the ability to travel back to the past
When you were a friend of mine
Specifically, I wish I could go back to when we were close friends
We were just a little less tired and true
At that time, we both needed a break and were not being completely honest with ourselves
You were being you, and I was being too human
You were being authentic, but I was letting my flaws take control
But who was I fooling
As a result, I was only fooling myself
If only
I still wish that things could be different
If only I could trust you
I wish I could have complete faith in you
Rest your head and turn the light on
I want you to find peace and happiness
If only I could wish your kiss was not a falling star
I wish your affection for me was not fleeting
If only I was yours, the shoulder that you'd wanna to cry on
I wish I could be the one you turn to for comfort
If only you could pull me safely through these prison bars
I wish you could free me from the emotional constraints I feel
Oh if only
I still long for things to change
I took your crown of thorns
I took on the burden and pain you felt
Laid down to be reborn
I let go of my old ways in the hope of a fresh start
If only
I still wish for a different outcome
I wasn't flesh and bone
I wish I were not so vulnerable and prone to mistakes
I could rise up from being stoned
I wish I could overcome the criticisms and judgments I face
If only
I still yearn for a different reality
You could see through someone like me
I wish you could see the real me, beyond my facade
Tryna be free, maybe just a little less lonely
I'm striving to attain freedom and alleviate some of the loneliness I feel
Oh I was so lonely
I felt incredibly isolated
If only
I still hold onto the hope for change
It's out with the old, I'll be new
I am leaving behind my past self and becoming someone different
And don't worry about the drink and drugs, I'm through
I have overcome my struggles with substance abuse
If only I believed that was true
I wish I could truly believe that I have overcome my addictions
We'd be living all the dreams in a house with a view
If I could believe in my transformation, we would be living a life of fulfillment
If only, if only you knew how the voices of demons could drown out the truth
I wish you understood how my inner demons often overpower the truth
Now my one place of freedom is sleeping with you
Currently, my only escape and sense of freedom is when I am with you
If only, if only you knew
I still wish you could truly understand
If only I could trust you
I still long for complete trust in you
Rest your head and turn the light on
I want you to find peace and happiness
If only I could wish your kiss was not a falling star
I wish your affection for me was not fleeting
If only, if only I was your shoulder to cry on
I wish I could be the one you turn to for comfort
If only you could pull me safely through these prison bars
I wish you could free me from the emotional constraints I feel
Oh if only
I still long for things to change
If only, if only
I continue to hope for a different outcome
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PETER BEZUIDENHOUT, JAMES ARTHUR, STEVE MCEWAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jhonalter José de Campos
🇧🇷 Se Ao Menos
Ainda me lembro do meu nome
Mas esqueci meus erros reais
Se ao menos
Eu pudesse voltar no tempo
Quando você era minha amiga
Se ao menos
Estivéssemos um pouco menos cansados e verdadeiros
Você estava sendo você, e eu estava sendo muito humano
Mas a quem eu estava enganando
Ohh se ao menos
Se ao menos eu pudesse confiar em você
Descanse sua cabeça e acenda a luz
Se ao menos eu pudesse desejar que seu beijo não fosse uma estrela cadente
Se ao menos eu fosse seu, o ombro que você iria querer para chorar
Se ao menos você pudesse puxar-me com segurança desta ponte de fios
Se ao menos
(Se ao menos, se ao menos)
(Se ao menos, se ao menos)
Eu tomei sua coroa de espinhos
Previsto para renascer
Se ao menos
Eu não fosse de carne e osso
Eu poderia me levantar e deixar de ser apedrejado
Se ao menos
Você pudesse ver através de alguém como eu
Tentando ser livre, talvez apenas um pouco menos solitário
Ohh eu estava tão solitário
Se apenas
Se apenas eu pudesse confiar em você
Descanse sua cabeça e acenda a luz
Se ao menos eu pudesse desejar que seu beijo não fosse uma estrela cadente
(Se ao menos)
Se apenas eu fosse seu, o ombro que você iria querer para chorar
(Se ao menos, se ao menos)
Se ao menos você pudesse puxar-me com segurança desta ponte de fios
(Se ao menos)
Se apenas
O velho não existe mais, eu vou ser novo
E não se preocupe com a bebida e as drogas, eu sou determinado
Se ao menos eu acreditasse que fosse verdade
Estaríamos vivendo todos os sonhos em uma casa com vista
Se apenas, se apenas você soubesse como as vozes de demônios poderia afundar a verdade
Agora, meu único lugar de liberdade está dormindo com você
Se ao menos, se ao menos se você soubesse
Se ao menos eu pudesse confiar em você
Descanse sua cabeça e acenda a luz
Se ao menos eu pudesse desejar que seu beijo não fosse uma estrela cadente
Se ao menos, se ao menos eu fosse o ombro para você chorar
Se ao menos você pudesse puxar-me com segurança desta ponte de fios
Se ao menos
Se ao menos, se ao menos
Se apenas...
IG @jhowc_
Chrone Gaming
𝗟𝗬𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗦
I still remember my name
But forgotten my royal mistakes
If only
I could go back in time
When you were a friend of mine
If only
We were just a little less tired and true
You were being you, and I was being too human
But who was I fooling
Ohh if only
If only I could trust you
Rest your head and turn the light on
If only I could wish your kiss was not a falling star
If only I was yours, the shoulder that you'd wanna to cry on
If only you could pull me safely through this bridge of wires
Ehh if only
(If only, if only)
(If only, if only)
I took your crown of thorns
Laid down to be reborn
If only
I wasn't flesh and bone
I could rise up from being stoned
If only
You could see through someone like me
Tryna be free, maybe just a little less lonely
Ohh I was so lonely
If only
If only I could trust you
Rest your head and turn the light on (If only, if only)
If only I could wish your kiss was not a falling star
(If only, if only)
If only I was yours, the shoulder that you'd wanna to cry on
(If only, if only)
If only you could pull me safely through this bridge of wires
(If only)
Ehh if only
It's out with the old, I'll be new
And don't worry about the drink and drugs, I'm through
If only I believed that was true
We'd be living all the dreams in a house with a view
If only, if only you knew how the voices of demons could drown out the truth
Now my one place of freedom is sleeping with you
If only, if only you knew
If only I could trust you
Rest your head and turn the light on
If only I could wish your kiss was not a falling star
If only, If only I was your shoulder to cry on
If only you could pull me safely through this bridge of wires
Ehh if only
If only, if only
If only
Harvey Rose
James is freaking underrated
chouaib Ait anaia
I agree with you
Hiba Beghdi
I agree ♥️♥️
siarzynek
So true!
Preppygirl
innit
Madison23
True
Danny A
All hits. No flops. 🔥🔥💯
Chelsie Yang
He is so good! He’s come such a long way! So proud of what he’s accomplished!! ❤️
SamQ
Agree,💯
Palloma Nunes
Um dos meus cantores preferidos! Merce tudo e tudo nesse mundo( ◜‿◝ )♡