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. Jamesβ father was a delivery driver, but also used to be a DJ and a drummer for many years. Arthurβs 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 sonβs 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 Redcarβs 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 Β«Said Youβd Be ThereΒ», Β«Hole in My HeartΒ» and Β«Tear Me ApartΒ».
Cue the Drama - an alternative rock band based in Marske-by-the-Sea and active between 2005 and 2008. Recordings included Β«On the Radio 98KUPDΒ», Β«Itβs Killing MeΒ», Β«I Reach YouΒ» and Β«It HurtsΒ».
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 Β«The TruthΒ», as well as Β«EchoesΒ» and Β«I Un-Proudly PresentΒ». In June 2010, the band released a five-track EP, Tonight We Dine in Hades, which in addition to the title track Β«Tonight We Dine in HadesΒ» included Β«SuperheroΒ», Β«You Always Want a FightΒ», Β«Juliet Is Not DeadΒ» and Β«She Aims to PleaseΒ». 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 Contostavlosβs Β«YoungΒ», 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 judgesβ houses performance of Β«I Canβt Make You Love MeΒ», 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 Β«BoysΒ» 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 Β«Canβt Take My Eyes Off YouΒ». He sang Β«FallinβΒ» 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 JahmΓ©ne Douglas who received 38.9% of the vote.
Lie Down
James Arthur Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, I never saw a creature like you
And I'm confused so I am brave
I'm brave enough to tell you, "You are one hot motherfucker"
And I don't wanna marry you
And I don't wanna sing you to sleep
I just wanna, I just wanna take you home
Lie down baby, lie down baby
I just don't believe it
Why would she mess with a brother like me?
But she's had a few so maybe she's blind
But I don't give a fuck 'cause tonight she's mine
And I don't wanna marry you
And I don't wanna sing you to sleep
I just wanna, I just wanna take you home
So lie down baby, lie down baby
Lie down baby, lie down baby
Lie down baby, let me show you what I want
Lie down lie lie down
Oh lie down baby, let me show you what it's all about
Oh I just wanna take I just wanna take you on yea
Lie down baby, let me show you what I want
Oh I just wanna take I just wanna take you on yea
And I don't wanna marry you
And I don't wanna sing you to sleep
I just wanna, I just wanna take you home
So lie down baby, lie down baby
Lie down baby, lie down baby
Lie down baby, lie down baby
Lie down baby, lie down baby
Lie down baby, lie down baby
Lie down baby, lie down baby
Lie down baby
The lyrics to James Arthur's "Lie Down" talk about a man who sees a woman that he finds incredibly attractive and wants to take her home for the night. He is unsure if he is seeing things clearly, as he never saw someone like her before. However, he finds the courage to tell her that she is a "hot motherfucker." He then expresses disbelief at the thought that such a woman would choose to be with a man like him, yet he brushes it off and decides to enjoy the moment. The chorus reiterates that he does not want to marry or sing the woman to sleep; he only wants to take her home with him.
The lyrics paint a picture of a man who is not looking for anything serious when it comes to relationships. Instead, he wants to have a good time with a beautiful woman, even if it is only for one night. He is confident, bold, and unapologetic about his intentions. He is not seeking to deceive the woman, as he is honest about his intentions. It is important to note that while the lyrics may come across as crass or offensive, they accurately depict a common mindset among some people when it comes to casual hookups and one-night stands.
Overall, "Lie Down" by James Arthur is a song about a man who sees a woman that he finds immensely attractive and wants to take her home with him for a night of fun. The lyrics are straightforward and intentional in their simplicity, depicting a mindset that is not uncommon in today's society.
Line by Line Meaning
Do my eyes deceive me?
Am I really seeing what I'm seeing?
Yea, I never saw a creature like you
I've never seen anyone quite like you before.
And I'm confused so I am brave
I'm uncertain, but I'm still taking a risk.
I'm brave enough to tell you "you are one hot motherfucker!"
I'm confident enough to compliment you in a bold way.
And I don't wanna marry you
I'm not looking for a serious commitment with you.
And I don't wanna sing you to sleep
I'm not interested in being your comfort or romance.
I just wanna, I just wanna take you home
I'm only interested in taking you to my place.
So lie down baby, lie down baby
Relax and let me show you what I have in mind.
I just don't believe it
I can't believe this is happening to me.
Why would she mess with a brother like me?
Why would she be interested in someone like me?
But she's had a few so maybe she's blind
Maybe she's under the influence and not thinking clearly.
But I don't give a fuck 'cause tonight she's mine
But it doesn't matter because I have her attention and affection for now.
Lie down baby, let me show you what I want
Let me take control and guide you in what I have in mind.
Lie down lie lie down
Just let go and rest.
Oh lie down baby, let me show you what it's all about
Let me show you a good time and what I have to offer.
Oh I just wanna take I just wanna take you on yea
I just want to sweep you off your feet and have a good night.
Lie down baby, let me show you what I want
Let me have the chance to explore our attraction.
Oh I just wanna take I just wanna take you on yea
I just want to enjoy this moment with you.
Lie down baby, lie down baby
Let's keep up the relaxed mood.
Lie down baby, lie down baby
Let's keep enjoying each other's company.
Lie down baby, lie down baby
Let's keep going and see what happens.
Lie down baby, lie down baby
Let's just see where this night takes us.
Lie down baby
Let's just relax and be intimate together.
Lyrics Β© BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: J. J. Johnson, Ashley Howes, Bradford Lawrence Ellis, James Andrew Arthur, Richard Frederick Stannard
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Mama-Ames
@@TheOrlaf76 I LOVE β₯οΈ beautiful James Arthur. β₯οΈ I LOVE his music, his incomparable, breathtaking voice, his range & control, his grit & texture, the quality of his tone, his pure, perfect, angelic-like falsetto, his real, raw passion & emotional depth.
I LOVE β₯οΈ beautiful James β₯οΈ because... with every glorious note he sings, he moves a depth of emotion inside me that is nearly impossible to express with mere words. But I'll try by offering this:
β₯οΈ Beautiful James' β₯οΈ b r e a t h t a k i n g voice is so captivating, so enthralling, so enchanting & so truly mesmerizing. His stunning vocal ability is unlike ANY OTHER in ALL my memory.
Frankly, I believe James (& ONLY James) could open a book ~ ANY BOOK ~ & begin to simply sing the written words on the page... & he would make them suddenly become an enchanting Love Song, an emotional Battle Cry, a relatable, heart-wrenching Ballad, a feel-good Pop song, or a Soulful R&B tune that would get you feeling SO UP... you would soon find yourself dancing & singing around the room!!!
β₯οΈ Beautiful James Arthur β₯οΈ is a BRILLIANT Artist. He is 'THE' Vocal Master Class. Unique. Rare. A pure, raw, real, natural talent. Most extraordinary. Truly incomparable. In a Class that is his own.
To the farthest reaches of my mind & to the depths my heart, with every inch & every ounce of my heart & soul, to the very core of my entire existence, I believe β₯οΈ beautiful James Arthur β₯οΈ IS THEE Most Profoundly Gifted Male Vocalist Of Our Time . . . Bar none.
B A R. N O N E.
I'm hopeful I've answered your question regarding my feelings for β₯οΈ beautiful James Arthur β₯οΈ & about THIS song & his performance here.
I'm hopeful I've also answered any & all questions you may ever have concerning my feelings for β₯οΈ beautiful James' β₯οΈ breathtaking voice, for his talent & artistry, for his BRILLIANT gift for writing music & lyrics, as well as my feelings about his passion... a PASSION SO RARE & so UNMISTAKABLY "James Arthur" ~ a passion HE feels & makes US feel... a passion he reveals TO us & shares WITH us in every single lyric & every single note he writes... & SO EXQUISITELY SINGS.
Most respectfully & with the deepest sincerity... from my heart to your heart... dear, dear fellow James Arthur fan... I humbly thank you for asking. β₯οΈππΊπ²β
@jortepap
Lie Down is so awesome!!
And live its just insane so good.
Fantastic song on a fantastic albumπ
@Mercy-mx3uh
James can sing your grocery bill and make it sound amazing. π
@nimranoor3136
Yesssss!This is Fireπ₯π₯π₯
@siv3478
THIS IS PERFECT'!!!!!!!!! ππππππππππππ
@Mariamaraki148
"one night stand "now has a great song!!!!
@musicinspired4797
I can't wait to hear you again live. ππ€πΈπ
@jortepap
Music for my soul Sara King
This song is incredible live too. So epic
@mashulikify
So in love with his voiceπ
@saymonoliveira2156
Γ simplesmente fantΓ‘stico. This guy is so amazing.
@thiagovascos964
James o Brasil te amaβ€