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.
Recovery
James Arthur Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't wanna play it
I don't want to stay 'round here no more
I don't wanna stay here
Like rain on a Monday morning
Like pain that just keeps on going on
Look at all the hate they keep on showing
Look at all the stones they keep on throwing
I don't want to feel that
Like sun that will keep on burning
I used to be so discerning, oh
In my recovery
I'm a soldier at war
I have broken down walls
I defined
I designed
My recovery
In the sound of the sea
In the oceans of me
I defined
I designed
My recovery
Keep soaring
Keep song-writing
Keep soaring
Keep song-writing
My recovery, my recovery
Keep soaring
Keep song-writing
Keep soaring
Keep song-writing
My recovery
And I can hear the choirs keep on singing
Tell me what they're saying
And I can hear the phone
It keeps on ringing
I don't want to answer
I know that I used to listen
And I know I've become dismissive
In my recovery
I'm a soldier at war
I have broken down walls
I defined
I designed
My recovery
In the sound of the sea
In the oceans of me
I defined
I designed
My recovery
Keep soaring
Keep song-writing
Keep soaring
Keep song-writing
My recovery, my recovery
Keep soaring
Keep song-writing
Keep soaring
Keep song-writing
My recovery
In my recovery
I'm a soldier at war
I have broken down walls
I defined
I designed
My recovery
In the sound of the sea
In the oceans of me
I defined
I designed
My recovery
Keep soaring
Keep song-writing
Keep soaring
Keep song-writing
My recovery, my recovery
Keep soaring
Keep song-writing
Keep soaring
Keep song-writing
My recovery
Keep soaring
Keep song-writing
The lyrics to James Arthur's song Recovery speak to someone who has been hurt and is ready to move on. He doesn't want to continue playing the game that has caused him so much pain, and he doesn't want to stay around those who continue to show him hate and throw stones at him. He compares this pain to rain on a Monday morning and a never-ending pain. However, he has also realized that he has the power to design and define his own recovery. He is a soldier at war and is breaking down walls to move forward.
The chorus speaks to the idea of self-discovery and healing. The sound of the sea and the oceans of him represent the depths of himself and his own struggles. He is taking control of his own recovery and designing it in his own way. The repetition of "keep soaring, keep song-writing" emphasizes the importance of self-expression and the healing power of music.
Overall, the song is a powerful message of hope and resilience in the face of adversity. It speaks to the human experience of pain and the power to overcome it.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't want to play this game no more
I am tired of going through the same problems repeatedly.
I don't want to stay 'round here no more
I am looking for a change of scenery and a fresh start.
Like rain on a Monday morning
My problems seem to linger and weigh me down, like a gloomy start to the week.
Like pain that just keeps on going on
My struggles seem to extend endlessly, causing constant discomfort and distress.
Look at all the hate they keep on showing
The negativity and animosity that surrounds me is overwhelming.
Look at all the stones they keep on throwing
There are so many obstacles and challenges being thrown my way constantly.
Like sun that will keep on burning
The difficulties I face will persist, like an unrelenting heat source.
I used to be so discerning, oh
I used to be more perceptive and capable of making wise decisions, but now I struggle with clarity.
In my recovery
I am in the process of healing and overcoming my struggles.
I'm a soldier at war
I am battling my inner demons and overcoming past trauma and hardships.
I have broken down walls
I have faced my fears and overcome obstacles that previously held me back.
I defined
I am taking control of my life and defining my own destiny.
I designed
I am creating a path for myself that aligns with my goals and aspirations.
In the sound of the sea
The peaceful sound of the ocean helps me to find inner peace and comfort.
In the oceans of me
I am exploring and discovering my innermost thoughts and feelings.
Keep soaring
I will continue to rise above my struggles and find success.
Keep song-writing
I will continue to express myself and find catharsis through writing and creating music.
And I can hear the choirs keep on singing
There is a sense of hope and redemption when I hear music and voices singing together in harmony.
Tell me what they're saying
I am searching for a message of strength and inspiration in the music.
And I can hear the phone
It keeps on ringing
There are distractions and external pressures that try to interrupt my healing process and progress.
I don't want to answer
I need to focus on myself and my own healing, rather than being distracted by external demands.
I know that I used to listen
I am reflecting on a time when I was more receptive to others and their needs.
And I know I've become dismissive
I recognize that I have closed myself off and become guarded as a result of past trauma and struggles.
My recovery
My healing process and journey of self-discovery.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: JAMES ARTHUR, INA WROLDSEN, TIAGO MIGUEL AMARAL CARVALHO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lizamorandi7877
I don't want to play this game no more
I don't wanna play it
I don't want to stay 'round here no more
I don't wanna stay here
Like rain on a Monday morning
Like pain that just keeps on going on
Look at all the hate they keep on showing
I don't want to see that
Look at all the stones they keep on throwing
I don't want to feel that
Like Sun that will keep on burning
I used to be so discerning, oh
[Chorus]
In my recovery
I’m a soldier at war
I have broken down walls
I defined
I designed
My recovery
In the sound of the sea
In the oceans of me
I defined
I designed
My recovery
Keep soaring
Keep song-writing
Keep soaring
Keep song-writing
My recovery
[Verse 2]
And I can hear the choirs keep on singing
Tell me what they’re saying
And I can hear the phone
It keeps on ringing
I don’t want to answer
I know that I used to listen
And I know I’ve become dismissive, oh
@kirstenthraves
Lyrics 🦋
I don’t wanna play this game no more..
I don’t play it..
I don’t wanna stay round here no more..
I don’t wanna stay here..
like rain on a Monday morning..
Like pain that just keeps on going ohh.
Look at all the hate there showing
I don’t wanna see that...
Look at all The stones they keep on throwing..
I don’t wanna feel that..
Like sun that will keep on buring
And I used to be so Discerning ohh.
In my recovery!
I’m a soldier at a war
I have broken down walls
I defined I designed
My recovery
In the Soul of the sea
in the oceans of me..
I defined I designed
My recovery...
keep souring X4
My recovery X4
I can hear the Choirs keep on singing
Tell me what there saying
I can hear the phone that keeps on ringing
I don’t wanna answer
I know I’ve become dismissive oh
In my recovery
I’m a soldier at a war
I have broken down walls
I defined I designed my recovery
Like pain that just keeps on coming oh
I defined I designed
My recovery
Keep souring X4
My recovery X5
My recovery X10
My recovery, I’m a soldier at a war..
I have broken down walls
I defined I designed
My recovery
In the soul of the sea
In the oceans of me
I defined I designed
My recovery (carry on)
My recovery X4
Background- keep souring X12
@andreasmith8476
My dad listened to this song during his cancer battle. He passed away last week. This song is amazing & means so much to me. What a sensational voice he has.
@ionadingwall5400
Praying for your family may his memory last a lifetime xx
@ekk.k
His voice is a cry, pure emotion ...❤
@christinechin1909
Andrea Smith - ❤️ 🤗
@liamhowe7215
God bless
@AwesomeHila
I am so sorry..
@samjones7494
Love this song!! It was my personal anthem when I gave up alcohol after a near 20 year battle, this song kept me strong <3
@arsenalmanic
Well done!
@samjones7494
arsenalmanic Thank you :-) x
@helenf27
Well done! KTF. 13 years clean from opiates myself. Its not easy but we battle day in & day out. 💗