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.
Take It Or Leave It
James Arthur Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The loss of inhibitions
I'm under the throws of all my bad decisions
Everybody's asking questions I don't know
Secretly I'm desperate to stay in control
I will give you my confession, I'm alone, oh
My voice is dearly broken
Drowning in slow motion
'Cause oh, I'm down and hopeless, it's true
So take it or leave it
I'm numb, my body's frozen
All my doors are closin'
My light is dying slowly, it's true
So take it or leave it all
People come and go
It takes a lot to phase me, livin' on the road
Been through so many stages
Everybody's asking questions I don't know
Secretly I'm desperate to stay in control
I will give you my confession, I'm alone, oh
So take it or leave it
My voice is dearly broken
Drowning in slow motion
'Cause oh, I'm down and hopeless, it's true
So take it or leave it
I'm numb, my body's frozen
All my doors are closin'
My light is dying slowly, it's true
So take it or leave it all
'Cause I'm right here
So take it or leave it all
'Cause I'm right here
So take it or leave it all
Maybe all my medicine
Lacking short of adrenaline
All my lies, all my sins
I wish I would've been a better friend
I'm just tryna find a way to win
Maybe I want too many things
And I hope it'll all make sense in the end
Voice is dearly broken (I hope)
Drowning in slow motion
'Cause oh, I'm down and hopeless, it's true (I hope)
It'll all make sense in the end
Now my body's frozen (I hope)
All my doors are closin' (it'll all make sense in the end)
My light is dying slowly, it's true (I hope)
It'll all make sense in the end
The lyrics to James Arthur's song "Take It Or Leave It" explore themes of struggle, vulnerability, and the desire for acceptance. The artist reflects on the highs and lows of life, acknowledging the loss of inhibitions and the consequences of their bad decisions. They express a sense of being overwhelmed and alone, desperately seeking control amidst the uncertainties and questions posed by others.
The chorus, "So take it or leave it, my voice is dearly broken, drowning in slow motion," highlights the artist's plea for acceptance and understanding. They feel numb and frozen, with doors closing and their light slowly fading. The repetition of the phrase "it's true" emphasizes the genuineness of their feelings, hoping that others will take them as they are or let them go.
In the second verse, the artist acknowledges the transient nature of relationships, as people come and go. They highlight their resilience, having experienced various stages and challenges in their life. Yet, beneath their strong exterior, they confess to feeling alone and desperately clinging to a semblance of control.
The bridge delves into the artist's introspection and self-reflection. They mention medication, alluding to a possible struggle with mental health. They express regret over their lies and sins, wishing they had been a better friend. Despite their desire for success and fulfillment, they question if they are asking for too much and hope that it will all make sense in the end.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, all the highs and lows
Experiencing both the good and the bad moments
The loss of inhibitions
No longer having restraints or limitations
I'm under the throws of all my bad decisions
Feeling the consequences of my poor choices
Everybody's asking questions I don't know
Facing inquiries that I cannot answer
Secretly I'm desperate to stay in control
Deep down, I crave the ability to maintain power
I will give you my confession, I'm alone, oh
I admit that I am lonely
So take it or leave it
Accept or reject it
My voice is dearly broken
My words are emotionally damaged
Drowning in slow motion
Overwhelmed by my struggles, feeling like it's happening in slow motion
'Cause oh, I'm down and hopeless, it's true
Because I am truly feeling low and without hope
I'm numb, my body's frozen
Feeling emotionally detached and physically frozen
All my doors are closin'
All opportunities are disappearing
My light is dying slowly, it's true
My inner spark is slowly fading away
So take it or leave it all
Decide whether to accept or reject everything I offer
People come and go
Individuals enter and exit my life
It takes a lot to phase me, livin' on the road
I have become immune to external influences, as I constantly travel
Been through so many stages
I have experienced numerous phases and transformations
Maybe all my medicine
Perhaps my coping mechanisms
Lacking short of adrenaline
Failing to feel the excitement I crave
All my lies, all my sins
All the falsehoods and wrongdoings I am guilty of
I wish I would've been a better friend
I regret not being a more supportive companion
I'm just tryna find a way to win
I'm simply attempting to find a path to success
Maybe I want too many things
Possibly, I desire too much
And I hope it'll all make sense in the end
I have faith that everything will become clear eventually
Now my body's frozen
Currently, my body feels paralyzed
My light is dying slowly, it's true
The brightness within me is gradually diminishing
Cause I'm right here
Because I am present and available
It'll all make sense in the end
Eventually, everything will become understandable
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Charles Martin, James Arthur, Joseph Housley, Mark Ralph, Pablo Bowman, Richard Boardman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind