Blunt was educated at Elstree School, Woolhampton, then Harrow School (where he received his nickname 'Blunty'), and finally the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Before the release of his album, Blunt was a commissioned officer in the British Army, rose to the rank of Captain and served as a NATO peacekeeper in Kosovo. He was also on duty for the funeral of the Queen Mother on 9th April, 2002.
He is currently signed to Linda Perry's American label Custard, and became the first British artist to top the American singles chart in nearly a decade when his first single from Back to Bedlam, "You're Beautiful", reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2006. The last British artist to do so had been Elton John in 1997 with the song Candle in the Wind.
His second album, All The Lost Souls, was released on 17th September 2007.
His third album, Some Kind of Trouble, was released on 8th November 2010.
Year active 2004- present
Billy
James Blunt Lyrics
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Holds his head in disgrace (he can't escape the truth).
He knows the price that he's paid.
He admits that it's too late to admit that he's afraid.
Tomorrow comes. Sorrow becomes his soul mate.
The damage is done. The prodigal son is too late.
Old doors are closed but he's always open,
To relive time in his mind.
Billy's leaving today (don't know where he's going).
He's got lines on his face (they tell the story of his pain).
He accepts it's his fate.
He admits it took too long to admit that he was wrong.
Tomorrow comes. Sorrow becomes his soul mate.
The damage is done. The prodigal son is too late.
Old doors are closed but he's always open,
To relive time in his mind.
Oh Billy.
Once he was a lover sleeping with another.
Now he's just known as a cheat.
And he wish he'd had a mirror, looked a little clearer.
Seen into the eyes of the weak.
Tomorrow comes. Sorrow becomes his soul mate.
The damage is done. The prodigal son is too late.
Old doors are closed but he's always open,
To relive time in his mind.
Oh Billy.
The song "Billy" by James Blunt tells the story of a man named Billy who is leaving and doesn't know where he's going. He holds his head in disgrace, knowing the price he's paid for his actions. He admits that he's afraid and that it's too late to do anything about it. Sorrow becomes his soul mate as he realizes that he's the prodigal son who's too late to make amends.
The chorus repeats with the same lyrics and melody, indicating the repetition and never-ending cycle of Billy's regrets. He's got lines on his face that tell the story of his pain and accepts that it's his fate. He admits that he was wrong and wishes he had seen himself more clearly before it was too late. He's always open to relive time in his mind, hoping for a chance to make things right.
Overall, the meaning behind the lyrics is clear; it's about regret and the realization that one's actions have consequences. Billy is the embodiment of someone who's made mistakes and can't turn back time. The lyrics serve as a warning to those who might make similar mistakes and to appreciate the people and experiences they have before it's too late.
Line by Line Meaning
Billy's leaving today (don't know where he's going).
Billy is leaving without direction, unsure of where his life is headed.
Holds his head in disgrace (he can't escape the truth).
Billy is ashamed of his actions and cannot deny the reality of his mistakes.
He knows the price that he's paid.
Billy is aware of the cost of his choices and the consequences that have resulted from them.
He admits that it's too late to admit that he's afraid.
Billy acknowledges that it's past the point of confessing his fears, as it won't change anything.
Tomorrow comes. Sorrow becomes his soul mate.
Billy faces a future filled with sadness and regret.
The damage is done. The prodigal son is too late.
There's no reversing the harm he's caused, and it's too late for him to make amends.
Old doors are closed but he's always open,
Although Billy has missed many opportunities in his past, he's keeping hope alive for new doors to open.
To relive time in his mind.
Billy constantly replays moments from his past, hoping to revisit them with a different outcome.
Once he was a lover sleeping with another.
Billy used to be a faithful lover, but he strayed and engaged in an affair.
Now he's just known as a cheat.
Billy's cheating has led to him being labeled as untrustworthy and dishonest.
And he wish he'd had a mirror, looked a little clearer.
Billy regrets not being introspective enough when he was making bad choices.
Seen into the eyes of the weak.
He now sees how his actions were unethical and how others may have been vulnerable to his deceit.
Oh Billy.
The chorus echoes the sad reality that Billy is facing, one of regret, sorrow, and missed opportunities.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAMES BLOUNT, AMANDA GHOST, SASHA SCARBECK, JAMES BLUNT, SACHA SKARBEK, AMANDA GOSEIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind