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
Breakfast In America
James Blunt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shes the only one I got
Not much of a girlfriend
Never seem to get a lot
Take a jumbo across the water
Like to see America
See the girls in California
But there's not a lot I can do
Could we have kippers for breakfast
Mummy dear, mummy dear
They got to have 'em in Texas
'Cause everyone's a millionaire
I'm a winner, I'm a sinner
Do you want my autograph?
I'm a loser, what a joker
I'm playing my jokes upon you
While there's nothing better to do
Don't you look at my girlfriend
Shes the only one I got
Not much of a girlfriend
Never seem to get a lot
Take a jumbo cross the water
Like to see America
See the girls in California
I'm hoping its going to come true
But there's not a lot I can do
The song, "Breakfast in America" by James Blunt, talks about the singer's longing to go to America and experience the American dream. He feels like his current situation does not give him a lot of opportunities, and he is hoping that going to America will give him a chance to fulfill his dreams. The first verse talks about his girlfriend, who seems to be the only positive thing he has in his life. He also mentions that she is not much of a girlfriend, which could mean that their relationship is not ideal, but he still values her.
In the second verse, he talks about taking a jumbo across the water to see America and the girls in California. He mentions that he hopes his dreams will come true, but he acknowledges that there's not a lot he can do. He then goes on to talk about having kippers for breakfast, which is a type of fish dish that is popular in the UK. He asks his mother if they can have it for breakfast but comments that they have to have it in Texas because everyone's a millionaire there.
The chorus comes back, talking about his girlfriend and his desire to go to America. He then ends with the bridge, where he describes himself as a winner and a sinner, offering his autograph, but also a loser and a joker playing his jokes on people out of boredom. This could be him acknowledging that he has flaws and not everything he does is successful or meaningful, but he still chooses to have fun with it.
Overall, "Breakfast in America" is a song about the desire for a better life and the American dream. James Blunt describes his current situation but also acknowledges that he doesn't have much control over it, so he's looking towards America for hope.
Line by Line Meaning
Take a look at my girlfriend
I am showing off my significant other
Shes the only one I got
I have no one else to show off
Not much of a girlfriend
My significant other is not impressive
Never seem to get a lot
I never seem to have much luck
Take a jumbo across the water
I am taking a flight to America
Like to see America
I want to visit the United States
See the girls in California
I want to see the attractive women in California
I'm hoping it's going to come true
I am optimistic about my chances
But there's not a lot I can do
I am aware that I have limited control over the outcome
Could we have kippers for breakfast
I am requesting a specific type of breakfast food
Mummy dear, mummy dear
I am addressing my mother
They got to have 'em in Texas
I have heard that kippers are popular in Texas
'Cause everyone's a millionaire
I believe that everyone in Texas is wealthy
I'm a winner, I'm a sinner
I see myself as both successful and flawed
Do you want my autograph?
I am offering to sign something as if I were famous
I'm a loser, what a joker
I also see myself as a failure and someone who makes jokes
I'm playing my jokes upon you
I am making jokes at someone else's expense
While there's nothing better to do
I am making these jokes because I have nothing else to do
Don't you look at my girlfriend
I am possessive of my significant other
Contributed by Gabriel G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.