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
I Want You
James Blunt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Many clerics wasted wine
Do the bloodied sheets
On those troubled streets
Mean I have wasted time?
Are there silver shores on paradise?
Can I come in from the cold?
I killed a man in a far away land
I really want you to really want me
But I really don't know if you can do that (I really want you)
I know you want to know what's right
But I know it's so hard for you to do that (I really want you)
And time's running out as often it does
And often dictates that you can't do that (I really want you)
But fate can't break this feeling inside (now)
That's burning up through my veins
I really want you
I really want you
I really want you
Now
No matter what I say or do
The message isn't getting through
And you're listening to the sound
Of my breaking heart
I really want you
I really want you
Is a poor man rich in solitude?
Or will mother earth complained?
Did the beggar pray for a sunny day
But lady luck for rain
They say a million people bow and scrape
To an effigy of gold
I saw life begin
And the ship we're in
And history unfold
I really want you to really want me
But I really don't know if you can do that (I really want you)
I know you want to know what's right
But I know it's so hard for you to do that (I really want you)
And time's running out as often it does
And often dictates that you can't do that (I really want you)
But fate can't break this feeling inside (now)
That's burning up through my veins
I really want you
I really want you
I really want you
Now
No matter what I say or do
The message isn't getting through
And you're listening to the sound
Of my breaking heart
No matter what I say or do
The message isn't getting through
And you're listening to the sound
Of my breaking heart
The lyrics of this song are full of religious and philosophical references that reflect James Blunt's introspection about the meaning of life and the difficulty of human communication. In the first stanza, he questions the value of prophets and clerics, who preach and waste, respectively, but don't seem to make a difference in the world's troubled streets. Blunt wonders if his own actions have been futile and if paradise exists for those who have spilled blood. He confesses to having killed someone in a faraway land, but he doesn't disclose the reason or the identity of his enemy.
Then, in the chorus, Blunt expresses his desire for someone's love, although he's not sure if that person is able to reciprocate it. He acknowledges that knowing what's right is difficult and that time can be a limiting factor. However, he believes that fate won't prevent him from feeling the passion inside him. The repetition of "I really want you" emphasizes the urgency and sincerity of Blunt's emotional plea.
In the last stanza, Blunt compares the fate of a poor man and a beggar with that of a million people who worship gold effigies. He wonders whether solitude is a form of wealth or poverty and whether the earth will suffer from the actions of humans. He reflects on the cycles of life, the ship of humanity, and the unfolding of history.
Overall, "I Want You" is a complex song that combines personal and universal themes, questioning the role of spirituality, hypocrisy, and truth in a confusing world where love is elusive.
Line by Line Meaning
Many Prophets preach on bended knee
There are many spiritual leaders who preach and pray humbly.
Many clerics wasted wine
Even the religious authorities indulge in excess.
Do the bloodied sheets
On those troubled streets
Mean I have wasted time?
The singer wonders if his efforts and sacrifices in a violent place were for nothing.
Are there silver shores on paradise?
He questions the existence of a perfect afterlife.
Can I come in from the cold?
The singer wants to be emotionally embraced and accepted.
I killed a man in a far away land
My enemy untold
The singer expresses guilt and trauma from killing someone in war.
I really want you to really want me
But I really don't know if you can do that (I really want you)
The singer desires a reciprocated love but questions if it's possible.
I know you want to know what's right
But I know it's so hard for you to do that (I really want you)
He acknowledges that the person he desires struggles with making the right decisions.
And time's running out as often it does
And often dictates that you can't do that (I really want you)
The singer feels the pressure of time as it can limit possibilities.
But fate can't break this feeling inside (now)
That's burning up through my veins
He believes that fate cannot alter his intense love for the other person.
No matter what I say or do
The message isn't getting through
And you're listening to the sound
Of my breaking heart
The singer feels that he is not effectively communicating his feelings and his heart is breaking because of it.
Is a poor man rich in solitude?
Or will mother earth complained?
He ponders if a person can find richness in life without material possessions and if nature will suffer from human actions.
Did the beggar pray for a sunny day
But lady luck for rain
The singer questions if people want what is best for them or if they wish for something that might bring harm.
They say a million people bow and scrape
To an effigy of gold
I saw life begin
And the ship we're in
And history unfold
There are millions who worship wealth, but the singer instead observes life, the grander picture, and the unfolding of history.
Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: James Blount
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@fakihpoet
Many prophets preach on bended knee. Many clerics wasted wine.
Do the bloodied sheets on those cobbled streets mean I have wasted time?
Are there silver shores on paradise? Can I come in from the cold?
I killed a man in a far away land, my enemy I'm told.
I really want you to really want me, but I really don't know if you can do that.
I know you want to know what's right but I know it's so hard for you to do that.
And time's running out as often it does, and often dictates that you can't do that.
But fate can't break this feeling inside that's burning up through my veins.
I really want you.
I really want you.
I really want you - now.
No matter what I say or do, the message isn't getting through,
And you're listening to the sound of my breaking heart.
I really want you.
I really want you.
Is a poor man rich in solitude, or will Mother Earth complain?
Did the beggar pray for a sunny day, but Lady Luck for rain?
They say a million people bow and scrape to an effigy of gold.
I saw life begin and the ship we're in and history unfold.
I really want you to really want me but I really don't know if you can do that.
I know you want to know what's right but I know it's so hard for you to do that.
And time's running out as often it does and often dictates that you can't do that.
But fate can't break this feeling inside that's burning up through my veins.
I really want you.
I really want you.
I really want you - now.
No matter what I say or do, the message isn't getting through,
And you're listening to the sound of my breaking heart.
No matter what I say or do, the message isn't getting through,
And you're listening to the sound of my breaking heart.
@MafiaHouseHD
Lyrics 2022
Many Prophets preach on bended knee
Many clerics wasted wine
Do the bloodied sheets
On those troubled streets
Mean I have wasted time?
Are there silver shores on paradise?
Can I come in from the cold?
I killed a man in a far away land
My enemy untold
I really want you to really want me
But I really don't know if you can do that (I really want you)
I know you want to know what's right
But I know it's so hard for you to do that (I really want you)
And time's running out as often it does
And often dictates that you can't do that (I really want you)
But fate can't break this feeling inside (now)
That's burning up through my veins
I really want you
I really want you
I really want you
Now
No matter what I say or do
The message isn't getting through
And you're listening to the sound
Of my breaking heart
I really want you
I really want you
Is a poor man rich in solitude?
Or will mother earth complained?
Did the beggar pray for a sunny day
But lady luck for rain
They say a million people bow and scrape
To an effigy of gold
I saw life begin
And the ship we're in
And history unfold
I really want you to really want me
But I really don't know if you can do that (I really want you)
I know you want to know what's right
But I know it's so hard for you to do that (I really want you)
And time's running out as often it does
And often dictates that you can't do that (I really want you)
But fate can't break this feeling inside (now)
That's burning up through my veins
I really want you
I really want you
I really want you
Now
No matter what I say or do
The message isn't getting through
And you're listening to the sound
Of my breaking heart
No matter what I say or do
The message isn't getting through
And you're listening to the sound
Of my breaking heart
@firstinthedance
I don't think it is a romantic song at all. It is on the album "All the Lost Souls," and it is full of religious imagery. He talks about killing a man in war and asking if he is welcome in paradise (heaven). I think it is meant to be a two-way conversation with God. He doesn't feel worthy, although he wants God's love. God is replying that he really wants him, and tells him that he saw life begin and history unfold. Consider the lyrics:
Many Prophets preach on bended knee
Many clerics wasted wine
Do the bloodied sheets
On those cobbled streets
Mean I have wasted time?
Are there silver shores on paradise?
Can I come in from the cold?
I killed a man in a far away land
My enemy, I'm told.
I really want you to really want me
But I really don't know if you can do that
(I really want you)
I know you want to know what's right
But I know it's so hard for you to do that (I really want you)
And time's running out as often it does
And often dictates that you can't do that (I really want you)
But fate can't break this feeling inside (now)
That's burning up through my veins
I really want you
I really want you
I really want you
Now no matter what I say or do
The message isn't getting through
And you're listening to the sound
Of my breaking heart
I really want you
I really want you
Is a poor man rich in solitude?
Or will mother earth complain?
Did the beggar pray for a sunny day
But lady luck for rain
They say a million people bow and scrape
To an effigy of gold
I saw life begin
And the ship we're in
And history unfold
I really want you to really want me
But I really don't know if you can do that (I really want you)
I know you want to know what's right
But I know it's so hard for you to do that (I really want you)
And time's running out as often it does
And often dictates that you can't do that (I really want you)
But fate can't break this feeling inside (now)
That's burning up through my veins
I really want you
I really want you
I really want you
Now no matter what I say or do
The message isn't getting through
And you're listening to the sound
Of my breaking heart
No matter what I say or do
The message isn't getting through
And you're listening to the sound
Of my breaking heart
@mtomakende
really want you
I really want you
Many Prophets preach on bended knees
Many clerics wasted wine,
Do the bloody sheets and those troubled streets mean?
I have wasted time,
Are there silver shores on paradise?
Can I come in from the cold?
I killed a man in a far away land
My enemy untold
I really want you to really want me
But I really don?t know if you can do that (really want you)
I know you want to know what?s right
But I know so hard for you to do that (really want you)
Time's running out as it often does
And often dictates that you can't do that (really want you)
Fate can't break this feeling inside
That's burning up through my veins...
I really want you
I really want you
I really want you
Now...
No matter what I say or do
The message isn?t getting throughโฆ
@margaretmcguire3241
2022 still love this song!
Wish he was still writing songs. There's not a song he did, that I don't love.
@milanmiric5534
he is
@firstinthedance
He has, I think, 7 albums out. . .and a new one coming out this October. If you haven't heard his music since this album, I highly recommend you look on YouTube. He has lots of great songs.
@francileidesilva979
todas as musicas que jรก ouvi do james eu amo ele รฉ super incrรญvel โค
@chilli1311
I don't want to sound suicidal, but every time i hear this song, I want to end my life because I lost the women I still love, and the saddest part is, I ended it for her sake, I loved her and still do, and probably always will... At the time I didn't know it would be so hard for me...
@jaiShriRamsewa
It's hard, I understand, but hold on bro..If you have told her your feelings that's a relief.
@LoudMouthFootball
Hey hope you're doing well now.. don't lose yourself, love them unconditionally but don't lose yourself.
@KP-cc5mv
Hope you're alright mate
@chilli1311
10 years later, life is good, so good I forgot that it was like that 10 years ago. I am 100% honest in everything in life and loving it :)
Hope you all are doing well
@danaayers1489
Don't think like that,no one is worth that