James Blunt (born James Hillier Blount, 22 February 1974) is an English sin… Read Full Bio ↴James Blunt (born James Hillier Blount, 22 February 1974) is an English singer/songwriter whose debut album, Back to Bedlam, and single releases — especially the number one hit "You're Beautiful" — brought him to fame in 2005. He was born in Tidworth, Wiltshire, United Kingdom. His style is a mix of pop, rock and folk. Along with vocals, Blunt plays a wide variety of instruments including the piano, guitar, organ, marimba, and mellotron.

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

Out of My Mind
James Blunt Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Judging by the look on the organ-grinder,
He'll judge me by the fact that my face don't fit.
It's touching that the monkey sits on my shoulder.
He's waiting for the day when he gets me,
But I don't need no alibi - I'm a puppet on a string.
I just need this stage to be seen.
We all need a pantomime to remind us what is real.
Hold my eye and know what it means.

'Cause I'm out of my mind.
I'm out of my mind,
I'm out of my mind,
I'm out of my mind,
I'm out of my mind,
I'm out of my mind,
I'm out of my mind,
I'm out of my mind.

Judging by the look on the organ-grinder,
He'll judge me by the fact that my face don't fit.
It's touching that the monkey sits on my shoulder.
He's waiting for the day when he gets me,
But I won't be your concubine I'm a puppet not a whore.
I just need this stage to be seen.
Won't you be a friend of mine to remind me what is real?
Hold my heart and see that it bleeds.

'Cause I'm out of my mind.
I'm out of my mind,
I'm out of my mind,
I'm out of my mind.

'Cause I'm out of my mind.
I'm out of my mind,
I'm out of my mind,
I'm out of my mind,
I'm out of my mind,
I'm out of my mind,

I'm out of my mind,
I'm out of my mind.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of James Blunt's song "Out of My Mind" are open to interpretation, but there are a few themes that stand out. At the core of the song is the idea that the singer doesn't fit in, and that he's judged harshly for living outside of social norms. The imagery of the organ grinder and the monkey on his shoulder is particularly powerful because it suggests that the singer is seen as less-than-human, with his emotions and identity reduced to stereotypes.

The chorus repeats the phrase "I'm out of my mind" eight times, which seems to imply that the singer is aware of his own perceived weirdness and isolation. The lyrics suggest that he feels like a puppet or a freak, but he also craves attention and validation. The line "We all need a pantomime to remind us what is real" suggests that he's aware of the artificiality of his own situation and that he's searching for something more authentic.

Overall, "Out of My Mind" is a song about feeling like an outcast, and the struggle to find acceptance and connection in a world that values conformity. It's a common theme in music and other art forms, but James Blunt's take on it is particularly poignant and thought-provoking.

Line by Line Meaning

Judging by the look on the organ-grinder,
The organ-grinder's expression implies that he's already judged me by my appearance.

He'll judge me by the fact that my face don't fit.
The organ-grinder will judge me for not fitting in with his expectations.

It's touching that the monkey sits on my shoulder.
The monkey's presence on my shoulder is comforting.

He's waiting for the day when he gets me,
The monkey is waiting for an opportunity to take control of me.

But I don't need no alibi - I'm a puppet on a string.
I don't need an excuse for my actions because I'm being controlled.

I just need this stage to be seen.
All I want is to be noticed on this stage.

We all need a pantomime to remind us what is real.
We all need a reminder of reality, even if it's a bit theatrical.

Hold my eye and know what it means.
Look me in the eye and understand what I'm feeling.

'Cause I'm out of my mind.
I'm not thinking clearly.

I'm out of my mind,
My thoughts are not rational.

I'm out of my mind,
My emotions are overpowering my logic.