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
Stop the Clock
James Blunt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Whoa-oh, mm
Mmm, mmm
Whoa-oh
Did it take you a minute to realize that I'm deep in it?
'Cause it feels like hours, I've been stuck here thinking
I get down, down on my knees
Every single prayer's wasted in the air (hey)
It's like the hands of time (oh-oh)
Are putting handcuffs on mine (oh-oh)
And nothing about this is holy
It's just killing me, killing me slowly
And I'm not ready yet (oh-oh)
But I'm running outta breath (oh-oh)
And all I can do is watch
'Cause I can't find a way
To stop the clock
Mmm, mmm
Whoa-oh, mm
Mmm, mmm
Whoa-oh
I hear that long, black train, it's running outta track
And I'm no coward but right now, I've got no powers
Oh, no more you and me, we all get eulogies
But most of them, I swear, are wasted in the air (hey)
It's like the hands of time (oh-oh)
Are putting handcuffs on mine (oh-oh)
And nothing about this is holy
It's just killing me, killing me slowly
And I'm not ready yet (oh-oh)
But I'm running outta breath (oh-oh)
And all I can do is watch
'Cause I can't find a way
I can't find a way to stop the hourglass now (ooh, ooh)
Sand just slips away and life goes way too fast (hey)
It's like the hands of time (you're taking away from me)
Are putting handcuffs on mine (they'll never set me free)
And nothing about this is holy
It's just killing me, killing me slowly
And I'm not ready yet (I don't want you to leave)
But I'm running outta breath (one step ahead of me)
And all I can do is watch
But I can't find a way
To stop the clock
"Stop The Clock" by James Blunt is a heartfelt and introspective song that delves into the experience of feeling stuck in a moment or relationship that is slowly slipping away. The lyrics convey a sense of desperation and a longing to hold on to what is fading. Blunt's somber and emotive vocals add depth to the emotional weight of the song.
The song opens with the realization that the singer is deeply invested in a situation, represented by the metaphor of being "deep in it." Time becomes an oppressive force, as the hours feel like an eternity, leaving the singer trapped in their thoughts. The lyrics display vulnerability and a plea for something to change, expressing the futility of prayers that seemingly go unanswered.
The second verse suggests a sense of powerlessness and impending loss. The mention of a "long, black train" running out of track symbolizes an impending end or separation. The singer acknowledges their lack of control or ability to change the situation, feeling stripped of their strength. The reference to wasted eulogies further emphasizes the fleeting nature of life and the loss of meaningful connections.
The chorus serves as a reflection of the impossibility of stopping time or reversing what has already transpired. The metaphor of handcuffs represents the feeling of being restrained, unable to break free from the relentless passage of time. Despite wanting to hold on, the singer recognizes their own powerlessness and the inevitability of the present slipping away.
Overall, "Stop The Clock" explores the painful realization that some moments or relationships are not meant to last forever, and despite the desire to pause time, there is a resignation that it is an impossible feat.
Line by Line Meaning
Did it take you a minute to realize that I'm deep in it?
Did it take you a while to understand how committed I am?
'Cause it feels like hours, I've been stuck here thinking
Because it feels like a long time, I've been trapped in my thoughts
I get down, down on my knees
I become desperate and beg
Begging, begging, please
Pleading earnestly, please
Every single prayer's wasted in the air (hey)
Every prayer I make seems fruitless
It's like the hands of time (oh-oh)
Time's progression feels oppressive
Are putting handcuffs on mine (oh-oh)
Restricting and controlling my actions
And nothing about this is holy
There's no sacredness in this situation
It's just killing me, killing me slowly
It's gradually and painfully harming me
And I'm not ready yet (oh-oh)
I'm not prepared for this yet
But I'm running outta breath (oh-oh)
But I'm losing my strength and endurance
And all I can do is watch
And all I can do is observe
'Cause I can't find a way
Because I can't discover a solution
To stop the clock
To halt the passage of time
I hear that long, black train, it's running outta track
I sense that the end is near
And I'm no coward but right now, I've got no powers
And I'm not afraid, but currently, I feel powerless
Oh, no more you and me, we all get eulogies
Oh, our relationship is over, we all receive tributes after death
But most of them, I swear, are wasted in the air (hey)
But most of those tributes seem in vain
I can't find a way to stop the hourglass now (ooh, ooh)
I cannot find a method to halt the passage of time now
Sand just slips away and life goes way too fast (hey)
Time passes quickly and life moves too swiftly
It's like the hands of time (you're taking away from me)
Time feels like it's stealing from me
Are putting handcuffs on mine (they'll never set me free)
Restraining me and preventing my freedom
And nothing about this is holy
Nothing in this situation is sacred
It's just killing me, killing me slowly
It's slowly and painfully destroying me
And I'm not ready yet (I don't want you to leave)
And I'm not prepared for this yet, I don't want you to go
But I'm running outta breath (one step ahead of me)
But I'm losing my energy, always one step behind
And all I can do is watch
And all I can do is observe
But I can't find a way
But I can't find a solution
To stop the clock
To halt the passage of time
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cleo Tighe, James Blunt, Stephen Robson, Wayne Hector
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
bryan ting
Mmm, mmm
Whoa-oh, mm
Mmm, mmm
Whoa-oh
Did it take you a minute to realize that I'm deep in it?
'Cause it feels like hours, I've been stuck here thinking
I get down, down on my knees
Begging, begging, please
Every single prayer's wasted in the air (hey)
It's like the hands of time (oh-oh)
Are putting handcuffs on mine (oh-oh)
And nothing about this is holy
It's just killing me, killing me slowly
And I'm not ready yet (oh-oh)
But I'm running outta breath (oh-oh)
And all I can do is watch
'Cause I can't find a way
To stop the clock
Mmm, mmm
Whoa-oh, mm
Mmm, mmm
Whoa-oh
I hear that long, black train, it's running outta track
And I'm no coward but right now, I've got no powers
Oh, no more you and me, we all get eulogies
But most of them, I swear, are wasted in the air (hey)
It's like the hands of time (oh-oh)
Are putting handcuffs on mine (oh-oh)
And nothing about this is holy
It's just killing me, killing me slowly
And I'm not ready yet (oh-oh)
But I'm running outta breath (oh-oh)
And all I can do is watch
'Cause I can't find a way
I can't find a way to stop the hourglass now (ooh, ooh)
Sand just slips away and life goes way too fast (hey)
It's like the hands of time (you're taking away from me)
Are putting handcuffs on mine (they'll never set me free)
And nothing about this is holy
It's just killing me, killing me slowly
And I'm not ready yet (I don't want you to leave)
But I'm running outta breath (one step ahead of me)
And all I can do is watch
But I can't find a way
To stop the clock
Lumo wati
Mmm, mmm
Whoa-oh, mm
Mmm, mmm
Whoa-oh
Did it take you a minute to realize that I'm deep in it?
'Cause it feels like hours, I've been stuck here thinking
I get down, down on my knees
Begging, begging, please
Every single prayer's wasted in the air (hey)
It's like the hands of time (oh-oh)
Are putting handcuffs on mine (oh-oh)
And nothing about this is holy
It's just killing me, killing me slowly
And I'm not ready yet (oh-oh)
But I'm running outta breath (oh-oh)
And all I can do is watch
'Cause I can't find a way
To stop the clock
Mmm, mmm
Whoa-oh, mm
Mmm, mmm
Whoa-oh
I hear that long, black train, it's running outta track
And I'm no coward but right now, I've got no powers
Oh, no more you and me, we all get eulogies
But most of them, I swear, are wasted in the air (hey)
It's like the hands of time (oh-oh)
Are putting handcuffs on mine (oh-oh)
And nothing about this is holy
It's just killing me, killing me slowly
And I'm not ready yet (oh-oh)
But I'm running outta breath (oh-oh)
And all I can do is watch
'Cause I can't find a way
I can't find a way to stop the hourglass now (ooh, ooh)
Sand just slips away and life goes way too fast (hey)
It's like the hands of time (you're taking away from me)
Are putting handcuffs on mine (they'll never set me free)
And nothing about this is holy
It's just killing me, killing me slowly
And I'm not ready yet (I don't want you to leave)
But I'm running outta breath (one step ahead of me)
And all I can do is watch
But I can't find a way
To stop the clock
Source: LyricFind
eagle2612
This kind of simple, classic music always touch the complexity in your soul. Thanks James!
Katia Pintos
"It´s like the hands of time putting handcuffs on mine" Just this one line says so much... This song is absolutely one of my favourites from this album. So brilliant!!!
8186 Rohit kumar
ikr !! this need more views
You ok?
🙋🏻♂️
Elnaz Ghannad Asadollahi
yes i love this one so much
Yoshi Land
29 dislikes? Come on, it's James Blunt !!! 😍
He deserves millions and millions of 👍 !
Love from France ❤️❤️.
kaylane
139*
Oluwasegun Olaoye
Ha ha
Marie Jo
Cool danke
VexSG
Yoshi Land c'est un stéréotype que nous, les anglais, utilisons contre les français. J'aimerais qu'ils puissent réellement s'arrêter. : /