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
Tears And Rain
James Blunt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shed the clothes that become my skin
See the liar that burns within my needing
How I wish I'd chosen darkness from cold
How I wish I had screamed out loud
Instead I've found no meaning
I guess it's time I run far, far away, find comfort in pain
Hides my true shape, like Dorian Gray
I've heard what they say, but I'm not here for trouble
It's more than just words, it's just tears and rain
How I wish I could walk through the doors of my mind
Hold memory close at hand
Help me understand the years
How I wish I could choose between Heaven and Hell
How I wish I would save my soul
I'm so cold from fear
I guess it's time I run far, far away, find comfort in pain
All pleasure's the same, it just keeps me from trouble
Hides my true shape, like Dorian Gray
I've heard what they say, but I'm not here for trouble
Far, far away, find comfort in pain
All pleasure's the same, it just keeps me from trouble
It's more than just words, it's just tears and rain
Oh
Tears and rain
Oh
Tears and rain
Far, far away, find comfort in pain
All pleasure's the same, it just keeps me from trouble
It's more than just words
It's just tears and rain
The lyrics of James Blunt's song "Tears and Rain" express the longing to escape from one's own demons and to cope with pain in life. The wish to surrender the soul and shed the clothes that have become one's skin reveals a desire to break free from society's expectations and be true to oneself. The liar that burns within one's needing suggests a sense of dishonesty and self-deceit, indicating that the person is not living an authentic life.
The lyrics also express a struggle between pleasure and pain, with the singer finding comfort in pain and suggesting that pleasure does not bring lasting happiness. The comparison to Dorian Gray, a character who hides his true self behind a beautiful facade, reinforces the idea that external beauty or pleasure is not necessarily an indicator of inner peace or fulfillment.
The final lines of the song emphasize the power of tears and rain to express deeper emotions that cannot be conveyed through words alone. The repetitive nature of the chorus reinforces the idea that these emotions can be overwhelming and all-consuming, but also cathartic and transformative.
Line by Line Meaning
How I wish I could surrender my soul
I long to be free of my emotional burdens and give up control.
Shed the clothes that become my skin
I want to leave behind everything that defines and constrains me.
See the liar that burns within my needing
I am aware of the falsehoods I tell myself and the pain they cause.
How I wish I'd chosen darkness from cold
I regret not embracing detachment and instead settling for a less fulfilling life.
How I wish I had screamed out loud
I wish I had been more expressive about my feelings and desires when I had the chance.
Instead I've found no meaning
After much introspection, I can't seem to find any purpose or fulfillment in my life.
I guess it's time I run far, far away, find comfort in pain
Perhaps it's time for me to seek isolation and solace in my suffering.
All pleasure's the same, it just keeps me from trouble
Despite the allure of instant gratification, it only serves to distract me from my issues.
Hides my true shape, like Dorian Gray
Indulging in temporary pleasures only masks the real issues and prevents personal growth.
I've heard what they say, but I'm not here for trouble
Others may judge my actions, but I am not trying to cause problems for anyone else.
It's more than just words, it's just tears and rain
The despair I feel cannot be expressed adequately in language, and only manifests in tears and pain.
How I wish I could walk through the doors of my mind
I yearn for the ability to delve into my subconscious and truly understand my emotions and experiences.
Hold memory close at hand
Remembering the past is a way to make sense of my present and make peace with it.
Help me understand the years
Gaining insight into past events can help me comprehend why I feel the way I do now.
How I wish I could choose between Heaven and Hell
I wish I had the power to make overarching decisions that would change the course of my life for the better.
How I wish I would save my soul
I long to find salvation from my emotional turmoil and inner conflicts.
I'm so cold from fear
The uncertainty and doubt I feel have left me feeling emotionally numb and disconnected.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: James Blount, Guy Chambers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind