He has appeared on "Shout", released by Shout for England in 2010, as England's unofficial World Cup song. It reached #1 in the UK charts.
His latest singing endeavor is "The Greatest Gift", as used in the Sainsbury's 2016 Christmas advert. It can be streamed on Spotify, and can be downloaded from iTunes, with all profits going to charity.
Only You
James Corden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's like a story of love
Can you hear me?
Came back only yesterday
I'm moving farther away
Want you near me
All I needed was the love you gave
And all I ever knew
Only you
Sometimes when I think of your name
And it's only a game
And I need you
Listen to the words that you say
It's getting harder to stay
When I see you
All I needed was the love you gave
All I needed for another day
And all I ever knew
Only you
Pa da da da
Pa da da da da dum
Pa da da da
Pa da da da da dum
Pa da da da
Pa da da da da dum
All I needed was the love you gave
All I needed for another day
And all I ever knew
Only you
This is gonna take a long time
And I wonder what's mine
Can't take no more
Wonder if you'll understand
It's just the touch of your hand
Behind a closed door
All I needed was the love you gave
All I needed for another day
And all I ever knew
Only you
In the song "Only You," James Corden sings about the longing and pain that comes with a lost love. He begins by describing himself looking out of a window and seeing a love story that he wishes he could have. He asks if the person he's thinking of can hear him, suggesting that they may be gone from his life.
He then explains that he came back only yesterday, but he's still moving farther away, making the distance between him and his potential love even greater. Corden sings that all he needed was the love that was given to him as it was what made each day worth it, and that the person it is all about is the only thing that he ever knew.
As the song continues, Corden continues to feel the same way but acknowledges that it may only be a game since the person is no longer with him. He struggles to cope with this fact and finds it difficult to stay when he sees the person who is the subject of the song. In the chorus, he repeats that all he needed was the love that he was given and that only that person can make him feel complete. The song ends with Corden wondering whether his love interest will understand and expressing that all he ever knew was this one person.
Line by Line Meaning
Looking from a window above
Observing from a higher vantage point
It's like a story of love
Recounting a tale of romance
Can you hear me?
Asking if someone can listen closely
Came back only yesterday
Recently returned
I'm moving farther away
Traveling to a distant place
Want you near me
Desiring companionship
All I needed was the love you gave
The singer only needed the affection they received
All I needed for another day
The love they received was sufficient for another day
And all I ever knew
Their experience of affection has been limited
Only you
The person they love is the only one they need
Sometimes when I think of your name
Recalling the beloved's name on occasion
And it's only a game
Love can sometimes feel like a game
And I need you
Feeling a dependency on the beloved
Listen to the words that you say
Paying close attention to their significant other's words
It's getting harder to stay
Difficulties in maintaining the relationship
When I see you
The sight of the beloved is powerful
Pa da da da
Musical bridge
Pa da da da da dum
Musical bridge
This is gonna take a long time
Recognizing that love requires time and patience
And I wonder what's mine
Questioning what the future holds
Can't take no more
Feeling overwhelmed
Wonder if you'll understand
Hoping their beloved can empathize
It's just the touch of your hand
Feeling comforted by their lover's touch
Behind a closed door
The intimacy of being behind closed doors
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Vince Clarke
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sinead Coombs
Always has been my favourite song. I never knew James Corden could sing, what a beautiful voice. Fantastic version.
slamgasm666
Have u ever seen gavin n stacey?
Sinead Coombs
@slamgasm666 Yessss!!! I love it!!!
hummingbirdcity
Haha. Doesn't he sing on every episode of his show?
Sinead Coombs
@hummingbirdcity I don't ever get to see his show. They don't show it here
hummingbirdcity
@Sinead Coombs Aww, sorry for my sarcasm. But, yeah...he's always flexing. Haha
Sinead Coombs
This song has always been my favourite. Never knew James Corden could sing, what a beautiful voice. Fantastic cover!
Kirsty Rosie
I love this song one of my faves they did a great job I love James cordens voice ❤️
JJR Booth
I actually love all versions of this song, from the various artists throughout the years. This one I particularly fell in love, because it helps me relax and releases stress.
Ann-Marie Mallinson
I think this is fantastic. James has pleasantly surprised me; I didn't realise he could sing before I heard this, let alone so well! I think he fits rather well with Kylie's voice. My favourite cover of any song. Beautiful.