Durbin was born to Judy Settle-Durbin. His father Willy Durbin, a musician, died of drug overdose when he was 9. He was diagnosed with Tourette's and Asperger's syndrome shortly after his father died. He has facial tics, some social awkwardness, and restricted interests.
He has a fiancée, Heidi whom he met in a bar and considered his 'rock'. They have a son together named Hunter.
In 2006, he performed in Santa Cruz-based children's theater group called Kids on Broadway and played the lead role in "Beauty and the Beast" and "Singin' in the Rain", as well as "West Side Story" in a production by All About Theatre, a Santa Cruz community theatre company. He was also the lead singer in a metal band called The Hollywood Scars. He said he has also done country music before.
James was invited to record and mix his amazing vocal talent with legendary producer/engineer/artist Alan Parsons (of The Alan Parsons Project/Beatles/Pink Floyd fame). Along with professional vocalist PJ Olsson, the group recorded James' vocals on Alan Parsons' song "We Play The Game," a collaboration with The Crystal Method.
Then only 19, James' drive, power, and musical insight were all too evident as he and Alan worked on recording a lead vocal and backing vocals on the Alan Parsons track from A Valid Path.
Idol Performances:
** Top 24: Personal Choice - You've Got Another Thing Comin' (Judas Priest)
** Top 13: Personal Idol - Maybe I'm Amazed (Paul McCartney)
** Top 12: Year You Were Born - I'll Be There for You (Bon Jovi)
** Top 11: Motown - Living for the City (Stevie Wonder)
** Top 11 Redux: Elton John - Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting) [[artist]Elton John]
** Top 9: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame - While My Guitar Gently Weeps (The Beatles)
** Top 8: Songs from the Movies - Heavy Metal (Sammy Hagar)
** Top 7: Songs from the 21st Century - Uprising (Muse)
** Top 6: Carole King - Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow (The Shirelles)
** Top 5: Songs from Then & Now: Closer to the Edge (30 Seconds to Mars) / Without You (Bandfinger)
** Top 4: Songs That Inspire / Leiber & Stoller Songbook: Don't Stop Believin' (Journey) / Love Potion No. 9 (The Clovers)
In 2016 Durbin and Alex Grossi of Quiet Riot worked on an album project "Maps to the Hollywood Scars". Volume 1 was released as a 5-song EP in February 2017. In March 2017, Durbin joined Quiet Riot, as their new lead singer. The band reported that their upcoming album, 'Road Rage' would be re-recorded prior to its release to feature Durbin on lead vocals. After recording a follow-up album, Durbin quit the band in September 2019. The album, 'Hollywood Cowboys', was released on November 8, 2019. In October 2020, Durbin revealed he had signed with Frontiers Records and was working on a "pure heavy metal" album. The Beast Awakens was released on February 12, 2021 under the Durbin moniker. Alongside Durbin, who performs lead vocals and rhythm guitar, the album also features drummer Mike Vanderhule and bassist Barry Sparks. In 2022, Durbin has joined forces with STRYPER members Robert Sweet and Perry Richardson (bass; also ex-FIREHOUSE) and RIOT guitarist Mike Flyntz in a new project called CLEANBREAK.
Higher Than Heaven
James Durbin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Something that I just dreamed of
Somewhere in the corner of my heart
Rippin' and tearin' me apart
Oh, I was numb and had my demons
I lost hope, you gave me reason
But you alone take me higher than heaven
I don't need mercy, nothing can hurt me
As long as you're with me, I'm higher than heaven
Goin' insane, I was on a one way train
Surrounded by my so called friends
But this ain't where the story ends
Or where it begins
I was numb and had my demons
I gave up but you believed
Angels saved me, god forgave me
But you alone take me higher than heaven
I don't need mercy, nothing can hurt me
As long as you're with me, I'm higher than heaven
Angels saved me, god forgave me
But you alone take me higher than heaven
I don't need mercy, nothing can hurt me
As long as you're with me, I'm higher than heaven, yeah!
Angels saved me, god forgave me
But you alone take me higher than heaven
I don't need mercy, nothing can hurt me
As long as you're with me, I'm higher than heaven, yeah!
The lyrics of "Higher Than Heaven" by James Durbin tell the story of a person who has been through a lot of pain and struggles with their demons. Their heart has been ripped and torn apart, and they have lost hope. However, love comes along as a savior and gives them a reason to live. The song talks of the feeling of being lifted higher than heaven by this love, giving them the strength to overcome anything.
The verse "Angels saved me, god forgave me, but you alone take me higher than heaven" highlights the idea that love is more powerful than religion or spirituality. It is a personal experience that transcends all human constructs. The chorus of the song repeats the message of being lifted by love, with the line "nothing can hurt me, as long as you're with me." This signifies the immense strength that a person feels when they are in love.
Overall, "Higher Than Heaven" is a song about the transformative power of love. It conveys the message that love can heal all wounds, and lift a person higher than they ever thought possible.
Line by Line Meaning
What was love?
Questioning the concept of love and its existence
Something that I just dreamed of
Feeling like love is only a figment of imagination
Somewhere in the corner of my heart
Believing that there might be a small part of him that still hopes for love
Rippin' and tearin' me apart
Feeling hurt and broken because of love
Oh, I was numb and had my demons
Feeling emotionally numb and struggling with his inner demons
I lost hope, you gave me reason
Finding hope and motivation through his significant other
Angels saved me, god forgave me
Feeling saved by angels and forgiven by God for his past mistakes
But you alone take me higher than heaven
Believing that his significant other brings him more joy and happiness than anything else in the world, including heaven
I don't need mercy, nothing can hurt me
Feeling invincible and immune to pain because he has his significant other's love and support
As long as you're with me, I'm higher than heaven
Expressing the idea that being with his significant other is the highest point of happiness he can attain
Goin' insane, I was on a one way train
Feeling like his life was spiraling out of control and headed towards a negative outcome
Surrounded by my so called friends
Feeling alone and unsupported by supposed friends
But this ain't where the story ends
Believing that there is still hope for a better future despite his current struggles
Or where it begins
Acknowledging that his journey towards a better life is ongoing and never-ending
I gave up but you believed
Finding strength and motivation through his significant other's belief in him
As long as you're with me, I'm higher than heaven, yeah!
Expressing his deep love and appreciation for his significant other and the joy they bring him
Lyrics © WIND-UP PUBLISHING
Written by: JAMES MICHAEL, JAMES WILLIAM DURBIN, MARTIN H FREDERIKSEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind