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.
I'll Be There For You
James Durbin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I heard your suitcase say goodbye
And as my broken heart lies bleeding
You say true love it's suicide
You say you're cried a thousand rivers
And now you're swimming for the shore
You left me drowning in my tears
Now I'm praying to God you'll give me one more chance, girl
I'll be there for you
These five words I swear to you
When you breathe I want to be the air for you
I'll be there for you
I'd live and I'd die for you
Steal the sun from the sky for you
Words can't say what a love can do
I'll be there for you
I know you know we've had some good times
Now they have their own hiding place
I can promise you tomorrow
But I can't buy back yesterday
And Baby you know my hands are dirty
But I wanted to be your valentine
I'll be the water when you get thirsty, baby
When you get drunk, I'll be the wine
I'll be there for you
These five words I swear to you
When you breathe I want to be the air for you
I'll be there for you
I'd live and I'd die for you
Steal the sun from the sky for you
Words can't say what a love can do
I'll be there for you
[Solo]
And I wasn't there when you were happy
I wasn't there when you were down
I didn't mean to miss your birthday, baby
I wish I'd seen you blow those candles out
I'll be there for you
These five words I swear to you
When you breathe I want to be the air for you
I'll be there for you
I'd live and I'd die for you
Steal the sun from the sky for you
Words can't say what a love can do
I'll be there for you
The song "I'll Be There for You" by James Durbin is a poignant and emotional ballad about a man's heartfelt desire to be there for his loved one no matter what. The song opens with the singer acknowledging his significant other's departure, as he hears the sound of her suitcase wheeled away. The man is left heartbroken, with his love for her feeling like a curse that led to his own self-destruction.
The song talks about the man pleading to his lover to give him another chance. It's a promise to always stand by her and be her rock and support system during both good and bad times. He admits his mistakes and implores her to forgive him while making a vow to be there for her whenever she needs him.
The lyrics are a perfect portrayal of love in its truest form. It talks about the unconditional love one has for their partner, the willingness to be by their side whenever needed, and even to be the air they breathe. The song is both powerful and heartrending, evoking emotions of sadness, love, and hope in equal measure.
Line by Line Meaning
I guess this time you're really leaving
You seem to be leaving for real this time
I heard your suitcase say goodbye
Your actions and the sound of your suitcase closing indicate that you're leaving
And as my broken heart lies bleeding
My heart is broken and hurting because of your departure
You say true love it's suicide
You believe that true love is dangerous and risky
You say you're cried a thousand rivers
You claim to have cried numerous times and shed a lot of tears
And now you're swimming for the shore
Now you're making a run for it and trying to leave quickly
You left me drowning in my tears
Your departure has left me feeling overwhelmed with sadness
And you won't save me anymore
You no longer want to help me get through this difficult time
Now I'm praying to God you'll give me one more chance, girl
I'm hoping that God will give us another opportunity to be together
I'll be there for you
I promise to always be there for you
These five words I swear to you
These five words represent a sincere promise to always be there for you
When you breathe I want to be the air for you
I want to be a necessary and constant presence in your life
I'd live and I'd die for you
I would do anything for you, even if it means sacrificing my own life
Steal the sun from the sky for you
I would do the impossible for you, even if it means stealing the sun itself
Words can't say what a love can do
My actions and loyalty will speak louder than words
I know you know we've had some good times
I'm aware that we have shared happy memories together
Now they have their own hiding place
Our happy memories are now distant and hard to access
I can promise you tomorrow
I can guarantee that I'll be there for you in the future
But I can't buy back yesterday
I can't undo past mistakes or erase past memories
And Baby you know my hands are dirty
I acknowledge that I am not perfect and have made mistakes
But I wanted to be your valentine
Despite my imperfections, I wanted to be your special someone on Valentine's Day
I'll be the water when you get thirsty, baby
I'll be there for you and provide for your needs
When you get drunk, I'll be the wine
I'll be your source of comfort and happiness when life gets tough
And I wasn't there when you were happy
I wasn't there to share in your happy moments
I wasn't there when you were down
I wasn't there to support you during your tough times
I didn't mean to miss your birthday, baby
I didn't intend to overlook your special day
I wish I'd seen you blow those candles out
I regret not being there to share in your birthday celebrations
Writer(s): Tim James, Rhea Mcallister, Josephine E. Aiello
Contributed by Max C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
mmwrestlergirl2
Love this!!
Melissa Fuller
I love you James......America got it WRONG!!!!!!!!!! Long live Metal!!!!!!!!!!!! You rock babe, dont let them knock you down, you are the true winner!
Veronica Novembre
I will miss you James. I will always be a fan. <333333333
JoNkitas
The best wishes FroM Colombiaaaa James Durbin Rocksss!!
egondog
james....ill be there for you
Jordan Susanto
It sounds so autotuned.. he doesn't need to be
Uw0tm8
ahh too sped up