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.
Issues
James Durbin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I would tell you it's everything, when I'm tired and feeling sick
When it's nothing you could fix
I want you to know it's not you
Cause I will never be o.k., this I know, but that's o.k.
Cause my eyes are never shut, while my heart is wide awake
And it's all that I can do
I've got issues, I've got scars
In the colors just like yours
I was broken right from the start
I'm not different than you are
I'm not perfect, I'm perfectly flawed
And my scratches don't hurt much at all
But just like you, I've got issues
There were smiles, there were tears, there were times through the years
When I could not remember yesterday, everything's like a blurr,
It looses me round the curve
I'm always in a high speed chase
And I'm tryna get control using everything I know
But nothing seems to work, we'll never catch it
This I'm sure, and I will not forget you've been with me
Step by step
I've got issues, I've got scars
In the colors just like yours
I was broken right from the start
I'm not different than you are
I'm not perfect, I'm perfectly flawed
And my scratches don't hurt much at all
But just like you, I've got issues
Am I in hell, cause I don't understand
Is this what they say it is, to be human
And these bandages I wear to keep out the cold
I tell them that I never know
I've got issues, I've got scars
In the colors just like yours
I was broken right from the start
I'm not different than you are
I'm not perfect, I'm perfectly flawed
And my scratches don't hurt much at all
But just like you, I've got issues
The song "Issues" by James Durbin is a raw and emotional representation of the struggles of mental health. The lyrics suggest that the singer is going through a tough time and is unable to feel better despite the efforts made by his loved ones. He feels broken right from the start, and he's struggling with different situations in life like when he is tired and feeling sick. The line "when it's nothing you could fix, I want you to know it's not you" suggests that the problem lies within him, and no external person can help him through these issues.
The chorus of the song "I've got issues, I've got scars, in the colors just like yours, I'm not perfect, I'm perfectly flawed" emphasizes that everyone has their struggles and faults, and no one is perfect. It's essential to acknowledge them to overcome them. The line "And my scratches don't hurt much at all" metaphorically suggests that even though he may look okay to others, he is still feeling the pain.
The lines "Am I in hell, cause I don't understand, is this what they say it is, to be human" suggests that the singer feels overwhelmed and unsure of how to deal with his struggles. He questions the condition of being "human" - and it's a struggle that everyone has to go through.
Overall, "Issues" is a relatable and truthful song that emphasizes that despite our imperfections, we should still acknowledge them, seek help when necessary, and understand that we are not alone.
Line by Line Meaning
If you were to say to me, if you ask what's wrong with me
Someone asks me what's wrong with me.
I would tell you it's everything, when I'm tired and feeling sick
I feel like everything is wrong when I'm tired and sick.
When it's nothing you could fix
The person cannot help fix my problems.
I want you to know it's not you
I want to reassure the person that it's not their fault.
Cause I will never be o.k., this I know, but that's o.k.
I'll never be okay, but it's okay.
Cause my eyes are never shut, while my heart is wide awake
My eyes are always open and my heart is always active.
And it's all that I can do
That's all I'm able to do.
Tell me, what else can I do?
I'm asking for suggestions on what else I can do.
I've got issues, I've got scars
I have problems and scars.
In the colors just like yours
My scars are just like yours.
I was broken right from the start
I was always broken.
I'm not different than you are
I'm just the same as you.
I'm not perfect, I'm perfectly flawed
I'm not perfect, but my flaws are perfect for me.
And my scratches don't hurt much at all
My scars don't hurt much.
But just like you, I've got issues
I have problems just like you.
There were smiles, there were tears, there were times through the years
There were good and bad times in my life.
When I could not remember yesterday, everything's like a blurr,
There were times when I couldn't remember the past.
It looses me round the curve
It's hard for me to remember things.
I'm always in a high speed chase
I'm always chasing something quickly and impatiently.
And I'm tryna get control using everything I know
I'm trying to gain control using everything I know.
But nothing seems to work, we'll never catch it
Nothing is working and we can't catch up.
This I'm sure, and I will not forget you've been with me
I'm certain that you've been with me through it all.
Am I in hell, cause I don't understand
I'm confused and I don't understand.
Is this what they say it is, to be human
Is this what it means to be human?
And these bandages I wear to keep out the cold
These bandages are used to protect me from the cold.
I tell them that I never know
I admit that I don't know what's going on.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave
Written by: EARL T. STEVENS, DANELL STEVENS, LOUIS KING, BILL HOUSEMAN, QUINCY DELIGHT III JONES, AARON DONTEZ YATES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jamesdeziel1468
Great song. I have Tourtette's just like James and this hits all the right notes and really helps and is just very well done. Thanks James.
@Janethe69eyes
I love the whole album! This song is beautiful!<3
@LillyG85
Great song!!! speaks to alot of people because everyone has issues of some sort.
@Leeleeresh
But i will not forget.....You've been with me step by step!!! Never before has an artist so perfectly captured my feelings, my story in music & lyric the way that you have James. I'm perfectly flawed, and eternally grateful for you & your music....YOU TRULY GET IT, GET US!!! Thank you for pouring your heart & soul & passion into these songs & making an album that we can listen to from beginning to End & be guided on an emotional journey<3
@acheybrenda
Beautiful song. Just beautiful.
@OyeGeekShow
This song is amazing
@Disturbed2Link
Beautiful song well done
@jonaseriksson4250
James , you're amazing !!
@boscocat123
Just beautiful! So perfect for you to sing.
@Meydoosa
This song perfectly describes my life.