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.
Maybe I'm Amazed
James Durbin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Maybe I'm afraid of the way I love you (love you)
Maybe I'm amazed at the way you pulled me out of time
And hung me on a line
Maybe I'm amazed at the way I really need you
Maybe I'm a man maybe I'm a lonely man
Who's in the middle of something
Maybe I'm a man and maybe you're the only woman
Who could ever help me
Baby won't you help me understand, ooh, ooh, ooh, yeah
Maybe I'm amazed at the way you're with me all the time
Maybe I'm afraid of the way I leave you
Maybe I'm amazed at the way you help me sing my song
You write me when I'm wrong
Maybe I'm amazed at the way I really need you
Maybe I'm a man, maybe I'm a lonely man
Who's in the middle of something
That he doesn't really understand
Maybe I'm a man and maybe you're the only woman
Who could ever help me
Baby won't you help me understand, ooh, ooh, ooh, yeah
Maybe I'm amazed at the way you love me all the time
Maybe I'm afraid of the way I love you (love you)
Maybe I'm amazed at the way you pulled me out of time
And hung me on a line and
Maybe I'm amazed at the way I really need you
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Hey na na na na na yeah
Maybe I'm a man, maybe I'm a lonely man
Who's in the middle of something
That I don't really understand
Yeah yeah
Maybe I'm a man and maybe you're the only woman
Who could ever help me
Baby won't you help me understand, ooh, ooh, ooh, yeah
Maybe I am amazed at the way you help me sing my song
Maybe I am afraid of the way I love you
The lyrics of James Durbin's song "Maybe I'm Amazed" express a sense of awe and fear towards the love of a significant other. The repeated chorus of "Maybe I'm amazed at the way you love me all the time/Maybe I'm afraid of the way I love you" highlights a sense of uncertainty towards the intensity of feelings in this relationship. The verses focus on the singer's emotional state and how their partner has affected it.
The lines "Maybe I'm a man maybe I'm a lonely man/Who's in the middle of something/That he doesn't really understand" suggest a vulnerability and confusion in the singer's identity and emotions. The following lines, "Maybe I'm a man and maybe you're the only woman/Who could ever help me/Baby won't you help me understand," express a desire for clarity and understanding in the relationship.
Overall, the lyrics convey a complex emotional state of amazement and fear towards the love of another person, along with a desire for guidance and understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
Maybe I'm amazed at the way you love me all the time
The singer expresses wonder at the constancy of their partner's love for them.
Maybe I'm afraid of the way I love you (love you)
The singer has concerns about their own intense feelings of love for their partner.
Maybe I'm amazed at the way you pulled me out of time
And hung me on a line
The singer is astonished at how their partner has helped them step outside of time and space, and how they are devotedly waiting for them.
Maybe I'm amazed at the way I really need you
The artist acknowledges that they have a deep dependency on their partner.
Maybe I'm a man maybe I'm a lonely man
Who's in the middle of something
That he doesn't really understand
The artist is grappling with a personal crisis they cannot resolve.
Maybe I'm a man and maybe you're the only woman
Who could ever help me
Baby won't you help me understand, ooh, ooh, ooh, yeah
The singer assertively asks for their partner's guidance in navigating their turmoil.
Maybe I'm amazed at the way you're with me all the time
The singer marvels at their partner's constant presence and support.
Maybe I'm afraid of the way I leave you
The artist is scared that their actions may hurt their partner or drive them away.
Maybe I'm amazed at the way you help me sing my song
You write me when I'm wrong
The artist is impressed by how their partner helps them improve their creative pursuits and corrects their missteps.
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Hey na na na na na yeah
These lines serve as an energetic refrain to underscore the overall tone of the song.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Paul James McCartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
jean elaine
just thought of this performance years ago and just had to look it up again. still gives me the goosebumps ..love it
Donna Richardson
I could not wait each week to see James perform .. He had it all stage presence & he connected with the audience .. Season ten had a ton of talent .. Best year ever IMO .. Everyone should support him & buy his new album Celebrate .. the whole album ROCKS .. Check out Real Love , Issues .. actually check them all out they are all awesome <3
Danuta Panczyk
Tyle lat minęło, a ja nadal wracam do jego wykonania. Świetny występ.
Tracy Green
Still sounds so fresh and incredible
You will always be my winner
pjef1956
I loved James on American Idol. I wanted him to win .... Every performance was absolutely amazing!!
James Atkinson
The highest voice to come out of American Idol totally amazed
Kate R
Nope. Adam Lambert without a doubt. Listen to his new album High Drama. Adam's range is insane!
James Atkinson
@Kate R no way if you know keys Adam is not as high as James
Plus he’s over theatrical and delusional that people think that’s a good thing rather than just concentrating on making his overall vocal better.
He has no sweetness in his mid range notes where as James is a natural in his mid section.
Adam is lucky he has such a library of hits to sing with queen where he can sharpen up his mid range vocals and still scream when he gets the urge.
James downfall is finding and choosing the right songs to display his vocal ability.
Kate Riley
James is a screamer. Nothing more. Listen to Lambert’s new album High Drama. His range is insane. Clearly you don’t know enough about him.
Shonda Johnson
We voted for you when you was on American idol. You was so good and still good today. I'm so glad your still going on this journey today. God bless you and your family.