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.
Outcast
James Durbin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The way I am makes it tough
Come get your phone
Don't wanna be here alone
Someday I will be fine
Be able to see the sunshine
Appreciate what's mine
Appreciate that I'm one of a kind
I still believe
Though I'm on my knees
Yeah, I still believe
You're the outcast
You cry when we all laugh
I'll be the one that you want to be the outcast
You're the outcast
I cry when you all laugh
Outcast!
Someday we will be fine
Be able to see the sunshine
We won't go into it blind
We'll appreciate that we're one of a kind
I still believe
Though I'm on my knees
Yeah, we'll still be free
You're the outcast
You cry when we all laugh
I'll be the one that you want to be the outcast
You're the outcast
I cry when you all laugh
Outcast!
You're the outcast
You cry when we all laugh
I'll be the one that you want to be the outcast
You're the outcast
I cry when you all laugh
Outcast!
You're the outcast
You cry when we all laugh
I'll be the one that you want to be the outcast
You're the outcast
I cry when you all laugh
Outcast!
You're the outcast
You cry when we all laugh
I'll be the one that you want to be the outcast
You're the outcast
I cry when you all laugh
Outcast!
The song "Outcast" by James Durbin is about feeling like an outsider and different from everyone else. The singer feels like his personality and demeanor make it difficult for him to fit in, and he longs for someone to be with him. Despite this, he has hope and believes that someday he will be able to appreciate his unique qualities and find happiness. He repeats the phrase "I still believe" throughout the song, emphasizing that he has faith in himself and his future, despite his current struggles.
He also sings about being an outcast with someone else, perhaps a friend or lover, who is going through the same feelings of being an outsider. They want to be free from the judgement and ridicule of others and believe that they can find happiness by being true to themselves.
Overall, "Outcast" is an empowering song that encourages listeners to take pride in their differences and to believe in themselves. It reminds us that we are all unique and special in our own ways, and that we should never let others make us feel like we don't belong.
Line by Line Meaning
Not easy enough
It's not easy for me to fit in
The way I am makes it tough
My personality and outer appearance make it difficult for me to fit in
Come get your phone
I don't want to be alone, please come keep me company
Don't wanna be here alone
I don't want to be by myself, it's too hard
Someday I will be fine
One day I will be okay
Be able to see the sunshine
I will be able to see the good in life
Appreciate what's mine
I will appreciate the things I have
Appreciate that I'm one of a kind
I will appreciate my unique qualities
I still believe
I have hope and faith
Though I'm on my knees
Even though I am struggling
Yeah, I still believe
I continue to have hope
You're the outcast
You don't fit in
You cry when we all laugh
You don't find the same things funny as us
I'll be the one that you want to be the outcast
I will be the person who stands by your side, even if it means being an outcast
Outcast!
We are different from the rest
Someday we will be fine
We will overcome our obstacles one day
We won't go into it blind
We will be prepared for what's to come
You're the outcast
You don't fit in
You cry when we all laugh
You don't find the same things funny as us
Yeah, we'll still be free
We will not let others change who we are
I'll be the one that you want to be the outcast
I will be there for you, even if it means being an outcast
Outcast!
We are different from the rest
You're the outcast
You don't fit in
I cry when you all laugh
I don't find the same things funny as you
Outcast!
We are different from the rest
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAMES DURBIN, MAGNUS ANDREASSON, MARTIN SANDVIK, MICK MARS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind