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.
Parachute
James Durbin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No reason to shine
Thinkin' I could never be
Someone's wish on
The first star at night
And I believed there was nothing left
Left in my chest
When you made a wish
I could never have guessed
I'm in a free fall
But I won't crash
Hit the ground
And I bounce right back
I'm not comin' down no more
Not comin' down no more
I've lost all gravity now
Like walking on the moon
Feels like I'm floating away
Without a parachute
I've lost my fear of flying
I'm falling hard for you
Not scared of anything
So I think I think I'll just
Jump jump jump jump
Without my parachute
Jump jump jump jump
Straight into you
I was torn I was left with a permanent scar
I'd been there before
But you saw through every flaw
Found what was lost
So I pulled the rip cord
I'm lettin' go
I'm gonna jump this time
Into the blue
Now I won't look back
No I won't look back
With someone like you
I'm in a free fall
But I won't crash
Hit the ground
And I bounce right back
I'm not comin' down no more
Not comin' down no more
I've lost all gravity now
Like walking on the moon
Feels like I'm floating away
Without a parachute
I've lost my fear of flying
I'm falling hard for you
Not scared of anything
So I think I think I'll just
Jump jump jump jump
Without my parachute
Jump jump jump jump
Without my parachute
Jump jump jump jump
Without my parachute
Jump jump jump jump
Straight into you
Straight into you
Straight into you
No I won't look back
No I won't look back
'Cause I've lost all gravity now
Like walking on the moon
Feels like I'm floating away
Without a parachute
I've lost my fear of flying
I'm falling hard for you
Not scared of anything
So I think I think I'll just
Jump jump jump jump
Without my parachute
Jump jump jump jump
Without my parachute
Jump jump jump jump
Without my parachute
Jump jump jump jump
Straight into you
"Parachute" by James Durbin is a song about taking risks and falling in love. The lyrics describe someone who feels broken and thinks they could never be anyone's wish upon a star. However, when they meet someone special, they feel like they are in a free fall but won't crash because they have found someone worth taking a leap of faith for. They are no longer afraid to jump and fall without a parachute because they are not scared of anything when they are with that special person.
The song's chorus repeats the phrase "Jump jump jump jump, without my parachute, straight into you," which highlights the idea of taking risks in love. The image of not having a parachute and jumping straight into someone shows the singer's willingness to be vulnerable and give their heart fully to someone else. The metaphor of "walking on the moon" also emphasizes the feeling of weightlessness and being willing to take on the unknown.
Overall, "Parachute" is a romantic and inspiring song about taking risks and falling in love, even when it feels scary and uncertain.
Line by Line Meaning
Hangin' like a broken star in the sky
Feeling hopeless and useless just like a star that is no longer shining
No reason to shine
Having no motivation to move forward and achieve new things
Thinkin' I could never be / Someone's wish on / The first star at night
Believing that you're unworthy of love and that nobody would ever make a wish to have you in their life
And I believed there was nothing left / Left in my chest
Thinking you've used up all your energy and you're left with nothing to give
Then I lost my grip / When you made a wish / I could never have guessed
Feeling like you've lost control of your life when someone unexpected enters and changes everything
I'm in a free fall / But I won't crash / Hit the ground / And I bounce right back / I'm not comin' down no more / Not comin' down no more
Feeling like you're falling in love but not worried about getting hurt because you trust that everything will work out in the end
I've lost all gravity now / Like walking on the moon / Feels like I'm floating away / Without a parachute
Feeling like you're in a dreamlike state of being weightless and unable to control yourself when you're falling in love
I've lost my fear of flying / I'm falling hard for you / Not scared of anything / So I think I think I'll just
Overcoming your fear of getting hurt and being willing to jump headfirst into love
Jump jump jump jump / Without my parachute / Jump jump jump jump / Straight into you
Taking a risk and following your heart to fully commit to someone you love
I was torn I was left with a permanent scar / I'd been there before /But you saw through every flaw / Found what was lost / So I pulled the rip cord
Having been hurt before and left with a lasting pain, but finding someone who accepts you for who you are and makes you feel whole again
I'm lettin' go / I'm gonna jump this time / Into the blue / Now I won't look back / No I won't look back / With someone like you
Making a conscious decision to take a leap of faith and pursuing love without any reservations or doubts
No I won't look back
Being confident in your decision and fully committed to moving forward without any regrets
'Cause I've lost all gravity now / Like walking on the moon / Feels like I'm floating away / Without a parachute
Being swept away by the intense emotion of falling in love
Jump jump jump jump / Without my parachute / Jump jump jump jump / Without my parachute / Jump jump jump jump / Without my parachute / Jump jump jump jump / Straight into you
The repeated line signifies the singer's growing confidence in giving it all for the person they love
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SCOTT CHRISTOPHER STEVENS, ANDY STOCHANSKY, JAMES DURBIN, CONRAD SEWELL, MATTHEW COPLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
GenjiPlays YT 2
This dude inspired me to become just like him. I have listened to James since I was 4 and saw him on Idol every time and still watch his auditions and everything because I taped them. James Durbin has always helped me through tough times like when I get bullied. He also inspired me because I have developmental disorder's just like James. I have ADHD, Amblyopia or called Lazy eye and a growth deficiency. I really love him and when I got to see him I cried. I still have his autograph to this day.
Matthew Meunier
If there was somebody like James on idol again, the show would have a great comeback. But instead, we have a bunch of country singers.
AlbinoReaper
Matthew Meunier or the special kids on AGT.
Stephen Davenport
Umm, you must not be watching this year! Caleb is a true Rocker!
Douglas Snowden
Uhhh...Caleb? Hello? Caleb is amazing!
Marcus Snell
true dat
JAB
I wish him the best of luck. It's tough breaking through in the music industry. He is talented and I hope he makes it. He needs a great song.
xitah7
This is actually a very good song! Hope it gets the right amount of promotion.
yoymama7
Request it!!! I've actually heard it in the store...that's a good sign.
Phyllis Khatri
What an exciting & awesome song! JAMES DURBIN HAS TO BE ONE OF THE GREATEST SINGER-SONGWRITERS EVER! I AM ALWAYS AMAZED BY JAMES MUSIC,VOICE,PERFORMANCES. What unbelievable talent! I'm a fan, forever!