Josh Rouse (born 1972 in Paxton, Nebraska) is an American roots/melodic fol… Read Full Bio ↴Josh Rouse (born 1972 in Paxton, Nebraska) is an American roots/melodic folk singer. From his first album, Dressed Up Like Nebraska, in 1998, he has won critical acclaim.

Rouse lived in various places in Midwest America during his childhood due to his father's military career. Following his time at Austin Peay State University, he eventually settled down in Tennessee, where he met some local musicians and began recording. Signing to the Rykodisc subsidiary Slow River, in 1998, Rouse issued his debut album, Dressed Up Like Nebraska, to widespread critical acclaim; upon settling in Nashville, he was befriended by Kurt Wagner, frontman of the endlessly brilliant chamber country group Lambchop, and in the fall of 1999, the two singers/songwriters issued a collaborative EP, Chester.

Rouse's second solo LP, Home, appeared the following spring and was followed by Under the Cold Blue Stars in 2002. For his next record Rouse hooked up with producer Brad Jones and the resulting album in 2003, 1972, was both a homage to the soft rock sounds of Rouse's youth and an opening up and deepening of his sound. Before the release of his next album, Rouse's marriage ended and he moved from Nashville to Spain. This spawned 2004's Nashville, an example of his versatile musical talent, featuring a blend of Rock, Jazz and Ballad. It served as a farewell to both the city and his marriage; it was also his most fully realized record to date. This album was chosen as one of Amazon.com's Top 100 Editor's Picks of 2005 (#80).

Rouse's next album, called Subtitulo, was released March 21, 2006 in which his move to Spain was evident.It marked a further finessing of his sound and a move towards the music of an early Paul Simon.

2007 saw a rather busy year for Rouse. He started off supporting John Mayer on a series of his Winter Tour dates. Not soon after, he released a joint EP with his girlfriend Paz Suay, under the moniker of She's Spanish, I'm American. At the end of July, Rouse released his 7th LP, Country Mouse, Cit y House. The record marked a detour from Subtitulo, offering a fuller, more instrumental sound, which appeared to divide both critics and fans. Rouse toured extensively worldwide to support the album.

He released "El Turista" in February 2010 and "The Happiness Waltz" in 2013.

www.joshrouse.com

James
Josh Rouse Lyrics

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He decided he'd be better off alone
So he left his wife and child and went solo
It is summertime, Atlanta's hot as hell
He thinks back to what he had, and where he's now

James can't stop hangin' out in the bars
He's on top, breakin' all the ladies hearts
James ain't got a problem with alcohol

He can't stop, hangin' out in the bars

Found a payphone and the courage it did swell
What to say, James never really knew that well
His apology was more than they could stand
"I'm just a poor excuse for what some call a man"

James can't stop hangin' out in the bars
He's on top, breakin' all the ladies hearts
James ain't got a problem with alcohol
He can't stop, hangin' out in the bars

"So I want you to be spirited and brave
Find someone to love, but never take my place"
He hung the phone up and defeated his own life
Disappeared into the closest neon sign

James can't stop hangin' out in the bars
He's on top, breakin' all the ladies hearts
James ain't got a problem with alcohol
He can't stop, hangin' out in the bars

James can't stop

Overall Meaning

In Josh Rouse's song James, the singer is a man who has abandoned his family in search of a solitary existence. He is reflecting on his life while living in Atlanta, where the weather is hot and the days are lazy. James recalls his former life, and the reasons he left it. He cannot help but think back on his past decisions and how they led him to the present. He admits to himself that he has made mistakes and he is now a poor excuse for a man.

Even though James knows he has done wrong, he cannot stop hanging out in bars. Alcohol has become his crutch, and he is using it to numb the pain. It seems his only escape is inside a bottle. However, James knows he has hurt the people he loves and is trying to make amends. He picks up a payphone and reaches out, but his apology is too little, too late. His loved ones cannot forgive him, and he is left more lonely than ever before. James recognizes that his actions have left him defeated, and he disappears into the city's neon lights.

The song is a moving account of how one man's actions have led him to an isolated existence. James is aware that he has made a mistake, but he is powerless to reverse the damage that has been done. The song's message is a warning against selfishness and a plea for compassion and understanding. We all make mistakes, but the measure of our humanity is how we deal with the fallout. James demonstrates the consequences of poor decision making and the importance of recognizing our faults and making amends.

Line by Line Meaning

He decided he'd be better off alone
James believed he would be happier alone without his wife and child.

So he left his wife and child and went solo
James abandoned his family to pursue a life of independence.

It is summertime, Atlanta's hot as hell
The setting is the sweltering summer in Atlanta.

He thinks back to what he had, and where he's now
James reflects on his past with regret for his current situation.

James can't stop hangin' out in the bars
James is addicted to spending time in bars.

He's on top, breakin' all the ladies hearts
James enjoys flirting and seducing women.

James ain't got a problem with alcohol
James is not concerned about alcohol addiction.

He can't stop, hangin' out in the bars
James is unable to break his habit of going to bars.

Found a payphone and the courage it did swell
James discovered a payphone and mustered up the courage to make a call.

What to say, James never really knew that well
James struggles to articulate his thoughts on the call.

His apology was more than they could stand
The person on the other end of the call was overwhelmed by James' apology.

"I'm just a poor excuse for what some call a man"
James belittles himself, admitting he's not living up to societal expectations of masculinity.

"So I want you to be spirited and brave
James encourages the person on the call to be courageous in their love life.

Find someone to love, but never take my place"
James wants the person on the call to move on with their love life but not to forget about him completely.

He hung the phone up and defeated his own life
James gave up on his own life after the call, feeling defeated and hopeless.

Disappeared into the closest neon sign
James vanished into the darkness, leaving behind the neon lights of the bar.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Josh Rouse

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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