― Taste the Blood of Scrovula (noodle vague), Thursday, 30 June 2005 11:21 (eighteen years ago) link
― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Thursday, 30 June 2005 11:22 (eighteen years ago) link
― Taste the Blood of Scrovula (noodle vague), Thursday, 30 June 2005 11:24 (eighteen years ago) link
― lauren (laurenp), Thursday, 30 June 2005 11:24 (eighteen years ago) link
― snotty moore, Thursday, 30 June 2005 11:25 (eighteen years ago) link
― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Thursday, 30 June 2005 11:26 (eighteen years ago) link
"i'm getting that james blunt album 'cos he's fit"
this is why james blunt sells and antony and the johnsons do not.
sometimes i wonder why they even bother putting a cd in the case.
― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Thursday, 30 June 2005 11:27 (eighteen years ago) link
― Billy Bragg, Thursday, 30 June 2005 11:28 (eighteen years ago) link
― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Thursday, 30 June 2005 11:28 (eighteen years ago) link
― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Thursday, 30 June 2005 11:29 (eighteen years ago) link
― Billy Bragg, Thursday, 30 June 2005 11:30 (eighteen years ago) link
― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Thursday, 30 June 2005 11:31 (eighteen years ago) link
― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Thursday, 30 June 2005 11:31 (eighteen years ago) link
i suppose so, if you're not counting elvis.
― Taste the Blood of Scrovula (noodle vague), Thursday, 30 June 2005 11:32 (eighteen years ago) link
xp- I've met Antony. He's not all that chinny.
― snotty moore, Thursday, 30 June 2005 11:46 (eighteen years ago) link
HOwever,
On TV, Cat (I think) mentioned that he'd played for the queen and asked how it went. He said "She said, "Off with his head"" in a funny voice.
Also some otherwise dull interview, the song was mentioned and how it was written about a previous g/f seen with a new b/f. "Did she like having a song about her?" was the Q. "You'd think so, wouldn't you!" exclaimed Mr B.
What a prat.
(Umm, I'm not exactly defending him here, am I?)
― mark grout (mark grout), Thursday, 30 June 2005 11:55 (eighteen years ago) link
― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Thursday, 30 June 2005 11:59 (eighteen years ago) link
― Al (sitcom), Thursday, 30 June 2005 14:36 (eighteen years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 30 June 2005 14:39 (eighteen years ago) link
― jaymc (jaymc), Thursday, 30 June 2005 14:55 (eighteen years ago) link
― Curt1s St3ph3ns, Thursday, 30 June 2005 15:48 (eighteen years ago) link
― Tom (Groke), Thursday, 30 June 2005 15:50 (eighteen years ago) link
― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Monday, 18 July 2005 11:12 (eighteen years ago) link
― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Monday, 18 July 2005 11:16 (eighteen years ago) link
― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Monday, 18 July 2005 11:17 (eighteen years ago) link
― BARMS, Monday, 18 July 2005 11:23 (eighteen years ago) link
― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Monday, 18 July 2005 11:24 (eighteen years ago) link
If, however, he becomes omnipresent, then he can join Colin (not edith) and Chris Martin on my spaceship to the sun.
― Come Back Johnny B (Johnney B), Monday, 18 July 2005 11:43 (eighteen years ago) link
― Tom (Groke), Monday, 18 July 2005 11:44 (eighteen years ago) link
What a yessed out opus that promises to be!
― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Monday, 18 July 2005 11:58 (eighteen years ago) link
My life is brilliant.My love is pure.I saw an angel.Of that I'm sure.She smiled at me on the subway.She was with another man.But I won't lose no sleep on that,'Cause I've got a plan.
Well done James you've made eyes at a hot chick on the subway, a bit like on that tic tacs ad. She was with another bloke but well that shouldn't stop you eh? You've got a plan. So let's hear this plan.
You're beautiful. You're beautiful.You're beautiful, it's true.I saw your face in a crowded place,And I don't know what to do,'Cause I'll never be with you.
What do you mean you "don't know what to do?" I thought you had a plan now you're all negative? What's happened here?
Yeah, she caught my eye,As we walked on by.She could see from my face that I was,Fucking high,And I don't think that I'll see her again,But we shared a moment that will last till the end.
Wait a minute you were high? Were you gurning at her James? You "shared a moment that will last till the end?" Yeah right, couple of mitsi's was it?
You're beautiful. You're beautiful.You're beautiful, it's true.I saw your face in a crowded place,And I don't know what to do,'Cause I'll never be with you.You're beautiful. You're beautiful.You're beautiful, it's true.There must be an angel with a smile on her face,When she thought up that I should be with you.But it's time to face the truth,I will never be with you.
Comedowns suck.
― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 10:33 (eighteen years ago) link
― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 10:37 (eighteen years ago) link
Especially the one he does from that cliff in the video.
― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 10:37 (eighteen years ago) link
xpost
― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 10:39 (eighteen years ago) link
If that's the actual lyric, he's home safe.
― mark grout (mark grout), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 10:39 (eighteen years ago) link
though blunt's status definitely ain't hood.
― The Lex (The Lex), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 10:40 (eighteen years ago) link
― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 10:40 (eighteen years ago) link
― mark grout (mark grout), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 10:41 (eighteen years ago) link
'I saw her on the subway...she was...wthnthrmn..' Wonder what it would sound like sung by someone with less of a nails-down-the-blackboard voice.
― Mippy (Mippy), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 10:56 (eighteen years ago) link
However, my vote goes to Cervantes.
― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 11:06 (eighteen years ago) link
― Mippy (Mippy), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 11:11 (eighteen years ago) link
― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 11:12 (eighteen years ago) link
Which just proves that not all soldiers are untalented. But Blunt is. Tit.
― Guilty Boksen (Bro_Danielson), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 11:24 (eighteen years ago) link
― Ward Fowler (Ward Fowler), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 11:43 (eighteen years ago) link
-- mark grout (mark.grou...) (webmail), August 24th, 2005 11:39 AM. (later) (link)
I just checked the CD in HMV, and it is true. The single has (edit) on it, so I guess that's not the version.
― mark grout (mark grout), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 11:51 (eighteen years ago) link
― Mippy (Mippy), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 15:20 (eighteen years ago) link
― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 15:21 (eighteen years ago) link
― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 15:22 (eighteen years ago) link
Someone who knows about these things told me recently that he doesn't even write his own material, which surprised me. But then, given that Blunt probably wasn't even born in 1973, that kind of makes sense.
"You're Beautiful" is definitely this decade's "What's Up" though, ie the worst song of their respective decade.
― harveyw, Wednesday, 19 September 2007 13:27 (sixteen years ago) link
Are there people who now champion 70s soft-rock who wanna argue that this kinda stuff in its 70s incarnation was good but Blunt is bad? Just curious
― J0hn D., Wednesday, 19 September 2007 13:39 (sixteen years ago) link
Are you arguing that there were no 70s soft-rock acts that were substantially better than James Blunt?
― Alex in Baltimore, Wednesday, 19 September 2007 13:47 (sixteen years ago) link
Did the question mark at the end of my sentence fail in its mission?
― J0hn D., Wednesday, 19 September 2007 13:49 (sixteen years ago) link
I dunno, it just seemed like an odd rhetorical stance to make unless that was your implication. Aren't there obviously tons of people who would make the argument your asking for? Were you trying to get a show of hands?
― Alex in Baltimore, Wednesday, 19 September 2007 13:51 (sixteen years ago) link
James Blunt is not Mondeo Pop. No way.
― acrobat, Wednesday, 19 September 2007 13:51 (sixteen years ago) link
Alex get a cup of coffee or a something, it's a question
― J0hn D., Wednesday, 19 September 2007 13:52 (sixteen years ago) link
if I'd known I was writing for professorial scrutiny instead of asking a question on a fuckin message board though maybe I'd've been extra careful about the "rhetorical stance" I'm taking by wondering something out loud
― J0hn D., Wednesday, 19 September 2007 13:55 (sixteen years ago) link
I think the issue is clearly that I've already had a cup of coffee.
― Alex in Baltimore, Wednesday, 19 September 2007 14:47 (sixteen years ago) link
I remember some interview (Linda Perry?) where she says something about "ah, he'd pretty much finished it" about her contribution.
So, why was her contribution necessary? It's not like it's a wonderful song afterwards either.
Is he still 'not completely writing songs' now?
― Mark G, Wednesday, 19 September 2007 15:59 (sixteen years ago) link
there was another songwriter employed on 'you're beautiful'. suzy knew her.
― That one guy that hit it and quit it, Wednesday, 19 September 2007 16:03 (sixteen years ago) link
this suzy knows a lot of lame people huh
― omar little, Wednesday, 19 September 2007 17:24 (sixteen years ago) link
I utterly detested 'You're Beautiful' but, nevertheless, I do think James Blunt has talent. The only other song of his I know * is 'Wisemen'. Although it has that multi-writer, corporate pop/rock stamp to the arrangement and production, I think it's a great song (especially for some evocative, unexpected chord progressions - from the verse, into and through the chorus). It's spoiled by an acoustic guitar solo that doesn't end on the right note (and which also feeds into the wrong section - ie the chorus - lacking a feeling of chordal twist at that point); also suffers from slightly annoying Natalie Imbruglia/'Torn'-style, 'hip hop-influenced sessionman' drumming. But, still, a lovely song.
* actually, reading the favourable comments above about '1973' I had a listen to that as well, just now, but I didn't like it.
― dubmill, Wednesday, 19 September 2007 18:53 (sixteen years ago) link
I can actually see where you're coming from re: 'Wisemen'; some of the chord progressions are nice, even if the vocal delivery/instrumentation/concept are utterly repellent.
― Just got offed, Wednesday, 19 September 2007 19:02 (sixteen years ago) link
When you say 'the concept' do you mean the lyrics? I haven't actually sat down and tried to work out what they mean. Maybe I'm scared that if I did I'd end up hating the song. There's a reference to someone living 'in a semi by the sea' (which sounds a bit dodgy * but just reminds me of 'The Sea' by Morcheeba, a reference compounded by the bleepy mid-90s keyboard twiddles in the background of the chorus).
* there being nothing wrong in living in a semi by the sea, in my opinion.
― dubmill, Wednesday, 19 September 2007 19:09 (sixteen years ago) link
The concept = the cynical AOR marketing, and all the baggage that comes with it. I know you should judge music purely by its sound, but I can't help but hate what Blunt stands for.
― Just got offed, Wednesday, 19 September 2007 19:13 (sixteen years ago) link
I know think you should judge music purely by its sound
― J0hn D., Wednesday, 19 September 2007 20:08 (sixteen years ago) link
Sorry, I need to be more scrupulous sometimes!
― Just got offed, Wednesday, 19 September 2007 20:35 (sixteen years ago) link
also suffers from slightly annoying Natalie Imbruglia/'Torn'-style, 'hip hop-influenced sessionman' drumming.
hi geir
― That one guy that hit it and quit it, Wednesday, 19 September 2007 20:46 (sixteen years ago) link
Wrong (not geir).
I've nothing against actual hip hop. I just have never liked that corporate session drummer style that is vaguely shuffley and 'hip hop influenced', but somehow too tasteful and technical sounding (especially when the actual drums have that nasty, hard, grainy, ambient-mic-ed 'live' sound very common today and over the last ten years or so).
― dubmill, Wednesday, 19 September 2007 20:59 (sixteen years ago) link
That'd be "The Ketchup Song" and "Macarena".
― Geir Hongro, Wednesday, 19 September 2007 21:19 (sixteen years ago) link
I actually think this hip-hop/electronica kind of effects added to otherwise AOR style music is often great. Has worked well for Dido and Lene Marlin among others. But obviously not for James Blunt.
― Geir Hongro, Wednesday, 19 September 2007 21:21 (sixteen years ago) link
About.com sez:
Just because an artist is not particularly cool doesn't mean their music is unpleasant or even of poor quality. James Blunt's music is of very high quality, but it's those Bee Gees flashbacks his voice inspires that place him on the uncool list. It's possible that songs like the current mega-hit "You're Beautiful" will endure as treasured pop classics, but it's also possible it will eventually elicit the same snickers as Barry Gibb's wailing falsetto on "Tragedy." While he is comfortably selling millions of CDs to his fans, there are millions more that liken Blunt's high pitched voice to fingernails on a chalkboard.
― ilxor, Friday, 6 March 2009 15:13 (fifteen years ago) link
Antony is actually mancute when he has a wig on, but in his chemo Studio 54 get-up he's nothing to write home about.― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Thursday, 30 June 2005 12:29 (3 years ago) Bookmark
― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Thursday, 30 June 2005 12:29 (3 years ago) Bookmark
remember him this way
― they probably drink corporate water (country matters), Friday, 6 March 2009 16:17 (fifteen years ago) link
His second album's really good for a posh bloke!
― Party Sausage, Friday, 6 March 2009 16:20 (fifteen years ago) link
His version of Where is My Mind? by The Pixies is really good too, he makes it into a real epic.
― Party Sausage, Friday, 6 March 2009 16:27 (fifteen years ago) link
http://twitter.com/NICKIMINAJ/status/28536211731648512
<3 <3 <3
― lex diamonds (lex pretend), Friday, 21 January 2011 21:53 (thirteen years ago) link
Singer James Blunt 'prevented World War III'
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11753050
http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/49934000/jpg/_49934426_010636299-1.jpg
Singer James Blunt has told the BBC how he refused an order to attack Russian troops when he was a British soldier in Kosovo. Blunt said he was willing to risk a court martial by rejecting the order from a US General.
But he was backed by British Gen Sir Mike Jackson, who said: "I'm not going to have my soldiers be responsible for starting World War III."
Blunt was ordered to seize an airfield, but the Russians had got there first.
In an interview with BBC Radio 5 live, broadcast on Sunday, he said: "I was given the direct command to overpower the 200 or so Russians who were there.
"I was the lead officer with my troop of men behind us... "The soldiers directly behind me were from the Parachute Regiment, so they're obviously game for the fight.
"The direct command [that] came in from Gen Wesley Clark was to overpower them. Various words were used that seemed unusual to us. Words such as 'destroy' came down the radio."
― Mark G, Monday, 9 September 2013 13:05 (ten years ago) link
That's an old story
― Tommy McTommy (Tom D.), Monday, 9 September 2013 13:06 (ten years ago) link
So it is. Apols.
So, why is it in the "Top 20 news stories of Today" ?
― Mark G, Monday, 9 September 2013 13:12 (ten years ago) link
Yeah, I wondered that myself. Something to do with Syria or, more horrifically, he has a new album coming out?
― Tommy McTommy (Tom D.), Monday, 9 September 2013 13:13 (ten years ago) link
i bet its in Top 20 news stories of Today because people keep visiting it esp after its posted on messageboards and that
― conrad, Monday, 9 September 2013 13:43 (ten years ago) link
He has got a new album coming out, can't Obama do something about that too?
This is weird tho, from Wikipedia:
Blunt has just finished[58] recording his fourth studio album, entitled Moon Landing, as revealed by the singer in an email to fans.[59] It was released in October 2013 and featured production from Back to Bedlam producer Tom Rothrock. The lead single, "Bonfire Heart", was released on 7 October 2013.[60]
― Tommy McTommy (Tom D.), Monday, 9 September 2013 13:53 (ten years ago) link
we don't think about this enough but at this point wikipedia literally knows everything about everything, obv including the future
― sleepingbag, Monday, 9 September 2013 14:16 (ten years ago) link
Oh, it doesn't matter what I'm loking for, it just knows.
e.g. I was looking for "Clinic"
top google search gives me "Clinic (group)" yep, that's the exact Clinic I wanted.
ymmv, obv.
― Mark G, Monday, 9 September 2013 14:23 (ten years ago) link
Strange - it's actually an old story with an old date. I'd assumed it was being trotted out as a new story to coincide with a new album. Still, if true, I can't really begrudge him his music making anymore.
― djh, Monday, 9 September 2013 19:07 (ten years ago) link
https://twitter.com/JamesBlunt/status/753618984659025920
― 龜, Friday, 15 July 2016 13:14 (seven years ago) link
@JamesBluntIf you thought 2016 was bad - I'm releasing an album in 2017.https://twitter.com/JamesBlunt/status/808599054989070336
― skip, Tuesday, 13 December 2016 20:15 (seven years ago) link
He really is terrible.
― morning wood truancy (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 1 February 2018 02:44 (six years ago) link
A public service announcement:
During lockdown, while many other artists are doing mini-concerts from their homes, I thought I’d do you all a favour and not.— James Blunt (@JamesBlunt) March 25, 2020
― Roz, Wednesday, 25 March 2020 11:27 (four years ago) link
When you laugh about people thinking you're shit to show what a good sport you are, but you're still shit
― Two Gentlemen with the Rona (Noodle Vague), Wednesday, 25 March 2020 11:29 (four years ago) link
Just overheard this song at the supermarket after years of not thinking about it, but this year has turned to dogshit so yeah why not?
Anyways... is the false start with “my life is brilliant” an accident? I had never noticed it before but it seems like he starts singing it by accident, stops and then starts again and I don’t understand why they didn’t edit that part out.
― ✖✖✖ (Moka), Tuesday, 14 July 2020 04:57 (three years ago) link
why didn't they edit the entire song out
― I hear that sometimes Satan wants to defund police (Neanderthal), Tuesday, 14 July 2020 04:59 (three years ago) link
Forget it I just checked the wikipedia article and it’s in fact an accident left on the album but not on the radio version guess that’s why I didn’t notice it before.
Apparently Weird Al even references it in his parody.
― ✖✖✖ (Moka), Tuesday, 14 July 2020 05:00 (three years ago) link
Male Adult Contemporary Artist Is Amusingly Self-Aware On Social Media
^ richard marx has been similar on twitter occasionally iirc, there may also be others i'm not remembering atm
― dyl, Tuesday, 14 July 2020 05:30 (three years ago) link
Ah, of course.
James Blunt developed scurvy after adopting an all-meat diet to assert his masculinity https://t.co/n6m9dNwSqc pic.twitter.com/zarV44uH9v— Jezebel (@Jezebel) August 20, 2020
― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 20 August 2020 15:32 (three years ago) link
Not a fan of this guy's music, but I love his sense of self irony.
― The GeirBot (Geir Hongro), Sunday, 13 February 2022 19:04 (two years ago) link