James Blunt: Overrated? (Paraphrasing exercise)

Discussion Open Forum
1

The first time I heard James Blunt I thought it was a raw sound but pretty average to be honest. :unamused:
Then I heard the ‘flagship’ song off the “Back to Bedlam” album, “You’re Beautiful”

I hear people rave about this, and how romantic it is :noway:
If you check the lyrics below there isn’t too much romance in them:

Can I paraphrase? OK I will. :smiling_imp: (Anyone else want to try?)

My life is Brilliant (oh shit, I sung that line a couple of bars early)
I am the best
I am a virgin
I saw a hottie, I’m pretty sure (It might have been my brother - I was high at the time)
She saw that my fly was undone and tried to motion to me with a smile
She was taken, but it’s ok cos I have got a plan (this will be good to hear what it is, James)

[b]You’re hot, I’m horny
You’re hot, I’m horny
You’re hot, I’m horny, it’s true.
I’m so high that I think you really want my bones,
And I don’t know what to do.

Yeah, did I tell you already what happened?
I saw this hottie with another guy,
And she could see I was…
Stoned.
I’m bouncing around the commuters making as ass of myself.
But, I am convinced when I crashed into that girl [/b](and she laughed it off before turning away to roll her eyes at the rest of the train) that she wants me to have father her children. Maybe right this minute.

You’re hot, I’m horny
You’re hot, I’m horny
You’re hot, I’m horny, it’s true.
I’m so high that I think you really want my bones,
And I don’t know what to do.
But it’s time to face the truth…oh here comes another one.
Did I mention I had a plan?
(Very Romantic)

Original:
[i]“You’re Beautiful”

My life is brilliant.

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.

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.

Yeah, she caught my eye,
As we walked on by.
She could see from my face that I was,
Flying high, [ - video/radio edited version]
Fucking high, [ - CD version]
And I don’t think that I’ll see her again,
But we shared a moment that will last till the end.

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[/i]

2

James Blunt is overrated and only even remotely famous thanks to the “Iraq vet” marketing angle. Very mediocre.

3

His lyrics are awful. But he probably didn’t write them himself anyway.

James Blunt sounds like Rod Stewart.

I don’t like Rod Stewart.

4

David Wong caught the essence of my feelings towards James Blunt in his list of Top 10 Most Overated Bands

[quote=“David Wong”]"So this guy has one song out, and the critics are already salivating at the thought of giving him an all-day rimjob. Who the fuck told this talentless hack he had any business being in the music industry at all? Whose cousin’s dick did he suck to get a record deal?..

“His voice is annoying. His look is contrived. His lyrics are tripe and meaningless. The video makes anyone who sees it immediately punch the person next to them in sheer frustration for what the music industry has become.”[/quote]

5

Uhhh, I just want to drop a huge thumbs up to this post. I had a bit of different experience when I heard the song the first time. Without really hearing the lyrics, I thought…hmmm, that’s alright. Not bad, but on repeat listenings with a friend screaming in my ear about how great it is…I truly became mystified. How in the flying F*** is that romantic! Nice plot summary Truant. Possibly the most useless, freak holdin his wanger as he stares down a chick, kind of song, i have ever heard. :loco:

6

He could start stalking her.

I think what he does is fine. It’s pop music. What do you care?

7

[quote=“Fox”]I think what he does is fine. It’s pop music.[/quote]My main problem with him - aside from his music being shit - isn’t really with him, but with the critics fawning over him despite his mindboggling mediocrity.

8

I had the same sort of reaction to this song. I came up with my own version just walking down the street after hearing it on the radio. It’s not a paraphrase, but a parody. I never wrote it down, but here’s what I can remember of it.

Submitted for your approval:

[code]My life’s inconvenient.

My life’s inconvenient.
My hard-on is pure.
I saw a hot girl.
Of that I’m sure.
She smiled at me on the subway.
She was with another man.
But I don’t really care about others,
So I’ll still screw her if I can.

I’m superficial. I’m superficial.
I’m superficial, it’s true.
I saw your face in a crowded place,
but I’ll never get with you,
'Cause you can see right through.

Yeah, she caught my eye,
leering as she walked by.
She could see from my face that I was,
that type of guy
And she knows to get her in bed I’ll make pretend,
but I still fantasize that I’ll do her in the end.

I’m superficial. I’m superficial.
I’m superficial, it’s true.
I saw your face in a crowded place,
but I’ll never get with you,
'Cause you can see right through.

I’m superficial. I’m superficial.
I’m superficial, it’s true.
I saw your face in a crowded place,
but I’ll never get with you,
'Cause you can see right through.[/code]

9

:bravo: :notworthy:

Feckin’ genius.

10

Brilliant mate.