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The word "bedlam" can take on different meanings. Chaos. Madhouse. Pandemonium. Subtle nuances. Surely James Blunt has passed through one of these places, metaphorically (or, who knows, maybe in a more real manner). This album is a testimony of inner life more than of life lived. It's a snapshot of many small moments in themselves apparently insignificant, yet full of more meaning than ever. How life is multifaceted and enigmatic, tragic and at the same time unexpectedly full of hope and happy moments... well, James Blunt shows us that. And what is surprising is that he doesn't do it with 'force'. His music doesn't need to be understood or interpreted. It flows freely and seeps under the skin, even of the most reluctant.
One certainly cannot say that on first listen one can detect remarkable originality regarding the music, but neither can it be said that it falls into a rather suspected banality. The 'acoustic' opening of the album with "High" promises well. This first track of an interesting playlist seems to exude a certain optimism (not surprisingly it was played to death on television!), and indeed, though it speaks of sunsets, nights, and stars, it seems to constitute a triumph of perfect harmony of elements, natural and human (Sometimes it's hard to believe you remember me). And unexpectedly, what happens? The triumph seems to continue (illusively) only to shatter in "You're Beautiful", a sublime song about a love not so conventional. Platonic love, sudden, lived, and ended in the same moment. Let's say, the story of soulmates who will never have each other. It moves on to "Wiseman", a track perhaps a bit unfortunate regarding the structure of the album because it seems to break the climactic atmosphere that seemed to be forming. Fortunately, this balance is restored with "Goodbye My Lover". Nothing to say. Romanticism in all its facets, made into a song. And here comes the introspective turn of the album. "Tears and Rain" encloses that desire to lose oneself and hide, will and desire (the noted figure of Dorian Gray becomes emblematic of all this). But the piece that perhaps best represents Blunt is "Out of My Mind" (in the acknowledgments, there's even the monkey, an imaginary friend he talks about in this song!). It progresses towards the end with "So Long Jimmy" and "Billy", notably catchy tracks with sounds, however, that completely diverge from the rest of the songs (and in particular "Billy" also seems to be the least autobiographical piece, yet not out of place in that fragmentary picture of life the author sets out to create). In conclusion, "Cry" and "No Bravery" prove to be the most 'painful' pieces where James Blunt's voice becomes strained but expressive because it prevails over the music and gains fullness of meaning.
Ultimately, it is an excellent album both from the musical perspective and that of the content. One should not lose sight of a determining element in the analysis of this album, that is, Blunt's voice itself, which plays a fundamental role in listening as well as in communication. Why listen to Back to Bedlam? To understand how complex and astonishing life is when seen with much less superficiality.
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
01 High (04:06)
Beautiful dawn,
Lights up the shore for me.
There is nothing else in the world,
I'd rather wake up and see with you.
Beautiful dawn,
I'm just chasing time again.
Thought I would die a lonely man, in the endless night.
But now I'm high!
Running wild among all the stars above.
Sometimes it's hard to believe you remember me.
Beautiful dawn, (Beautiful dawn)
Melts with the stars again.
Do you remember the day when my journey began?
Will you remember the end of time?
Beautiful dawn, (Beautiful dawn)
You're just blowing my mind again.
Thought I was born to endless nights, until you shine.
High!
Running wild among all the stars above.
Sometimes it's hard to believe you remember me.
Will you be my shoulder when I'm grey and older?
Promise me tomorrow starts with you.
Getting high!
Running wild among all the stars above.
Sometimes it's hard to believe you remember me.
High!
Running wild among all the stars above.
Sometimes it's hard to believe you remember me.
02 You're Beautiful (03:35)
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
Yes, she caught my eye
As I 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 'til 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
04 Goodbye My Lover (04:20)
Did I disappoint you, or let you down?
Should I be feeling guilty, or let the judges frown?
'Cause I saw the end, before we'd begun
Yes, I saw you were blinded and I knew I had won
So I took what's mine by eternal right
Took your soul out into the night
It may be over but it won't stop there
I am here for you, if you'd only care
You touched my heart, you touched my soul
You changed my life and all my goals
And love is blind, but that I knew when
My heart was blinded by you
I've kissed your lips and held your head
Shared your dreams, and shared your bed
I know you well, I know your smell
I've been addicted to you
Goodbye my lover, goodbye my friend
You have been the one
You have been the one for me
Goodbye my lover, goodbye my friend
You have been the one
You have been the one for me
I am a dreamer, and when I wake
You can't break my spirit
It's my dreams you take
And as you move on, remember me
Remember us and all we used to be
I've seen you cry, I've seen you smile
I've watched you sleeping for a while
I'd be the father of your child
I'd spend a lifetime with you
I know your fears and you know mine
We've had our doubts but now we're fine
And I love you, I swear that's true
I cannot live without you
Goodbye my lover, goodbye my friend
You have been the one
You have been the one for me
Goodbye my lover, goodbye my friend
You have been the one
You have been the one for me
And I still hold your hand in mine
In mine when I'm asleep
And I will bear my soul in time
When I'm kneeling at your feet
Goodbye my lover, goodbye my friend
You have been the one
You have been the one for me
Goodbye my lover, goodbye my friend
You have been the one
You have been the one for me
I'm so hollow, baby, I'm so hollow
I'm so, I'm so, I'm so hollow
I'm so hollow, baby, I'm so hollow
I'm so, I'm so, I'm so hollow
07 So Long, Jimmy (04:27)
I just can't believe that it's over.
We were chilling out on the sofa,
Digging how the guitar goes,
In a song that no one knows.
Did you lick that line yourself,
Or did the voodoo magic help?
Does everyone have a different take?
Do you seem real but I seem fake?
Does everyone get hypnotized by your fire?
So long, Jimmy, so long.
Though you only stayed a moment,
We all know that you're the one. Singing,
So long, Jimmy, so long.
Sure we're glad for the experience,
We miss you now you've gone.
We're just swimming in your soul 'cause,
We all wish we wrote this song.
Life goes on.
I'm just so relieved that it's over.
We were hanging out going nowhere,
Digging how the guitar goes,
In a song that no one knows.
Did you burn that bridge yourself,
Or did the voodoo magic help?
Does everyone have a different take?
Are you just cool and I'm just baked?
Does everyone get mesmerized by your fire?
So long, Jimmy, so long.
Though you only stayed a moment,
We all know that you're the one. Singing,
So long, Jimmy, so long.
Sure we're glad for the experience,
We miss you now you've gone.
We're just swimming in your soul 'cause,
We all wish we wrote this song.
Life goes on.
08 Billy (03:39)
Billy's leaving today (don't know where he's going).
Holds his head in disgrace (he can't escape the truth).
He knows the price that he's paid.
He admits that it's too late to admit that he's afraid.
Tomorrow comes. Sorrow becomes his soul mate.
The damage is done. The prodigal son is too late.
All doors closed but he's always open,
To hear the time in his mind.
Oh Billy.
Billy's leaving today (don't know where he's going).
He's got lines on his face (they tell the story of his pain).
He accepts it's his fate.
He admits it took too long to admit that he was wrong.
Tomorrow comes. Sorrow becomes his soul mate.
The damage is done. The prodigal son is too late.
All doors closed but hes always open,
To hear the time in his mind,
Oh Billy.
Once he was a lover sleeping with another.
Now he's just known as a cheat.
And he wish he'd had a mirror; looked a little clearer.
Seen into the eyes of the weak.
Once he was a lover sleeping with another.
Now he's just known as a cheat.
And he wish he'd had a mirror; looked a little clearer.
Seen into the eyes of the weak.
Tomorrow comes. Sorrow becomes his soul mate.
The damage is done. The prodigal son is too late (too late).
All doors closed but hes always open,
To relive time in his mind.
Oh Billy.
10 No Bravery (04:05)
There are children standing here,
Arms outstretched into the sky,
Tears drying on their face.
He has been here.
Brothers lie in shallow graves.
Fathers lost without a trace.
A nation blind to their disgrace,
Since he's been here.
And I see no bravery, no bravery.
In your eyes anymore, only sadness.
And I see no bravery, no bravery.
In your eyes anymore, only sadness.
Only sadness.
Houses burned beyond repair.
The smell of death is in the air.
A woman weeping in despair says,
He has been here.
Tracer lighting up the sky.
It's another family's turn to die.
A child afraid to even cry out says,
He has been here.
And I see no bravery, no bravery.
In your eyes anymore, only sadness.
And I see no bravery, no bravery.
In your eyes anymore, only sadness.
There are children standing here,
Arms outstretched into the sky,
But no one asks the question why,
He has been here.
Old men kneel to accept their fate.
Wives and daughters cut and raped.
A generation drenched in hate says,
He has been here.
And I see no bravery, no bravery.
In your eyes anymore, only sadness.
And I see no bravery, no bravery.
In your eyes anymore.
And I see no bravery, no bravery.
In your eyes anymore, only sadness.
And I see no bravery, no bravery.
In your eyes anymore, only sadness.
Only sadness.
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Other reviews
By Totisque
The terror is read in their eyes—Blunt sings—and no courage can be perceived, no.
It’s the splendid voice of James Blunt, sometimes hoarse, sometimes in falsetto, sometimes full of anguish in the bitter farewells he sings about.
By Torre Ste
"Goodbye my lover is a song that from the first to the last note is capable of giving you true and sincere emotions."
"Certainly a good debut for the English singer who gives a lot of hope to fans of the genre, despite some tracks that significantly spoil the LP."
