James Blunt - "1973"

[tozion]

Goes for Triple A adds on July 24.

[TotallyEnormousExtinctDinosaur]

Video shoot photo:

[backintime]

I can't see bellboys liking that

[gregtheone]

I just heard this on the radio. I really love it. At least, it didn't make me want to kill myself.

It's catchy in a slow way.

I didn't understand the lyrics. I just remember he often says "Here we go again". And something about a club.

I thought he sounded italian. In an Eros Ramazzoti kind of way.

[Franck]

I wasn't looking forward to it but this song is actually pretty nice, it's easily my favorite single from him along with "Wisemen".

gregtheone said:

it didn't make me want to kill myself.

Exactly, it's less dramatic and annoying than most of his previous singles.

[That Skipping Rope.]

I don't like it.

[bellboys]

jerseyboy said:

Video shoot photo:

Ewww. Too right, backintime ;D. Haven't heard the single yet but apparently Jo Whiley likes it. Take from that what you will.

*cough*

www.megaupload.com/?d=BLXSUMMZ

[backintime]

She liked "I Wanna Have Your Babies"

But, I love it (1973, not Bedingfield).

*cough* Thanks for the link *cough*

[TotallyEnormousExtinctDinosaur]

I like this a lot! This is slower than I was expecting. It could be on his previous album if it lost the swing it has. It's catchy though and I really like the instrumental. His voice also seems less squeaky.

On the negative, it also sounds like dated adult contemporary music at times.

I can't tell if this will be a hit in the US or not. I can see it going either way. I think we'll probably see a slow start even if it does become a hit. It may need strong downloads to convince radio, so I guess maybe the flashy video could be what floats this.

[bellboys]

Bloody 'ell, I actually really like this! He really can write a catchy melody, can't he? Absolutely no idea how well it will do in the UK, probably a lot better than most people would think. People do tend to get carried away when they read his negative press and think he has no fans left. I reckon he has loads left, most of whom are the silent type and are content to just buy his records and not stand up for him in print! Wil be genuinely interesting to see how this does.


Sounds like he's spending a fair bit of dosh to try and get the music critics back on board:

www.thisislondon.co.uk/music/article-23405163-details/Off%20the%20record/article.do

MORE BANG FOR BLUNT'S BUCKS

Back in the heady, high old days of rock journalism, my working week might have taken me to a beach in Barbados to hang out with the Allman Brothers Band. Instead, I'm more likely to take a trip to Willesden to be strip-searched in advance of hearing the latest Britney album.

Kudos, then, to James Blunt for pretending it's still 1975. He may sound tearful on record, but having sold a staggering 11 million copies of his debut album, Back to Bedlam, he's moved to Ibiza and is dipping heavily into his newfound fortune to launch the follow-up.

Instead of sitting at home worrying about his imminent visit to the High Court to defend himself against a claim over songwriting credits, last week he flew a handful of writers and record company types on a private jet out to his new pad, where we watched him play a short sunset concert on a hillside looking down to the sea. The assembled few were practically submerged in cocktails, and there was enough barbecued food on offer to keep everyone who bought Blunt's album worldwide from getting peckish for a week.

I am telling you this not out of boastfulness, but to emphasise that this kind of thing so rarely happens in today's music industry. The singing squaddie's second album, All the Lost Souls, is clearly intended to emulate its predecessor by becoming the biggest of the year after its release on 17 September (on Atlantic), and an extravagant launch is clearly designed to help early perceptions. But as one fellow traveller remarked: "This level of fuss makes you think the record must be a stinker, doesn't it?"

While admitting that a better situation could not have been contrived for cynics to find themselves enjoying the music of James Blunt, I'd have to say that the new songs didn't stink. That thin voice is still easy to dislike, and he lacks stage presence even on his own turf, but tracks such as Same Mistake and I Really Want You maintained a high standard of instantly memorable acoustic rock that will inevitably charm millions once again.

Most surprisingly, he's discovered dance music. His comeback single, 1973, due out in September, is still guitar-based but its lyrics concern the legendary Ibiza nightclub Pacha, while the standout track on the album, I'll Take Everything, features big house pianos and shuffling beats.

Indeed, living in the sunshine, counting his millions and accepting that even selling half as many copies of his extraordinarily successful debut will be a decent result, Blunt's biggest worry seems to be whether to carry on his party at Pacha or rival club Privilege.

"You know that bit in You're Beautiful, where you sing, 'My life is brilliant'," I gibber at him, "it really is, isn't it?"

"That's true," he replies, and heads towards a car full of friends and another very late night.

[CLEM]

I like this. Definitely one of his better singles. I hate the "if I were sober" line though.

[tozion]

This is his only single I like. That said, it reminds me of like late 70's/early 80's Eagles or Fleetwood Mac or something. Kind of unexpected.

[Robert J]

I like it, but I'd venture that you guys are raving a little too much. I think it's better than some of the weaker tracks off the last album, but it wouldn't be a standout there.

[TotallyEnormousExtinctDinosaur]

This is a grower. I think it's VERY good now, actually.

Who is this Simona character?

[TotallyEnormousExtinctDinosaur]

New York, Los Angeles, Boston, and San Francisco are among the markets with radio stations that have already added this.

[backintime]

I thought it was "Say, Mona"

[bellboys]

Simona for me but who knows (apart from Blunty)? This really should have been released earlier, i.e. now! It's just such a summery tune to me. Having said that, maybe it WILL be Summer in the UK when it's finally released, groan.

[TotallyEnormousExtinctDinosaur]

I hear this on the radio once a day already. I'm really starting to love it.

[RedDragon]

Added at WPLJ. I think this is a smart choice, maybe it won't be huge smash like "You're Beautiful" but it'll be his second hit. He won't be the next "One Hit Wonder".

[TotallyEnormousExtinctDinosaur]

I'm curious to see how this does with downloads. I wonder when they'll release it. I think they should wait about a month. That's early enough to generate interest but late enough to create some pent up demand.

[HC]

tozion said:

That said, it reminds me of like late 70's/early 80's Eagles or Fleetwood Mac or something. Kind of unexpected.

Yes, it is very Fleetwood Mac. I was thinking Air Supply at first, but I knew that wasn't the right description.

This is probably now my 2nd favorite song by him. I really liked, and still like "High" for some reason, even though I've never been able to explain why I like that song so much. Hope this does well!

[TotallyEnormousExtinctDinosaur]

It took a few days but I now officially have my mp3 of this on repeat.

[CLEM]

jerseyboy said:

I'm really starting to love it.

[tozion]

Instant impact Top 50 debut at Hot AC and instant impact Top 40 debut at Triple A.

[bellboys]

Sorry, help out a confused Brit here....is that very good? TIA!