James Blunt Says He Wants to ‘Punch’ Himself ‘in the Face’ When He Looks Back on Past Self

James Blunt reflects on when he leapt to success.

The singer-songwriter, 49, opened up in an interview for Time about the negative reaction he received from fellow musicians when he broke out with the release of his debut album in 2004. Back to Bedlam. He explains – in a profile published on Friday – that, in retrospect, he agrees with some of the reactions he got from rockers like Noel Gallagher (who moved out of Ibiza when he heard Blunt was buying a property on the island) and Mick Jagger (who wouldn’t have hands at the BRIT Awards 2006).

“To be honest, when I look back, I want to punch myself in the face,” Blunt told the publication of his “posh” background and the amount of attention he received when his single “You’re Beautiful” became a No. 1 hit worldwide.

James Blunt.

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“I came out of boarding school and the army and I was very naive and I got a bit fired up,” said the British artist, talking about serving in the army and as a member of the Queen’s Guards before launching his music career. “Did I deserve it? Yes, probably. Did it keep my feet on the ground? Definitely.”

He continued: “And like in boarding school, I came to enjoy it. Did they beat me at school? Yes I was. Did I enjoy it? Yeah, probably, and I’m getting a little more of it now.”

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The “Goodbye My Lover” singer also explained that he has accepted his place in music. He added: “I’m a classy cunt who makes comedic soft-rock music. At first I couldn’t see it, but now I do. That’s why I thank everyone who corrected me.”

“I shouldn’t let my ego get in the way. I love my music, but my good review is selling out two nights at the Royal Albert Hall, as I did for the upcoming tour. That’s my good review,” he said. “And the truth is, I’m having an absolutely incredible time. I see some men my age losing their will to live, but I’ve only just started.”

Blunt will release her seventh studio album Who we were (across the Atlantic) on Friday and take it on tour across Europe and the UK from February to April.

James Blunt in London in November 2021.

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Before the album’s release, the singer-songwriter will also publish his memoirs Loosely based on a fictional story on Constable, imprint of Little Brown, on Thursday.

The book is said to be a comical look at the Grammy-nominated artist’s whirlwind career and the lavish, fun lifestyle that followed, as well as his experience of feeling unwelcome in the music industry for a while.

The “You’re Beautiful” singer will also be the subject of an upcoming documentary A British wonder, which is due out later this year. Filmed on the road during his 2022 Greatest Hit Tour, the film examines his sense of humor and journey from widely criticized to acceptance for his self-awareness.

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Source: HIS Education