James Blunt 2010 – Brit Awards
Best Laid Plans is the first song to feature from James Blunt in the music library. James Blunt like fellow English pop artist Robbie Williams was born in the month of February 1974 – the 22nd to be exact and 9 days after Robbie and 37 days after yours truly. What’s this got to go do with the price of eggs I hear you ask. Well, because I’m their senior they would have to look up to me if we ever met and that’s that.
I always had a penchant for James because he’s an ex military officer like me, and he has made a very successful career post -military like me; he as a singer/songwriter and me as a blogger whose website sometimes scrape 50 views on any given day.
According to wikipedia: Blunt was a reconnaissance officer in the Life Guards, a cavalry regiment of the British Army, and served under NATO in the Kosovo War in 1999…… During Blunt’s Kosovo assignment he had brought along his guitar, strapped to the outside of his tank, and would sometimes perform for locals and troops….
While still in the army Blunt would write songs during his time off. A backing vocalist and songwriting collaborator suggested he contact Elton John’s manager, Todd Interland, with whom she used to share a house. Interland told HitQuarters that he listened to Blunt’s demo while driving home and, after hearing the track “Goodbye My Lover”, pulled over and called the mobile number written on the CD to set up a meeting.
Shortly after leaving the army he was signed to EMI music publishers. A record contract remained elusive, with recording label executives pointing to his posh speaking voice as a barrier in class-divided Britain…. Linda Perry, who was just launching her own Custard Records label in early 2003, heard Blunt’s promotional tape when visiting London, and soon after heard him perform live at the South by Southwest Music Festival. She made an offer to him the same night, and within a few days he signed a recording contract with her. A month later, he travelled to Los Angeles to meet producer Tom Rothrock.
Today’s song Best Laid Plans is from James third album Some Kind of Trouble which despite mixed critical reviews sold more than 1 million copies. Unlike some other songs from Blunt, I haven’t grown tired of Best Laid Plans. He describes a relationship which despite one’s best efforts, the other doesn’t reciprocate or show genuine interest. I had that happen to me recently and when I finally understood that it’s me they couldn’t warm to, I felt disheartened. I was very emotionally invested, but no matter how hard I tried I just couldn’t get her to feel anything anything for me. So this song seems to depict something which I can relate to.
You don’t like it in the shadows
You won’t let me shine the light
I would wash away your troubles
But it seemsThe more that I hold on
The more that you let go
And I know, you better let somebody love you
Or find yourself, on your ownTell me why all the best laid plans
Fall apart in your hands
And my good intentions never end,
The way I meant
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
Observation Blogger 
Pretty extraordinary that all three born in Feb 1974 his stardom with a thud.I actually didn’t know of James Blunt – I like the beginning of this song best. I thought it got a bit messy as it went on, but I really like the clarity of the beginning stanzas.
I can’t disagree. It gets a little messy at least as far as the lyrics are concerned. Cheers.
Yes, I like this vibe. It’s very specific but it’s not obnoxious. You could weave Coldplay into this vibe. You could weave Oasis into it as well, but not seamlessly. Moby too. Of the two–James Blunt and Robbie Williams–I prefer Robbie Williams.
As Bruce alluded to in his message about the song becoming messy; my only fault would be is that it seems unclear what’s up with whose he’s speaking about. She sounds depressed, but he’s offloading on her, so from that perspective it could be perceived as obnoxious. I just like the melody and first stanza lyrics. I can see how you can get that vibe about this music. I don’t have an opinion about who I prefer. I just like various songs from each artists. Robbie has more star power and versatility as a performer – that’s for sure.
Wow, never heard him before! I like it. I was listening to that Aboriginal artist you turned me onto over the weekend (can’t think of his name right now).
You haven’t heard of James Blunt! Wow. That Atlantic ocean is a big gulf indeed haha. That’s awesome you have been listening to Geoffrey Gurrumul. His debut album ‘Gurrumul’ is one of my favourites.