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James Arthur

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James Arthur
James Arthur at a book signing session in Middlesbrough
Background information
Birth nameJames Andrew Arthur
BornTemplate:Birth date, month, year and age
Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, England
GenresPop rock[1]
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, musician
Instrument(s)Vocals, acoustic guitar, piano
Years active2005–present
LabelsSyco

James Andrew Arthur (born 2nd March 1988)[2] is an English singer and musician who won the ninth series of The X Factor in 2012. His debut single, "Impossible", was released after the final and debuted at #1 on the UK Singles Chart on 16 December 2012 in its first week of release.

Since 2005, and prior to his participation in The X Factor, he was a vocalist and guitarist in a number of bands, and later as a solo artist, as well as forming The James Arthur Band and James Arthur Project.

Early life

Arthur was born in Middlesbrough, England[3] to English mother Shirley Ashworth and Scottish father Neil Arthur.[4] James' father was a delivery driver, but also used to be a DJ and a drummer for many years.[5] Arthur's parents split up when he was just two years old and each settled with a new partner. Neil and Shirley were not on speaking terms with one another for more than twenty years. But they agreed to attend his audition together in a family reunion.[6]

Arthur first went to Ings Farm Primary School in Redcar, North Yorkshire. When he was nine, he moved with his mother Shirley and his stepfather Ronald Rafferty to Bahrain where he studied at the local British School of Bahrain for four years. When they split, Arthur, then 14, had to move back with his mother and his two half-sisters Jasmine and Neve to the UK to live in a modest house in Saltburn-by-the-Sea.[7][8][9] Upon his return, he continued his studies at Redcar's Rye Hills School.[10]

Arthur has five siblings, an older brother called Neil Arthur, an older sister called Sian Arthur, and three younger sisters, Charlotte Arthur and Jasmin and Neve Rafferty.[10]

Career

Early years

Arthur has been writing and recording songs since he was 15 as an unsigned artist both solo and in many bands[11][12] including:

  • Moonlight Drive[13] - a Cleveland-based progressive, experimental, rock five-piece band with Arthur in lead vocals. The band was active between 2005 and 2008. It had recordings such as "Said You'd Be There", "Hole in My Heart" and "Tear Me Apart".
  • Cue the Drama[14] - an alternative rock band based in Marske-by-the-Sea and active between 2005 and 2008. Recordings included "On the Radio 98KUPD", "It's Killing Me", "I Reach You" and "It Hurts".
  • Save Arcade[15] - a Middlesbrough alternative rock band made up of Arthur (vocals, guitar), Josh Brown (keyboards, vocals), Matthew Green (guitar), Alex Beer (bass, vocals), Travis Shaw (guitar, percussions, vocals) and Karl Dowson (drums). In 2009, the band released a three-track EP called Truth, carrying the title track "The Truth", as well as "Echoes" and "I Un-Proudly Present". In June 2010, the band released a five-track EP, Tonight We Dine in Hades, which in addition to the title track "Tonight We Dine in Hades" included "Superhero", "You Always Want a Fight", "Juliet Is Not Dead" and "She Aims to Please". Both releases were on the independent 57 Records UK.
  • Emerald Skye[16] - a four-piece indie pop/rock band formed in March 2011 based in Redcar / Saltburn-by-the-Sea and made up of Arthur (guitar, vocals), Dean Harrison (piano, violin), Paul Gill (bass) and Save Arcade bandmate Green (drums).

Arthur also uploaded many of his own songs to Soundcloud and YouTube including an album entitled Sins by the Sea.[11][17][18] In 2011, he auditioned for The Voice UK and made it into the final 200 contestants but no further.[19]

In early 2012, he recorded songs and released two EPs as The James Arthur Band.[20][21][22] The band consisted of Arthur (vocals and guitar), Jez Taylor (guitar), Chris Smalls (keyboards), Jordan Swain (drums) and Rich Doney (bass). In 2012, the band released The EP Collection CD with nine tracks with R&B, soul and hip hop influences, a compilation of tracks on both EPs. Arthur also released an EP named Hold On under the name The James Arthur Project in August 2012 in collaboration with John McGough.[23][24][25] The tracks were written and arranged by McGough, and mixed by Matt Wanstall with all vocals by Arthur.

2012: The X Factor

Main article: The X Factor (UK series 9)

Arthur auditioned for The X Factor with an acoustic rendition of judge Tulisa Contostavlos's "Young", before explaining his past, including spells in care and time spent on the streets after break-ups within his family. He also revealed his father and mother had not spoken to each other for over 20 years, and this was a reunion of sorts for them to attend his audition. After his judges' houses performance of "I Can't Make You Love Me", he was picked by his mentor Nicole Scherzinger as one of the 12 contestants for the live shows, and one of just three in the "Boys" category. After the second live show, Arthur suffered from an anxiety attack backstage. Whilst being treated at the studio, paramedics determined he did not need to go to hospital, and he was ordered back to his hotel to rest. He later returned for the results show the following.[26] Arthur was in the bottom two in week 7 after performing "Can't Take My Eyes Off You". He sang "Fallin'" for survival against Ella Henderson, with the judges going to deadlock after their vote was evenly split 2-2 (mentor Scherzinger and Gary Barlow voting to keep him, while Contostavlos and Louis Walsh voted in favour of Henderson). Arthur was then saved by the public vote. On 8 December, he made it through to the second night of the live finals.

Arthur won The X Factor on 9 December 2012, with 53.7% of the vote, against Jahméne Douglas who received 38.9% of the vote.[27][28][29]

Performances on The X Factor

Episode Theme Song Original artist Performance Order Result
First Audition Free choice "Young" Tulisa Contostavlos — Through to bootcamp
Bootcamp - Stage 1 Group performance "How to Save a Life"
with Curtis Golden and James Vickery 		The Fray Through to Stage 2
Bootcamp - Stage 2 Solo performance "A Million Love Songs" Take That Through to Judges' Houses
Judges' houses Free choice "I Can't Make You Love Me" Bonnie Raitt Through to live shows
"Sexy and I Know It" LMFAO
Live show 1 Heroes Night "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)" Kelly Clarkson 2nd Safe (6th)
Live show 2 Love and heartbreak "No More Drama" Mary J. Blige 5th Safe (6th)
Live show 3 Club classics "Sexy and I Know It" LMFAO 5th Safe (6th)
Live show 4 Halloween "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" Eurythmics 9th Safe (3rd)
Live show 5 Number-ones "Don't Speak" No Doubt 4th Safe (6th)
Live show 6 Best of British "Hometown Glory" Adele 7th Safe (3rd)
Live show 7 Guilty pleasures "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" Frankie Valli 3rd Bottom two (5th)
Final showdown "Fallin'" Alicia Keys 2nd
Live show 8 Songs by ABBA "SOS" ABBA 4th Safe (1st)
Motown songs "Let's Get It On" Marvin Gaye 8th
Semi-final Songs for someone special "One" U2 4th Safe (1st)
The song to get you to the final "The Power of Love" Frankie Goes to Hollywood 8th
Final Free choice "Feeling Good" Cy Grant 3rd Safe (1st)
Mentor duets "Make You Feel My Love"
with Nicole Scherzinger 		Bob Dylan 6th
Songs of the Series "Let's Get It On" Marvin Gaye 2nd Winner
Winner's single "Impossible" Shontelle 4th

After The X Factor

Following his victory, Arthur's winner's song, a cover of Shontelle's 2010 song"Impossible", was released as a charity single for Together for Short Lives.[30] It became the fastest-selling The X Factor winner's single so far, reaching 255,000 downloads within 48 hours and over 490,000 by the end of the week.[31] The single topped the UK Singles Chart in its first week of release.[32][33][34] After 11 days, it was the seventh biggest-selling debut single from any contestant from The X Factor, with sales of 622,000.[35] In its second week the single dropped to number two,[36] but reclaimed the number one spot in its third week, and stayed at No. 1 for a further week.[37]. It was the fifth best-selling single of 2012 after 3 weeks with 897,000 copies sold.[38] After four weeks it had told 971,000 copies.[39]

Personal life

Arthur supports Middlesbrough F.C.[40][41] and Rangers F.C.[42][43]

After winning The X Factor, he was invited to return to Bahrain to formally open the British School of Bahrain's music and drama rehearsal studios and the school's 400-seat auditorium, both part of the expansion of the facilities in the school in which he studied for four years.[8]

Discography

Albums and EPs

  • 2011: Sins by the Sea
  • 2012: James Arthur Band: The EP Collection (as James Arthur Band)
  • 2012: Hold On (as James Arthur Project)
  • 2012: The James Arthur Collection[44]

Singles

Year Title Peak chart positions
UK
[45] 		IRE
[46] 		SCO
[47] 		SWI
[48]
2012 "Impossible" 1 1 1 70

References

  1. ^ "iTunes - Music - Impossible by James Arthur". Apple Inc. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
  2. ^ "James Arthur - Facebook". Retrieved 9 December 2012.
  3. ^ "Heat World - James Arthur Biography". Heat. Bauer Consumer Media.
  4. ^ Daily Record: James Arthur's tartan treat for Scots female fans
  5. ^ Daily Record: Scots father of X Factor star James Arthur admits he has no idea where singer gets his charm from
  6. ^ "You can't call me a womaniser for taking three girls back to my hotel - The Sun". Retrieved 9 December 2012.
  7. ^ "X Factor 2012 How James Arthur slept park bench stole food survive". Daily Mail. Associated Newspapers. Retrieved 9 December 2012.
  8. ^ a b "Emotional victory for former Bahrain student". Gulf Weekly. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  9. ^ "Saltburn X Factor singer James Arthur makes full recovery after scare". Northern Echo. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  10. ^ a b "Family of James Arthur so proud of X-Factor hopeful". GazetteLive.co.uk. Retrieved 9 December 2012.
  11. ^ a b "James Arthur Music - Tumblr". Retrieved 9 December 2012.
  12. ^ "James Arthur Music - Myspace". Retrieved 13 December 2012.
  13. ^ "Moonlight Drive Music - Myspace". Retrieved 13 December 2012.
  14. ^ "Cue The Drama - Myspace". Retrieved 13 December 2012.
  15. ^ "Save Arcade - Myspace". Retrieved 13 December 2012.
  16. ^ "The Emerald Skye - Facebook". Retrieved 13 December 2012.
  17. ^ "JamesArthurMusic's channel - Youtube". Retrieved 9 December 2012.
  18. ^ "James Arthur Music - Soundcloud". Retrieved 9 December 2012.
  19. ^ "James Arthur - Facebook". Retrieved 9 December 2012.
  20. ^ "The James Arthur Band - Facebook". Retrieved 9 December 2012.
  21. ^ "The James Arthur Band - Official Website". Retrieved 9 December 2012.
  22. ^ "The James Arthur Band - Bandcamp". Retrieved 9 December 2012.
  23. ^ "Hold On: The James Arthur Project: Amazon.co.uk: MP3 Downloads". Retrieved 9 December 2012.
  24. ^ "The James Arthur Project - Facebook". Retrieved 9 December 2012.
  25. ^ "John Mc Gough - Youtube". Retrieved 9 December 2012.
  26. ^ The X Factor 2012: James Arthur | Radio Times
  27. ^ "The X Factor voting numbers revealed HERE!". The X Factor. itv.com. 9 December 2012. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  28. ^ "He's achieved the Impossible! James Arthur is crowned winner of the X Factor 2012". Daily Mail. 10 December 2012. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  29. ^ "James Arthur wins X Factor...but Christopher Maloney vanishes from line-up". Daily Telegraph. 10 December 2012. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  30. ^ "James Arthur hits the No 1 slot again". Together for Short Lives. 31 December 2012. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  31. ^ "James Arthur's 'Impossible' becomes fastest-selling X Factor single - The Independent". Retrieved 11 December 2012.
  32. ^ "X Factor winner James Arthur tops the charts". Daily Telegraph UK. 17 October 2012. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
  33. ^ "X Factor winner James Arthur reaches Number One". Irish Independent. 17 October 2012. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
  34. ^ "James Arthur scores fastest-selling single of the year". Guardian UK. 17 October 2012. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
  35. ^ Lane, Dan (20 December 2012). "Hillsborough tribute extends lead over James Arthur in Christmas race". The Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
  36. ^ Hillsborough Justice Collective beat James Arthur to Christmas No. 1 - Music News - Digital Spy
  37. ^ Lane, Dan (30 December 2012). "James Arthur is back at Number 1 with Impossible". The Official Charts Company. Retrieved 31 December 2012.
  38. ^ Dan Lane (January 2, 2013). "The Official Top 40 Biggest Selling Singles Of 2012 revealed!". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 5, 2013.
  39. ^ Lane, Dan (6 January 2013). "James Arthur's Impossible unmoved from top of Official Singles Chart". The Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  40. ^ "Middlesbrough FC manager Tony Mowbray has given his backing to X Factor finalist". Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  41. ^ "Boro's Surprise For James". Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  42. ^ "Rangers-mad James Arthur to perform for players and fellow fans at Ibrox". Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  43. ^ "Ally Salutes X Factor's James". Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  44. ^ "iTunes - Music - The James Arthur Collection by James Arthur". Apple Inc. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
  45. ^ Peak positions for singles in the UK:
  46. ^ "James Arthur - Irish Charts". irish-charts.com Hung Medien.
  47. ^ Peak positions for singles in Scotland:
  48. ^ "Discographie James Arthur". hitparade.ch/ .Hung Medien.
Preceded by Winner of The X Factor
2012 		Succeeded by
N/A

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