A-Lyric.com

I know that it’s sometimes all too easy to dissect a popular tune, but I can’t resist it in this case. James Blunt’s runaway hit “You’re Beautifulâ€? struck a deep chord with many people in Europe and now the USA. It’s one of those “immediateâ€? songs, and fair play to the writers for coming up with something so simple.

But as several people have pointed out, the song is a bit confusing when you listen to it more closely. The setting is the metro/subway/underground. A girl catches Blunt’s eye, leading to these lines in the chorus:

“I saw your face in a crowded place,
And I don’t know what to do,
Cause I’ll never be with you�

Sad. Sweet. The trouble is, he gives us a different message in the first verse. Click through for a closer look at the lyrics, with my comments.

You’re Beautiful James Blunt

My life is brilliant. Starting off a song saying this is a bit strange. Does he mean “shiny” or “fantastic”?

My love is pure.

I saw an angel.

Of that I’m sure. A simple rhyme, but nice

She smiled at me on the subway.

She was with another man.

But I wont lose no sleep on that,

Cause I’ve got a plan. Great, we’re going to see some action

You’re beautiful.

You’re beautiful.

You’re beautiful, its true.

I saw your face in a crowded place,

And I don’t know what to do,

Cause I’ll never be with you.

Yeah, she caught my eye,

As we walked on by.

She could see from my face that I was,

Fucking high,
Lots of sites list this, although it’s most likely “flying highâ€?. Even then, what does he mean?

And I don’t think that I’ll see her again,

But we shared a moment that will last till the end.
Hang on, what happened to the plan in the first verse? So there’s no pay-off for the “plan” he mentioned. Basically, the song goes nowhere as there is no development. Shame.

2nd chorus

There must be an angel with a smile on her face,

When she thought up that I should be with you.
2 very weak lines. What is he talking about? Destiny laughing at him? If so, it could be said in a clearer manner.

But it’s time to face the truth, I will never be with you.

I’m being a bit harsh, I know, but I happen to believe that if a song is worth writing, it’s worth re-writing. By way of comparison, one of my favourite songs of this nature is Willy DeVille’s “Just to Walk That Little Girl Homeâ€?. It’s longer, but has none of the inconsistencies of “You’re Beautifulâ€?.

“You’re Beautiful” is credited to James Blunt, Sacha Scarbek and Amanda Ghost. It is published by EMI Music Publishing and Bucks Music Group. You’ll find the tabs/music score for “You’re Beautiful” on Musicroom.

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