Rocktrospectiva: The Succesful "Back To Bedlam" Turns 20

 

Released on 11 October 2024, "Back To Bedlam" was the debut studio album by English artist James Blunt, named after the fanous psychiatric institution "Bethlem Royal Hospital in London commonly known as Bedlam. The album became a major worlwide success after the boost of its third single, the massive ballad "You're Beautiful", which was a No. 1 worldwide in 2005, this album would go on to become the UK highest-seeling album in 2005, spawning five singles "High", "Wisemen", "You're Beautiful", "Goodbye My Lover", "& "No Bravery". 

 

Because the British Army sponsored his university education, Blunt was obliged to serve a minimum of four years in the armed forces. He stated on an interview in his Back to Bedlam sessions that he chose to join the military as his father was "pushing for it, so that Blunt could obtain a secure work placement and income". While still in the army, he worked on demos 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. 

 

Blunt left the British Army in 2002 so that he could pursue his musical career. It was at that period that he started using the stage name "Blunt", in part to make it easier for others to spell; "Blount" is pronounced the same way, and remains his legal surname. Shortly after leaving the army, he was signed to EMI music publishers and Twenty-First Artists management. A record contract remained elusive, with label executives pointing to Blunt's posh speaking voice as a barrier in class-divided Britain.

 

Linda Perry, who was just launching her own label Custard Records 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, Blunt signed a recording contract with Perry, and one month later he was in Los Angeles working with producer Tom Rothrock.

 

Blunt recorded Back to Bedlam in 2003 with producer Tom Rothrock at Rothrock's home studio, using session musicians and performing on many different instruments himself. While in Los Angeles, he lodged with actress Carrie Fisher, whom he had met through the family of a former girlfriend. Fisher was very supportive of Blunt's aspirations, suggesting the name of the album and providing use of a bathroom in her home for Blunt to record the song "Goodbye My Lover". 

 

The first single were "High" and "Wisemen" the first one failed to make impact on the UK charts the second one peaked to No. 44, but then, everything change when released the heartbreaking ballad "You're Beautiful" things clearly changed overnight, the single inspired of a miserable love experienced went on to become No. 1 in Canada, United States, UK and several many countries worldwide, after this, the first two single were re-released and both hit the top 20, "Goodbye My Lover" reached No. 4 and finally "No Bravery" about its experiences in the army while he was in Kosovo. 

 

The album received mixed critics, called somekind of victory after coming from the army and then released a worldwive massive record, other critics qualified with 5 stars the album, praising the album and calling a masterful debut hard to ignore, the songs were brilliant and hauntingly captivating, instead to look as a pop compilation this album does a reclection of a life through the art of music. 

 

Back To Bedlam Track List: 

 

1. High

2. You're Beautiful

3. Wisemen

4. Goodbye My Lover

5. Tears And Rain

6. Out Of My Mind

7. So Long, Jimmy

8. Billy

9. Cry

10. No Bravery