Some Blunt observations

Some Blunt observations
St. Petersburg Times - St. Petersburg,FL,USA
British singer James Blunt discusses his music, his life and what he has learned touring the United States. By Dalia Wheatt. James Blunt is unabashedly British. ...
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James Blunt is unabashedly British. He drinks too much, hates his teeth and uses words like "countryside" in everyday conversation. But one thing the 30-ish troubadour lacks is that English stiff upper lip.
Blunt's debut album, Back to Bedlam, has sold more than 7-million copies worldwide. His saccharine hit You're Beautiful permeates the airwaves. Blunt has talked in countless interviews about growing up in a radioless household, his stint in the British army and the ex-girlfriend who was his muse for You're Beautiful.
In a recent call from Lawrence, Kan., he opened up some more.
What haven't people asked you that you'd like to talk about?
I'm never asked about the songs. Then again, music's very difficult to talk about. I suppose it's much easier to just listen to it.
I have a question about "You're Beautiful." In the beginning you say, "My life is brilliant," and then there's a pause. It sounds almost like a false start, and then you start again. Why is that?
I didn't write the song like that, but then when I was recording it I sang the first line and then it just became such a strong line to begin with . . . and it just kind of made sense to sing that line and then think about it.
I read that you like to go clubbing. What's your favorite dance song?
Why don't we go for Josh Wink's Higher State of Consciousness? It's a little dated, but it'll do.
Have you gotten into any American TV shows?
We're on a tour bus at the moment, so there's not much time for television.
How do you pass the time, other than doing interviews?
Really, genuinely, I spend my time doing this. I have interviews, radio visits, sound check, a gig, meet-and-greets and then come 11:30 at night, I get drunk.
You get drunk?
Yes. I'm British. We're famous for it.
Besides music, what's the most romantic thing you've done for a girl?
On Valentine's Day once I hired a helicopter and flew 100,000 red rose petals over a girl's house until she came out.
If you had 24 hours to yourself, how would you spend them?
Being British, again, I would have a drink. And because we also have bad teeth, I'd probably take the opportunity to see the dentist.
You pretty much conform to the stereotype.
(Laughs) There's nothing wrong with being stereotypical. We're all doing it back at home.
Do you have any hidden talents?
I do a great gorilla impression.
Can I hear it?
No, it's not really something for the phone. It's more of a visual technique.
Okay. Maybe when you're in town.
(Pause) Um, yes. I enjoy skiing and surfing, and I enjoy certain other sports.
Besides music, what are some of your favorite sounds?
Silence is a great sound.
Do you get much of that?
No. And I guess the countryside. I come from the countryside, and I think the natural world is a special place.
Where's the strangest place you've ever heard one of your songs?
I did walk into a sandwich shop the other day, and as I was about to order a tuna sandwich my song came on, and it felt like the whole shop went into slow motion. But as I walked toward the counter, they must've expected me to say, "My life is brilliant."
And instead you said?
"Can I have a tuna sandwich, please?"
What did you do for your birthday this year?
I did a show in London. Then I got on a jet, flew to Chicago, did The Oprah Winfrey Show, and then flew straight back to Manchester in England and did another show. And somewhere in that point were two nights and my birthday. And I'm not sure when exactly my birthday was.
Were you a good student?
I went to school and then university, and I got a degree. I think my report came back generally saying, "Could do better."
What was your degree in?
Aerospace manufacturing engineering and sociology.
That's an interesting combination. What did you want to do with that?
Build airplanes and become a rock star.
One out of two's not bad.
Well, yeah. Thanks.
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James Blunt performs at 8 p.m. Fridayat Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater. The show sold out in three hours.