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What's the betting that under all that mellowness, James Blunt is the raging hulk of acoustipop? We went to find out...

TOTP: OK, so James...

James: I don't like the smile on your face. I'm getting nervous. You've got a grin on your face and I'm wondering what the **** is coming up.
TOTP: We wouldn't do that to you, James. We don't wanna catch you out or anything. We just want to analyse your sense of patience. Since it has obviously paid off with your record.
James: Go for your life.

TOTP: How long will you stand in line for something if the queue isn't moving, before giving up?
James: I guess it kind of depends what you're queuing up for.
TOTP: If it was to see your bank manager or something.
James: Yeah, then I definitely wouldn't last very long. Best to run away from those kinds of situations, and do it another day.

TOTP: Do you have any bad habits when you're trying to wait for something, like biting your nails?
James: Err, no, but I guess if I saw the opportunity of queue-jumping I'd definitely give it a go. That would be a pretty sensible bad habit to have.
TOTP: Have you ever done that?
James: I think everyone has at some stage.
TOTP: Have you ever been caught by someone when queue-jumping?
James: I guess in Britain people don't really complain if you queue-jump. They just sulk. Of course I've been queue-jumped myself in the past and I've just had a minor sulk in the background.
Queues!

TOTP: Have you ever annoyed anyone else with your bad habits?
James: Musicians really don't have bad habits.

TOTP: How do you cope in a traffic jam?
James: I'm on a motorbike and there is no such thing as a traffic jam on a motorbike.

TOTP: Do you ever get road rage? Did you ever get tank rage when in the army?
James: Very good question. Again on a motorbike you don't really need to. Obviously you get people who don't actually spot you so much but generally you get the exact opposite of road rage. In fact what would the opposite of road rage be?
TOTP: A very therapeutic experience?
James: Some kind of pleasure.

TOTP: Do you ever come up with lyrics while riding your bike and getting into such a state of relaxation?
James: I don't think riding on a motorbike would necessarily be a good time to write lyrics. You generally have to concentrate. So perhaps I might write them when I get home. But I definitely wouldn't write them ABOUT my motorbike, that would be very lame.

TOTP: When you're in a rush walking down the street, how would you react to getting stuck behind an old lady shuffling along at zero mph?
James: Of course well, probably the best option would be to pick her up with you and lend a hand. And start running but with her on your back. Then you're catching up on you own time, but you're also doing a bit of community care.
TOTP: And earn some of those badges for scouts. So what gets you angry?
Oi!

James: I don't think I should tell you just in case you start throwing in things, just to see me getting wound up.

TOTP: Aw...When was the last time you got angry and what was it about?
James: I guess if I was gonna say, watching the news will sometimes be distressing or can sometimes make one angry.
TOTP: Anything specific or don't you wanna get political?
James: I wouldn't want to get political, but let's just say on a daily basis, the things you see.
TOTP: So the kinds of things you see happening in the world get you angry then?
James: Yeah. Shall we go for that nice kind of 'peace' thing?

TOTP: What's the worst reaction you think you've ever had to being angry?
James: Well occasionally I've thrown the teddy bear out of the bed. Er, thrown the teddy bear into the corner.
TOTP: Do you think you have less patience for things since your musical success? Do you have any diva tantrums?
James: No, I would hope not.
TOTP: Mariah's around, maybe you could ask her for advice?
James: I think I would probably need to check with her, for useful tips on where I should be going. But I don't think I do and I'm sure she doesn't either. So, maybe I do. I'm probably the wrong person to ask aren't I? You should be asking my band. But I just wouldn't let you speak to them. In one of my diva moments!
Mariah!

TOTP: We'll ask you again a year from now and see if there's a difference.
James: Exactly, by which point I'll just refuse the interview.
TOTP: Diva!!!


Check out James's official site

(The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites)

Interview by: Oliver SJ
20/09/2005

 
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