James Blunt on finding perspective in a negative world

The best advice I was given was when things started getting a bit negative in the media.

Life is short and you should fill it with as many moments with friends and family as you possibly can.

The best advice I was given was when things started getting a bit negative in the media.

Elton John said to me: “F..k ’em.” The advice I’d give is: Life is short and you should fill it with as many moments with friends and family as you possibly can. I’ve had some heavy criticism in the media and online.
I have a thick skin, but what I find most upsetting is when I don’t have a voice. So if someone is rude on Twitter, I’ll respond.

If someone says, “Can anyone remember how crap James Blunt was?”, I’ll write, “No need, my new album is coming out next week.” Most of my put-downs are pretty obscene.
I’m laughing not just at the people who are posting but also at myself for taking it seriously. I perform concerts to thousands of people, yet isn’t it weird how
I’m drawn to one negative comment online? I’ll never be cool, but I’ve been misrepresented in the past as a romantic, delicate soul. The song You’re Beautiful isn’t romantic: it’s about a guy stalking someone else’s girlfriend on the Tube.

Fame doesn’t change you, it changes everyone else. I don’t think there are many benefits to being famous — I’d advise being rich and anonymous.

But if success has brought me the ability to tour, work with phenomenal musicians and make songs, then I’m really lucky.

James Blunt is a singer-songwriter