James Blunt recently shed light on the dark meaning behind his 2005 hit “You’re Beautiful,” clarifying that it’s far from the romantic tune many have thought it to be. Despite its popularity at weddings, Blunt explained that the song is about a man high on drugs who becomes fixated on another man’s girlfriend after seeing her on the subway. He jokingly noted that listeners who play it at their weddings are “f**ked up,” given its unsettling undertones.
Blunt shared that the lyrics stemmed from a real-life encounter when he saw an ex-girlfriend with her new partner on the London Underground. He returned home and wrote the initial lyrics in minutes, later finishing the song with co-writers Sacha Skarbek and Amanda Ghost. He admitted the song has always been perceived as romantic but was actually meant to feel “a bit creepy,” highlighting the character’s drug-induced fixation and his invasive thoughts.
In previous interviews, Blunt has been blunt about his disdain for the song’s romantic association. In a 2017 interview, he said, “People think I’m a soft romantic… No, I’m not.” He stressed that the song’s protagonist should “be locked up,” describing him as “some kind of perv” obsessively watching someone else’s partner.
Fans and listeners have been shocked by the revelation, with Blunt’s candid descriptions likely to change the way many view—and hear—this once-beloved track.
