James Morrison: ‘I always want to hear something honest’

Ed Power talks to ‘boy next door’ sensation James Morrison about his journey with music, Covid lock-downs, and his return to the stage in Ireland for the Kaleidoscope Festival this June

James Morrison: "There is a line. I don't know where it is."

James Morrison has enjoyed incredible success since releasing his chart-topping debut single, You Give Me Something, in 2006. But he has also endured unthinkable heartache, with his father, brother and nephew all dying within the space of three years a decade ago. When he sings about that period in his life in front of an audience, he often struggles to hold back the tears. Sometimes the dam simply bursts.

“I wrote a song about my dad, called In My Dreams. It’s probably the most personal song I’ve written about something. Every now and then I get over-emotional. I start crying,” Morrison (37) says. “You’ve got to find the line where you’re thinking, is this too honest? There is a line. I don’t know where it is. I like blurring it. And [approaching topics] that are slightly difficult to sing about. You can really get to grips with something.”