James Blunt has embraced his reputation as a one-hit wonder and he’s not losing sleep over it.
He became a global name in 2005 with the release of his breakout hit – You’re Beautiful – from debut album Back to Bedlam. But two decades later, Blunt says he’s perfectly comfortable being defined by just that one song.
“In the States, I am [a one-hit wonder],” he told PEOPLE. “You have to understand — I am so happy with that because, as I put on my social media profiles, one hit is all you need. I’ve been called a one-hit wonder by people who are none-hit wonders. And so I’m thrilled with that.”
The 51-year-old singer added that keeping his fame in perspective helps him stay grounded.
“The moment I think I might be a big shot in any way, you, as an American, can tell me, ‘No. You’re just a little one-hit wonder, James. Get back in your box.’ And that’s healthy.”
Before You’re Beautiful catapulted him to fame, Blunt had struggled to gain traction in the UK music industry. He says he was repeatedly turned down by labels in Britain due to how he spoke and how he was perceived.
“I’d been rejected by every UK label based on my speaking voice and the kind of class issues that we have here,” he said. “They thought just no one would relate to me. They might’ve been right to a degree.”
His fortunes changed when American singer-songwriter Linda Perry signed him to her label, Custard Records. Blunt remembers that moment clearly.
“I hadn’t really understood how this was the very last chance I was probably ever going to have… Linda came in with a hard sell, and we went out that night and got drunk.”
Even after global success, Blunt has faced years of online backlash. Rather than shy away from criticism, he’s become known for his dry and witty responses on social media. But he admits that early on, he took himself too seriously in interviews.
“I think I’ve always been silly. I probably did set out in interviews talking about music in a really earnest way because it was the one thing I was serious about. Now I’ve learned that’s probably not the best thing to do. I still take the music seriously. I just don’t talk about it so seriously anymore.”
Despite the ups and downs, Blunt says he’s grateful for where that one song has taken him and he’s more than content with his place in music history.
