It’s been 19 years since James Blunt hit it big with his song, “You’re Beautiful.” That was 2004. He’s struggled since then to find a hit record. “You’re Beautiful” haunted him.
Well, Blunt gets the last laugh. Sunday night on American Idol contestant Ian Tongi sang an unknown Blunt song called “Monsters” on the show. The performance was so moving all the judges started crying.
That’s not all — now Blunt’s “Monsters” is number 2 on iTunes. To be Blunt, James is back. It only took a totally unknown 18 year old and a fluke. (I think it’s a fluke, unless Blunt’s publisher pitched the song. But Tongi tells a story similar to Blunt’s, of a dying father.)
It’s been 13 years since Blunt had a single in the top 100. “You’re Beautiful” was really his only hit.
As for the show: Not since “Cat’s in the Cradle” have grown men wept openly.
PS I met Blunt years ago in LA at the original Soho House with Petra Nemcova. He was a lovely guy. Bravo to him!
