Monsters (James Blunt song)

"Monsters" is a song by English singer-songwriter James Blunt. It was written by Blunt, Amy Wadge and Jimmy Hogarth for Blunt's sixth studio album Once Upon a Mind (2019).[1] It was released as the fourth single from the album on 18 October 2019.[2]

"Monsters"
Single by James Blunt
from the album Once Upon a Mind
Released18 October 2019
GenrePop
Length4:19
LabelAtlantic Records UK
James Blunt singles chronology
"I Told You"
(2019)		 "Monsters"
(2019)		 "Halfway"
(2020)
Music video
"Monsters" on YouTube

Blunt has decided to donate all of the profit made from the song to Help for Heroes and British Legion charities.[3][4]

Background

James Blunt's father Charles, himself a kidney donor, was diagnosed with stage four chronic kidney disease.[5] Blunt wrote "Monsters" to "express his feelings about his father and his illness, almost as if it's a touching farewell to his father".[6] In an interview with Good Morning Britain Blunt said,[7]

Really that has been an amazing moment. Because when you realise your father's mortality it's a great opportunity to say the things I'd like to say to him. So I have written a song called Monsters for him.

In the same interview he made a plea for type O kidney donors to step forward.[5] In January 2020 MSN reported Blunt's father had been scheduled for a transplant.[8]

Music video

The music video was filmed in Oxfordshire, UK, and it was directed by Vaughan Arnell.[9] The music video features James Blunt, and his father Charles Blount.[6] The vast majority part of the video focuses on James Blunt's face as he sings the song and it later shows James sitting in a kitchen with his father.[6]

Australian television presenter Lisa Wilkinson said she was "left bawling" after watching the music video of the song.[10] Monika Barton of Newshub wrote about the music video, "Go on, have a little watch and see if you have a heart, or merely just a sharp, pointy piece of flint where it should be".[11]

Reception
Blunt wrote the song to express his feelings about his father.

Minnie Wright of the Express wrote, "Heartbreaking perspective illuminates the place from which Blunt has penned the deeply personal Once Upon A Mind with the arrival of Monster".[12] Lauren Murphy of Entertainment.ie wrote, "Before you watch this video, be warned that it's pretty tough going if you're feeling in any way emotionally fragile, or have lost a parent".[13] Rudi Kinsella of Joe wrote, "This is one of the most emotional music videos we've seen in a very long time".[14]

Charts
Chart (2020) Peak
position
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[15] 74
Canada Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[16] 13
France (SNEP)[17] 38
Ireland[17] 70
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gollark: I'm not sure how it demonstrates that as much as that... there are weird people in some places?
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References
  1. "James Blunt - Monsters". Discogs. Archived from the original on 2020-01-31. Retrieved 2020-01-31.
  2. Stickler, Jon. "James Blunt Unveils Monsters Video - Stereoboard". Stereoboard.com. Archived from the original on 2020-01-31. Retrieved 2020-01-31.
  3. "James Blunt's new video for the single "Monsters" • BRAINZONE". BRAINZONE. 2020-01-28. Retrieved 2020-02-02.
  4. "James Blunt breaks down in heartbreaking video starring his dying father". NZ Herald. 2020-01-20. Retrieved 2020-02-02.
  5. "James Blunt shares heartbreaking news about his father's health". HELLO!. 2020-01-16. Archived from the original on 2020-01-31. Retrieved 2020-01-31.
  6. Fogarty, Paul (2020-01-21). "Who is James Blunt's dad? Emotional Monsters video features singer's inspirational father". HITC. Archived from the original on 2020-01-31. Retrieved 2020-01-31.
  7. "James Blunt shares heartbreaking news about his father's health". HELLO!. 2020-01-16. Archived from the original on 2020-01-31. Retrieved 2020-01-31.
  8. "James Blunt's father to have kidney transplant". www.msn.com. Retrieved 2020-03-21.
  9. "'Absolutely heartbreaking' — James Blunt breaks down in tears in video dedicated to his terminally ill father". Extra.ie. 2020-01-21. Archived from the original on 2020-01-31. Retrieved 2020-01-31.
  10. "Lisa Wilkinson breaks down over heartbreaking Project moment". Yahoo!. Retrieved 2020-02-02.
  11. Crow, James (2014-04-28). "How to look after you while you look after your patients". BDJ Team. 1 (1). doi:10.1038/bdjteam.2014.35.
  12. Wright, Minnie (2019-10-25). "James Blunt album REVIEW: Once Upon A Mind explores mortality and time with a deft touch". Express.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-02-02.
  13. Murphy, Lauren. "James Blunt's new video featuring his terminally ill dad has everyone in absolute bits". Entertainment.ie. Retrieved 2020-02-02.
  14. "Take some time to watch the music video for James Blunt's 'Monsters'". JOE.ie. Retrieved 2020-02-02.
  15. "Official Singles Chart Update Top 100 | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Archived from the original on 2020-01-31. Retrieved 2020-01-31.
  16. "James Blunt Chart History". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2020-01-31. Retrieved 2020-01-31.
  17. "Monsters by James Blunt - Music Charts". acharts.co. Retrieved 2020-02-01.
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