James Bay Lyrics - Discography

He moved to study in Brighton at the British and Irish Modern Music Institute at the age of 18, where he played at the city's open mic nights, which he credits with teaching him a lot about writing and performing on his own.

Bay's big break came when a fan uploaded a video of him performing at an open mic night in London to YouTube. The video caught the attention of Republic Records A&R, and within a week, Bay signed to the label. He released his first EP, The Dark of the Morning, in 2013, and it wasn't long before he was selling out his first UK headline tour.

In 2014, Bay released his breakthrough single "Hold Back the River," which quickly became a hit and was certified platinum. The success of the single paved the way for his debut studio album, Chaos and the Calm, which was released the same year. The album went to number one in the UK and number 15 in the US, cementing Bay's status as a rising star in the music industry.

Bay's talent and hard work have been recognized with several awards and nominations. In 2015, he received the Brit Awards "Critics' Choice" award, and the following year, he won the award for Best British Male Solo Artist. He also received three nominations at the 2016 Grammy Awards, for Best New Artist, Best Rock Album, and Best Rock Song.

In May 2018, Bay released his second studio album, Electric Light, which showcased his versatility and growth as an artist. Throughout his career, Bay has remained focused on creating music that connects with listeners on an emotional level, saying, "I'm trying to make songs that make people feel something, and if I'm lucky, even move them." His unique blend of soul, rock, and pop has made him a favorite among fans and critics alike, and he continues to captivate audiences with his powerful voice and heartfelt lyrics. ...Read Less