“Same Mistake” by James Blunt

James Blunt’s “Same Mistake” is an interesting song which is based on the premise of the singer acknowledging that he is a flawed individual. Indeed Blunt has stated that “Same Mistake” is founded on the concept of a person being his “own worst enemy”.

However, he also understands, as the title suggests, that he is bound the “same mistake” again. And he is apparently making this assertion while looking back on a failed romantic relationship. So one way of looking at the overall scenario is that whereas he is not pleased with how things have turned out, he is also mature enough to know that said result was due to a character flaw that he still possesses.

But the narrative featured therein is intended to speak to something all of us go through. Likewise the chorus has deeper implications which extend out of the personal narrative being told. Or stated otherwise, the primary sentiment being relayed also has a moral, philosophical undertone. That is to say that the singer does not necessarily seems to be making an effort to change his recognized flaw.

This idea is manifest when he states “I’m not calling for a second chance”, with the insinuation being that he does not feel any remorse for his aforementioned “mistake”. And in that regard, he is asking for a “reason”, not a “choice”, to make a change. This statement points to the notion that he does not perceive striving to correct the titular shortcoming on the grounds of doing so being morally preferable as a valid reason to do so. Or as is a recurrent theme in some of his tunes, in this song James appears to be embracing his dark side, so to speak.

Conclusion

So going back to his intended meaning of the track, how it is supposed to indicate how we’re all “fallible“ morally as well as self-destructive, perhaps what he is saying is that the conventional ideas of right and wrong do not actually prevent people from continually doing the latter.

Facts about “Same Mistake”

This track was released as the second single from Blunt’s sophomore album “All the Lost Souls” on 3 December 2007. The song was issued by RCA Records in collaboration with WEA International.

And by the way, on “All the Lost Souls” appears the song “1973“. This song was actually the album’s first single.

“Same Mistake” is also featured on the soundtrack of the 2007 Hillary Swank movie “P.S. I Love You”.

Jonas Åkerlund directed this song’s music video.

“Same Mistake” charted in 15 nations, including making the UK Singles Chart and Billboard’s Adult Top 40.

James Blunt wrote this song himself, and it was produced by his steady musical partner Tom Rothrock.