James Blunt Vows to Legally Change Name to Whatever Fans Decide If He Goes No. 1
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10/03/2024 04:40 PM
The musician called his charting promise the "most important democratic moment of the year"
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James Blunt in London on Sept. 30, 2024James Blunt is — to put it bluntly — giving fans the opportunity to "ruin my life."
The British singer-songwriter, 50, pledged on social media this week that if the 20th anniversary edition of his 2004 debut album Back to Bedlam reaches the No. 1 spot on the charts, he will legally change his name to whatever fans decide on.
And yes, that includes the most-liked comment on his Instagram post about the matter: "Blunty McBluntface," an ode to the 2016 naming of Boaty McBoatface.
"Wanna ruin my life? If the 20th Anniversary Edition of my album Back to Bedlam re-enters the charts at number 1, I will legally change my name — to whatever you guys decide," Blunt wrote in an Instagram caption this week.
After encouraging fans to "comment on this post below with suggestions for my name change, or like someone else's comment to vote," the singer-songwriter wrote that the comment with "the most likes on this post across my social media profiles" on Oct. 11 will win.
Related: James Blunt Says He Wants to 'Punch' Himself 'in the Face' When He Looks Back on Past Self
The "You're Beautiful" crooner paired his caption with a scripted video, in which he informed fans they have the power to "absolutely f--- my life."
"I know you heard the rumors and they're true. I'm re-releasing my debut album, Back to Bedlam, on Oct. 11. Something that has kept me consistently rich for the past 20 years. So as a way to give back to you, my adoring public, if Back to Bedlam re-enters the charts at No. 1, I will legally change my name."
"What will I change it to? Well that's entirely up to you," Blunt said, before adding that he's been called "many things" in his life, including "most hated man in pop" and "James Beige."
"I'll let the people decide," he concluded. "But if it doesn't go to No. 1, I'm not changing my name. It's safe to say this is the most important democratic moment of the year."
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Some of the most popular options under Blunt's Instagram post include "Bames Jlunt," "Hugh Janus" and "Yerb Eautiful," but of course, "Blunty McBluntface" rises above them all.
While Blunt didn't make it clear which chart he was referring to, his eyes are likely set on the U.K.'s Official Albums Chart — which has its top spot currently occupied by Blossoms' Gary. And if he hopes to top the competitive Billboard 200 in the U.S., the potential future McBlunt Face would need to dethrone Future and out-perform albums from the likes of Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan.
Other albums arriving on Oct. 11, the same date as Blunt's next release, include GloRilla's Glorious and Jelly Roll's Beautifully Broken.
Blunt released his debut LP on Oct. 11, 2004, spawning hits such as Hot 100 chart-topper "You're Beautiful" and "Goodbye My Lover."
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