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''Back to Bedlam'' is the debut studio album by English singer-songwriter James Blunt. It was released on 14 November 2003 through Atlantic Records.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Back to Bedlam )〕 It is named after the infamous psychiatric institution of Bethlem Royal Hospital, which is commonly known as Bedlam. The album was met with universal acclaim from music critics, who praised Blunt's voice and songwriting skills. Initially lingering in the lower regions of the UK Albums Chart in its first few months of release, it became a major international success after its third single, "You're Beautiful", was a huge hit worldwide in the Summer of 2005. ''Back to Bedlam'' was the highest-selling album of 2005 in the UK, with over 2.4 million copies sold.〔 By December 2009, the album had been certified 10× Platinum by the British Phonographic Industry for sales of over 3 million, making it the best-selling album of the 2000s in the UK. In 2011, it was overtaken by the Amy Winehouse's ''Back to Black'' as the best-selling album of the 21st century in the UK.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Amy Winehouse’s ‘Back To Black’ becomes UK's biggest-selling album of the 21st century )〕 ''Back to Bedlam'' currently ranks as the 16th best-selling album in UK chart history. As of 2015, it has sold 3.31 million copies in the UK〔 and over 11 million copies worldwide. ==Background and recording== Blunt had piano and violin lessons as a child, but his first significant exposure to popular music was at Harrow School. There, he was introduced to the guitar by a fellow student, and started playing the instrument and writing songs at age 14. At University of Bristol, his undergraduate thesis was ''The Commodification of Image – Production of a Pop Idol''; one of his main references for the thesis was sociologist and rock critic, Simon Frith, chairman of the Mercury Music Prize panel of judges since 1992.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Staff Profile (Simon Frith) )〕 Because the British Army sponsored his university education, Blunt was obliged to serve a minimum of four years in the armed forces. He stated on an interview in his ''Back to Bedlam'' sessions that he chose to join the military as his father was "pushing for it, so that () could obtain a secure work placement and income". Blunt trained at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. While still in the army, he worked on demos during his time off. A backing vocalist and songwriting collaborator suggested he contact Elton John's manager Todd Interland, with whom she used to share a house.〔 Interland told HitQuarters that he listened to Blunt's demo while driving home and after hearing the track "Goodbye My Lover", pulled over and called the mobile number written on the CD to set up a meeting. Blunt left the British Army in 2002 so that he could pursue his musical career. It was at that period that he started using the stage name "Blunt", in part to make it easier for others to spell; "Blount" is pronounced the same way, and remains his legal surname. Shortly after leaving the army, he was signed to EMI music publishers and Twenty-First Artists management. A record contract remained elusive, with recording label executives pointing to Blunt's posh speaking voice as a barrier in class-divided Britain.〔 Linda Perry, who was just launching her own Custard Records label in early 2003, heard Blunt's promotional tape when visiting London, and soon after heard him perform live at the South by Southwest Music Festival. She made an offer to him the same night〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Interview with Linda Perry )〕 and within a few days, Blunt signed a recording contract with Perry, and one month later he was in Los Angeles working with producer Tom Rothrock.〔 Blunt recorded ''Back to Bedlam'' in 2003 with producer Tom Rothrock at Rothrock's home studio, using session musicians and performing on many different instruments himself.〔 While in Los Angeles, he lodged with actress Carrie Fisher, whom he had met through the family of a former girlfriend. Fisher was very supportive of Blunt's aspirations, suggesting the name of the album and providing use of a bathroom in her home for Blunt to record the song "Goodbye My Lover".〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Back to Bedlam」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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