Something I noticed...

[VioletS16]

When performing Under a Glass Moon live, at the part where it says, "I argue with the clouds stealing beauty from my eyes", James always says, "I aruge with the clouds...beauty from my eyes".

Uuuh 

[El JoNNo]

Yeah I never understood that; it's not really a difficult passage.

[Chino]

breather?

[El JoNNo]

possibly, it is probably habit more than anything. When I sing it I breathe like this "silence there screams *deep breath* I smile at the moon chasing water from the sky *quick short breath* I argue with the clouds stealing beauty from my eyes. All the while keeping a steady firm support, I'm sure James can do the same.

Though like I said it is probably habit.

[TheMadgician]

I think the only live version I've heard was on Score. When I heard it, I just assumed a breath control mistake. Am I to assume it's like that on all/most live recordings?

[LKap13]

I'd say it's just a stylistic thing. There are plenty of live changes...

[Slain]

Yeah, I noticed that a while back as well, don't get it.

[Lotion]

I think the only live version I've heard was on Score. When I heard it, I just assumed a breath control mistake. Am I to assume it's like that on all/most live recordings?

Just checked out videoclips from Seoul, Chile, Score and I&W live in Tokyo, hamburg also listened to home sweet home and another clip from tokyo in 95... so guess he's been doing it since 93... So he does it every time

[sfam2112]

On the "Through Her Eyes" single, there's a version of the "When Images and Words Unite" Medley and, if I remember correctly, he actually says it. "Stealing beauty from John's eyes..." 

[Martinman300]

James is sooo bad on "When Images and Words Unite", poor guy.

[Orion1967]

I wonder if anyone has posed this question to him on the JLB forums?  He usually responds to questions like that there.

[Dream Team]

I've always thought it was a breathing mistake, but looks like it's been going on for awhile. I must assume that passage is more difficult to sing well than we suppose.

[?]

"Just let me catch my breath..."

[hefdaddy42]

James is sooo bad on "When Images and Words Unite", poor guy.

Just like every other song during that time period, it depends.  I've heard bad performances and good performances of that medley.

[Lotion]

Because of this discussion I asked him on facebook! He replied on my first messages, but not on this...

Oh wait... until 10 hours later!!

he said
"Far as I know I've been singing it. It's more an inflection than actually saying the word. At least live it is."

Didn't really get that, but he's a great guy answering his fans, and even checks back on facebook chat hours after the message was asked!

[emindead]

Also, insead of "I argue" he just says "argue with the clouds".