James Blunt is not earnest.

The 40-year-old musician is in the midst of a career rival following the release of his fourth studio album, 'Moon Landing', earlier this year, and James concedes that the broad perception of him is markedly different from the reality.

Reflecting on his career, James said: ''I probably suffered from over-play of over-emotional songs. I found in my writing that I could express emotions that as an everyday person I have no interest in expressing. These strange things that girls talk about called feelings.''

Blunt - who was once a member of the British army - said fame has barely made an impression on his character.

He told the Mail on Sunday newspaper: ''I'm a fairly unaffected human being. I'm easy to talk to, I hope. I'm not too bothered about the clothes I'm wearing. I've been misquoted in interviews as to appear earnest. Which I am not.''

An upturn in James' recent popularity has been linked to his amusing messages on Twitter, which have helped to change the public's perception of him.

He said: ''Twitter has given me my own voice. After I posted my first two tweets, the record label phoned me and asked me to stop. I said, 'I really can't because I've opened a Pandora's box and I'm enjoying it.''