There's something about James Blunt [ tickets ]'s inescapable single "You're Beautiful'' that definitely says "junior high school dance." The overwrought, catchy tune--with its lyrics that can be overly simplified and taken in the wrong way--seems tailor-made for first crushes.

Blunt's greatness, if indeed it can be called that at this early point in his career, comes from his ability to make grownups put aside decades of first-hand experience--messy divorces, painful breakups, etc.--and believe that love is all you need.

Indeed, like with kindred spirit Nazareth, love hurts in Blunt's world. Yet, he makes that sound like something that should be cherished and honored, not despised and mocked. In other words, James Blunt's world is not the real world.

Still, it's a fine place to spend an evening. That was definitely the case when the English singer/songwriter visited the Warfield in San Francisco on Thursday (4/6).

During the second half of a sold-out, two-night stand at the lovely downtown venue, Blunt thrilled a highly demonstrative crowd with his tales of heartbreak, unrequited passion and desperate longing. The fact that he was able to take such sad-sack subject matter and somehow make the evening feel uplifting is a sign that this singer/songwriter could have a promising future in the industry.

Before one looks to the future, however, it's interesting to look back at the artist's brief history, given that he has one of the more interesting stories in the pop game.

Blunt served four years in the British Army and didn't even start performing in clubs until a few years ago. In 2003, he played a showcase at the South by Southwest music conference and impressed Linda Perry enough to sign him to her Custard label. His 2005 debut, "Back to Bedlam,'' produced the UK-chart-topping single "You're Beautiful.'' Some high-profile TV spots in this country, most notably a gig on "The Oprah Winfrey Show,'' helped "Back to Bedlam'' become a blockbuster on this side of the Atlantic.

At the Warfield, Blunt came across as more than just a carefully fabricated pop star riding the current wave of interest in sensitive male singer/songwriters. He looked like the real deal.

Blunt and his four-piece backing band kicked off the show with the non-"Bedlam'' track "Breathe'' and proceeded to cautiously and convincingly move through one teary-eyed confessional after another. It's no wonder that his fans include the likes of Elton John, who had the young singer perform at the flamboyant pianist's wedding to David Furnish, given how strongly he conjures up images of '70s AM-radio pop.

Concert-goers could hear bits of The Beatles and Coldplay in songs such as "Billy'' and "Cry,'' but mostly they were bombarded with sonic imagery of classic Elton John, Billy Joel and Rod Stewart as Blunt crooned with heartache on his sleeve through the likes of "High'' and "So Long Jimmy.''

The highlight of the concert for most fans came with the touching "You're Beautiful.'' That's the song that Blunt performed at Elton's wedding, which is an odd choice since it deals with not getting the one you love. Yet, although the lyrics read otherwise, the song comes across like a celebration, as if truly pining for someone is the ultimate achievement that a person can hope for in the world.

Of course, the "world'' that is being referenced here is probably not the one that you and I live in on a day-to-day basis. It is, however, a pretty nice world to visit when James Blunt is your tour guide.