Watch Jim James Perform Evocative New Song on ‘Corden’

Jim James radiated Tuesday on The Late Late Show with James Corden, performing mellow solo cut, “The World’s Smiling Now.” Highlighted by the funky keys of My Morning Jacket bandmate Bo Koster, James crooned lyrics that blur the line between romantic plea and social protest: “How long does a good thing last?/ Can we avoid mistakes from the past?” As the song built to a soulful climax, the singer-songwriter played a bluesy guitar solo.

“The World’s Smiling Now”…