James Blunt Quitting Music: 'You're Beautiful' Singer To Retire

British singer songwriter James Blunt is officially hanging up his microphone.

The 38-year-old who rose to fame for hits like "You're Beautiful" and "Goodbye My Lover" officially announced that he is no longer pursuing a career in music and has no future plans to continue writing songs.

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"I just want to take some time out for myself," Blunt said. "I haven't got any plans to do more songwriting."

Instead, Blunt said he has been enjoying the success his career has brought him, and he plans to continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

"I have been chilling since I finished my world tour and I've spent a lot of time in Ibiza where I have a villa," he said.

The world tour he mentioned was an international trek in support of his latest album, "Some Kind of Trouble," which he released in 2010. The long tour made several stops in North America in spring 2011.

Blunt discussed his retirement plans during an interview at the Barbarella nightclub in Fulham, West London. He added that after taking a summer off to spend time with his girlfriend, Sofia Wellesley, he realized it was time for a break from the music business.

"Sofia and I had a great time hanging out with friends on my yacht but we partied as well," he added. "I do like a good night out and that is why it's great fun to hang out at Barbarella. London needs more nightclubs like this."

The decision to leave music could also be rooted in the intense media scrutiny Blunt had received from tabloids in the United Kingdom. His mother, Jane Blunt, recently spoke out against the treatment her son receives in the press and the toll it can take on him and his family.

"My son James Blunt, who is hugely appreciated worldwide, receives harsh criticism [in the U.K.] and we have, rather sadly, been aware that it is because of his background," Jane Blunt said.