Dickson was born in Dunfermline. Her singing career started in folk clubs around her native Fife in the sixties, exposing her to a rich combination of traditional and contemporary music. In the early seventies, she sang at a Liverpool folk club run by a young student teacher called Willy Russell. He showed Barbara the first draft of what would later become the award winning musical, ‘John, Paul, George, Ringo….and Bert’ and asked her to perform the music. The combination of fine writing, a superb cast of young unknowns, (including Antony Sher, Bernard Hill and Trevor Eve), and Barbara’s idiosyncratic interpretation of Beatles songs made the show hugely successful.
The show’s co-producer, Robert Stigwood, signed Barbara to his record label, RSO Records, where she recorded the album ‘Answer Me’, the title track becoming a top ten hit in 1976. This led to her guest residency on the much-loved series ‘The Two Ronnies’, which brought Barbara’s singing to the attention of more than 10 million BBC viewers every week.
Also impressed by Barbara’s performance were Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, who invited her to record ‘Another Suitcase in Another Hall’ from the new musical ‘Evita’, which became her second hit in 1977.
Other hits including ‘Caravan Song’ and ‘January, February’, followed in 1980.
In 1982, Willy Russell asked Barbara to star in his new musical ‘Blood Brothers’ in the pivotal role of the mother, Mrs. Johnstone. Although at first reluctant to accept, having never acted before, (not even in a school play!), she rose to the challenge, in the process garnering critical acclaim as well as Actress of the Year in a Musical from the Society of West End Theatres in 1984.
Later that year, Tim Rice approached Barbara to take part in the cast album recording of the musical ‘Chess’, which included the song ‘I Know Him So Well’, a duet sung with Elaine Paige. The song was a worldwide hit and remained at number one in the UK charts for many weeks.
During the 1990s Barbara appeared in various TV dramas including ‘Taggart’, the award winning ‘Band of Gold’ and ‘The Missing Postman’.
Acclaimed writer and director Chris Bond created a show for Barbara in 1996 called ‘The Seven Ages of Woman’ which won her the Liverpool Echo Actress of the Year Award. It premiered at the Liverpool Playhouse and toured extensively in 1997 and 1998.
In 1999, Barbara starred in ‘Spend, Spend, Spend’, a new musical by Steve Brown and Justin Greene. The show, based on the rollercoaster life story of pools winner, Viv Nicholson, played in the West End to capacity audiences. For her portrayal of Viv, Barbara was awarded ‘Best Actress in a Musical’ at the 2000 Laurence Olivier Awards.
Barbara continues to appear in concert and on record. She has in the last few years had great success with ‘The Platinum Collection’, which featured some of her most successful recordings.
Her last album, ‘Full Circle’, a journey back through her musical history, was hugely admired and well reviewed. Barbara’s most recent CD is an eclectic collection of the songs of Lennon, McCartney and Harrison called ‘Nothing’s Gonna Change My World.’
During 2006 she has appeared as the Timekeeper in Alan Ayckbourn and Denis King’s fantasy musical play
‘Whenever’ for BBC Radio 4 and presented ‘Finding A Voice’, also for BBC Radio 4.
Married with three teenaged sons, Barbara lives in Lincolnshire. An O.B.E. was conferred upon her in the Queens’ New Year’s Honours in 2002.
Across The Universe
Barbara Dickson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They slither wildly as they slip away across the universe
Pools of sorrow, waves of joy are drifting through my opened mind
Possessing and caressing me
Jai guru deva om
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Images of broken light which dance before me like a million eyes
They call me on and on across the universe
Thoughts meander like a restless wind inside a letter box
They tumble blindly as they make their way
Across the universe
Jai guru deva om
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Sounds of laughter, shades of earth are ringing
Through my opened views inciting and inviting me
Limitless undying love which shines around me like a million suns
It calls me on and on
Across the universe
Jai guru deva om
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Jai guru deva
Jai guru deva
Jai guru deva
Jai guru deva
Jai guru deva
Jai guru deva
Jai guru deva (Nothing's gonna change my world)
Jai guru deva (Nothing's gonna change my world)
Words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup
(Jai guru deva/Nothing's gonna change my world)
Waves of joy are drifting through my opened mind
(Jai guru deva/Nothing's gonna change my world)
Words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup
(Jai guru deva/Nothing's gonna change my world)
Waves of joy are drifting through my opened mind
(Jai guru deva/Nothing's gonna change my world)
Words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup
(Jai guru deva/Nothing's gonna change my world)
Waves of joy are drifting through my opened mind
(Jai guru deva/Nothing's gonna change my world)
In Barbara Dickson's rendition of The Beatles' "Across the Universe," the lyrics describe the experience of the singer's mind as it wanders and contemplates the beauty and pain of the world. The first verse suggests that the singer is overwhelmed by the flow of words and emotions that seem to pour out like rain into a paper cup. These words and feelings slither away into the universe, as if escaping his or her reach. The second verse presents a vivid image of dancing light before the singer's eyes, which draws him or her into a transformative journey across the universe. The third verse speaks of the sounds and hues of the earth, which are like music to the open mind of the singer, inciting and inviting him or her. Ultimately, the chorus repeats the phrase "Jai guru deva om" several times, seemingly to remind the singer that this transcendent power is always present to guide and comfort him or her.
The phrase "Jai guru deva om" appears to be a reference to transcendental meditation and the teachings of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. The phrase means "victory to the guru, divine teacher," and is often used as a mantra in meditation. The Beatles were famously inspired by the teachings of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, and several of their songs contain references to meditation or spiritual enlightenment. This song was written by John Lennon, who said that he was inspired by a vision he had of his wife Yoko Ono when she was ill.
Line by Line Meaning
Words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup
Thoughts and ideas are coming and going endlessly and effortlessly.
They slither wildly as they slip away across the universe
The thoughts and ideas move around unpredictably and freely through time and space.
Pools of sorrow, waves of joy are drifting through my opened mind
A range of emotions and feelings, both positive and negative, pass through my mind openly and freely.
Possessing and caressing me
These emotions and ideas grip me deeply and leave an impression on me.
Jai guru deva om
A reverent mantra, a hail to the divine teacher and guide, is repeated to recall inner wisdom and strength.
Nothing's gonna change my world
My perspective and experience will remain constant, no matter what happens externally.
Images of broken light which dance before me like a million eyes
I see and perceive broken and shattered pieces that seem to dance and sparkle like many eyes which hold a story within them.
They call me on and on across the universe
These images and impressions attract and urge me to explore the world and myself further.
Thoughts meander like a restless wind inside a letter box
My thoughts move around aimlessly like a breeze trapped inside a small space, seeking an exit.
They tumble blindly as they make their way
These thoughts are unorganized and jumbled up, making their own path through my mind.
Sounds of laughter, shades of earth are ringing
I can hear echoes of laughter and see different shades and colors of the earth around me.
Through my opened views inciting and inviting me
These experiences compel me to take in more and see with a wider and more open perspective.
Limitless undying love which shines around me like a million suns
I am surrounded by an infinite and ever-lasting love that shines like an immeasurable number of suns.
It calls me on and on across the universe
This boundless love beckons me to explore the universe and all of its mysteries and beauty.
Jai guru deva
The mantra is repeated again as a reminder to seek inner wisdom and enlightenment.
Jai guru deva (Nothing's gonna change my world)
The repetition of the mantra is a reaffirmation that nothing can alter my perception and experience of the world around me.
Words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup (Jai guru deva/Nothing's gonna change my world)
Once again, thoughts and ideas come and go effortlessly, while the mantra helps to maintain an unchanging perspective and experience.
Waves of joy are drifting through my opened mind (Jai guru deva/Nothing's gonna change my world)
While different emotions pass through my mind, the mantra reminds me that my inner wisdom and strength are constant and unchanging.
Contributed by Andrew F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.