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.
Together Forever
Barbara Dickson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Watching the day go by
No one paying us any attention,
Not even to ask us why
Sunshine in our eyes,
We're watching it set and we're watching it rise
You and me, sitting on a bench,
Watching the day go by
You and me, sitting on a bus
In the front seat at the top,
Watching the people who don't look like us,
Going way past our stop
Traveling everywhere,
We got no money but what do we care
You and me, sitting on a bus,
In the front seat at the top
CHORUS :
Oh, looks like we're sticking together
Oh. looks like lasting forever
You and me by the side of the road,
In the morning, feeling bright
Watching the cars coming and watching them go,
Still thinking we'll be home tonight
As the day goes on and it lifts you off,
We're thinking might take us a day or two
You and me by the side of the road,
In the morning, feeling bright
CHORUS
The song "Together Forever" by Barbara Dickson captures the essence of companionship and describes the comfortable feeling of being with someone who truly understands and accepts us for who we are. The opening verse paints a lovely picture of two people sitting on a bench, watching the day go by with the sunshine in their eyes. They are not bothered by anyone, no one asks them why they're there, and they are simply enjoying each other's company. This suggests that they are deeply connected, comfortable in each other's presence, and don't need anyone else to make their experience complete.
The second verse takes us on a journey with the same couple, this time on a bus where they find themselves on the front seat at the top. They are watching people who don't look like them as the bus passes their stop, yet they don't mind because they are content to be traveling together. They have no money, but that doesn't bother them as they are enjoying the journey they are on. The chorus emphasizes that their bond is strong and will last forever, while the third verse brings us to an image of the couple by the side of the road, feeling bright and watching the cars go by. They are hopeful they'll make it home but are in no rush as they are enjoying each other's company.
The song clearly highlights the value of a companion for life's journeys, the importance of shared experiences that create long-lasting memories, and the power of true connection that makes us feel grounded and content.
Line by Line Meaning
You and me, sitting on a bench, Watching the day go by
We sit side by side on an uncrowded bench, taking in the beauty of the world as it moves right before our eyes.
No one paying us any attention, Not even to ask us why
We sit unnoticed and unquestioned, completely content with our company and surroundings.
Sunshine in our eyes, We're watching it set and we're watching it rise
We bask in the warm rays of sunlight, observing both the end and the beginning of each day as it unfolds before us.
You and me, sitting on a bus, In the front seat at the top
We ride together on a bus, taking in the sights and sounds of the world from our elevated vantage point at the front of the vehicle.
Watching the people who don't look like us, Going way past our stop
We observe with curiosity the strangers who ride alongside us, as the bus continues on its journey without us being concerned where it's heading.
Traveling everywhere, We got no money but what do we care
We venture forth to travel the world, without concern of financial need or other's opinions, as our company is all we require.
You and me by the side of the road, In the morning, feeling bright
We stand together on the roadside at dawn, energized and enthusiastic about the new day that is about to unfold before us.
Watching the cars coming and watching them go, Still thinking we'll be home tonight
We observe the passing of cars, and all the bustle of life around us, but we remain steadfast in our journey back home by nightfall.
As the day goes on and it lifts you off, We're thinking might take us a day or two
As the events of the day unfold and elevate our spirits, we contemplate that our journey may take a little longer than originally thought.
Oh, looks like we're sticking together, Oh. looks like lasting forever
Despite the length and difficulty of our journey, it is clear to us that we will remain together and support each other indefinitely, bound together eternally with only each other as company.
Contributed by Mila K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.