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.
When You Touch Me This Way
Barbara Dickson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No more problems in my world
You got this blue-eyed girl
When you touch me this way
Not gonna be no lonely times in my life tonight
With your sweet love on my hand
It's all I can stand
Ooh, perfect situation, wild imagination
Ooh, crazy fascination
What a sweet sensation
When you touch me this way
Not gonna be no rain falling in my life today
Fill my soul with sunshine
Happens every time
When you touch me this way
Not gonna be no sad songs in my life tonight
We're gonna rock away my blues
Ain't no way to lose
When you touch me this way
Ooh, perfect situation, wild imagination
Ooh, crazy fascination
What a sweet sensation
When you touch me this way
When you touch me this way
(REPEAT TO FADE)
The lyrics of Barbara Dickson's "When You Touch Me This Way" depicts a state of happiness and contentment the singer experiences when her lover touches her in a certain way. She describes how her life feels complete and problem-free when she is around her lover. The singer emphasizes that her lover's touch has the power to turn her melancholic moments into joyous ones.
The song portrays a perfect situation and a wild imagination with a crazy fascination that gives her a sweet sensation. The words used in the lyrics describes her feelings in a very momentous way, which shows the importance of her lover's touch in her life. The song's lyrics are simple yet relatable, and the melody complements the words to create an atmosphere of contentment.
Line by Line Meaning
Not gonna be no dusty road in my life today
I will not face any struggles or hardships today.
No more problems in my world
There will be no more issues revolving around me.
You got this blue-eyed girl
You have me in your arms.
When you touch me this way
Your touch has a special effect on me.
Not gonna be no lonely times in my life tonight
I will not feel alone or deserted tonight.
With your sweet love on my hand
I have your love to hold onto.
It's all I can stand
Your love is all I need to persevere.
Ooh, perfect situation, wild imagination
This moment couldn't be any better, my thoughts run wild with possibilities.
Ooh, crazy fascination
I am enamored by you.
What a sweet sensation
The feeling is indescribably amazing.
Not gonna be no rain falling in my life today
No sadness or despair will come my way today.
Fill my soul with sunshine
Your love and presence rejuvenates and fills me with happiness.
Happens every time
Every time you touch me, these feelings and sensations resurface.
Not gonna be no sad songs in my life tonight
There will be no grieving or sorrow tonight.
We're gonna rock away my blues
We will drive away my negative emotions together.
Ain't no way to lose
We are guaranteed to win.
When you touch me this way
Your touch is the key to our happiness and success.
Repeat to fade
These feelings and sensations will continue for a while.
Contributed by Hunter Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.