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.
the climb
Barbara Dickson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sending him the road he came
Mayve he'll be someone someday
Everyone will know his name
Even if he learns the hard way
Maybe it'll take some time
Everywhere you've played is worth it
When you've made the climb
People in a smoky bar room
Listen to the words he sings
Wonder where the songs all come from
Finger picking weary strings
Gonna set his life to music
Found a reason for the rhyme
Waiting for the break
The day he's gonna make the climb
When will you lift your lift your eyes
Burning skies are promising the dawn
Forget the part you played in the masquerade
And maybe a song will help you go on
Met him at a late night party
Heard him in the concert hall
Saw him in a transport cafe
Bought him at the record store
Read him in the music papers
Played him for the thousandth time
And everybody said that finally
He'd made the climb
Somewhere on the urban clearway
Someone sings his favourite song
Guitar in a battered hard case
Falling as he walks along
Thanking him for inspiration
Trying to complete the mind
Walking in a dream and he
Doesn't even see the climb
When will you lift your eyes
Morning skies are promising the dawn
Forget the part you played in the masquerade
And maybe a song'll help you go on
Do, do, do, do......
The lyrics of Barbara Dickson's The Climb depict the journey of a musician striving for success, recognition and validation. The song's first verse showcases the singer's ambition to make it big in the music industry, willing to learn the ropes the hard way and willing to take all the time he requires, for each milestone achieved will be worth it. The second verse depicts the musician performing in a smoky bar room, with people listening intently to his lyrics and wondering about his inspiration. The musician is determined to "set his life to music" and "find a reason for the rhyme," eagerly waiting for his big break.
In the chorus, the song asks the musician, "When will you lift your eyes?" indicating a sense of urgency to reach the pinnacle of his dreams. The stanza reminds him that the sky is full of prospects and the dawn is forthcoming, encouraging him to leave behind the masks he has been wearing and embrace the artist within. The final verse carries an air of nostalgia, with the musician being celebrated as an influential figure in someone's life. A musician whom the singer bought at a record store, saw in a transport cafe and heard in a concert hall had inspired them to pursue their dreams. The ending of the song signifies that sometimes, musicians might not even realize that they have made the climb, and that their talent and music continue to influence others in ways they might never know.
Line by Line Meaning
Out along the urban clearway
Starting on the path towards success in the hustle and bustle of the city
Sending him the road he came
Encouraging him to pursue his dreams, wherever they may lead him
Mayve he'll be someone someday
Expressing hope that he will achieve recognition and fame
Everyone will know his name
Anticipating that he will become a well-known figure in the music industry
Even if he learns the hard way
Acknowledging that the road to success may not be easy, but he will learn from his mistakes
Maybe it'll take some time
Recognizing that progress and achievements may take time and patience
Everywhere you've played is worth it
Emphasizing that every experience, no matter how small, contributes to the journey towards success
When you've made the climb
Celebrating the achievement of overcoming obstacles and reaching the desired level of success
People in a smoky bar room
Depicting a scene of listeners in an intimate venue
Listen to the words he sings
Paying attention to his messages and storytelling in his music
Wonder where the songs all come from
Curious about the inspiration behind his music
Finger picking weary strings
Playing arduously and passionately on the guitar
Gonna set his life to music
Using his life experiences to inspire his music
Found a reason for the rhyme
Discovering meaning behind his lyrics and poetic language
Waiting for the break
Anticipating the opportunity to launch his career
The day he's gonna make the climb
Believing that he will reach success in the future
When will you lift your lift your eyes
Encouraging him to look up and face his challenges boldly
Burning skies are promising the dawn
The challenges he faces are intense, but dawn and a new beginning are promised
Forget the part you played in the masquerade
Suggesting that he should let go of any facades or pretenses that may hold him back
And maybe a song will help you go on
Music can be a source of comfort and motivation to keep moving forward
Met him at a late night party
Encountering him casually in social settings
Heard him in the concert hall
Appreciating his talent in a professional performance setting
Saw him in a transport cafe
Spotting him in a mundane location while going about daily life
Bought him at the record store
Purchasing his music and supporting his career
Read him in the music papers
Following his career in music publications
Played him for the thousandth time
Revisiting and enjoying his music multiple times
And everybody said that finally
Others recognizing his hard work and eventual success
He'd made the climb
Reaching the top of his field and achieving great success
Somewhere on the urban clearway
Indicating that his success has led to a presence in the city
Someone sings his favourite song
His music has become beloved by many, and is played frequently
Guitar in a battered hard case
Carrying his instrument with him wherever he goes, even if it is worn down from use
Falling as he walks along
Deliberating on his tough journey to success, as he walks and carries his guitar
Thanking him for inspiration
Others are grateful for his music and the messages it conveys
Trying to complete the mind
Inspiring others to pursue their own passions and achieve success
Walking in a dream and he
He is in a state of disbelief or shock as he reflects on his success
Doesn't even see the climb
It's hard to see the struggle and hard work that went into achieving his success, now that he has reached the top
Do, do, do, do......
Repeating a joyful, celebratory melody
Contributed by Jordyn D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.