In the 1970s, Essex emerged as one of the UK's top performers. His biggest hits during this decade included a pair of Number One singles : "Gonna Make You A Star" (1974), a satirical look at his success; and "Hold Me Close" (1975), a cheerful singalong. He also appeared in Stardust, a 1974 sequel to That'll Be The Day; the title song was another Top 10 hit. In 1976, Essex covered the Beatles song, βYesterdayβ, for the musical documentary All This and World War II.
Essex's pop idol looks gave him a strong female fan base and his British tours created scenes of hysteria reminiscent of Beatlemania. According to the Guinness Book of British Hit Singles - 16th Edition - ISBN 0-85112-190-X 'he was voted the number one British male vocalist in 1974, and was a teen idol for more than a decade'.
In 1978, he appeared on Jeff Wayne's concept album, a musical version of The War of the Worlds, as the Artilleryman. The two album set remains a bestseller.
In the same year, Essex played the character Che, loosely based on Che Guevara, in the original production of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Evita, and his recording of the show's "Oh What a Circus" reached Number 3. Two years later, he starred in the film Silver Dream Racer; and the soundtrack song "Silver Dream Machine" was yet another Top 10 hit in the UK singles chart. In 1985, he wrote and starred as Fletcher Christian in the West End musical Mutiny!, based on the novel Mutiny on the Bounty by Charles Nordhoff and James Norman Hall. The score produced two more hit singles, including "Tahiti," his tenth Top 10 success.
Essex has continued to perform in all areas of show business, to varying degrees of success. A 1989 sitcom, "The River", achieved good ratings. In 1991, a compilation entitled His Greatest Hits reached Number 13; a 1993 album, Cover Shot, peaked at Number 3. His autobiography, A Charmed Life, was published in 2002, and became a bestseller.
In 1999, Essex was named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire. He still tours the UK on a yearly basis and releases albums through his website. Surprisingly, despite his long and thriving British career, he remains largely unknown in the United States. "Rock On" reached Number 5 in 1974, and was his only Billboard Top 40 hit single.
The grandson of an Irish Traveller, Essex told Jake Bowers of the BBC's Rokker Radio, a programme for Gypsies and Travellers, on 30th July 2006, that he has always been openly proud of his Traveller roots, but that having moved to the US, Essex has said he feels it inappropriate for him to continue as Patron of Britain's National Gypsy Council, which works for equal rights, education, and services for Romany and Irish Travellers.
In 2005, he appeared as a guest vocalist on Saint Etienne's album Tales from Turnpike House. Also that year, he appeared in the Channel 4 documentary Bring Back...The Christmas Number One.
Essex was due to join the cast of soap opera EastEnders, in early 2006, as new character Jack Edwards. However, the role was expanded beyond the three weeks planned, and Essex was unable to commit the time. The role instead went to Nicky Henson.
A model and recording of Essex is featured in the museum of West Ham United Football Club. In the recording, he explains his reasons for supporting West Ham and his love of the team. He remains a popular, hard working and respected star, who has nevertheless not achieved a more global presence.
Falling Angels Riding
David Essex Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
in the same street of our town
we played and laughed together
until the sun went down
until the sun went down
we were soldiers, cowboys, blood brothers
we ran so fast so long
Standing close to eachother
so right but now so wrong
But now we're falling angels riding
riding in to the night
Yes we are falling angels riding
they say they'll shoot us on sight
so we ride in to the night
We wanted to do better
we tried all kinds of things
to move away from that little town
to buy us golden rings
to get us money and things
But now we're falling angels riding
riding in to the night.
Yes we are falling angels riding
riding with all of our might
they say they'll shoot us on sight
But now we're falling angels riding
riding in to the night
Yes we are falling angels riding
they say they'll shoot us on sight
so we ride in to the night
For we are falling angels riding
riding in to the night
Yes we are falling angels riding
they say they'll shoot us on sight
so we ride with all of our might
For we are falling angels riding
riding in to the night
yes we are falling angels riding
they say they'll shoot us on sight
End
The lyrics to David Essex's Falling Angels Riding tell the story of two childhood friends who grew up together and dreamed of bigger things. They played games and imagined themselves as soldiers and cowboys, feeling invincible and powerful. But as they got older, they realized that their dreams were difficult to achieve, and instead of reaching for the stars, they found themselves falling down to Earth. The song is a reflection on disappointment, loss, and ultimately, the hopelessness that can come with experiencing failure.
The two friends once had a bond that seemed unbreakable, standing together and feeling as though nothing could stop them. But as they drift further apart from each other and the world around them, they become "falling angels riding in to the night." The phrase "falling angels" could reference their sense of loss, the way they're falling from grace, or the idea that they're both doomed to a certain fate. They ride through the night, chasing a dream that seems further and further out of reach, and they do so with a sense of desperation, knowing that they could be shot any moment.
The song's themes of disillusionment, disappointment, and longing are universal, and the lyrics are powerful and poignant. They paint a picture of two friends who have lost their way, trying to hold on to each other as they navigate the uncertain and sometimes dangerous waters of adulthood. The lyrics are a testament to the human spirit and the importance of friendship, even in the darkest of times.
Line by Line Meaning
Well my friend and i lived together
The singer and their friend used to live together in the same street of their town.
in the same street of our town
The singer and their friend lived in the same area of their town.
we played and laughed together
The singer and their friend had fun together.
until the sun went down
They played and laughed together until it got dark.
we were soldiers, cowboys, blood brothers
They pretended to be soldiers, cowboys, and blood brothers together.
we ran so fast so long
They spent a lot of time running together.
Standing close to eachother
They stood close to each other.
we felt so tall so strong
They felt powerful and confident while standing close to each other.
so right but now so wrong
They used to feel like they were doing the right thing, but now they feel like they made a mistake.
But now we're falling angels riding
The artist and their friend are like falling angels as they travel on their journey.
riding in to the night
They are traveling at night.
Yes we are falling angels riding
They are still like falling angels as they continue to travel.
they say they'll shoot us on sight
Someone has threatened to shoot them if they are seen.
so we ride in to the night
They continue to travel at night to avoid being seen and shot.
We wanted to do better
They wanted to improve their lives.
we tried all kinds of things
They tried many different ways to improve their lives.
to move away from that little town
One of the things they tried was to move away from their small town.
to buy us golden rings
They wanted to buy expensive things like golden rings.
to get us money and things
They wanted to earn money and obtain material possessions.
riding with all of our might
They are riding as hard and as fast as they can.
For we are falling angels riding
They continue to be falling angels on their journey.
yes we are falling angels riding
They repeat that they are falling angels on their journey.
they say they'll shoot us on sight
They repeat that someone has threatened to shoot them if they are seen.
Writer(s): COLYER STEVE, ESSEX DAVID
Contributed by Cooper C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@tonycarpenter9043
Lol I was in β mutiny β with David for a year and a half playing john millward .....it was a great time ...me and David had a great laugh .....as we all did ......great show.... l was blessed to be a part of it π
@clareodriscoll8031
Hi Tony, that's amazing! I've just heard the record for the first time and I'm gutted I never got to see it! I'm sure it was great fun to perform. This is a long shot, but you never had any photos of the set design did you? I'd be very curious to see how it was actually staged! Best wishes, Clare.
@bareftbeachbaby
I saw Mutiny at the Picadilly. It was such a beautiful show. I was mesmerized. Truly wonderful. Great story, amazing set. Really loved it. Thank you.
@retrofan1
This is one of my favourite tracks from David Essex When performed live back in 1987 at St. Davids hall WE had to sing with David it is nice to find this Clip I have Beeen Waiting for this to come on You Tube rom Retro faan
@m.carolineszoke5548
Bravo David!Great singer,perfect sound & brilliant voice! I feel so happy!THANKS!πππβπ€πΆππΈππ₯πβ₯οΈ
@retrofan1
what a performance That song was out as a single in 1985 ahead of Mutiny which was David's own musical When David did his comeback Tour in 1987 this track was the best live as we all had to sing along + broke into We'll keep a welcome which was nice i do Hope that David features this song agin when he does a greatest hits Tour from Retro Fan
@gudatine
YUM !! He's so gorgeous β₯
@taffykev
The song is brilliant. David Essex is superb. Well done mate.
@45rpmSINGLES
Takes me back to seeing the Mutiny in London. The ship was the most impressive stage set I`ve ever seen.
@idlehands1238
This was the first record I ever bought.