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, “Yesterday”, 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.
Gonna Make You A Star
David Essex Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's so strange the way he talk, it's a disgrace
Well I know I've been out of style
For a short while
But I don't care how cold you are
I'm coming home soon
I'm gonna make you a star, yeah
But I don't believe it
He just doesn't seem to understand the rock media
Well I know I'm not super hip
And I'm liable to take a slip
But I don't care how cold you are
I'm coming home soon
I'm gonna make you a star, yeah, yeah
We gonna make ya a star
We gonna make ya a star
Oh is he more, too much more than a pretty face
(I don't think so)
It's so strange the way he talkin', it's a disgrace
Well I know I've out of style
For a short while
But you see I don't care how cold you are
I'm coming home soon
I'm gonna make you a star, yeah
We gonna make ya a star
We gonna make ya a star
We gonna make ya a star
We gonna make ya a star
We gonna make ya a star
The lyrics of David Essex's "Gonna Make You a Star" tells the story of a man who is determined to make his loved one a star, no matter how much other people may doubt him. The first verse describes the man as more than just a pretty face but someone with a unique voice, which some may find strange. The singer then admits that they haven't been around for a short while, but they do not care how cold their lover is towards them. Essentially, the singer believes in their lover's hidden talent and is willing to risk his reputation to make this dream come true.
The second verse suggests that the man claims to be into music but does not understand the rock media. The singer admits that they are not "super hip" but they do not care because they are coming home soon to make their lover a star. The chorus repeats the line "we gonna make ya a star" over and over, emphasising the singer's determination to make their lover's dreams come true.
In conclusion, the song is about believing in the talent of someone you care about, even when others doubt them. The singer is willing to risk everything to make their lover's dream of becoming a star a reality.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh is he more, too much more than a pretty face
I'm skeptical that this guy has any talent beyond his appearance.
It's so strange the way he talk, it's a disgrace
His way of speaking is unimpressive and inappropriate.
Well I know I've been out of style
I admit that I haven't been in the limelight lately.
For a short while
It's only been a temporary absence.
But I don't care how cold you are
I'm determined to succeed regardless of any obstacles.
I'm coming home soon
I'll be back to where I belong soon.
I'm gonna make you a star, yeah
I'm confident that I can catapult you to fame.
Well he say he's into his music
He claims to be passionate about music.
But I don't believe it
I'm skeptical about his authenticity.
He just doesn't seem to understand the rock media
He appears clueless about marketing his music.
Well I know I'm not super hip
I admit that I'm not cutting-edge.
And I'm liable to take a slip
I acknowledge that I may make mistakes.
But I don't care how cold you are
I'm not deterred by any cynicism.
I'm coming home soon
I'll be back in the spotlight soon.
I'm gonna make you a star, yeah, yeah
I'll be the one to catapult you to fame.
We gonna make ya a star
Together, we'll propel you to fame.
We gonna make ya a star
We're committed to making you a household name.
We gonna make ya a star
Our goal is to make you a superstar.
We gonna make ya a star
We're confident in our ability to get you there.
We gonna make ya a star
Sit back and let us take you to the top.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DAVID ESSEX
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gerseygal3633
In the 1970s when David Essex would come on the telly....total silence in the house...My cousins and I dreaming of David....We still all Love him...
@kerrypenelopearnold6433
Yep.
@tombeasley4769
Yes , I remember as a small kid back then. From what I recall there was an occasional slot on I T V introduced by David Diddy Hamilton.
@leopoldonotarianni8663
I remember that silence
@kaywaters7478
I think I’m going to meet him next year
@juliemoody1638
It’s all the Romany Gypsy genes he had flowing through him.....bloody gorgeous!!!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️
@hooverguy6072
Youve nailed it.......
@debbiewindsor6834
Couldn’t agree more!
@johnnywhelan7849
Not Romany but Irish traveller blood from his mother
@theereguv9031
You could be right there my lovely