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.
Hold On Me
David Essex Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I, yes I love you and I think that you know
Do ya know
With your love light shining
Every clouds got a silver lining
So hold me close, don't let me go
Hold me close, don't let me go, oh no
Do you know
With your love light shining clearly
It's so good to have-a-ya near me
So hold me close, don't let me go
And if that road gets weary, oh I love you
Waiting here if you need me
'Cause I love the things that you do
So hold me close, don't let me go,oh no
You see I, yes I love ya and I think that you know
Do you know
With your love light shining
Every clouds got a silver lining
So hold me close, don't let me go
And if that road gets tougher, oh I love you
No I'll let ya suffer 'cause I love the things that you do
So hold me close, don't let me go oh no
You and me, yes our love it will grow and grow
Do you know
With your love light shining
Every cloud has a silver lining
So hold me close, hold me close, hold me close don't let me go
Hold me close
Closer girl
Hold me close
David Essex's 'Hold Me Close' is a love ballad that speaks of the singer's longing for his lover not to let go of him. The lyrics tell the story of a relationship that is based on strong love, where the two lovers complement and complete each other. The phrase "hold me close, don't let me go" is the anchor of the song, and it repeats throughout the lyrics to emphasize the underlying message of the song.
The lyrics use metaphors to express the singer's love for his partner. The phrase "with your love light shining" refers to his lover's radiant and positive effect on him, and "every cloud's got a silver lining" reinforces the idea that even in tough times, there is hope and optimism. Despite the challenges of the road, the singer reassures his lover that he will always be waiting for her if she needs him.
The lyrics reveal a deep connection between the two lovers, and the singer is not afraid to express his emotions. The repetition of the phrase "do you know" suggests that the singer wants his lover to understand the depth of his feelings for her. The song ends with the appeal to hold him close, closer girl, emphasizing the urgent need to be together.
Line by Line Meaning
Hold me close, don't let me go, oh no
I want you to hold me tight and never let me go, as I am afraid to lose you.
I, yes I love you and I think that you know
I love you and I believe you already know that.
Do ya know
Do you know/realize the depth of love I have for you?
With your love light shining
You brighten up my life with your love.
Every clouds got a silver lining
Even in the darkest hours, love sheds light and hope.
So hold me close, don't let me go
Please don't let me go, and hold me close to your heart.
You and me, yes our love it will stop the show
Our love is so strong that it can catch everyone's attention.
With your love light shining clearly
Your love shines through and is evident to everyone.
It's so good to have-a-ya near me
I feel happy and contented when you are by my side.
And if that road gets weary, oh I love you
Whenever the path becomes difficult, remember that I love you.
Waiting here if you need me
I will be here for you, always ready to support you.
'Cause I love the things that you do
I appreciate and cherish everything you do for me.
No I'll let ya suffer 'cause I love the things that you do
I will never let you go through difficult times alone, as I care for you deeply.
You and me, yes our love it will grow and grow
Our love will only get stronger over time.
Closer girl
Come closer to me, my love.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network
Written by: DAVID ESSEX
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ShatteredRippleBooks
One of my Mums favourite singers. Remember it playing as a kid. Reminds me of my Dad too miss you Dad.
@carolinegodden4364
Is he still with us, or deceased??? No clue is me..8.25 pm Caturday 1st October 2022
Melbourne Victoria Australia STRAYA Southern HEMISPHERE Southern Cross Cosmic HOLY SACRED Church CAT MEOWING WE ALL ARE IN MELBOURNE
8.26 pm
@guywiththeheadphones
My dad loved playing this in the car when I was young. Those were much happier times.
@marywegrzyn506
Yesssss!!!!!!!
@LouisJb139
I miss those days so much! Thankyou for showing me that someone else has this exact memory ❤️
@fionanicholson1995
Maybe you could hook me up with your dad😊
@arceisocha
Oh my lord. I remember being in the car as a child with my nan, singing along to this. I love you nan ♡ Miss you lots, Rest in peace.
@suziew1267
Love his voice, always been a fan since a teenager, his early songs remind me how I felt back then. You don't forget your first crush either lol.
@magician722
What a song
@79read
This was played has reflection music at my aunties funeral last Friday 😭😭😭😭
She loved David Essex