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.
Silver Dream Machine
David Essex Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Here am I, I'm going for another try
Flying high, I've got a lot of love inside
Is there love enough now to get me through?
Yeah, I know now where I'm going to
Not to lose now but to win
Tell me, how do I begin?
I've a dream, silver dream machine
'Cause love is the thing
And freedom is the word I sing
Is there force now, yeah, to get us through?
Yeah, it's deep in me and it's deep in you
Not to lose now but to win
Tell me how do I begin?
I've a dream, silver dream machine
Silver dream, silver dream machine
Is there love enough now to get me through?
Yeah, I know now where I'm going to
Not to lose now but to win
Tell me how do I begin?
I've a dream, silver dream machine
Silver dream, silver dream machine
Silver dream, silver dream machine
The lyrics of David Essex's song "Silver Dream Machine" are filled with hope and determination, as the singer expresses his desire to achieve success and happiness through perseverance and love. The dream he speaks of is represented by a silver dream machine, which serves as a metaphor for his goals and aspirations. The language of the lyrics is poetic and vivid, conjuring up vivid images of flying high and reaching new heights.
The lyrics suggest that love is the key to achieving one's dreams, and that although there may be obstacles and challenges to overcome, one can find the strength to overcome them by tapping into the power of love. The silver dream machine represents not just the singer's individual quest for success, but also a broader desire for freedom and self-discovery. The repetition of the phrase "not to lose now but to win" reinforces the idea that the singer is determined to succeed, no matter what challenges he may face.
Overall, "Silver Dream Machine" is a song about hope, determination, and the power of love to overcome obstacles and achieve success. It speaks to the universal human desire to dream big, chase our hearts' desires, and never give up on achieving our goals.
Line by Line Meaning
I've a dream, silver dream machine
I have a wonderful fantasy about a gleaming machine.
Here am I, I'm going for another try
I am stepping up and taking another chance.
Flying high, I've got a lot of love inside
I'm full of emotion and confidence.
Is there love enough now to get me through?
Will my love be sufficient to carry me forward?
Yeah, I know now where I'm going to
Yes, I'm aware of where I'm headed.
Not to lose now but to win
I must not be defeated, I must prevail.
Tell me, how do I begin?
Please give me guidance on where to start?
Well, alright, I've got a lot of love to try
Fine, I'll keep trying with all the love I have.
'Cause love is the thing
Love is the most important thing.
And freedom is the word I sing
I long for liberty and that is what I sing about.
Is there force now, yeah, to get us through?
Do we have enough strength to overcome our obstacles?
Yeah, it's deep in me and it's deep in you
Yes, we both have what it takes deep within us.
Silver dream, silver dream machine
My amazing dream of the gleaming machine.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DAVID ESSEX
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Richard Medina
Here am I, I'm going for another try,
Flying high, I've got a lot of love inside.
Is there love enough now to get me through?
Yeah, I know now where I'm going to -
Not to lose now but to win;
Tell me, how do I begin?
I've a dream, silver dream machine.
Well, alright, I've got a lot of love to try,
'Cause love is the thing,
And freedom is the word I sing.
Is there force now, yeah, to get us through?
Yeah, it's deep in me and it's deep in you -
Not to lose now but to win,
Tell me how do I begin?
I've a dream, silver dream machine;
Silver dream, silver dream machine.
Is there love enough now to get me through?
Yeah, I know now where I'm going to -
Not to lose now but to win;
Tell me how do I begin?
I've a dream, silver dream machine;
Silver dream, silver dream machine;
Silver dream, silver dream machine.
SPARTA_JKD
David's a massive part of my youth, a pop/rock music legend. Long may he live. 🙏🏼
mrtiff99
I've had this playing in my head for the past hour. I said to my wife let's find it on YouTube. You don't be hear this on the radio anymore, probably the last time ever hear it, let's give it an airing
The Sanddancer Warrior
I love this one, David's best in my view, a classic.
simon warner
Makes you want to get onto a motorbike and ride
Allyson Ohlsen
I have been looking for the full movie for ages. My son is a bike maniac and I keep telling him about this movie. It was epic and it stuck in my mind for years now already.
Allyson Ohlsen
@tenrgn thank you so much I appreciate it
tenrgn
@Allyson Ohlsen no probs😀
Tony Botting
One of my all time most enjoyable songs and films . I'm nearly 50 now but i remember as a boy no older than 9/10 , my dad and uncle taking me to a Speedway meeting near Dartford The Crayford kestrels , and this song was always playing before racing started , got me so exited .And so started my obsession with racing and bikes .
Robert McElwaine
This song seems largely forgotten, which is a shame because it's pretty amazing, and David Essex came before my time, seeing as I was born in 1977.
Ann
Same year as my son