Reader was born in Glasgow, the daughter of a welder, and the eldest of seven children (her brother, Francis, is vocalist with the band The Trash Can Sinatras). She began playing the guitar at the age of ten, and started her musical career busking, first in Glasgow's Sauchiehall Street, then in the early 1980s around Europe (where she also worked with circus and performance artists).
Back in Scotland, she joined the punk band Gang of Four as a backing singer which led to her first US tour. After leaving the band she started working as a session vocalist in London, singing with such acts as Eurythmics, Alison Moyet and Language.
In 1984, Reader sang for a brief time with disco group Outbar Squeek. Around the same time she teamed up with Mark E. Nevin, a guitarist and songwriter, to record a few of his songs. They subsequently formed Fairground Attraction, together with Simon Edwards and Roy Dodds. In 1988 the band released their first single, Perfect, which became a UK number one, winning best single at the 1989 Brit Awards. Their first album, The First of a Million Kisses, was also a success, reaching number two in the UK album chart, and winning best album at the 1989 Brit Awards.
This success was short-lived, however. In November, 1989, after a break, during which Reader had her first child, Charlie with her French-Algerian partner Milou, Mark Nevin abandoned a recording session for the second album, which would eventually lead to the splitting of the band. A makeshift second album, a collection of B-sides and live tracks, Ay Fond Kiss was rushed out the following year.
Reader returned to Scotland, but before she embarked on her solo career she took a temporary detour into acting. She played Jolene Jowett, a singer and accordionist, in John Byrne's Your Cheatin' Heart, a comedy-drama series for BBC television, set in the country music scene in Scotland.
Returning to London, Reader worked on new material with a backing band calling itself "The Patron Saints of Imperfection" (made up of Roy Dodds, Neill and Calum MacColl, and Phil Steriopoulos). This became her first solo album, recorded for RCA: 1992's Mirmama. It was followed by Eddi Reader (1994), which won her the "Best female singer" Brit Award that year, Candyfloss and Medicine (1996), Angels & Electricity (1998), Simple Soul (2001) and Driftwood (2002) - a "homegrown" release of songs recorded during the Simple Soul sessions.
In 2003, she recorded her album of material by Robert Burns with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra leading to excellent reviews and an international resurgence in interest in Scotland's Bard.
The Song "Bell Book And Candle" was included in the final soundtrack of the TV show by WB "Charmed", The name of the disc is "Charmed: The Final Chapter".
In the 2006 New Years Honours List, Reader was awarded the MBE for services to music.
Her eighth studio album Peacetime was released in the UK on 29 January 2007 on the Rough Trade label. Critically praised and produced by fellow Scottish folk musician John McCusker the album features a few Burns songs alongside brand new material with longtime collaborator Boo Hewerdine and Trashcan Sinatras' John Douglas. Reader promoted the album with a 15 date UK tour in February.
Dolphins
Eddi Reader Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and all about the times we were running wild
I’ve been searching for the dolphins in the sea, yeah
sometimes I wonder do you ever think of me?
this old world will never change, ah, ha! the way it’s been
and all our ways of war can’t change it back again
I’ve been searching for the dolphins in the sea, no
sometimes I wonder do you ever think of me? yeah, no
I’ve been searching for the dolphins in the sea,
sometimes I wonder do you ever think of me?
lord, I’m not the one to tell this old world how to get along
I only know that peace will come, ah, when all our hate is gone
I’ve been searching for the dolphins in the sea,
sometimes I wonder do you ever think of me?
do you ever, do you ever,
do you ever think of me?
careless, careless
careless
The lyrics of "Dolphins" by Eddi Reader hold a deep and poignant meaning. The first two lines of the song "sometimes I think about Saturday’s child, and all about the times we were running wild" refer to the joyous and carefree days of childhood. It is a reflection on the innocence and freedom of youth that we lose over time.
The central theme of the song revolves around the search for a greater purpose in life; a pursuit of something more significant than what the world has to offer. In this case, the singer is searching for the 'dolphins in the sea', which represent hope, happiness, and the beauty of the natural world. It serves as a metaphor for the idea of chasing something that appears elusive and unattainable.
The song also contains a deep message about the futility of war and violence, and how it is impossible to undo the damage done by centuries of conflict. The line "this old world will never change, ah, ha! The way it’s been, and all our ways of war can’t change it back again" underscores the devastating effects of war and human greed.
Line by Line Meaning
sometimes I think about saturday’s child
Sometimes, I remember being young and carefree
and all about the times we were running wild
I remember the times we had when we were young and wild
I’ve been searching for the dolphins in the sea, yeah
I've been searching for something pure and beautiful
sometimes I wonder do you ever think of me?
I sometimes think if you still remember me
this old world will never change, ah, ha! the way it’s been
The world will never change from its ways of war and chaos
and all our ways of war can’t change it back again
Fighting and war cannot fix the world's problems
I’ve been searching for the dolphins in the sea, no
I'm still searching for something pure and beautiful
sometimes I wonder do you ever think of me? yeah, no
I still wonder if you remember me, even though it's unlikely
lord, I’m not the one to tell this old world how to get along
I cannot tell the world how to solve its problems
I only know that peace will come, ah, when all our hate is gone
I only know that peace will come when hate stops ruling the world
do you ever, do you ever,
Do you ever, do you ever,
do you ever think of me?
Do you ever think of me?
careless, careless
Thoughtless, thoughtless
careless
Thoughtless
Contributed by Thomas M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Johanna Weber
I love you so much dear Eddi!! Your music is pure magic through my whole life. When i hear you sing my heart opens really wide.
jack quack
Artist of the highest order. Astonished by earlier comments. Thank you, Eddi. A magnifcent masterpiece xxx
George McElroy
Eddi, you are so amazing. When I am driving and you're on the stereo, which is quite often, life is so good. Thank you for everything you have done to make this world a better place!
LoriCiani
This is so...there are no words that can adequately describe how beautifull the interpretation of this song is, Eddi sings it with such passion. rosstyuk, I an so gratefull that you put this here on YouTube. Thanks. : )
Mimi O'Malley
Beautiful version. Incredible interpretation. Awe-inspiring voice.
Robin Roland
the power, the range, the intelligence,the passion--WOW!
jack quack
A song aided my tears through the pain of a lost love and new fatherhood.
Edinburgh74
saw Eddi last night in Edinburgh- she didnt sing this but her voice is great. those high notes!! something else.
pur69
Brilliant!!!Thanks for posting this! Where's it from? Is it an Irish TV show? This is still one of my favourite Eddi recordings. People should check out her "Mirmama" album. Great singing with a Scottish accent!!!
A Pa
tues, 18th of sept, 2018- I know it is 10 years ago this was posted, but I just wanted to say, I included this version by Eddi Reader in a playlist I made 6 months ago, of many different versions of the same 'Dolphins' song by Fred Neil, and Eddi's version is truly wonderful and unique.