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.
Roses
Eddi Reader Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
love is all around
feel it in the breeze
summer’s coming round
dressing up the trees
and it makes me feel alright
watching all the signs of passing time
digging in their heels
open up your arms to the passing time
clear yourself a path you can leave behind
leave a lot of love in each heart you find
open up your heart to the passing time
roses in the ground
up the fields with summer light
showers falling down
all is as it seems
if it makes you feel alright
don’t regret a thing you leave behind
love is growing wild
out in summer fields
open up your arms to the passing time
clear yourself a path you can leave behind
leave a lot of love in each heart you find
open up your heart to the passing time
open up your arms to the passing time
clear yourself a path you can leave behind
leave a lot of love in each heart you find
open up your heart
open up your heart
open up your arms to the passing time
clear yourself a path you can leave behind
leave a lot of love in each heart you find
open up your heart to the passing time
open up your arms to the passing time
clear yourself a path you can leave behind
leave a lot of love in each heart you find
open up your heart to the passing time
open up your heart
open up your heart
open up your heart
fly away - they’re flying away
The opening lines of Eddi Reader's song "Roses" speak to the presence of love that can be felt all around. With the arrival of summer, nature transforms and the trees begin to bloom, dressing up in their best attire. The passage of time can be seen as the seasons switch places and each dig their heels into the earth. The singer encourages the listener to open their arms wide and embrace the passing of time. She advises them to clear a path that they can leave behind, so that they can move forward and leave a trail of love in every heart they touch.
From "Roses," one gathers that love is not only present in the environment but also in the hearts of people. Even as seasons change, love continues to grow and bloom in every corner. Watching the fields turn vibrant with the light of summer and the showers of rain makes the singer feel alright. She advises not to have any regrets and leave behind anything that doesn't serve a purpose. In essence, the singer is emphasizing the need to embrace life's fleeting moments and let love guide our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
love is all around
Love is present in everything
feel it in the breeze
You can sense love in the air
summer’s coming round
Summer is about to arrive
dressing up the trees
Making trees more beautiful for summer
and it makes me feel alright
Feeling happy because of the beauty around
watching all the signs of passing time
Observing how time passes and changes things
seasons going round
The seasons are changing
digging in their heels
The changes of seasons are settling in
clear yourself a path you can leave behind
Create a legacy that people will remember
leave a lot of love in each heart you find
Spread love and kindness wherever you go
roses in the ground
Seeing beautiful flowers on the ground
up the fields with summer light
Fields look bright and radiant in the summer sunlight
showers falling down
Rain is falling
all is as it seems
Everything is natural
if it makes you feel alright
If it makes you feel happy
don’t regret a thing you leave behind
Don't feel bad about what you've done before
love is growing wild
Love is increasing in abundance
open up your arms to the passing time
Embrace the changes that time brings
open up your heart to the passing time
Be open to the emotions that time brings
open up your heart
Be more open and loving
fly away - they’re flying away
The birds are flying away
Contributed by Leo M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@monikavilla1104
I love that song, beautiful
@yarenao7
My plants love this song! Thanks :)
@linlathen
seldom does a singer sound so swoonsome, you have it in spades Eddi....wonderful.
@janknuckey
When the Doctor gave me the news that I had a lump I went home in the rain and cried...then I reached for a cd.... Only music I could play was Eddi.. well, and Abba ! Eddi we love you xxx
@guillermobodden9239
Goose pimps on my body from the first note!! Incredibly lovely song
@AndiAwaitsyou
Eddi reader is the only singer that makes the best music videos this and dragonflies are my favourite!
@willaimforbes1508
Fantastic vocals
@johnnyleith
Love the song and the album! ty
@Dijeratic
Music like this is a gift in a dark world.
@notreadyforsex
Dream! Happiness!