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.
the exception
Eddi Reader Lyrics
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The tired eyes betrayed the smile of the faded singing star
At the publishers reception on the launching of her book
She told the grimy details and the toll the details took
The tours, applause, awards of course
But as the years went by, those fundamental things still applied
Oh but she thought she'd be the exception
Oh yes she thought she'd be the exception
Sometimes, sometimes
The workaholic millionaire and his pretty younger wife
Had everything there was out there in the ad mans perfect life
But she left him for the milkman and then moved into his flat
Everyone said silly girl to do a thing like that
The house, the cars, the credit cards but he didn't ask her why
He knows that there's some things even cash can't buy
Oh yes he thought he'd be the exception
Oh yes he thought he'd be the exception
But don't we all think we're the exception
Sometimes, sometimes
If a handout to the hungry and the homeless
Is a fiver in the fickle hand of fate
Does it mean we'll be there on the guest list
When we get to heaven's gate
No pain, no gain, that's what they're saying and it's hard to disagree
But I thought somehow they weren't including me
Oh but I thought I'd be the exception
Oh yes I thought I'd be the exception
But don't we all think we're the exception
Sometimes, sometimes
The song "The Exception" by Eddi Reader is a powerful commentary on the human condition and our tendency to believe that we are the exception to the rules that govern life. The lyrics paint a picture of three different individuals who all believed that they were different from everyone else and that they could somehow avoid the consequences of their actions.
The first verse describes a faded singing star who thought that she could handle the pressures of fame and fortune. She believed that she was the exception to the rule that says that success comes with a price. As time passed, however, she realized that the toll of fame and fortune was too great and that she was just like everyone else who had come before her.
The second verse tells the story of a workaholic millionaire who thought that his money could buy him happiness and love. He believed he was the exception to the rule that says that money can't buy happiness. When his wife left him for the milkman, he realized that there are some things that money can't buy.
The final verse explores the idea that we all believe that we are the exception when it comes to doing the right thing. We may be generous to the poor and homeless, but we also have to realize that there is no guarantee that we will be rewarded for our good deeds. We may think that we are the exception to the rule that says no pain, no gain, but in reality, we all have to pay our dues at some point.
Overall, the song is a powerful reminder that no one is immune from the consequences of their actions, and we should all be mindful of the choices we make in life.
Line by Line Meaning
In a paparazzi photograph she was stepping from a car
The faded singing star was caught in a paparazzi photograph getting out of a car.
The tired eyes betrayed the smile of the faded singing star
Although she smiled, the sadness in her eyes revealed the struggles she faced as a fading star.
At the publishers reception on the launching of her book
She attended a reception at the publisher's for her book launch.
She told the grimy details and the toll the details took
She shared the difficult details and the emotional toll they had on her.
The tours, applause, awards of course
She had experienced tours, applause, and awards as expected in her career.
But as the years went by, those fundamental things still applied
Despite the passage of time, those essential things still remained significant to her.
Oh but she thought she'd be the exception
She believed she would be the one to beat the odds and not face the same struggles as other fading stars.
But don't we all think we're the exception
We often believe that we won't suffer the same fate as others and that we'll be the exception.
Sometimes, sometimes
This belief can occur occasionally or periodically.
The workaholic millionaire and his pretty younger wife
A wealthy man who worked obsessively and had a much younger and attractive wife.
Had everything there was out there in the ad mans perfect life
The couple had everything that advertisers depict as a perfect life.
But she left him for the milkman and then moved into his flat
Despite her perfect setup, she left her millionaire husband for a milkman and moved in with him.
Everyone said silly girl to do a thing like that
Others criticized her for leaving her wealthy husband and dating a milkman.
The house, the cars, the credit cards but he didn't ask her why
Although they had a luxurious lifestyle, he did not question her motives for leaving him.
He knows that there's some things even cash can't buy
He realizes that some things cannot be purchased with money.
If a handout to the hungry and the homeless
If we give money or assistance to those in need.
Is a fiver in the fickle hand of fate
Our ability to help others may depend on the fickle hand of fate and chance circumstances.
Does it mean we'll be there on the guest list
Does our generosity to others ensure an invitation to heaven's gate?
When we get to heaven's gate
When we die and our souls arrive at heaven's gate.
No pain, no gain, that's what they're saying and it's hard to disagree
The proverbial statement that progress or success requires pain or hard work is difficult to refute.
But I thought somehow they weren't including me
Despite this common adage, the artist believed they were exempt from pain and hard work.
Oh but I thought I'd be the exception
The artist believed they would be unique and avoid the struggles that others face.
But don't we all think we're the exception
Like the other examples in this song, we tend to believe that we're different and won't face the same struggles as others.
Sometimes, sometimes
This belief can occur occasionally or periodically.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MARK EDWARD CASCIAN NEVIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind