Paige's first professional appearance was in the UK tour of the Anthony Newley/Leslie Bricusse musical The Roar of the Greasepaint—the Smell of the Crowd. She made her West End debut in Hair, and went on to featured roles in Jesus Christ Superstar, Nuts, Grease, and Billy (a musical adaptation of the film Billy Liar.)
In 1978, Hal Prince offered the still relatively unknown Paige the title role in Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's Evita after Julie Covington, who played the role on the album turned down the part. This proved to be the defining moment in her evolution to the self proclaimed title "First Lady of British Musical Theatre".
Paige has portrayed some of Lloyd Webber's most notable female characters, originating the role of Grizabella in Cats (a role she reprised for a video release). She took on the role late in rehearsal when the actress Judi Dench had to pull out due to a torn Achilles tendon. Her performance of the song Memory from that show is her signature piece.
In 1994, Paige took over the role of Norma Desmond in Lloyd Webber's Sunset Boulevard when Betty Buckley was ill, before stepping into the part full time the following year. She transferred to the American production to make her Broadway debut in a performance that Lloyd Webber described as "musically terrific" in 1996, staying with the show until it closed the following year. In 1998, Paige made a guest star appearance at the Andrew Lloyd Webber, fiftieth birthday celebration in the Royal Albert Hall. She sang Memory and Don't Cry for Me Argentina.
By no means has Paige limited her theatre credits to Lloyd Webber projects. In 1986, she appeared as Florence in Chess, (lyrics by Tim Rice, music by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, formerly of ABBA), a role she had originated for the 1984 RCA double-disc concept album. The show was notable at the time for its set, which featured a large, tilting stage that resembled an illuminated chess board, with a proscenium built from television screens. For this role Paige was nominated for Laurence Olivier Award in a category Outstandng Performance by an Actress in a Musical.
She followed this success with a hit revival of Cole Porter's Anything Goes in 1989 which she co-produced with Tim Rice, based on the contemporary US (Lincoln Center) production starring Patti LuPone. In 1993, she embarked on a troubled run as famed French chanteuse Édith Piaf in Pam Gems' musical play Piaf (1993). In 2000 she appeared in another acclaimed revival, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II's The King and I, in which the King was played by Jason Scott Lee.
In 2004, she sang the role of Mrs. Lovett in the New York City Opera production of Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd. In June 2007 Paige will play the title role in the musical comedy The Drowsy Chaperone at London's Novello Theatre.
Paige also has had success in the UK singles charts. I Know Him So Well (from Chess), her duet with Barbara Dickson, held the #1 position in the British charts for four weeks, and still remains the biggest selling record by a female duo in the Guinness Book of Records. She also had a top ten hit with Memory from Cats. Additionally, she has had eight consecutive gold and four multi-platinum albums.
Paige released her first full studio album of new recordings in twelve years, "Essential Musicals" in October 2006. It includes popular songs from musicals identified by a poll on her radio show.
Paige has hosted her own BBC television specials as well as starred in several films for the network, and has also performed in a number of televised Royal Variety Shows. Arts commentator Melvyn Bragg hosted a special edition of The South Bank Show about Paige's career in 1996, entitled The Faces of Elaine Paige. She made special recordings of some of her most famous songs exclusively for the programme. It is frequently shown on PBS in the USA.
More recently, Paige has focused on television appearances, playing Dora Bunner in the 2004 ITV adaptation of Agatha Christie's A Murder is Announced, before performing a guest role as a post mistress in Where the Heart Is.
In September 2004, Paige began a weekly radio show, Elaine Paige on Sunday, on BBC Radio 2, featuring music from musical theatre and film scores. Occasional interviews are also featured, having included theatre impressario Cameron Mackintosh, actress Angela Lansbury, the Pet Shop Boys and Elton John. Paige's show has been described by Elisabeth Mahoney of The Guardian as a "rare wrong move" on the part of Radio 2.
Wishing On A Star
Elaine Paige Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Star, star
I'm wishing
I'm wishing
On a star
I'm wishing on a star
To follow where you are
To follow what it means
And I'm wishing on the rainbows that I see
I'm wishing on the people who really dream
And I'm wishing on tomorrow rain never comes
And I'm wishing on all of the things we never done
I never thought I'd see the time when you would be
So far away from home
So far away from me
Just think of all the moments that we spent
I just can't let you go from me, we were meant
I didn't mean to hurt you, but I know
In the game of love, you reap what you sow
(Sow)
I feel it's time we should make up baby
I feel it's time for us to get back together
And make the best of things, oh baby
When we're together whether or never
I feel, it's time we should make up baby
I feel, it's time for us to get back together
And make the best of things, oh baby
When we're together
(Let's get together, baby)
Whether or never
I'm wishing on a star
To follow where you are
I'm wishing on a dream
To follow what it means
And I'm wishing on the rainbows that I see
I'm wishing on the people who really dream
Hoping all the days to come and days to go
Hoping on the days of loving, loving you so
Wishing on a star, wishing on a dream
Baby, forgive me
Lets make up, I'm sorry
Lets be together, breakup? Never
The love we have seems special so far
'Til we get back, I'm wishing on a star
The lyrics of Elaine Paige's song "Wishing On A Star" speak about a yearning for a lost love, and the longing to get back together with that person. The singer wishes on different things, such as a star, a dream, and rainbows. She even wishes on the people who really dream, hoping to recapture the love she once had. The lyrics also express regret and a desire to make amends. The singer acknowledges that she made a mistake, hurting the one she loves, but hopes to make things right and never have to break up again.
The metaphor of wishing on a star is a common one, as stars have long been associated with hope, dreams, and wishes. The song's lyrics develop this metaphor by also referencing rainbows and dreams, both of which are also associated with longing and desire. The repetition of the phrase "I'm wishing" creates a sense of urgency and determination, as the singer wants to do everything in her power to make things right. The song's chorus is catchy, with a repetitive melody that emphasizes the singer's strong emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm wishing on a star
Expressing desire for something great.
To follow where you are
Wishing for guidance and direction towards a specific person or place.
I'm wishing on a dream
Desiring to achieve or pursue a cherished ambition or vision.
To follow what it means
Striving for an understanding of the significance behind a goal or aspiration.
And I'm wishing on the rainbows that I see
Hoping for a positive outcome or opportunity when things appear promising or hopeful.
I'm wishing on the people who really dream
Hoping for inspiration or motivation from those who possess a strong passion for their own dreams and goals.
And I'm wishing on tomorrow rain never comes
Desiring to prevent undesirable events or outcomes in the future.
And I'm wishing on all of the things we never done
Regretting missed opportunities or experiences from the past.
I never thought I'd see the time when you would be
Expressing surprise and disappointment at the current situation.
So far away from home
Referring to a physical and emotional distance from a comfortable and familiar place.
So far away from me
Referring to a significant emotional distance and separation from the singer.
Just think of all the moments that we spent
Recalling and valuing shared experiences and memories together.
I just can't let you go from me, we were meant
Expressing a strong emotional attachment and conviction that the relationship is meant to be.
I didn't mean to hurt you, but I know
Apologizing and accepting responsibility for causing pain or distress.
In the game of love, you reap what you sow
Expressing the idea that actions have consequences and choices affect outcomes in a relationship.
I feel it's time we should make up baby
Expressing the desire to reconcile and resume the relationship.
And make the best of things, oh baby
Expressing hope for a positive outcome or understanding despite past difficulties.
When we're together whether or never
Emphasizing the value and importance of the relationship, regardless of external circumstances or outcomes.
Wishing on a star, wishing on a dream
Reiterating earlier desires and hopes for the future.
Baby, forgive me
Apologizing and seeking forgiveness from the significant other.
Lets make up, I'm sorry
Expressing desire to reconcile and regret for past actions.
Lets be together, breakup? Never
Expressing conviction and determination to maintain the relationship and prevent separation.
The love we have seems special so far
Expressing affection and belief in the special nature of the relationship.
'Til we get back, I'm wishing on a star
Reiterating desire and hope for the future in anticipation of reconciliation.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BILLIE RAE CALVIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
deckardplisken
I absolutely love this song. I mean I Love Love Love this song!!! It's weird because I only know this from her Christmas album & I don't know anything else by her other than the great "Walking In The Air" off the same Christmas album. Her voice is absolutely beautiful on both songs. I only hear this song when I upload my Christmas music into my iTunes every holiday season & I always fall in love with it over & over again every year. I think it's about time I start looking into her other work. I bet she's got a lot of great stuff.