She started her career in 1970s, but achieved a chart success in the 1980s working with the famous Stock Aitken Waterman team. Dean was elected three times as the 'Best Live Performer' by the Federation of American Dance Clubs (U.S.), and twice as a 'Best British Performer' by Club Mirror awards (UK). She participated twice in the A Song for Europe contest. In 1976, she took eighth place (out of twelve) with the ballad, "I Couldn't Live Without You for a Day", written by contest veteran Paul Curtis. 1984 saw Dean finish in seventh place of eight, with another dramatic ballad, "Stay In My Life", which she wrote herself. She also provided backing vocals for Samantha Janus in 1991's Eurovision Song Contest.
In February 1984 she entered the UK Singles Chart with the double A-sided single, "Evergreen" / "Jealous Love" which peaked at #63.Two months later however, she scored her first Top 10 hit with the re-release of "Searchin' (I Gotta Find A Man)", which peaked at No 6. Dean then released the follow-up "Whatever I Do (Wherever I Go)" (produced by Stock Aitken Waterman) in August which hit No 4. "Whatever I Do" was originally recorded by Michael Prince as "Dance Your Love Away", but the song was re-written by Mike Stock and Matt Aitken because Dean disliked the chorus. Its No. 4 placing gave Stock Aitken Waterman their first Top 10 hit. Further singles, "Back In My Arms (Once Again)" and "No Fool (For Love)" both peaked at No 41. These singles were included on her debut mainstream pop album, "Heart First", which did not sell well and failed to chart.
In 1985 Dean signed with label EMI Records, releasing the single "They Say It's Gonna Rain", which reached No 58 on the UK Singles Chart, although she secured a No 1 single in South Africa with this Stock Aitken Waterman produced single. Subsequent singles fared worse with "ESP", "Stand Up" and "Always (Doesn't Mean Forever)" failing to reach the UK Top 75. In early 1988 however, she achieved her biggest hit in four years with "Who's Leaving Who", which reached No 4. The follow-ups, "Maybe (We Should Call it a Day)", made #15, and "Turn It Into Love" (which was originally recorded by Kylie Minogue and included on her debut album, Kylie) peaked at No 21. Her second album Always (Hazell Dean album) was released in late 1988 and featured many of the singles from the past 3 years, as well as new material. The album charted at No 38 in the UK.
Dean left EMI and signed with Lisson Records, releasing two singles for the label. The first was a cover of Yvonne Elliman's "Love Pains" in 1989, produced by PWL producers Phil Harding and Ian Curnow. It reached #48 on the UK Singles Chart. It was nearly two years before she released her next single, the SAW penned and produced "Better Off Without You", which was originally recorded by Lonnie Gordon. The song peaked at #72. After the failure of these two singles, Dean no longer continued to work with Stock Aitken Waterman and began working with Ian Levine who had previously remixed and produced tracks with her in the mid 1980s.
During this time, Dean produced and wrote songs for Bad Boys Inc, Bona Riah (produced "House of Rising Sun"), Miquel Brown (produced "It's a Sin"), MEN 2 B (co-wrote "Love Satisfaction"), Upside Down and Sandra Feva.
1996 saw the release of Dean's next album, The Winner Takes It All, which was released on Carlton Records. This album contained covers of ABBA songs. The title track was released as a single. In 1999, Dean released a cover version of Bon Jovi's "Living On A Prayer" and, in 2001, a remixed version of "Who's Leaving Who" was released. Neither of these singles charted.
In 2007, Dean returned to record with Ian Levine, completing the track "Trade Him for a Newer Model" for the album Disco 2008. The music video for Trade Him for a Newer Model was released on YouTube by Levine in 2007. In 2009, a number of songs (that have never before been available on any Dean album in their original form) were released on iTunes, including some never before released remixes, while Cherry Red Records re-issued Dean's first mainstream pop album "Heart First" in early 2010.
2010 saw Hazell Dean sign to the dance label, Energise Records, who also have The Three Degrees, Sonia, Tina Charles and Nicki French signed to them. With Energise, Dean recorded an updated version of her 1980s single, "They Say It's Gonna Rain". The new track was produced by KlubKidz and has remixes from the Sleazesisters, Glamma and PMG. She also released the singles "Shattered Glass", "In The Name Of Love", "This Is My Life", "We Belong/Can You Feel It" & I Close My Eyes & Count To Ten" In 2013, she released an album entitled "In The Name Of...".
Cherry Red Records released a Deluxe Edition of Always on 23 April 2012. On 10 September 2012, a new 21 track greatest hits collection called Evergreen: The Very Best of Hazell Dean was released through Music Club Deluxe Records. The CD pressing features a bonus disc of 11 remixes and rare extended mixes of Dean's 1980s hits. On 21 December 2012, Dean performed at the Stock Aitken Waterman "Hit Factory Live" reunion concert at London's O2 Arena, along with many other former SAW acts.
2015 saw Hazell Dean release the single "24 Hours" through Energise. The single included mixes by Dean & Ware, and Matt Pop. Also included was the 2015 version of her classic Top 5 smash, Whatever I Do (Wherever I Go).
After the success of "Searchin'", Dean made her gay club début at Heaven in London and has subsequently enjoyed a large homosexual following. Always acknowledging the support she has received from the gay community throughout her career, Dean frequently performs at Gay Pride events both in the UK and abroad.
Dean continues to perform live and records with various producers, with tracks appearing via her official website.
Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing
Hazell Dean Lyrics
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Ain't nothing like the real thing
Ain't nothing like the real thing, baby
Ain't nothing like the real thing
I got your picture hangin' on the wall
But it can't see or come to me when I call your name
I realize it's just a picture inside a frame
I read your letters when you're not near me
But they don't move me, and they don't groove me
Like when I hear your sweet voice whispering in my ear
I play the game, a fantasy
I pretend I'm not in reality
I need the shelter of your arms to comfort me
I got some memories to look back on
And though they help me when you're gone
I'm well aware nothin' can take the place of you being there
No other sound is quite the same as your name
No touch can do half as much to make me feel better
So let's get together
Ain't nothing like the real thing, baby
Ain't nothing like the real thing
Ain't nothing like the real thing, baby
Ain't nothing like the real thing
The lyrics of Hazell Dean’s song Ain’t Nothing Like The Real Thing explore the theme of how the absence of a loved one can never compare to the real thing - being with them physically. The repetition of the phrase “Ain’t nothing like the real thing, baby” emphasizes the singer’s longing for authenticity and truth in the relationship. The first verse depicts the singer’s loneliness and the desperation they feel as they realize that a picture of their loved one cannot replace their physical presence. The only way they can now ‘communicate’ with them is through letters, but even then, they still long for the real thing. The singer describes how they fantasize and pretend to escape the reality of not being with their loved one - something that the void of absence can never replace. The last verse highlights the limitations of memories and how they only provide temporary comfort; nothing can compare to the touch and sound of the real person.
This song's message is relatable to many, as most have experienced longing for someone they cannot be with in the moment. The song's timeless theme continues to resonate with people, which speaks to its popularity. Hazell Dean's performance exemplifies the frustration and sadness of a long-distance relationship. Overall, the lyrics of Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing powerfully express the truth that being with the person you love can never truly be replaced by pictures, letters or memories.
Line by Line Meaning
Ain't nothing like the real thing, baby
There is nothing as satisfying as having the real thing, my love
Ain't nothing like the real thing
True satisfaction only comes from experiencing the authentic article
I got your picture hangin' on the wall
I keep your picture on my wall to remind me of you
But it can't see or come to me when I call your name
The picture cannot interact with me even though it bears your image
I realize it's just a picture inside a frame
I acknowledge that it’s merely a static image within a frame
I read your letters when you're not near me
I read your letters when you're geographically distant
But they don't move me, and they don't groove me
However, they don't evoke emotional reactions as hearing your voice does
Like when I hear your sweet voice whispering in my ear
There is no replacement for the pleasure I get from hearing your voice intimately
I play the game, a fantasy
I indulge in daydreams to create a fake scenario
I pretend I'm not in reality
I fabricate a narrative where we are together although we are not
I need the shelter of your arms to comfort me
I crave the comfort of physically feeling your embrace
I got some memories to look back on
I have some memories to reminisce about
And though they help me when you're gone
Although they alleviate the pain of your absence
I'm well aware nothin' can take the place of you being there
I am conscious that nothing can substitute for your physical presence
No other sound is quite the same as your name
No other sound can match the significance that hearing your name brings
No touch can do half as much to make me feel better
No other touch can provide as much comfort as your touch does
So let's get together
Thus, let's reunite and be together
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind