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.
It's All Over
Hazell Dean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Though it's hurting me, now it's history.
I've played all my cards and that's what you've done too,
Nothing more to say, no more ace to play.
The winner takes it all,
The loser standing small beside the victory, that's her destiny.
I was in your arms thinking I belonged there,
Building me a home, thinking I'd be strong there,
But I was a fool, playing by the rules.
The gods may throw a dice, their minds as cold as ice,
And someone way down here loses someone dear.
The winner takes it all, the loser has to fall,
It's simple and it's plain, why should I complain.
But tell me, does she kiss like I used to kiss you,
Does it feel the same when she calls your name.
Somewhere deep inside you must know I miss you,
But what can I say, rules must be obeyed.
The judges will decide the likes of me abide,
Spectators of the show always staying low.
The game is on again, a lover or a friend,
A big thing or a small, the winner takes it all.
I don't wanna talk if it makes you feel sad,
And I understand you've come to shake my hand.
I apologize if it makes you feel bad seeing me so tense, no self confidence.
The lyrics to Hazell Dean's song "It's All Over" convey the emotions of heartbreak and acceptance of a relationship that has ended. The singer expresses that she doesn't want to discuss past experiences and the pain associated with them. She acknowledges that she has given her all in the relationship but now it's over, and there's nothing left to say. The winner takes it all while the loser stands on the side watching the victory go to her rival, accepting it as her destiny.
The singer reminisces about her time in her lover's arms, thinking that she belonged there; building a home that she thought would make her strong. But unfortunately, she was foolish, thinking that playing by the rules would always result in winning. Life is unpredictable and full of surprises, and sometimes, the gods roll the dice, and the outcome can be heart-wrenching for someone. Through this heartache, the singer has come to the realization that the winner takes it all, and the loser falls.
The song's final verse reflects the singer's surrender to the current scenario, accepting the circumstance, and daring to move on. She admits that rules must be followed, and the judges will decide what's best for her. The game has started once again, a lover, or a friend, it doesn't matter, as the winner takes it all. She concludes the song by apologizing for any discomfort she caused by being distant and tensed.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't wanna talk about things we've gone through,
I don't want to discuss the past and the events that led up to our present situation
Though it's hurting me, now it's history.
Even though it causes me pain, our relationship is over and done with
I've played all my cards and that's what you've done too,
We've both tried everything we could, but now that's all exhausted
Nothing more to say, no more ace to play.
There's no use talking about it anymore and no more tricks left up our sleeves
The winner takes it all,
One person comes out on top in the end
The loser standing small beside the victory, that's her destiny.
The person who didn't win is crushed and feels insignificant compared to the winner
I was in your arms thinking I belonged there,
I believed that being with you was where I was meant to be
I figured it made sense, building me a fence,
I thought that building walls around myself would protect me
Building me a home, thinking I'd be strong there,
I tried to create a safe and secure space where I could feel strong
But I was a fool, playing by the rules.
I realize now that I was naive and that following the usual path isn't always the best strategy
The gods may throw a dice, their minds as cold as ice,
Fate is unpredictable and can be unfeeling and indifferent to our desires
And someone way down here loses someone dear.
Someone far below the gods' level of awareness can still experience profound loss
The winner takes it all, the loser has to fall,
One person wins and the other is defeated
It's simple and it's plain, why should I complain.
It's a straightforward outcome, so I have no reason to protest or complain
But tell me, does she kiss like I used to kiss you,
I'm curious about whether or not her kisses remind you of mine
Does it feel the same when she calls your name.
I wonder if hearing her say your name generates the same feelings you had when I used to say it
Somewhere deep inside you must know I miss you,
I have a feeling that you're aware of how much I still long for you
But what can I say, rules must be obeyed.
I understand that there are certain rules and expectations that must be followed
The judges will decide the likes of me abide,
Other people will form opinions about how well I'm dealing with the aftermath of our relationship
Spectators of the show always staying low.
The people watching our situation unfold are keeping a low profile and not interfering
The game is on again, a lover or a friend,
We're back in the game, but this time we're not sure if we're pursuing a romantic relationship or just a friendship
A big thing or a small, the winner takes it all.
No matter if what we're pursuing is significant or not, one of us will still emerge victorious
I don't wanna talk if it makes you feel sad,
I don't want to say anything that could hurt you more
And I understand you've come to shake my hand.
I appreciate that you've come to express some closure and civility, even though it's difficult
I apologize if it makes you feel bad seeing me so tense, no self confidence.
I'm sorry if my current anxious, self-doubting state is painful for you to witness
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Benny Goran Bror Andersson, Bjoern K Ulvaeus
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind