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.
This Is My Life
Hazell Dean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nobody made me do it
Feels right, givin' all my devotion
Take it from a man who's had a taste of both sides
There's no sweeter freedom than a godly life
I just wanna testify
CHORUS
I'm where I wanna be
Livin' from the center of a heart that's free
Oh, I'm feelin' alright
Day or night, rain or shine
This is the life
You think it's a dull life I'm livin'
Yeah, you say it's such a pity
So weak, to need a crutch of religion
Pardon me a minute but I think I need to say
I don't need your sympathy so don't be talkin' that way
You will see the light some day
CHORUS
Now I'm not sayin' that I never had a bad day
But since I've been livin' for Jesus
This is what I have to say
The song "This Is My Life" by Hazell Dean is a testimony to the singer's choice of living a godly life. In the opening lines, she emphasizes that nobody made her choose this life, and it feels right to her. She gives her devotion to God and testifies that there is no sweeter freedom than a godly life. Hazell Dean reminisces a life lived on both sides and concludes that this is the life she wants, and she is where she wants to be.
The second verse acts as a rebuttal to the people who view her life as dull and pitiful. The singer acknowledges the existence of people who consider religion a crutch but quickly dismisses their ideas. Hazell Dean expresses that she does not need their sympathy and that one day, they will also see the light. She confidently sings about feeling alright, thriving day or night, rain or shine because this is the life she has chosen.
Overall, the song's message is one of choice, freedom, and devotion to God. The singer testifies that living a godly life is what she has chosen for herself, and it feels right. Hazell Dean firmly stands by her decision to live this life, even when people view it as inferior. She affirms that this is the life she wants.
Line by Line Meaning
This life is the life that I've chosen
No one else made this choice for me, I made the decision to live like this.
Nobody made me do it
I wasn't pressured or persuaded, I chose this path on my own.
Feels right, givin' all my devotion
This lifestyle feels correct, and I'm happy putting all my effort into it.
Take it from a man who's had a taste of both sides
I've experienced different ways of living, and I know this is what's best for me.
There's no sweeter freedom than a godly life
Being faithful to God brings a unique level of liberation that can't be found elsewhere.
I just wanna testify
I want to share my experiences and beliefs with others and give witness to their power.
This is the life
I am content and gratified with my choices and how I lead my life.
I'm where I wanna be
I'm exactly where I want to be and wouldn't change my position.
Livin' from the center of a heart that's free
My heart is unencumbered and liberated, and I am living true to who I am.
Oh, I'm feelin' alright
I'm happy and content, and there's nothing anyone can say to bring me down.
Day or night, rain or shine
No matter what the circumstances, I am at peace with my life's path.
You think it's a dull life I'm livin'
Some people believe my life must be tedious or uninteresting.
Yeah, you say it's such a pity
You express your condolences or sympathy for me.
So weak, to need a crutch of religion
You believe that relying on religion is a sign of weakness.
Pardon me a minute but I think I need to say
Excuse me for a moment, but I want to make something clear.
I don't need your sympathy so don't be talkin' that way
I don't require your pity, so please don't speak about me in that tone.
You will see the light someday
I hope that one day you will understand and have a similar experience.
Now I'm not sayin' that I never had a bad day
Just to be clear, my life isn't perfect and there are times when things are difficult.
But since I've been livin' for Jesus
However, since I've embraced this lifestyle and faith, it has helped me overcome those low moments.
This is what I have to say
This is my truth, and I wanted to share it with you.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind