Reddy became one of the world's most successful female singers of the 1970s music scene, scoring many certified gold hit records, including three #1 singles and fifteen Top 40 pop singles on Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and has sold more than 15 million albums and 10 million singles domestically and 25 million albums worldwide.
She also became the first Australian to have a #1 single in the United States, win a Grammy Award, and host her own variety show on United States television. Born and raised in Australia, Reddy became a naturalized United States citizen in 1974. In 2002, she retired from performing concerts and recording and now resides in Sydney, Australia and was inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Hall of Fame in 2006.
Early years
Reddy was born into a well-known Australian show business family in Melbourne, Victoria. Her mother, Stella (née Lamond), was an actress, and her father, Max Reddy, was a writer, producer, and actor.
Her parents performed on the Australian vaudeville circuit. Reddy began performing on stage with her parents at just four years of age. In her late teens, after being briefly married to an older musician, she had a daughter, Traci. In 1968, Helen married longtime friend and soon-to-be producer and manager Jeffrey Wald and in 1974 her then-preteen daughter would record the bookend sequences for another of her mother's top-10 hits titled "You and Me Against the World." The Love Song for Jeffrey album, on which the song appeared, was dedicated to her then-husband, with whom she had a son, Jordan. They divorced in 1983.
After beginning her career in radio and television in Australia, she won a talent contest on the Australian pop music TV show Bandstand, which enabled her to move to the United States in 1966. Settling initially in New York, she met Jeff Wald, then an agent with the William Morris Agency; after living together for only four days, she and Wald married; he subsequently became her manager.
After a stint in Chicago, the family moved to Los Angeles, California, where Reddy tried to establish herself as a recording artist. Twenty-seven labels rejected her before she was finally signed to a contract with Capitol Records in 1970.
After years of trying to get her name out, Helen Reddy's first Top 40 U.S. hit (1971) was a cover of "I Don't Know How To Love Him" (from the first Rice & Webber collaboration Jesus Christ Superstar rock opera). After it reached #13 in mid-1971, the music industry and record buying public began to take notice.
In 1972, Reddy co-wrote, with Australian musician Ray Burton, the song "I Am Woman," which became a worldwide feminist anthem, worldwide hit, and her first U.S #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. Reddy has attributed the impetus for writing "I Am Woman" and her early awareness of the women's movement to expatriate Australian rock critic and pioneer feminist Lillian Roxon. Reddy is quoted in Fred Bronson's The Billboard Book of Number One Hits as saying that she was looking for songs to record which reflected the positive self-image she had gained from joining the women's movement, but couldn't find any, so "I realized that the song I was looking for didn't exist, and I was going to have to write it myself." The single actually barely dented the charts on its initial release in the summer of 1972, but it wasn't long before female listeners adopted the song as an anthem and began requesting it from their local radio stations in droves, spurring it on to re-enter the charts in September and become a hit. "I Am Woman" earned a Grammy Award for Female Pop Vocal Performance and at the awards ceremony she concluded her acceptance speech by famously thanking God "because She makes everything possible".
Over the next five years, she had more than a dozen other U.S. Top 40 hits including two more #1 hits. These included the Alex Harvey country ballad "Delta Dawn" (#1, 1973), "Leave Me Alone (Ruby Red Dress)" (#3), "Keep on Singing" (#15, 1974), "You and Me Against the World" (written by Paul Williams and featuring daughter Traci reciting the spoken bookends) (#9), "Emotion" (an English version of the French tune "Amoureuse"), "Peaceful" (#12), "Angie Baby" (#1), "Ain't No Way To Treat A Lady" (#8, 1975), Richard Kerr-Will Jennings-penned "Somewhere in the Night" (#19; later a bigger hit for Barry Manilow), and the Carole King-Gerry Goffin song "I Can't Hear You No More" (1976). Her last Top 20 record was a 1977 revival of Cilla Black's 1964 hit "You're My World", co-produced by Kim Fowley. Reddy's final chart record was "I Can't Say Goodbye To You" in 1981. She was most successful on the Adult Contemporary charts, scoring eight #1 hits there over a three-year span, from "Delta Dawn" to "I Can't Hear You No More."
At the height of her fame in the late 1970s, Helen Reddy was a headliner, with a full chorus of backup singers and dancers to standing-room-only crowds on The Strip in Las Vegas. Reddy's opening acts were the then-up-and-coming Barry Manilow, and Joan Rivers. In 1976, Reddy covered the Beatles song "Fool on the Hill" for the musical documentary All This and World War II.
Reddy was also instrumental in furthering the career of Olivia Newton-John as she encouraged her friend to move from Britain to the United States in the early 1970s. At a subsequent party at Reddy's house after a chance meeting with Allan Carr, the film's producer, Newton-John won the starring role in the hit film version of the musical Grease as result.
Reddy has lent her acting and singing talents to many stage, movie and television productions.
Her film career includes roles in Airport 1975 and Walt Disney's Pete's Dragon (in which she sang "Candle on the Water," which has become one of her best-known songs despite only charting on the A/C charts). For her part in Airport 1975, Roddy was nominated for a Golden Globe for Most Promising Newcomer - Female.
Reddy appeared as a guest on numerous television specials and variety shows, and a guest star on episodes of numerous television series, including Love Boat, Fantasy Island, BeastMaster and others.
Reddy was a host and performer, between 1973 and 1975, on some episodes of the late-night variety television show The Midnight Special. She also hosted her own variety television program, The Helen Reddy Show, in the summer of 1973.
Reddy became a naturalised American citizen in 1974. In 2007, Reddy had a voice cameo as herself in the Family Guy television show's Star Wars parody "Blue Harvest". She played a 'red' themed ('Red'-dy) member of the Red Squadron alongside Red Five (Chris Griffin), Red Buttons, Redd Foxx, Big Red, Red October, Simply Red and others.
Reddy's stage credits include performances in Anything Goes, Call Me Madam, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, and works by British playwright Willy Russell. Reddy appeared both on Broadway and in the West End of London in the musical Blood Brothers, and in four productions of Shirley Valentine.
Active in community affairs, Reddy served as the state of California's Parks and Recreation commissioner for three years. In 2002, she retired from performing and moved from Santa Monica, California, to Norfolk Island.
Reddy published an autobiography, The Woman I Am, and appeared on the Today show in 2006. She was also added to the ARIA Hall Of Fame, with a tribute performance by Vanessa Amorosi of "I Am Woman" at the ceremony.
For several years, Reddy maintained that she would not return to the stage. In 2012, Reddy decided to return to performing after being buoyed by the warm reception she received when she sang at her sister's 80th birthday party. On 12 July 2012, Reddy returned to the musical stage at Croce's Jazz Bar in San Diego and for a benefit concert for the arts at St. Genevieve High School in Panorama City, a neighborhood of Los Angeles.
Reddy suffered from Addison's disease, a failure of the adrenal glands, and dementia in her later years.s
Keep On Singing
Helen Reddy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Helen Reddy
(Keep on singing don't stop singing)
(You're gonna be a star some day)
(You're gonna make a lot of people happy)
(When they come to hear you play)
She died when I was born
We lived in a one room shanty
But daddy tried to make it a home
When I was only six years old
I started singing in the streets
People would throw me pennies
So I could daddy make ends meet
They said
CHORUS:
Keep on singing
Don't stop singing
You're gonna be a star someday
You're gonna make a lot of people happy
When they come to hear you play
They said keep on singin
Keep the bells a ringin
Spread the music from town to town
There's not enough song in this old world
So spread your song around
By the time I was 10 years old
I had a rock n roll band
Daddy's eyes were growing dim
But I didn't understand
He said he would be so proud of me
Each time he'd hear us play
At night he'd pull me to his side
And daddy would always say
CHORUS
He didn't have much money
But things didn't seem so bad
I felt just like the queen of the world
When I was with my dad
Then one rainy April night
Daddy called me to his side
He held me with his tremblin hands
Right before he died
CHORUS
CHORUS
CHORUS
FADE
In Helen Reddy's song "Keep On Singing," the lyrics describe a personal story of a woman's journey to becoming a successful singer. The lyrics begin with the encouragement she received from listeners as she sang on the streets to help her father make ends meet. Despite the challenges she faced growing up in a one-room shanty with her father after her mother had died when she was born, she remained committed to pursuing her craft. By the time she was ten years old, she had formed a rock n roll band and was making her father proud. The song's repeated chorus "Keep on singing, don't stop singing, you're gonna be a star someday," conveys the message of the power of perseverance, determination, and pursuing one's passion.
The song is also a message of hope and encouragement to all those facing adversity, reminding them that their dreams are important and that they should continue to pursue them, no matter what obstacles they may face in life. The lyrics emphasize that music has the power to bring people together and spread positivity and happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
(Keep on singing don't stop singing)
Never give up on your singing and always strive to become better.
(You're gonna be a star some day)
Your talent will soon be recognised, and you will become successful in your career.
(You're gonna make a lot of people happy)
Your music will be enjoyed and appreciated by many people, making them feel happy.
(When they come to hear you play)
People will come from far and wide to listen to your music.
I don't remember mama
The singer lost her mother at birth and does not have any memories of her.
She died when I was born
The singer's mother passed away right after giving birth to her.
We lived in a one room shanty
The singer and her father lived in a very humble dwelling with just one room.
But daddy tried to make it a home
Despite their living condition, the singer's father made every effort to create a comfortable and loving home for them.
When I was only six years old
At a very young age, the singer started singing and performing in the streets to help her father earn money.
I started singing in the streets
The singer began showcasing her talent by singing outside in front of pedestrians.
People would throw me pennies
Passersby would give the singer small donations because they enjoyed her singing.
So I could daddy make ends meet
The money earned from singing was used to help the singer's father provide for their basic needs.
They said
People who enjoyed her singing encouraged her to keep going and never give up.
Keep on singing
Do not stop singing and continue to share your music with others.
Keep the bells a ringin
Spread joy and music to different parts of the world to make it a better place.
Spread the music from town to town
Share your music and talent with those all around the world.
There's not enough song in this old world
The world needs more music and the singer has the power to provide it.
So spread your song around
Share your music and talent with others to make them happy.
By the time I was 10 years old
At the young age of 10, the singer had already formed her own rock band.
Daddy's eyes were growing dim
The singer's father was losing his eyesight, and his health was progressively worsening.
But I didn't understand
The singer didn't realise how unwell her father was at the time.
He said he would be so proud of me
The singer's father expressed how much he loved and admired her musical talents.
Each time he'd hear us play
The singer's father was always happy to attend their performances and listen to their music.
At night he'd pull me to his side
The song recalls the tender moments the father and daughter shared together.
And daddy would always say
The singer's father would express how proud he was of her and her music.
He didn't have much money
Despite their financial struggles, the father always provided love, support, and encouragement.
But things didn't seem so bad
Despite their living condition, the singer felt blessed to have such a loving and caring father.
I felt just like the queen of the world
Her father made her feel special and appreciated, like royalty.
When I was with my dad
The singer enjoyed spending quality time with her dad, who showered her with love and affection.
Then one rainy April night
On a specific night, there was rain and the singer received some news.
Daddy called me to his side
The father summoned the singer to his bedside.
He held me with his tremblin hands
The father's hands were shaking, probably due to his poor health.
Right before he died
The father passed away soon after expressing his love and admiration for his daughter.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BOBBY HART, DANNY JANSSEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@soneburma
Lyrics:
(Keep on singing don't stop singing)
(You're gonna be a star some day)
(You're gonna make a lot of people happy)
(When they come to hear you play)
I don't remember mama
She died when I was born
We lived in a one room shanty
But daddy tried to make it a home
When I was only six years old
I started singing in the streets
People would throw me pennies
So I could daddy make ends meet
They said
[CHORUS:]
Keep on singing
Don't stop singing
You're gonna be a star someday
You're gonna make a lot of people happy
When they come to hear you play
They said keep on singin
Keep the bells a ringin
Spread the music from town to town
There's not enough song in this old world
So spread your song around
By the time I was 10 years old
I had a rock n roll band
Daddy's eyes were growing dim
But I didn't understand
He said he would be so proud of me
Each time he'd hear us play
At night he'd pull me to his side
And daddy would always say
[CHORUS]
He didn't have much money
But things didn't seem so bad
I felt just like the queen of the world
When I was with my dad
Then one rainy April night
Daddy called me to his side
He held me with his tremblin hands
Right before he died
@lyedavide
They don't play songs like this anymore. What a pity. Bless you Ms Helen. RIP.
@christopherbubb2890
"Keep on Singing" for the angels, Helen... you will be missed. R.I.P.
@leeannearnold1208
That was the first 45 I bought as a little girl.
@user-cl3ug1mj5n
When I was middle teenager ,Agnes Chan who is a Chinese singer born in Hongkong controlled by UK sang for me on TV .That was good and big shock.
@bricehata9908
Just heard Helen passed today. My, has time gone by....bingeing on her songs for the first time in nearly 50 years....What memories..RIP
@NewWorldAhead
OMG! The Queen of 70s Pop!!! Why don't they play her music anymore? I just love her!
@heywoodjablome5630
This is the version I remember, from 1970s Australian radio.
@vincentfelumero6067
I will listen to Helen Reddys beautiful music for the rest of my life rest in peace Helen
@user-rl1ye1te2q
すごくいい歌です。
昔・・・ ギターを覚えた頃に、数えきれないくらい聴きました。
その後は、リズム＆Bluesとか、ブギをバンドを組んでやってたんですが、ずっと好きな歌でした。
でも、私が出会ったこの歌を歌ってたのは、日本人の若い女性シンガーでした。
シングルジャケットの写真は、ソフトケースに入れた生ギターを背負ったものだったんですが、私は、そのシンガーの歌をもう一度、聴きたくて、聴きたくて、たまらないんです。
誰か、ご存知ないでしょうか。
@waynemckinney2281
Wow!! I haven't heard this song in a long time. Bring back memories of my youth. Thanks for posting this.