Kiki Dee began singing with a local band in Bradford in the early 1960s. Her recording career began as a session singer. She sang backing vocals for Dusty Springfield, among others, and was highly regarded by other singers but did not achieve solo success in the UK for many years. In the USA, her style was admired and she became the first British artist to be signed by Tamla Motown, releasing her first Tamla single in 1970.
In the days before Radio 1 Kiki Dee was a regular performer of other people's hits on BBC radio, and she starred with a group of session singers in the BBC2 singalong series One More Time. Nevertheless, it was only after she joined forces with Elton John and Rocket Records that she became a household name in the UK. Her first major hits were "I Got The Music In Me" (1974) and "Amoureuse" (1973) [1].
Don't go breaking my heart (With Elton John) - 1976 Star - 1981 True love (with Elton John) - 1994
She has released 39 singles, 3 EPs, 9 LPs and 2 CDs to date. During the 1970s and 1980s was regularly voted the top UK female singer, with her powerful and soulful voice equally suited to rockers or ballads.
Kiki Dee has also appeared in musical theatre - notably in the lead role in the West End musical Blood Brothers. She took on the role (originally played by Barbara Dickson for the 1988 production and recording).
She also performed at Live Aid, reprising "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" with John, and performing backing vocals on the other songs in his set.
She still tours, and occasionally makes guest appearances on television in shows such as Never Mind the Buzzcocks. She has recorded with other artists such as Dave Stewart and guitarist Carmelo Luggeri.
Star
Kiki Dee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
High flyer see your names in lights
Temporarily social suicide
Oh don't you tell me it's rough
At the top you get the cream of the crop
Image seekers they're unreal to real
This week breaker
Oh don't you tell me it's rough
Oh don't you tell me it's tough
Star
That's what they call you
How long you've waited to get where you are
Star
That's what you wanted
This week hot shot a video star
Rock 'n' roller inventing in your head
You cracked it once and you can do it again
Who knows, who cares at where you're coming from
Oh don't you tell me it's rough
Just a loner out there on your own
Don't let anyone get close or near
Imagine that that you believe all you read
Oh don't you tell me it's rough
Oh don't you tell me it's tough
Star
That's what they call you
How long you've waited to get where you are
Star
That's what you wanted
This week hot shot, a video star
They can build you up
And they can break you down
With just the right words
I know they''re heavy
Now just how many
More like you are trying, trying
Star
That's what they call you
How long you've waited to get where you are
Star
That's what you wanted
This week hot shot, a video star
The lyrics of Kiki Dee's "Star" explore the fame and the highs and lows that come with becoming a celebrity. The first verse describes the lifestyle of a rock 'n' roller, who enjoys playing games and seeing their name in lights but at the same time faces social isolation. The second verse depicts the image seekers who aim to be the cream of the crop and how quickly they can rise and fall from their position in success. But just because they are successful does not mean it's easy, hence the chorus of the song which refers to the person as a "star", which is likely what they always wanted, but has a double-edged meaning, it comes with both admiration and expectation.
The third verse mentions the challenges that come with being a celebrity, such as the pressure to invent new things and replicate success, but also the challenge of maintaining a sense of isolation anonymously. The final verse then discusses how being a star means that people build you up, but they can also tear you down with their words. The chorus is then repeated, as if to point out the continuous cycle of being a star.
Overall, the song captures the bittersweet reality of what it means to become famous while also subtly hinting at the precarious nature of stardom.
Line by Line Meaning
Rock 'n' roller the games you play
You are a true performer who loves to play a game while singing rock music
High flyer see your names in lights
You aspire to a life of fame and glamour, hoping to see your name in lights
Temporarily social suicide
You are making sacrifices to attain fame by distancing yourself from the social norms temporarily
Oh don't you tell me it's rough
You do not want to hear any negative remarks about your journey towards becoming a star
At the top you get the cream of the crop
When you reach the top, you get to enjoy all the best things that the industry has to offer
Image seekers they're unreal to real
People in the industry create an image that seems too good to be true and then turn that into reality
This week breaker
You are breaking into the industry and making a difference this week
Well next week who knows
You do not know what the future holds for you no matter how optimistic you are today about your success
Star
You are a successful celebrity that the fans know as a star
That's what they call you
Your fans will only know you by one name, which is that of a star
How long you've waited to get where you are
It took a lot of perseverance and determination on your part to finally reach your current status
This week hot shot a video star
You have a lot of traction this week and you are a trending video star
Rock 'n' roller inventing in your head
You are a creative mind brainstorming and trying to invent new sounds and music as a Rock 'n' roller
You cracked it once and you can do it again
You have achieved success in the past and you are confident that you can replicate that success in the future
Who knows, who cares at where you're coming from
It does not matter where you have come from, all that matters is how good you are and where you are headed
Just a loner out there on your own
You are sometimes isolated and alone in your journey, but you are determined to forge ahead on your own
Don't let anyone get close or near
You are careful with the people you associate with and you are not quick to let anyone be part of your inner circle
Imagine that you believe all you read
Sometimes you believe all the publicity and media hype surrounding you and your celebrity status
They can build you up
People in the industry can elevate your status and make you a success
And they can break you down
People in the industry can also destroy your dreams and bring you down from the pedestal you have worked hard to climb
With just the right words
All it takes is just the right words to sway public opinion in your favor or against you
I know they''re heavy
The pressures of celebrity and success can have a heavy toll on your mental and emotional well-being
Now just how many more like you are trying, trying
There are numerous people out there who are trying just like you to make a name for themselves in the industry
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
Written by: Doreen Chanter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
I’m the young girl in the video and I’m now 56 years old! I will never forget just how truly beautiful Kiki Dee was to me as a starstruck teenager when I met her, she insisted I shared her space to get ready when they said I’d not be allocated a changing area and Id have to use the toilets,she was so kind to me,I hardly spoke from shyness and I must have seemed a little rude looking back 😂Great memories for me to have ❤thank you Kiki xxx
@johnwilks8545
Lovely story, you know before i read the comments i thought i wonder where that girl is now, and there was your comment 😊
Ahh thank you,how kind of you to comment and what a coincidence, it only seems like yesterday that’s the scary thing! Best wishes John
@johnwilks8545
You're so welcome, I've just turned 50 myself and remember this when i was young, now I'm older i appreciate good music like this more 😊
@marktonge4225
I'm not surprised love this song ❣️
👍She performed in Sussex a few years ago, I bought tickets but got unwell and couldn’t attend 😕I hope to see her sing live again at some point, the ladies I the gave tickets too said she was as brilliant as ever and looked beautiful ! X
@paulaldridge4389
Abbsolultey magic,still in 2023 proper music.
@marktonge4225
💗💓🇬🇧💗💓
@MicaRayan
She created classic. Love her clear voice and look. So sassy
@jessyicasonlineservices7923
My mother in the early 80s used to be a hairdresser in London with her own salon and I remember this song and Abba playing on the radio. My mother passed away 9th November 2018 and this brings back lovely memories and a tear to my eye when I hear it. God Bless everyone and wish you well.