Lesley Duncan (12 August 1943 – 12 March 2010) was an English singer-songwr… Read Full Bio ↴Lesley Duncan (12 August 1943 – 12 March 2010) was an English singer-songwriter. Pursuing weighty lyrical themes such as environmentalism, motherhood, and politics, Duncan was a mainstay of British radio during the '70s. One of her songs, "Love Song", has been covered by many artists, among them Elton John, whose cover version featured vocal contributions from Duncan. She was also a prolific session singer, famously providing backing vocals for Pink Floyd's seminal album, The Dark Side of the Moon. Unfortunately, Duncan suffered from severe stage fright, limiting her commercial viability as a performer.

Lesley Duncan was born in Stockton-on-Tees, a market town in north east England, leaving school at fourteen; she would later reminisce about her childhood troubles in her song, "Wooden Spoon". At age 19, she and her brother Jimmy were placed on weekly retainers by a music publisher. Within a year, Lesley Duncan had signed with major label EMI, and appeared in the film What a Crazy World. Starting in 1963, Duncan recorded a number of pop singles throughout the '60s, none of which were able to grab the attention of record buyers at large.

All throughout her career as an active solo performer and beyond, Duncan appeared as a vocalist on numerous recordings by other artists, including Donovan, Ringo Starr, and The Alan Parsons Project. She also appeared on the first original cast recording of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar. A complete list of Duncan's contributions has yet to be compiled; in her own words, "it would be easier to list the albums on which [she does] not appear."

Duncan was first introduced to Elton John when they were both relatively unknown session workers. In 1970, John covered Duncan's composition "Love Song" for his breakthrough album Tumbleweed Connection; Duncan played guitar and provided vocals on John's version. Duncan's new-found form of understated songwriting was noted by ecstatic critics, leading some to dub her "the British Carole King." Duncan's 1971 debut album, Sing Children Sing, featured amongst others Elton John and Peter Frampton as guest musicians. Despite favorable reviews and radio play, Duncan failed to attract the attention of record buyers.

Her lacf commercial success would haunt her until the release of her last album, Maybe It's Lost (1977), despite a gradual increase in commercial pop sensibility for every album released. Much of the blame for this lack of success could, by Duncan's own admission, be shouldered on her stage fright, which resulted in only a handful of live appearances throughout her career; however, one of these performances were at the 1973 Reading Festival, which was released on a live compilation LP. She continued to release sporadic singles for another decade; in 1979, a re-recorded version of "Sing Children Sing" (b/w "Rainbow Games"), whose proceeds were donated to the foundation for the International Year of the Child, became her biggest UK chart success at the #76 spot. Her recording career concluded in 1986 with a final single release, "Tomorrow" (b/w "Paper Highways").

Duncan retired to the Isle of Mull in Scotland, where she would spend the rest of her life with her family. In 2010, Duncan died of cerebrovascular disease, following an extended period of illness. At her funeral were flower arrangements from David Bowie and Elton John, members of the community in attendance only now realizing her true identity, which she had reportedly seldom brought up. Duncan's legacy remains, as "Love Song" continues to be covered by hundreds of artists, and albums on which she appeared continuing to be heard by unquantifiable numbers of listeners around the world.

Crying in the Sun
Lesley Duncan Lyrics

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Grab a line, love someone, then hurry past your time,
Never stop to touch the things you want most
Take a look and run.
Wear a smile, hide behind that masquerade a while

Don't you know I looked and then I saw you
Cryin' in the sun
And though I tried to find out haw you feel

You'd just look though your shadow and tell me it was real
Now there's nothin' much I can do cos
Now there's nothin' much comin' through

Play the youth till you find there's no time like the truth
Hold in all the love you could be giving

Till you stand undone
Cos you're not very sure, no - you're not very sure.

Overall Meaning

Lesley Duncan's song, "Crying in the Sun," is a thoughtful commentary on the perils of living life too quickly without taking the time to truly experience the moments that matter. In the song's opening lines, the lyrics implore the listener to slow down and "grab a line, love someone, then hurry past your time," emphasizing the importance of living in the present moment and embracing one's passions. However, the following lines warn against the difficulty of truly connecting with what matters most in life when one is constantly in motion: "Never stop to touch the things you want most / Take a look and run / Wear a smile, hide behind that masquerade a while." These lyrics suggest that many people may put on a façade of contentment, but in reality, they are failing to pursue what they truly desire.

The chorus further explores the theme of disillusionment with the fast-paced nature of modern existence, painting a picture of a person who is "cryin' in the sun" and unable to fully express their emotions or find satisfaction in ordinary everyday experiences. The final lines of the chorus convey a sense of helplessness in the face of this struggle: "And though I tried to find out how you feel / You'd just look through your shadow and tell me it was real / Now there's nothin' much I can do 'cos / Now there's nothin' much comin' through." These lyrics suggest that the singer cannot connect with those around them, leaving them feeling alone and disconnected from the world.

Overall, the song serves as a poignant reflection on the fleeting nature of life and the importance of taking the time to embrace the things that truly matter. In a world that often values speed and efficiency over genuine connection, "Crying in the Sun" encourages listeners to slow down and appreciate the beauty of human connection and emotional authenticity.

Line by Line Meaning

Grab a line, love someone, then hurry past your time,
Rush through life, looking for brief moments of connection with others, without fully appreciating or investing in them.

Never stop to touch the things you want most Take a look and run.
Don't pause to enjoy or pursue your deepest desires, always moving quickly from one thing to the next.

Wear a smile, hide behind that masquerade a while
Put on a façade of happiness and hide your true feelings from others, at least for a little while.

Don't you know I looked and then I saw you Cryin' in the sun
I saw you in a moment of vulnerability, when you were openly expressing your emotions, despite being in a bright and sunny place.

And though I tried to find out haw you feel You'd just look though your shadow and tell me it was real
I attempted to connect with you about your feelings, but you evaded my questions and insisted that your sadness was genuine.

Now there's nothin' much I can do cos Now there's nothin' much comin' through
Now I feel powerless to help you because you won't open up to me, and there is nothing else that can be done.

Play the youth till you find there's no time like the truth Hold in all the love you could be giving Till you stand undone
Act like a carefree young person while you still can, but eventually you will realize that the truth is more important than appearances. Keep your love to yourself, even when you could be sharing it, until you are left feeling broken.

Cos you're not very sure, no - you're not very sure.
You are uncertain of your own feelings and it shows in your behavior and words.

Contributed by Adeline L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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