Black was born into a musical family. Her father had been a fiddler, her mother a singer, and her brothers have their own group. She sang in her family's group in her youth.
In 1975 Black joined a small folk band called General Humbert, with whom she toured Europe and released two albums, in 1975 and 1978. In 1982 she developed a professional relationship with musician/producer Declan Sinnott and recorded her first solo album, Mary Black.
She went on to play in other groups including the traditional Irish band De Dannan from 1984-1986. After 1986 she had a successful solo career where she went on to try contemporary styles ranging from jazz to country. She was named "Best Female Artist" in the IRMA poll in 1987, 1988, 1992, 1994 and 1996.
She is married to Joe O'Reilly of Dara Records and they have three children. Her son Danny is a member of the Irish rock band The Coronas, while her daughter RĂłisĂn is performing under the name RĂłisĂn O.
For a number of years, "What Hi-Fi?" magazine considered Black's voice to be so pure that it was used as an audiophile benchmark for comparing the sound quality of different high fidelity systems.
Discography
* 1983 Mary Black
* 1984 Collected
* 1985 Without the Fanfare
* 1987 By the Time it Gets Dark
* 1989 No Frontiers
* 1991 Babes in the Wood
* 1992 The Collection
* 1993 The Holy Ground
* 1995 Circus
* 1997 Shine
* 1999 Speaking with the Angel
* 2001 The Best of Mary Black 1991-2001 & Hidden Harvest
* 2003 Mary Black Live
* 2005 Full Tide
* 2008 Twenty-Five Years Twenty-Five Songs
* 2011 Stories from the Steeples
Wildest Dreams
Mary Black Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Thought I'd all the answers but only you would hear me
Tried to fight the system and you stood by my side
Always at the finish line with your arms open wide
RefrĂŁo
In my wildest dreams, never thought I'd do it
In my wildest dreams
Even in my wildest dreams
I didn't always feel the rhythm
And some people let me down
But still you kept a steady pace
And walked me through the town
And others cheered and others laughed
And I wrestled with my pride
When the world had left me cold
You were by my side
RefrĂŁo
The song Wildest Dreams by Mary Black is a tribute to the unwavering support and belief that one person can have in another. The singer expresses her surprise and gratitude that despite her doubts and struggles, her partner remained a constant presence in her life. The song starts off with her mentioning her ambition and how her partner was always there to cheer her on; however, she quickly realizes that her initial self-assuredness was unfounded and that only her partner could truly understand her. She then recounts how her partner continued to support her even when she faced difficulties like the skepticism of others or her own lack of rhythm. The singer concludes the song by saying that she never could've accomplished all that she did without her partner and that they believed in her even when she didn't believe in herself.
This song is a reminder of the importance of having someone who stands by us as we navigate life's ups and downs. It highlights that even when we falter or struggle, having someone who believes in us can make all the difference. The lyrics are emotive and personal, but they also have a universal quality that many listeners can relate to. The melody is soft and sweet with an acoustic guitar providing the main accompaniment, creating a soothing and comforting tone that complements the lyrics nicely.
Line by Line Meaning
I said I'd win the race and you were there to cheer me
I confidently declared that I would emerge victorious, and you showed your support through your presence.
Thought I'd all the answers but only you would hear me
I believed I had all the solutions but it was only your ears that were ready to listen.
Tried to fight the system and you stood by my side
I resisted the norm and you steadfastly joined me to confront the structures that be.
Always at the finish line with your arms open wide
You were relentlessly there for me, standing with open arms at the very finish line.
In my wildest dreams, never thought I'd do it
The extent of my success exceeded all my expectations, even in the wildest of my imaginations.
You believed in me, you believed in me
You had unshakable faith in my abilities and aspirations.
Even in my wildest dreams
My ultimate achievements were far beyond what I had ever envisaged.
I didn't always feel the rhythm
There were times when my sense of timing was off.
And some people let me down
Certain individuals let me down in times of need.
But still you kept a steady pace
Yet your pace of support for me never wavered.
And walked me through the town
You were my guide through the unfamiliar territory of success.
And others cheered and others laughed
Some people were happy for my success, while others ridiculed me.
And I wrestled with my pride
I had an internal struggle with my own sense of self-importance.
When the world had left me cold
When everyone else had abandoned me, leaving me to feel isolated.
You were by my side
You remained with me throughout all the ups and downs of my journey.
Contributed by Jack F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Maureen Smith
on Bruach na Carraige Baine
So beautiful!