Michael Ball (born Michael Ashley Ball, on 27 June 1962 in Bromsgrove, England) is a British actor and singer, best known for musical theatre roles such as Marius in Les Misérables, Alex in Aspects of Love, and Caractacus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Although born in England, Michael Ball is half Welsh, and says jokingly that he considers himself "Wenglish" and proud to be British [1]. He studied Drama at the Guildford School of Acting and graduated in 1984. His first major break was a star part in the production of The Pirates of Penzance at the Opera House, Manchester. Next came a brief stint in Rep. Cameron Mackintosh saw him and cast him as Marius in Les Misérables. Next came Raoul in the second casting of Phantom of the Opera, and Alex in Aspects of Love, both in London and on Broadway, and Giorgio in Stephen Sondheim's London production of Passion. Alone Together was Michael's one man show first performed at The Donmar Warehouse (which was reprised in 2004 for the Singular Sensations season at the Haymarket). In 2002 Michael took on the role of Caractacus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang which was largely considered his comeback role. In 2005, at 10 days' notice, he replaced Michael Crawford, who had to leave the show due to ill health, as Count Fosco in The Woman in White, and gave a popular and critically-acclaimed performance.
Other performances include singing at the BBC's St David's Day concert, at the Les Misérables Tenth Anniversary Concert in 1995, and the fiftieth birthday party of Andrew Lloyd Webber in 1998. He is a dramatic baritone known for his range, expression and power.
Michael is an accomplished concert artist and tours frequently around the UK. He has also performed concerts in Australia and America. Since reaching the top of the British charts with "Love Changes Everything" (from Aspects of Love) Michael had small successes with follow up singles but in the main he has concentrated on releasing albums, all of which achieved Gold status within weeks, and in the case of The Movies album in 1998, Platinium in 7 weeks{was released Oct 26th confirmed Platinium status in interview on 12 Dec}. Michael represented the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest 1992, singing the song "One Step Out of Time", which finished second.
Michael has also turned his hand to presenting both on TV and radio and has presented The National lottery, Children in Need and This Morning, and had his own series on TV and radio (Ball over Broadway on BBC Radio 2) (which is in its fourth season), The Greenroom, and several specials for BBC Radio 2 on subjects such as Nat King Cole, Cameron Mackintosh, and Cy Coleman.
In September 2005, Michael made his NYC Opera debut as Reginald Bunthorne in Gilbert and Sullivan's Patience with the New York City Opera.
In October 2005 Michael released his latest album "Music". The album went into the UK charts at number 11, and spent 10 weeks in the top 75. The album finished the year the 99th best selling album of 2005.
In November, 2005, Michael returned to Broadway as Count Fosco in The Woman in White, which transferred from London's West End. However, he was forced to leave the show due to a reported viral infection caused by the fat suit required for the role, which reportedly raised Ball's body temperature by several degrees during the show. The suit is also thought to have been the cause of Michael Crawford's premature departure from the show in London. The show closed early, in part due to the health problems of Ball and leading lady Maria Friedman.
Michael spent the first quarter of 2006 on complete vocal rest, following the illness that caused him the leave Woman In White on Broadway. By the middle of July, Michael had taken part in the Royals Court's celebratory performance of The Rocky Horror Show, recorded a new album (called "One Voice", due for release on 30 October 2006) and made a guest appearance on Julian Lloyd Webber's album "Unexpected song". Then came the summer concerts at Aberdeen, Bath, Southport, Oakley Hall and Cardiff. In August, Michael sat in for Michael Parkinson on his Radio 2 show. He was interviewed for Radio 3's "Stage and Screen" programme, and recorded a tribute to Anthony Newley at Hackney Empire, also for Radio 2. Michael then took part in 'Proms in the Park' in Singleton Park, Swansea. He sang two tracks from his forthcoming album, 'One Voice'; the title song and 'Hero'. Michael also sung show stoppers, 'This is the Moment', 'Anthem' and 'Love Changes Everything'. In November, Michael will be releasing a new DVD containing all the best songs from his 'Live in Concert' DVDs. They will be split into five sections: Musicals, Love Songs, Personal Favourites, Party Time and Unplugged. The DVD will also include a brand new "Unplugged" session which Michael has recorded with just 4 other musicians in the studio especially for this DVD. It will be released on November 20 2006. Six days later he will join Petula Clark in concert at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London. (In 2004, he co-starred with her in a production of Lloyd Webber's Sunset Boulevard at the Cork Opera House in the Republic of Ireland, which was later broadcast by the BBC. Michael has lots of promotional activities coming up at the end of the year with the release of his new album 'One Voice'.
It has been announced that Ball will be taking the lead role in Kismet in June/July 2007 for the ENOdetails can be found on the English National Opera website.There will also be a tour but exact dates are not known yet{Michael confirmed this during his Stage and screen interview}.
He is currently sitting in for Johnnie Walker on his Sunday afternoon BBC Radio 2 show.
If You
Michael Ball Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He left you crying
Oh is he still lying to you
I wish I was there to ease the pain
Just to hold you
Honey I've told you
Time and time again
You've got to find a way
To open your heart to someone
Chorus:
If you ever need another love in your life
If you ever need someone
Juse call I'll be there
If you need another love in your life
Let it be me
I'll show you just how good my love can be
Feelin' so alone again
So lost and lonely
Honey it's only gonna hurt awhile
Only time will heal the pain
That cuts so deep inside
Oh baby, nothing lasts forever
Chorus
I'll take good care of you
If you put your trust in me
Oh I'll never ever break your heart
I will be yours forever
Baby it's now or never
Just call I'll be there
If you need another love in your life
Let it be me
I'll show you just how good my love can be
Show you just how good my love can be
The lyrics of Michael Ball’s song “If You Need Another Love” is about a man who is comforting a woman who has been let down by her previous partner. The opening lines suggest that the woman has been heartbroken multiple times, and the man wishes he was there to ease her pain. He tells her that there’s no sense in holding on to those who keep hurting her and advises her to find someone who can love her as she deserves to be loved.
The chorus of the song revolves around the man offering his love to the woman. He tells her that if she ever needs another love in her life or needs someone to be there for her, she can always count on him. He assures her that he will take good care of her if she puts her trust in him, and he promises never to break her heart. The song ends with the man telling the woman that he will show her just how good his love can be.
Overall, this song is a beautiful expression of love, support, and selflessness. It emphasizes the importance of being there for someone who is going through a tough time and reminds us that true love is about being there for each other through thick and thin.
Line by Line Meaning
I heard he let you down again
I overheard that your previous lover caused you disappointment.
He left you crying
I know his actions made you shed tears.
Oh is he still lying to you
Does he continue to deceive you?
I wish I was there to ease the pain
I desire to be present to soothe your suffering.
Just to hold you
Simply to embrace you.
Honey I've told you
My dear, I've expressed this before.
Time and time again
On multiple occasions.
There's no sense in holding on
It's illogical to remain attached to someone who causes pain.
You've got to find a way
It's up to you to discover a method.
To open your heart to someone
To allow oneself to become emotionally available to a different person.
If you ever need another love in your life
If you require a new love interest at some point.
If you ever need someone
If you require someone to rely on.
Juse call I'll be there
Simply alert me, and I'll arrive to assist you.
Let it be me
Allow me to be the one to provide for you.
I'll show you just how good my love can be
I'll demonstrate how exceptional my affection can truly be for you.
Feelin' so alone again
Once again, I sense your isolation.
So lost and lonely
Feeling unmoored and solitary.
Honey it's only gonna hurt awhile
Dear, it will only cause discomfort for a period of time.
Only time will heal the pain
Merely the passage of time will eliminate the suffering.
That cuts so deep inside
This pain is profoundly impacting you emotionally.
Oh baby, nothing lasts forever
My dear, all things have an expiration date.
I'll take good care of you
I'll ensure that you're treated well.
If you put your trust in me
If you're willing to place confidence in me.
Oh I'll never ever break your heart
I promise to never cause you heartbreak.
I will be yours forever
I pledge myself to you for all time.
Baby it's now or never
My dear, this is your moment to make a choice.
I'll show you just how good my love can be
I'll reveal to you how exceptional my affection can truly be for you.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rick Hodges
There is very little that Micheal can't do, and do it well! His career provides indisputable evidence of his superb and extraordinary talents.
Donnagata1409
I love this song, and his way of rendering it is delightful! Thanks!
szweerts
Wow! Michael! Michael! Michael! 5-minute standing ovation!
Anna Ferrara
This is so much fun! It's so refreshingly different to see Michael Ball doing Bunthorne.
Diptych
I love the song, but this performance - Michael Ball really sells the satirical fun, and can he ever sing!
helen barrett
How good is this man omg,was he practicing for Edna ,love him to bits
aikigirl61
Saw Michael in this role at Lincoln Center. He made the show---with camp that preceded his role in Hairspray. Bravo!
Christiane Bourdon
Michael Ball you are so very theatrical 💜 wonderful!
Alice Child
Michael Ball was excellent singing this particular song from “Patience”. I haven’t heard it for years, but hope to this week at Waterperry Gardens, nr Oxford.
Gisela Suski
I saw him at Lincoln Centre, he was sublime.