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.
The Show Must Go On
Michael Ball Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What are we living for?
Abandoned places
I guess we know the score
On and on
Does anybody know what we are looking for?
Another hero?
Behind the curtain?
In the pantomime?
Hold the line
Does anybody want to take it anymore?
The show must go on
The show must go on, yeah
Inside my heart is breaking
My make up may be flaking
But my smile
Still stays on
Whatever happens
I'll leave it all to chance
Another heartache
Another failed romance
On and on
Does anybody know what we are living for?
I guess I'm learning - I'm learning, learning, learning
I must be warmer now
I'll soon be turning - Turning, turning, turning
Round the corner now
Outside the dawn is breaking
But inside in the dark I'm aching to be free
The show must go on
The show must go on, yeah, yeah
Uh, inside my heart is breaking
My make up may be flaking
But my smile
Still stays on
Yeah
Uh, oh, uh, oh
Uh, oh, uh, oh, oh
My soul is painted
Like the wings of butterflies
Fairytales of yesterday
Will grow but never die
I can fly, my friends
The show must go on - Go on, go on, go on - Hey, hey
The show must go on - Go on, go on, go on
I'll face it with a grin
I'm never giving in
On with the show
Uh, I'll top the bill
I'll overkill
I have to find the will to carry on - On with the show - On with the show
The show the show must go on, go on, go on...
"The Show Must Go On" by Michael Ball speaks about the struggles of life and the constant pressure to keep going despite the feeling of emptiness and despair. The verses explore the sense of hopelessness and the search for meaning in life, with metaphors of abandoned places and pantomimes. The chorus highlights the important message that despite the struggles and failures, life and the show must go on.
The song's bridge contains a personal confession of the artist's struggle to keep going, despite the pain they are experiencing, and finding the strength to keep moving forward. The final verse represents hope, with a metaphorical reference to the wings of butterflies and the idea that fairytales will always remain with us.
The song, released in 1992, became a worldwide hit and was written by Queen band member Brian May, inspired by the band's lead singer, Freddie Mercury, who was battling with AIDS. The lyrics were written as a tribute to Mercury's resilience and determination to continue performing despite his declining health.
Line by Line Meaning
Empty spaces
Michael Ball is starting the song with the emptiness he feels in his life.
What are we living for?
Michael Ball is pondering about the purpose of life.
Abandoned places
Michael Ball is coming across many abandoned places which symbolize lost hope and dreams.
I guess we know the score
Michael Ball has realized that life is not a bed of roses and it is difficult.
On and on
Michael Ball is talking about the cycle of life that goes on and on.
Does anybody know what we are looking for?
Michael Ball is questioning whether anyone really knows what they want from life.
Another hero?
Michael Ball is referring to the hero within everyone who is capable of overcoming hardship.
Another mindless crime?
Michael Ball is criticizing how mindless crimes are committed in the society which take away innocent lives.
Behind the curtain?
Michael Ball is talking about the hidden parts of one's personality that is not shown to others.
In the pantomime?
Michael Ball is using the pantomime as a metaphor for life's drama which people have to face.
Hold the line
Michael Ball is asking people to hold on and face the problems bravely.
Does anybody want to take it anymore?
Michael Ball is questioning whether anyone wants to take on the difficulties of life.
The show must go on
Michael Ball believes that all challenges must be faced and the journey of life must continue.
The show must go on, yeah
Michael Ball is emphasizing that we must face the challenges with courage and positivity.
Inside my heart is breaking
Michael Ball is admitting that he is feeling broken inside.
My make up may be flaking
Michael Ball is talking about how people may try to hide their sadness and troubles from others.
But my smile
Michael Ball is keeping a positive attitude despite the troubles he is facing.
Still stays on
Michael Ball's smile is still shining through despite his troubles.
Whatever happens
Michael Ball is saying that he is going to let things happen as they may.
I'll leave it all to chance
Michael Ball trusts fate and believes that everything happens for a reason.
Another heartache
Michael Ball has been through many heartaches which have left him feeling sad and lonely.
Another failed romance
Michael Ball has experienced failed relationships which have added to his heartaches.
I guess I'm learning - I'm learning, learning, learning
Michael Ball has learned from his past experiences and is still learning from the mistakes he has made.
I must be warmer now
Michael Ball believes that he needs to be more compassionate, positive and understanding.
I'll soon be turning - Turning, turning, turning
Michael Ball is looking forward to a new phase in his life where things will turn around for the better.
Round the corner now
Michael Ball believes that he is close to reaching a turning point in his life.
Outside the dawn is breaking
Michael Ball is referring to the new day that is dawning on him, bringing with it new hope and opportunities.
But inside in the dark I'm aching to be free
Michael Ball is feeling heavy and weighed down by his troubles and is yearning to break free from the darkness he is in.
My soul is painted
Michael Ball's soul has been painted with the emotions he is feeling.
Like the wings of butterflies
Michael Ball's soul feels fragile like the wings of butterflies.
Fairytales of yesterday
Michael Ball is reminiscing about the happy moments in his past.
Will grow but never die
Michael Ball believes that the happy memories in his past will always remain, even if they will not be repeated in his future.
I can fly, my friends
Michael Ball believes that he can overcome any challenge and soar high, with the support of his friends.
I'll face it with a grin
Michael Ball is going to approach life's challenges with a positive attitude and a smile on his face.
I'm never giving in
Michael Ball will not give up or be defeated by any setbacks he may face.
I'll top the bill
Michael Ball is confident that he will be the best and will come out on top.
I'll overkill
Michael Ball will put in more effort than required to achieve success.
I have to find the will to carry on - On with the show - On with the show
Michael Ball knows that he has to keep going and keep pushing through the obstacles to reach his goals and dreams.
The show the show must go on, go on, go on...
Michael Ball is repeating his belief that one must persist and keep going despite the hardships.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Roger Taylor, John Deacon, Brian May, Freddie Mercury
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Heidi Leigh McClaflin
LOVE his voice
ano Rian
Wow, I have no words. He is incredible!
Candace Metzger
Love this song ❤️
kbh prinsesse
What a tepid affair!