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.
Walk Away
Michael Ball Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
before you throw your life away
life that I could share just for a day
we should have met some years ago
for your sake I say walk away just go
walk away and live
life it's full with no regret don't look back at me
just try to forget
so be strong reach the stars now
walk away walk on
a little voice I beg you to stay
so don't say a word just run, run away
goodbye my love
my tears will fall now that you're gone
I can't come but cry
but I must go on
I'm sad but I have to search so long
you're not here but I told you
walk away walk on
walk on
The song “Walk Away” by Michael Ball is a heart-rending ballad about a man who is urging his love to leave him despite his own deep sadness. The lyrics “Walk away please go, before you throw your life away, life that I could share just for a day” suggest that the singer knows they do not have a future together but is frustrated that they cannot turn back time and have met earlier. He advises her to “walk away and live” her life full of no regrets, and to “reach the stars.” However, he also acknowledges his own heartbreak as he weeps following her departure.
The underlying message of the song seems to be that sometimes the best decision for people is to let go and move on, even when it is painful. The lyrics also imply empowerment through self-sufficiency and the ability to make tough choices for oneself. Though it may be difficult, the singer sings that we must be “strong” and “walk on” when things don’t go as planned.
Line by Line Meaning
Walk away please go
Please leave me and walk away
before you throw your life away
Before you ruin your life by staying with me
life that I could share just for a day
I cannot offer you a long-term commitment
we should have met some years ago
We are not meant to be together
for your sake I say walk away just go
I am asking you to leave for your own good
walk away and live
Leave and live a happy life
life it's full with no regret don't look back at me
Live life without regret and do not think about me
just try to forget
Forget about me and move on
I've dreamed the dream that cannot come true
Our relationship cannot work out
so be strong reach the stars now
Be strong and pursue your dreams
walk away walk on
I am urging you to leave and move forward
a little voice I beg you to stay
I have a small voice in me that wants you to stay
so don't say a word just run, run away
Do not say anything, just leave as fast as you can
goodbye my love
Farewell my love
my tears will fall now that you're gone
I will cry now that you are no longer with me
I can't come but cry
I cannot help but cry
but I must go on
I must continue with my life
I'm sad but I have to search so long
I am sad, but I need to find what I am looking for
you're not here but I told you
You are not with me, but I warned you
walk away walk on
Leave me and move forward
Writer(s): Black, Jurgens
Contributed by Benjamin I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Sophie Miller
It’s nine months later and 10 minutes ago Captain Sir Tom Moore has just passed from Covid-19 may he rest in peace 🕊 You were a real British hero thank you for all you did 💕
sOdEeP mUsIc
He's still here with us all, in spirit and human consciousness. He walks with us and all for eternity! Just quiet your mind and you will hear him still. He will be gratefully in our hearts and in our present again for that moment. I am so grateful to all who created this song with Captain Sir Tom Moore, to remind us all that we will never walk alone. <3 Love & Light <3
DAZ james
This still trouble me he gave all and the people he did his fine fight for. Didn’t even put there best effort for him. All the doctors nurses and other staff who. Want to be given a reward for doing there jobs and don’t even do the basic of Getting there vax etc should be ashamed
LovecraftComedy
You mean died. Stop saying passed, he hasn’t taken his driving test…
Elaine Doughty
Bye papa love son of newborns little ward dsd son save husband and Man wold bother you again bother hiiiay husband and wife hiiiay
Elaine Doughty
Papa love nurse England son of newborns little ward dsd son of God and Man wold bother was and bother hiiiay law and sis law
Sh0yo
RIP Captain Sir Tom Moore, a hero we never asked for, but a hero we needed. I hope that this Great British Hero will be blessed by God and is resting peacefully. His legacy will live on forever.
Liam Duke
You're a legend, Cap 😭😭😭
miniturps
I think we can all agree the news of Captain Sir Tom Moore passing away is completely tragic. Thank you for everything sir, you have inspired us all and kept spirts high. Rest in piece hero! <3 Fly high and never walk alone.
Punished Gloyper Stormtrooper
@miniturps hero?