Growing up with an older brother Mark and a younger sister Joanne, Young first went to work at the Vauxhall Motors factory and in his spare time played in several bands as bass guitarist. The first group for which he became lead singer was Kat Kool & The Kool Kats. In the late 1970s he joined the Streetband, who had one Top 20 hit in the UK, with the humorous, novelty track "Toast", reaching No. 18 in November 1978.
In December 1979 the Streetband broke up and Young formed the Q-Tips, who established their name by playing live and supporting The Who on their 1982 tour but had no chart hits in the UK, although their single "Letter Song" did enjoy minor success in mainland Europe.
The Q-Tips went their separate ways in 1982, and Young was signed by CBS Records as a solo performer, uniting the fields of New Wave and Soul. His first two singles, "Iron Out the Rough Spots" and a cover of Nicky Thomas’ "Love of the Common People" had no success, but the third, a cover of the Marvin Gaye B-side "Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home)" was No. 1 in the UK singles chart for three weeks in the summer of 1983, the first of fourteen British Top 40 singles.
Similar success followed all over Europe. In the UK, follow-up single "Come Back and Stay" reached No. 4, and a re-release of "Love of the Common People" made it to No. 2, while his début album No Parlez was certified platinum in various countries.
Young's style at the time was a warm, approachable white soul, though he sometimes received playful criticism for his fashion decisions. However, his choice of an Antony Price leather suit for the cover of No Parlez was impractical for stage, where an energetic show dictated more robust clothing.
1984 was a difficult year for Young, as his first heavy promotional and live concert tour of America affected his vocal cords to the extent that he couldn't sing at all for most of the year. He recovered, however, to famously perform the opening line to the Band Aid single "Do They Know It's Christmas?" and his second album, The Secret of Association, secured his future success in the U.S., Japan and Australia. Young's biggest worldwide hit came from this album in 1985 with a version of Daryl Hall & John Oates's album track "Everytime You Go Away". The song reached #1 on the U.S. pop charts.
His third and fourth albums, Between Two Fires, in 1986, and Other Voices, in 1990, were commercial failures (though the latter was a success in the US) but a popular duet, "Senza una donna-Without a Woman", with Italian blues singer Zucchero in 1991 and a corresponding greatest hits album (which also featured duets with Clannad and Joni Mitchell) returned him to success. It also included a new track, 'I’m Only Foolin Myself'. He sung "Radio Ga Ga" with Queen in 1992, at the tribute concert to the recently deceased Freddie Mercury.
In 1992, Paul Young formed Los Pacaminos, a Tex-Max style live band including other top-class musicians such as Jamie Moses and the late Matt Irving. The group have released two albums, with a third scheduled for released in 2024.
In 1993, Young released The Crossing, which produced his first solo Top 20 hit since 'Everytime You Go Away', 'Now I Know What Made Otis Blue'. After this, Young was freed from his contract with CBS. In 1994, he released the covers album Reflections, which was a commercial failure.
He reformed the Q-Tips for a short series of concerts that year in 1993. A year later he suffered significant vocal damage, which has followed him ever since. He contributed to the Vangelis album Voices in 1995. Young sang the British national anthem "God Save the Queen", on the eve of England's Euro '96 semifinal match against Germany.
In 1997, he released his final album to feature original material on EastWest Records. The album featured his final UK Top 40 hit, 'I Wish You Well' and abandoned soul in favour of a more country style somewhat similar to that of Garth Brooks. In 2006 and 2016, he released covers albums, Rock Swings On The Wild Side of Swing and Good Thing, with the former being only released in Germany.
Paul still actively tours solo and with Los Pacaminos and is releasing a new albums both solo and with his group in 2023. He spends his time with his family and following his past time of cooking.
www.paul-young.com/
Don
Paul Young Lyrics
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Try to catch the deluge in a paper cup
There's a battle ahead, many battles are lost
But you'll never see the end of the road
While you're traveling with me
Hey now, hey now
Don't dream it's over
When the world comes in
They come, they come
To build a wall between us
We know they won't win
Now I'm towing my car, there's a hole in the roof
My possessions are causing me suspicion but there's no proof
In the paper today tales of war and of waste
But you turn right over to the T.V. page
Hey now, hey now
Don't dream it's over
Hey now, hey now
When the world comes in
They come, they come
To build a wall between us
We know they won't win
Now I'm walking again to the beat of a drum
And I'm counting the steps to the door of your heart
Only shadows ahead barely clearing the roof
Get to know the feeling of liberation and release
Hey now, hey now
Don't dream it's over
Hey now, hey now
When the world comes in
They come, they come
To build a wall between us
We know they won't win
Don't let them win (hey now, hey now, hey now, hey now)
Hey now, hey now
Don't let them win (they come, they come)
Don't let them win (hey now, hey now, hey now, hey now)
The song "Don't Dream It's Over" by Paul Young is a poignant and reflective ode to the struggles and setbacks we experience in life. The first verse poetically describes the freedom and possibilities that we have, while acknowledging the battles and obstacles that we must face. The second verse shifts to a personal perspective, as the singer laments the suspicion and unease that comes from owning too many possessions. The song then returns to a more universal message, calling on listeners to reject the walls that others try to erect between us.
The chorus serves as an uplifting refrain throughout the song, reminding us not to give up hope in the face of adversity. The lines "When the world comes in/They come, they come/To build a wall between us/We know they won't win" are especially powerful, acknowledging the forces that seek to divide and conquer us while affirming the resilience of the human spirit. The final lines of the song are a call to action, urging listeners not to let these walls win.
Overall, "Don't Dream It's Over" is a testament to the enduring human spirit and the power of hope and resilience. It reminds us to stay optimistic and connected in the face of setbacks and challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
There is freedom within, there is freedom without
There is freedom to be found both within and outside of oneself.
Try to catch the deluge in a paper cup
Attempting to contain or control overwhelming situations is futile.
There's a battle ahead, many battles are lost
Life is a struggle and not every battle can be won.
But you'll never see the end of the road
While you're traveling with me
As long as we have each other, there is hope and the journey continues.
Hey now, hey now
Don't dream it's over
Stay hopeful and don't give up.
When the world comes in
They come, they come
To build a wall between us
We know they won't win
There will always be obstacles in life, but we can overcome them together.
Now I'm towing my car, there's a hole in the roof
My possessions are causing me suspicion but there's no proof
The singer is experiencing paranoia and mistrust, possibly of materialistic things.
In the paper today tales of war and of waste
But you turn right over to the T.V. page
The media is full of negativity, but we can choose to focus on what is positive.
Now I'm walking again to the beat of a drum
And I'm counting the steps to the door of your heart
Only shadows ahead barely clearing the roof
The artist is pursuing a love interest, facing challenges but following their heart.
Get to know the feeling of liberation and release
Embrace the feeling of freedom, it can be empowering.
Don't let them win (hey now, hey now, hey now, hey now)
Hey now, hey now
Don't let them win (they come, they come)
Don't let them win (hey now, hey now, hey now, hey now)
Do not allow obstacles to overcome or defeat us. Stay strong and keep fighting.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Neil Finn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ronan Luz
Que voz desse cara. E que música linda. Amo ❤
Rosangela Bandeira
Você enche minhas noites de poesia,Paul Young 🇧🇷🇬🇧❤️
Jacob Rhodes
That vocal is just brilliant. Not a foot wrong, great tone and delivery.
THE BASSBAT 78
and live vocal. I really miss his voice.
Z.J. Gordon
Jacob Rhodes Yes... Smooth...beautiful...sexy.. God help me!
Natali Кotovich
Very, very, very beautiful song. Paul's wonderful, magical, soulful voice. This song wants to listen again and again.💖💖💖💖💖
christal persinger
Paul young s music has always made something come alive in me and as I listen to it now it still makes me feel the same
Artister möter artister
+christal persinger but this song belongs to Crowad house and their versions is the best ever.....but young is not bad
GERLANNY CUSACK
I loveeee paul young. I listening him everyday
MsAppassionata
GEU LIGHT Me either.