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/
Some People
Paul Young Lyrics
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Some people, know just who to pray to up above
I know where I'm going, I'm taking it straight to the top
I know where I'm going, I don't see a reason to stop
You took my hand, put me back where I started
Showed me the way, showed me the way
You took my hand, put me back where I started
Some people seem to get the best of life really easy
I know that I'm lucky, what you give me I'll send right back
I know I'm so lucky, this won't be a tough one to crack
You took my hand, put me back where I started
Showed me the way, showed me the way
You took my hand, put me back where I started
Some of us were living in perplexion
While others seemed to go sailing through
Some of us were getting no direction
Some of us could only think of you
Some people can give every piece of their heart to another
Some people are just as happy when they're left on their own
I know what I have now, the grass isn't greener over there
I know what I have now, and it's something that I want to share
You took my hand, put me back where I started
Showed me the way, showed me the way
You took my hand, put me back where I started
The lyrics of Paul Young's "Some People" explore different aspects of love, happiness, luck, and perception. The singer acknowledges that some people seem to know how to play the game of love, while others are just lucky and seem to effortlessly get the best of life. However, he emphasizes that he knows where he's going and doesn't see a reason to stop, implying that he is determined to achieve love and success on his own terms. The singer is also grateful for the person who has helped him find his way, put him back where he started, and showed him the way.
The lyrics suggest that some people are living in perplexion, while others are sailing through life or getting no direction. This could refer to the different socio-economic, cultural, or personal circumstances that affect people's perceptions, opportunities, and struggles. However, the singer implies that he is not affected by these differences and focuses on what he has now. He values the person who has given him something to share and acknowledges that the grass isn't greener over there, meaning that he is content with what he has and doesn't envy other people's lives.
Overall, "Some People" is a reflective and optimistic song about the different ways people experience love, happiness, and luck. The lyrics suggest that it's possible to find one's way and value what one has, regardless of the challenges or differences in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Some people, they know how to play the game of love
There are some people who are skilled in the ways of love and romance.
Some people, know just who to pray to up above
Some people have a strong spiritual belief and know who to turn to in times of need and gratitude.
I know where I'm going, I'm taking it straight to the top
I have a clear vision of where I want to go and I am determined to reach the pinnacle of success.
I know where I'm going, I don't see a reason to stop
I have a strong conviction and sense of purpose that motivates me to keep pushing forward towards my goals.
You took my hand, put me back where I started
You helped me find my way back to where I began, giving me a fresh start and a chance to begin anew.
Showed me the way, showed me the way
You were my guide and mentor, helping me navigate through life's many challenges and obstacles.
Some people seem to get the best of life really easy
There are some people who effortlessly seem to have everything they want in life handed to them on a silver platter.
Some people seemed to be put on this earth to please me
There are some people who appear to exist solely for my own pleasure and enjoyment.
I know that I'm lucky, what you give me I'll send right back
I am aware of how fortunate I am to have you in my life, and I promise to reciprocate your generosity and kindness.
I know I'm so lucky, this won't be a tough one to crack
I am fully aware of my good fortune, and feel confident that I will be able to hold onto it with ease.
Some of us were living in perplexion
Some of us were confused and uncertain about our place in the world.
While others seemed to go sailing through
While others appeared to breeze through life with relative ease and little resistance.
Some of us were getting no direction
Some of us were lost, without any clear sense of purpose or direction in life.
Some of us could only think of you
Some of us were consumed by thoughts of you, constantly fixated on your impact on our lives.
Some people can give every piece of their heart to another
There are some people who are capable of giving their whole heart and soul to another person, completely and without reservation.
Some people are just as happy when they're left on their own
There are some people who are content and fulfilled even when they are alone, without the need for any external validation or support.
I know what I have now, the grass isn't greener over there
I am grateful for what I have in my life at the moment, and recognize that there is no greater happiness or fulfillment to be found elsewhere.
I know what I have now, and it's something that I want to share
I am proud of what I have achieved and experienced in my life, and want to share these blessings with others who are important to me.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: IAN KEWLEY, PAUL YOUNG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind