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/
Wonderland
Paul Young Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All will be revealed
And for all your troubled sweetnesses,
Your troubles will be healed
Close your eyes,
Close your eyes (oh, now)
Let me rise,
I see you in a dress of blue,
With a question in your hand
I see you in your attitude,
Of sorrow and demand (oh)
Close your eyes,
Close your eyes
Let me take you
Back to wonderland
I will take you
Back to wonderland
Wherever there's an empty space,
Split the time in two
And when you come to claim your place
I'll see you smiling through
Hold my hand,
Hold my hand
Let me take you
Back to wonderland
I will take you
Back to wonderland
Are your eyes so tired of searchin',
Ah, that they can't see love? and
Is your heart so full of locks and keys
That it can't open up? (open your heart)
Through all the things that have to be,
We often have to cry
And beneath the weight of gravity,
We stumble then we fly
Hold my hand,
Hold my hand
Let me take you
Back to wonderland
I will take you
Back to wonderland
Let me take you
Back to wonderland (let me take you back)
I will take you
Back to wonderland
Let me take you
Back to wonderland (I wanna take you)
I will take you
Back to wonderland
The opening lines of "Wonderland" by Paul Young speak to the universal human condition of experiencing worry and trouble, and the promise that all will be revealed and healed. The use of repetition in the chorus to "close your eyes" and "let me take you back to Wonderland" creates an immersive and dreamlike tone. Wonderland is a metaphorical place where one can escape from reality and find solace, especially in times of struggle. The dress of blue and the question in the hand of the singer illustrate the confusion and uncertainty that one might face in life, and the attitude of sorrow and demand depicts a sense of frustration and perhaps even anger. The idea of splitting time in two and seeing oneself smiling through when claiming one's place is a sentiment of perseverance and resilience. The bridge speaks to the importance of love and the need for opening one's heart, as well as the common human experience of crying during difficult times. The lyrics overall offer a sense of hope and comfort, invoking the image of a Wonderland where one can escape from reality and find peace of mind.
Line by Line Meaning
For all your worried weaknesses,
Despite your insecurities and concerns, everything will become clear eventually.
All will be revealed
The mystery behind your worries will ultimately be uncovered.
And for all your troubled sweetnesses,
Even despite your difficulties and hardships, there is hope for resolution.
Your troubles will be healed
Your problems will eventually be resolved, and your pain will subside.
Close your eyes,
Take a moment to pause and reflect.
Close your eyes (oh, now)
Really take a moment to be still in your mind and close your eyes.
Let me rise,
Allow yourself to be lifted and moved by the music and song.
Let me rise (oh)
Fully let yourself be absorbed by the music and its energy.
I see you in a dress of blue,
I see you in a state of mental and emotional vulnerability.
With a question in your hand
With questions and doubts up in the air.
I see you in your attitude,
I see your approach to life and your struggles.
Of sorrow and demand (oh)
Expressing sadness and confusion, but also seeking answers and resolution.
Let me take you
Allow me to guide and assist you.
Back to wonderland
Let us go back to a state of curiosity and childlike wonder.
Wherever there's an empty space,
Whenever there is a void or emptiness in your life.
Split the time in two
Divide your time between the past and present/future.
And when you come to claim your place
When you have found your purpose and direction in life.
I'll see you smiling through
I can envision your happiness and fulfillment.
Hold my hand,
Let me guide and support you through life's challenges.
Let me take you
Allow me to show you the way.
Are your eyes so tired of searchin',
Are you exhausted from seeking answers and direction in life?
Ah, that they can't see love? and
Is it making it difficult for you to recognize love and affection around you?
Is your heart so full of locks and keys
Are you holding onto emotional baggage and keeping people at a distance?
That it can't open up? (open your heart)
It is time to let go of past hurt and open up to new love and experiences?
Through all the things that have to be,
Through everything that life brings and demands of us.
We often have to cry
We will inevitably experience pain and struggle throughout our lives.
And beneath the weight of gravity,
Under the pressure and weight of life's challenges.
We stumble then we fly
We may falter and make mistakes, but ultimately we can rise up and soar.
I wanna take you
I am eager to guide and support you through life's journey.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MILAN WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Paul Castle
Love this song. Ethereal percussion fantastic bass and the slow build before the drums come in….Something very haunting about it. Could be my favourite Paul Young track, he sounds world class on this.
simon Mckenna
Hadn't thought about this song for years, today it randomly popped in my head. One of Paul's finest.
Nicole Holford Lockney
One of his best! I’m so grateful that I got to see him perform live in the 80s. 🔥 !
Veritas Omnia Vincit
Saw him in the mid nineties, him and his band were brilliant. One off my bucket list❤️. (At The Apollo, Manchester, UK.)
Olassious
: This is a fantastically well written song delivered by a World class vocalist and superb musicians.
Ralph Jackson
Beautifully sung and played,it has a melancholy air to it somehow.
Belinda Jane Harris
Such a beautiful voice x
Ruth Ramsburg
PAUL YOUNG is a wonderful singer, musician and great song writer. And PAUl cares and help others other people that don't have much.
Darla Levercom
One of my favorite songs! Excellent vocals by Paul and the band!!!
Mark Rowles
Ever since i was young this song has been a part of my life. My mum adored it and would always remind us that when it was her time we should play this. At the tender age of 63 she was stolen from us by the illness that is alzheimers. We played it for you mum and i am thankful that this along with many things will always bring your soul back to us x