Skellern attended Derby Grammar School (now Derby High School) and studied piano at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He later joined pop groups called 'Harlem' and 'March Hare'. Skellern played the organ at St Michael's Church, Bolton during his early years.
Skellern's first hit song was "You're a Lady" in 1972. The record featured the choir Congregation who had recorded the hit "Softly Whispering I Love You" and reached number three in the UK Singles Chart[3] and number 50 in the United States Billboard Hot 100.[4] He followed this three years later with "Hold On to Love" which reached number 14 in the UK chart. He also sang the theme song to the musical Billy Liar. For three years in the 1970s he worked on BBC Radio 4's Stop the Week, writing topical songs.[2] A non charting song 'Too much I'm in love' also received much radio play.
In 1978 Skellern had a minor hit with "Love is the Sweetest Thing" (which featured backing by the Grimethorpe Colliery Band), winning the Music Trades Association award for best Middle of the Road song. His album Astaire is regarded by many as a minor classic.
In 1981 he wrote, composed and performed in a series of musical playlets for the BBC called Happy Endings. Two years later Skellern hosted the Private Lives television chat show. He wrote the lyrics for the song "One More Kiss, Dear", from the 1982 film, Blade Runner. In 1984, He performed the theme song for the London Weekend Television programme Me and My Girl.[2] In the same year, Skellern formed a group called Oasis with cellist Julian Lloyd Webber, and Mary Hopkin. The group released a self-titled album in 1984 on the Warner Bros. Records label which earned a silver record. The group performed live on television, but a planned concert tour was cancelled due to Mary Hopkin becoming ill.
In 1987, Skellern wrote and performed the theme music and song for the Yorkshire Television series, Flying Lady.[5]
Skellern provided the voice of Carter Brandon in the BBC Radio adaptations of Peter Tinniswood's Uncle Mort's North Country. This show was produced by Pete Atkin.
Skellern has collaborated with Richard Stilgoe in cabaret and in musical comedy with comic songs such as "Joyce the Librarian".[2] Three live albums are available; A Quiet Night Out, By the Wey and Who Plays Wins.
More recently Skellern has been writing choral music, including Waiting for the Word (which was written for the BBC's Songs of Praise programme of 19 August 2001), Six Simple Carols and The Nativity Cantata written for a Hemel Hempstead choir, the Aeolian Singers. The work was first performed by them in 2004 and it has since been recorded.
Skellern's and Richard Stilgoe's little-known album, Who Plays Wins, made an unexpected entry in the midweek top five album charts in February 2011 after an online poll among Crystal Palace fans voted it the best British album of all time.
Isn't This A Lovely Day
Peter Skellern Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The thunder and lightning
Seem to be having their way.
But as far as I'm concerned, it's a lovely day.
The turn in the weather
Will keep us together
So I can honestly say,
That as far as I'm concerned, it's a lovely day
Isn't this a lovely day to be caught in the rain.
You were going on your way, now you've got to remain.
Just as you were going, leaving me all at sea,
The clouds broke, they broke and oh what a break for me.
I can see the sun up high, though we're caught in a storm.
I can see where you and I could be cozy and warm.
Let the rain pitter patter
But it really doesn't matter
If the skies are gray.
Long as I can be with you, it's a lovely day.
The song "Isn't This A Lovely Day" by Peter Skellern presents a contrasting view of the weather that is currently happening outside. Despite the frightening thunder and lightning, Skellern finds the weather to be lovely. He believes that the turn in the weather will keep him and his loved one together, which is why he can say that everything is okay. The lyrics of the song focus on the presence of someone he cares about and his willingness to face any weather as long as he is with them. He sees the silver lining in the clouds and imagines being cozy and warm with his loved one.
The lyrics are a wonderful example of looking at things from a different perspective. Skellern acknowledges that the weather is scary but reframes it as an opportunity for intimacy and togetherness. It's an attitude that is worth adopting in all areas of life - seeing the good in the bad and embracing it. He is not afraid to get a little wet and cold as long as he is with his loved one. The song overall is a celebration of love and how it allows us to appreciate the world in a different way.
Line by Line Meaning
The weather is frightening.
The weather is turbulent and possibly dangerous.
The thunder and lightning
Seem to be having their way.
The thunder and lightning are dominant and are affecting the surroundings.
But as far as I'm concerned, it's a lovely day.
Despite the turbulent weather, the singer believes it's a pleasant day personally.
The turn in the weather
Will keep us together
So I can honestly say,
That as far as I'm concerned, it's a lovely day
The change in weather will prevent separation, and therefore the artist finds it a pleasant day.
And everything's okay.
The artist has a sense of relief that everything seems to be alright.
Isn't this a lovely day to be caught in the rain.
The singer is expressing the irony of the situation where the weather is bad, yet it's still a nice day.
You were going on your way, now you've got to remain.
Due to the rain, the person cannot continue their journey.
Just as you were going, leaving me all at sea,
The artist was feeling lost and confused when the person was going away.
The clouds broke, they broke and oh what a break for me.
The clouds clearing gives the artist a sense of relief.
I can see the sun up high, though we're caught in a storm.
Despite the storm, the artist can see the brightness and hope.
I can see where you and I could be cozy and warm.
The singer sees the possibility of comfort and safety for both people.
Let the rain pitter patter
But it really doesn't matter
If the skies are gray.
Even though the weather isn't good, it doesn't affect the artist's mood or happiness.
Long as I can be with you, it's a lovely day.
Being together with the person is all that matters, even in bad weather.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: IRVING BERLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@harryboggon8718
Absolutely Great 👍👍👍👍
@jagmiddleton
simply divine
@helenbailey8419
I love this version Hooray for the internet
@debbiemee7880
one very talented man Peter skellen RIP loved and never forgotten xxx
@malcolmgreening6936
Still fresh and absolutely unique, so missed!
@Alberto20742
PETER SKELLERN, dios te bendiga donde quieras que estes. from argentina.
@sven-egiltestad4070
What a beautiful voice!
@mojosabien
From the Astaire album if my memory serves. Such a lovely voice.
@Steviepics
A consolation of this terribly sad news today has been playing one Skellern gem after another here on YouTube, and best of all, to realise he held a special place in the heart of so many music lovers.
@douglasdeacon
Steviepics I'm doing the same. Sad but nice if you know what I mean!