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.
You're A Lady
Peter Skellern Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I've had my last dance with you
On to the empty streets we go
And it might be my last chance with you
So I might as well get it over
The things I have to say won't wait until another day
refrein:
How these things are often planned to be
You're romantic, I'm a fool,
You're the teacher, I've come to school
Here I sit and hope that you'll love me
You're pure magic, unlock my chain
Nothing ventured, nothing gained
And so I say with no restraint, be mine, be mine
Hard to answer I agree
But then I've got to know
I'm not asking you to marry me
Just a little love to show
Oh I know I could make you happy
So the things I have to say
Won't wait until another day
refrein
The lyrics of Peter Skellern's song You're a Lady describe a man who has just had his last dance with a woman he loves, but who he fears he may never see again. He knows he has to take the chance to express his feelings for her, even though it's a risk. He tells her that she is a lady and he is a man, and that he hopes she understands that this is how it's supposed to be. He admits that he is a fool, while she is a teacher that he has come to school. He hopes that she will love him, and that she will unlock his chain with her pure magic. He knows that nothing ventured, nothing gained, and begs her to be his.
The lyrics are poignant and heartfelt, reminding us of the bittersweet nature of love and how it can be both wonderful and painful at the same time. The singer's vulnerability is evident in his words, as he lays his heart on the line for the woman he desires. The use of contrasts, such as lady/man, romantic/fool, and teacher/student, adds depth and complexity to the song, making it relatable to anyone who has experienced the emotional roller coaster of love.
Line by Line Meaning
Now the evening has come to a close
The night is ending
And I've had my last dance with you
We have danced for the last time tonight
On to the empty streets we go
We are leaving the building and going outside
And it might be my last chance with you
This could be my final opportunity to express my feelings to you
So I might as well get it over
I should just say what I want to say and get it done
The things I have to say won't wait until another day
I cannot postpone sharing my emotions
You're a lady, I'm a man, you're supposed to understand
You are a woman, I am a man, you should understand how these romantic matters work
How these things are often planned to be
These things often happen according to plan
You're romantic, I'm a fool,
You are a romantic person, I am foolish for pursuing this
You're the teacher, I've come to school
You have knowledge and experience in love, and I am learning from you
Here I sit and hope that you'll love me
I am waiting for you to reciprocate my feelings
You're pure magic, unlock my chain
You possess a mystical quality that has captivated me and I want to be freed from my emotional bondage
Nothing ventured, nothing gained
If I don't take the risk, I will never achieve anything
And so I say with no restraint, be mine, be mine
I am expressing my desire for you with no hesitation, please accept me
Hard to answer I agree
I understand if it is difficult for you to respond to my proposal
But then I've got to know
But I need to find out
I'm not asking you to marry me
I am not asking for your hand in marriage at this time
Just a little love to show
All I ask for is a small show of affection
Oh I know I could make you happy
I am confident that I can bring joy and happiness to your life
So the things I have to say
So the words I need to express
Won't wait until another day
I cannot wait any longer to share how I feel
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PETER SKELLERN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@andrewstewart5095
See when you are 12, songs like this just go over your head, you are full of T. Rex, slade and other stuff, but see when you are 63, this is just pure quality, what an arrangement, brass section and choir
What a man, RIP
@McSynth
Well said sir.
@ciararespect4296
So true but I never particularly liked slade although they were massively popular. Also now I like some Abba but of course it was untrendy back in the day..I also like a lot of classical piano and concerti. When younger i would NEVER listen to it
@stephengordon6292
Same age here and you are so right, better late than never though😂😂
@robertjohnson1602
Thank you - well put from another 63 year old who appreciated this song when they first heard it in 1972.
@davidfarnes4615
One of the most beautiful love songs ever written.
@FATIMAGARCIA302
Perfect!
@tarquin4592
Think Peter was born in the wrong decade with his love for the old songs. An extremely, underrated singer and pianist.
@theboyfromxtown
My mum loved this song. Happy Mother's Day 2024
@smiffymiffed2734
Remember this while in the kitchen on a Sunday, helping my Mum with lunch - reminds me of my younger days, when everything seemed all OK - now grown up, the world certainly isn’t the same place!