The line-up of the band was Alan Williams (born 22 December 1948); Tony Thorpe (born 20 July 1947); Bill Hurd (born 11 August 1948); Mick Clarke (born 10 August 1946), and John Richardson (born 3 May 1948). The Rubettes’ first (and biggest hit) was “Sugar Baby Love” (released in 1974) which was a UK no. 1 and going on to sell around eight million copies worldwide. The distinctive falsetto lead vocal to “Sugar Baby Love” was however performed by Paul Da Vinci (real name: Paul Prewer) who left the group after a few weeks to be replaced by Williams.
The Rubettes went on to have a number of other hits during the mid-seventies such as “Juke Box Jive” and “I Can Do It”, mostly written by the Bickerton-Waddington song-writing team. Their final hit was the ‘country rock’ styled ballad - “Baby I Know” - which reached no. 10 in the UK in 1977.
The Rubettes’ first and biggest hit was "Sugar Baby Love" (1974) which was a UK number one, going on to sell around 500,000 copies in the UK and a reported global sale of three million copies. Two million copies being sold in France alone, an achievement matched by no other British group.[citation needed] With more three songs, "Sugar Baby Love" was recorded for Polydor in October 1973 at Landsdown Studios in Holland Park, London by some session musicians featuring the distinctive falsetto lead vocal by Paul Da Vinci (real name: Paul Prewer), but then he didn't seize the opportunity to actually become a member of the band put together by John Richardson and went for solo work. To be The Rubettes' debut single, "Sugar Baby Love" was their only UK #1 and sole U.S. Top 40 entry. In November 1974 NME music magazine reported that The Rubettes, The Glitter Band and Mud were among the UK bands who had roles in a new film titled Never Too Young To Rock.
The Rubettes went on to have a number of other hits across Europe during the mid 1970s such as "Tonight", "Juke Box Jive" and "I Can Do It" sung by Alan Williams, mostly written by the Bickerton-Waddington songwriting team. The Rubettes success encouraged Bickerton and Waddington to set up State Records, so that ten months after the release of "Sugar Baby Love", the fourth Rubettes single "I Can Do It" was on State (catalogue reference STAT 1).
None charted in the States, though, and the band evolved glammy nostalgia into more serious territory. "Under One Roof" (1976) a sensitive portrayal of a gay man disowned and later murdered by his father; along with Rod Stewart's "The Killing of Georgie", was one of very few songs tackling the difficult topic of homophobia. Their most successful self composed hit was the country rock styled ballad "Baby I Know", which reached number 10 in the UK and Germany in 1977. They played as a quintet since early 1975 and always as a quartet since mid 1976 (Bill Hurd became an out-off-staff member). After Thorpe's departure in 1979, The Rubettes fell silent in the face of dwindling success and soon had disbanded.
But the band continued releasing records into the 1980s, then re-grouped in 1983 in order to exploit the German market for 1970s nostalgia.
In 1994, the group's profile was raised by the inclusion of "Sugar Baby Love" in the hit movie, Muriel's Wedding. This song was also featured in the 2005 Neil Jordan film, Breakfast on Pluto soundtrack.
In 2002, the group hit the headlines once more when, following an acrimonius split and legal action, the Rubettes became the latest in a long line of bands (including Pink Floyd, the Beach Boys and Spandau Ballet) who ended up in the courts in a dispute over ownership of the band's name. The court ruled that both Williams and Hurd could tour as the Rubettes, as long as it was clear which member was fronting the band. Originals John Richardson and Mick Clarke, along with ex-Kinks keyboardist Mark Haley, feature with Alan Williams in his band; while Hurd is the only member of his group connected with the original line up.
All was well until 2005 when Williams and Hurd were back in court following an appearance by Hurd's band on the German television station ZDF, with Williams claiming Hurd had breached the terms of the original agreement. On 2 February 2006, a High Court judge found that Hurd and Williams had both been guilty of breaching the 2002 agreement. Costs of the trial were however awarded to Williams in view of the severity of Hurd's breaches. Hurd appealed against this decision, but on 3 November 2006 the Appeal Court in London ruled against him, awarding the costs of the appeal to Williams. Hurd has since gone bankrupt.
On 28 March 2008 "Sugar Baby Love" was declared to be the most successful oldie of all time by the German television station RTL.
In May and June 2008, The Rubettes were part of the 'Glitz Blitz & 70s Hitz' tour of the UK alongside Sweet and Showaddywaddy.
On June 19 2009, Bill Hurd's Rubettes played at the East Kilbride ArtBurst Festival.
Julia
The Rubettes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Make you feel so strange
Somewhere deep inside
It's the face of an angel
Soul of the devil may care
How I'd love to know
What goes on in there
She needs your love
She needs it every day
But speak of love
See her laugh and run away
Julia, which way will you go
Julia, I want to know
Julia, only the moon and stars
Julia, know just where you are
Julia
See the dance that needs no alibi
Oh you don't need to dream
When you know you can fly
She needs your love
She needs it every day
But speak of love
See her laugh and run away
Julia, which way will you go
Julia, I want to know
Julia, only the moon and stars
Julia, know just where you are
Julia
The Rubettes's song Julia is a nostalgic and yearning tribute to a woman who captivates the singer's attention. The opening lines describe Julia's eyes as being "bright, so big and wide" and causing a strange feeling inside the singer's heart. He describes her as having the face of an angel, but a soul that is carefree and perhaps even mischievous. The singer confesses that he longs to know what goes on inside this enigmatic woman's head.
The chorus of the song repeats the line "Julia, which way will you go? Julia, I want to know." It seems as though the singer is searching for some sort of certainty or stability in this woman's ever-changing moods and desires. He acknowledges that only the moon and stars know where Julia truly is, adding a sense of mystery to her character.
The song's lyrics also hint at Julia's reluctance to commit to love. While she may need love every day, the mere mention of it causes her to run away. The final verse suggests that Julia is someone who dances through life with abandon and doesn't need to justify her actions to anyone.
Overall, Julia is a portrait of a woman who is simultaneously captivating, enigmatic, and elusive. The lyrics capture the singer's longing to understand Julia's true nature and the uncertainty that accompanies his fascination with her.
Line by Line Meaning
Eyes so bright, so big and wide
Her eyes are very bright, big and wide that it can make anyone feel strange and arouses a feeling from deep inside
Make you feel so strange
Just by looking into her eyes, it can cause a strange feeling within you
Somewhere deep inside
The feeling that her eyes evoke comes from deep within you
It's the face of an angel
Though her eyes can cause a strange feeling within you, her face is that of an angel
Soul of the devil may care
Despite her angelic face, her soul is that of someone who is not afraid to take risks and may seem reckless
How I'd love to know
The singer is expressing a desire to understand what she is thinking or feeling
What goes on in there
The singer wants to know what is happening within her mind and heart
She needs your love
She requires love and attention from the person addressed in the song
She needs it every day
She requires love and attention regularly
But speak of love
However, when the topic of love is brought up
See her laugh and run away
She laughs and avoids the topic of love altogether, running away from it
Julia, which way will you go
The artist is inquiring about which path she will take
Julia, I want to know
The singer desires to have an understanding of Julia's mind and what she chooses
Julia, only the moon and stars
Only the celestial bodies know Julia's location and direction
Julia, know just where you are
The lyric suggests that Julia knows her own whereabouts and her own direction
See the dance that needs no alibi
The dance performed by Julia needs no explanation or justification
Oh you don't need to dream
You don't have to dream about dancing with her; it can become a reality
When you know you can fly
You can attain heights you never thought possible when you are with Julia
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHRISTOPHER ANTON REA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mery Rm
Como no se va a enamorar alguien de esta preciosidad de chico con lo guapo y encantador que era y con ese cuerpo que enamoraba Alan era irresistible , gracias por el vídeo ❤️✨🌟♥️
Frances Mcguiness
love it
Sonia Garcia
Oi Elena, muito obrigada pelo vídeo, procurei em outros canais este vídeo, agora tem no teu, lindos como sempre , Alan MARAVILHOSAMENTE lindo, agora vou ver sempre. Abraços...❤❤
Elena Nefedova
Con mucho gusto! 😘💖
Wilma Gubolin
Alan maravilhoso, lindo, apaixonante.❤❤❤
Piotr62
Rubettes wspaniale czasy glam rocka !
Lillian Christina
Lindeza Alan!!! ❤❤❤❤
Corine Pradal
Merci beaucoup Elena!
J avais 7 ans devant la télé en noir est blanc. J étais amoureuse de Alan à 7 ans. 🥰♥️🙏
Elena Nefedova
😘💖
Sonia Garcia
Eu percebi que neste vídeo o Alan usa um anel na mão direita. Acho que não vi em nenhum outro vídeo.🥰