Paul Young

Paul Young – Life, Career, and Notable Remarks

Paul Young (born January 17, 1956) is an English singer, songwriter, and musician known for his soulful voice and 1980s hits. Explore his early life, rise to fame, major successes, style, and memorable quotes.

Introduction

Paul Antony Young (born 17 January 1956) is an English singer and musician whose smooth, soulful voice made him a prominent figure in 1980s pop and blue-eyed soul.

He achieved considerable chart success with songs like “Wherever I Lay My Hat,” “Come Back and Stay,” and “Every Time You Go Away,” including a U.S. No. 1 hit.

Over the decades, he’s remained active in music, both in solo and group projects, adapting styles while retaining his distinctive vocal identity.

Early Life and Family

Paul Young was born in Luton, Bedfordshire, England, as the middle child of three siblings (an older brother, Mark, and a younger sister, Joanne).

His interest in music began early: he learned piano first, then guitar. After leaving school, he worked for Vauxhall Motors (as did his father and brother), while performing in bands at night.

In his early bands he played bass guitar, though he aspired to become a lead singer.

Rise to Fame & Solo Breakthrough

Early Bands and Transitions

Before his solo success, Young fronted or participated in bands such as Kat Kool & the Kool Cats, Streetband, and Q-Tips.

Streetband produced a novelty UK hit, “Toast”.

Q-Tips gained attention as a live act, supporting established acts and performing in universities and festivals.

When Q-Tips disbanded, Young was signed as a solo artist by Columbia.

Debut Album & Chart Success

Young’s debut solo album, No Parlez (1983), was a commercial breakthrough.

Singles from that album included covers and reinterpretations such as:

• “Wherever I Lay My Hat (That’s My Home)” — which reached No. 1 in the UK

• “Come Back and Stay” — a top-5 UK hit

• “Love of the Common People” (re-released) also charted strongly.

The album No Parlez topped UK charts and became one of his signature records.

Following that, his 1985 album The Secret of Association contained “Every Time You Go Away” (original by Hall & Oates). Young’s version became his biggest U.S. hit, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Career Highlights & Collaborations

• Young participated in the Band Aid charity single “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” in 1984, delivering the opening lines.

• He performed at Live Aid in 1985 at Wembley Stadium, singing “Come Back and Stay” and “Every Time You Go Away.”

• Over the years, he has collaborated with musicians such as Pino Palladino, who played fretless bass on several of his albums and tours.

• Young also formed the band Los Pacaminos, a Tex-Mex / roots ensemble, in 1993, which allowed him to explore different musical textures.

• He has released albums in varied styles—including covers, soul interpretations, and later works such as Rock Swings (2006) and Good Thing (2016).

Style, Voice & Musical Identity

Paul Young is often described as a blue-eyed soul singer—white but with a soulful delivery in the tradition of R&B/soul vocalists.

His voice is noted for its clarity, emotional expressiveness, and ability to interpret songs rather than rely purely on original songwriting.

He often utilized covers or reinterpretations of existing songs, putting his own stamp on them.

In live performances, he blends showmanship with genuine vocal delivery, focusing on connecting emotionally with audiences.

Personal Life

Paul Young met Stacey Smith (a former model) during the filming of the music video for “Come Back and Stay” in 1983.

They married in November 1987 while living in Los Angeles.

The couple had three children: daughters Levi (born March 1987), Layla (born August 1994), and a son Grady Cole (born January 1996).

The couple split in May 2006, but reconciled in March 2009.

Tragically, Stacey Young passed away in January 2018 from brain cancer at age 52.

In more recent years, he has been in a relationship with Lorna (also mentioned as his partner/fiancée).

Memorable Remarks & Quotes

While Paul Young is not primarily known as a prolific quotable figure, a few statements and reflections stand out in interviews and retrospectives:

• In a 2024 interview discussing his early life:

  “When I was growing up there [in Luton] … they were steering me towards things like woodwork and metalwork … because that was the biggest thing in Luton.”

• Reflecting on fame and expectations:

  “I just sailed through life not thinking about that too much. I’m constantly being told … ‘You don’t know how famous you are, do you?’”

• On his approach to music and performance, Young has commented indirectly via his musical choices that he finds meaning more in interpretation and emotional connection than pure commercial calculations. (This sentiment is inferred from his career pattern and interviews.)

Lessons & Legacy

From Paul Young’s journey, several themes emerge:

1. Interpretation as artistry
   His success with covers shows that deeply connecting to material—even if not self-written—can create memorable, lasting music.

2. Versatility and adaptation
   Transitioning across soul, pop, Tex-Mex, and cover albums, Young demonstrates that longevity often requires musical evolution.

3. Authenticity over show
   His style suggests that emotional honesty in singing can matter more than gimmicks or branding.

4. Resilience in personal life
   Navigating personal setbacks, loss, and changing industry landscapes, his continued presence in music reflects endurance.

5. The power of voice
   Ultimately, his voice—its tone, delivery, and expressive capacity—remains his central instrument and legacy.

Conclusion

Paul Young remains an emblematic voice of 1980s soul-inflected pop, but his career cannot be confined to that decade. His willingness to experiment, his interpretive depth, and his connection with audiences have sustained his relevance. Whether singing a haunting ballad, trading in soul grooves, or performing with Los Pacaminos, his artistry continues to resonate.

If you’d like, I can also prepare a discography timeline, analysis of his top songs, or comparisons with contemporaries (e.g. George Michael, Simply Red).