Meaning of The Lady In Red by Chris de Burgh & The Story Behind

The famous musician Chris de Burgh has recorded more than twenty albums, which have sold forty-five million copies worldwide. Of course, he cannot be called the author of one hit. But ask the average music lover about the songs of this Irish composer, and most, without hesitation, will call The Lady in Red.

Indeed, the composition has become for Chris what is commonly called the hackneyed phrase “calling card”. In the mid-eighties, The Lady in Red hit the charts in twenty-five countries, topping several charts. So far, de Burgh has not succeeded in surpassing this achievement.

The beautiful ballad has a very romantic story, which is described below.

The story of creation and the meaning of the song The Lady in Red

The composition of Chris de Burgh was prompted by memories of meeting his wife Diana. At the same time, the musician repeatedly emphasized that he did not identify the heroine of the song with his wife.

While writing the text of the ballad, Chris thought about the fact that many husbands are unable to remember what clothes their lovers wore on the first date. He wanted to convey to the audience the idea of ​​the need to appreciate loved ones.

At first, de Burgh was going to call the song The Way You Look Tonight, but in 1936 Fred Astaire already sang the song under that name. The Lady in Red variant arose after Chris saw Diana at a nightclub. At first, he drew attention to the spectacular red dress, but did not immediately realize that it was his wife.

Recording and release

In June 1986, The Lady in Red was released as a single from the album Into the Light. She topped the charts in the UK, Norway, Ireland, Canada and other countries.

The enormous popularity of “Lady in Red” caused many listeners to dislike the song.

  • Dotmusic ranked it as the tenth most annoying piece of music.
  • Rolling Stone listed The Lady in Red as one of the worst tracks of the 80s.
  • Gigwise called it one of the worst love songs of all time.
  • Polls conducted by Channel 4 and The Observer ranked it fourth on the list of the most hated singles to reach number one in the UK.

Express your opinion about the song The Lady in Red in the comments.

Video of The Lady in Red by Chris de Burgh

Check out the music video for “The Lady in Red” by Chris de Burgh.

Cover versions

Chris de Burgh performed The Lady in Red in Spanish, calling the song La Dama de Ayer (“The Lady of Yesterday”). In 2007, Andy Williams recorded The Lady in Red for the album I Don’t Remember Ever Growing Up.

Interesting Facts

  • The Lady in Red has appeared on the soundtracks of several well-known films, including the crime drama American Psycho (American Phsyco).

Lady in Red by Chris De Burgh Lyrics

I’ve never seen you looking so lovely as you did tonight
I’ve never seen you shine so bright
I’ve never seen so many men ask you if you wanted to dance
They’re looking for a little romance, given half a chance
And I have never seen that dress you’re wearing
Or the highlights in your hair that catch your eyes
I have been blind

chorus:
The lady in red is dancing with me, cheek to cheek
There’s nobody here, it’s just you and me
It’s where I want to be
But I hardly know this beauty by my side
I’ll never forget the way you look tonight

I’ve never seen you looking so gorgeous as you did tonight
I’ve never seen you shine so bright, you were amazing
I’ve never seen so many people want to be there by your side
And when you turned to me and smiled, it took my breath away
And I have never had such a feeling
Such a feeling of complete and utter love, as I do tonight

Chorus

I will never forget the way you look tonight
The lady in red, the lady in red
The lady in red, my lady in red

I love you

Chris De Burgh, lyrics by The Lady in Red, © BMG Rights Management

Lyrics of The Lady in Red by Chris de Burgh Alternate

I haven’t seen you look as lovely as you did tonight.
I have never seen you shine so brightly.
I have not seen so many men asking you to dance.
They are looking for a little romance, seizing the slightest opportunity.
And I didn’t see the dress you’re wearing today
And blond strands in your hair falling over your eyes.
I was blind.

Chorus:
The lady in red dances with me, cheek to cheek.
There is no one around, just you and me.
Only here I want to be
But I hardly recognize the beauty that is next to me,
And I will never forget how you look today.

I haven’t seen you look as gorgeous as you did tonight.
I have never seen you shine so bright, you were amazing.
I have not seen so many people want to be near you.
And when you turned and smiled at me, I took my breath away.
I’ve never experienced anything like this
Such a feeling of complete and absolute love, like today.

Chorus

I will never forget how you look today
Lady in red, lady in red
Lady in red, lady in red

I love you.

Song quote

Only James Blunt has come up with a more annoying song than Chris de Burgh’s Lady In Red.

Neil Norman, The Independent, 2006

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