The autobiography of Barbara Dickson, in her own words. I enjoyed this book a lot, and it was really interesting to get to know her better.

Fans of Barbara Dickson. Anyone who likes to read biographies.

Hearing about the stories behind her albums and songs.

Go see Barbara in concert.

Happy.

Barbara Dickson, the Scottish singer songwriter.

It's entertaining and interesting.

I decided to read this because I went to see Barbara Dickson live about eighteen months ago with my two best friends. I didn't really know much about her beforehand, but ever since her mesmerising concert, I've been a little bit obsessed.

This book is written by Barbara herself, and you can hear her warm Scottish accent coming through each page. The kinds of things she says sound like they have come from her mind, and not that of a ghost writer. The thing that surprised me the most was how funny the book was. Barbara has a keen wit, although, I'm sure she would disagree with that. I shouldn't have been so surprised by this because my friends and I all said exactly the same thing after the concert.

In this biography, Barbara really does start at the beginning. From when she was two years old, singing in her pram, and a man said what a good voice she had. All of her memories are infused with music. In the 1960s, she started out by playing her first love: folk music. This is a genre she has returned to throughout her life. I think, she was a little sidelined by her pop success in the early 1980s, in particular her massive hit of 'I Know Him So Well' which she sings with Elaine Paige. But, she says, she is grateful for her success, all the same.

I was also surprised to find she had a happy childhood. I know; that's weird. But, so often, people who are massively talented, and especially when they are naturally quite shy (which Barbara is) had a fairly difficult childhood. (I know that's a generalisation.) But, not Barbara. She grew up with a younger brother and parents who were hugely proud of her.

I liked the parts about 'John, Paul, Ringo, George ... and Bert' and 'Blood Brothers.' When she spoke of her crushing stage fright, it was an interesting insight.

I loved to read about her husband and kids. She didn't spend a lot of time writing about them, I guess, because she doesn't want them to gain any attention for being related to her. But it was nice to read about them a little.

Barbara's friendships with other singer songwriters from her folk days, like Gerry Rafferty and Rab Noakes, is so lovely. I have to say, every time she discusses her folk music (of new and old) you can feel how happy it makes her. And the early years, before any of them had 'made it,' sounds like the best time ever. Playing gigs, drinking, spending every night with your best friends. And, all the while, playing music that you adore. I would have loved to be there.

The final surprise was when Barbara said that she and her husband took up running during lockdown. She's about 76 now, so she would have started in her early 70s. That's pretty cool. And she really enjoyed it, she said.

Although Barbara clearly adores her husband and kids, it is apparent that she loves folk music almost as much. Without music, I don't think she could cope. I think it's fab that she plays guitar and piano. She did this when we saw her play live.She stuck mostly to the guitar, but played piano for a few songs.

'Caravan Song' is my favourite song of hers. It would appear it is everyone's favourite. I think Barbara loves the response it always gets. I can confirm that when we saw her, the hall erupted when she started to sing, "The early light is dawning ..."

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