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Paul Antony Young[4] (born 17 January 1956)[5] is an English musician, singer and songwriter. Formerly the frontman of the short-lived bands Kat Kool & the Kool Cats, Streetband and Q-Tips, he became a teen idol with his solo success in the 1980s. His hit singles include "Love of the Common People", "Wherever I Lay My Hat", "Come Back and Stay", "Every Time You Go Away" and "Everything Must Change", all reaching the top 10 of the UK Singles Chart.[6] Released in 1983, his debut album, No Parlez, was the first of three UK number-one albums.[6]

Key Information

Young's smooth yet soulful voice belongs to a genre known as "blue-eyed soul". He won a Brit Award for Best British Male in 1985, and his hit "Every Time You Go Away" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and won Best British Video at the 1986 Brit Awards. Performing on the 1984 charity single "Do They Know It's Christmas?" which included singing the opening lines, Young played Live Aid held at Wembley Stadium, London in July 1985. He sang the Crowded House track "Don't Dream It's Over" at the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute in 1988. In 1992, he sang "Radio Ga Ga" with the surviving members of Queen at The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert. Since the mid-1990s, Young has performed with the band Los Pacaminos.

Early life

[edit]

Paul Young was born in Luton, Bedfordshire, England. He has an older brother and a younger sister. As a youth, after school, he played football for the Vauxhall Motors factory where he worked. In his spare time, he played in several bands as a bass guitarist.[4]

Career

[edit]

The first group for which Young became lead singer was Kat Kool & the Kool Kats. In the late 1970s, he joined Streetband, who had one top 20 hit in the UK, with the humorous, novelty track "Toast".[6] In December 1979, Streetband disbanded.

Q-Tips

[edit]

The ex-Streetbanders added new recruits Dave Lathwell on guitar and Baz Watts on drums and became Q-Tips. In addition, a four piece brass section was created. Q-Tips's first rehearsals took place in November 1979. Their first concert was on 18 November 1979 at the Queens Arms Hotel in Harrow. This gig was followed by another at the Horn of Plenty in St Albans. By 1 April 1980, the band had recorded two tracks, "SYSLJFM (The Letter Song)", and "Having a Party", both recorded at the Livingstone Studios in Barnet. Constant touring and concert appearances had built a strong fan base by mid-1981.[7] The professionalism of the band had attracted the attention of several record labels, with the late Mickie Most (RAK Records) confirming on BBC Radio 1's Round Table programme that Q-Tips "...are easily the best live band working at the moment". In August 1980, the British music magazine NME reported that Q-Tips had released their debut, eponymous album.[8]

Q-Tips appeared on BBC Television's In Concert, Rock Goes to College and The Old Grey Whistle Test in the latter part of 1981. Q-Tips also opened for the J. Geils Band, the Knack, Thin Lizzy, Bob Marley and the Average White Band. The band toured with After the Fire and supported the Who on their 12-date UK tour in 1980. In 1981, Q-Tips played the Montreux Jazz Festival.

With poor record sales after the release of two albums and seven singles, Q-Tips broke up in early 1982 when Young signed a solo recording contract with CBS. Young briefly teamed up again with Q-Tips for a reunion tour in 1993.[7]

Solo career and pop stardom

[edit]

Young was signed by Columbia Records as a solo performer. Together with ex-Q-Tips member Ian Kewley, Young began writing and recording songs for his debut album, the breakthrough No Parlez.[9] Young's new backing band, The Royal Family, included keyboardist Kewley, fretless bass player Pino Palladino,[10][11] guitarist Steve Bolton, drummer Mark Pinder, and backing singers Maz Roberts and Kim Leslie a.k.a. The Fabulous Wealthy Tarts. His first single, "Iron Out the Rough Spots", had no success, and neither the second one, a cover of "Love of the Common People", while the song was a hit after a rerelease as a single later the same year, in the UK (and elsewhere), and the third, a cover of the Marvin Gaye song "Wherever I Lay My Hat", reached No. 1 in the UK Singles Chart[6] for three weeks in July and August 1983. It was the first of Young's 14 British Top 40 singles.[6][12][13]

Similar success followed all over Europe. In the UK, follow-up single "Come Back and Stay"[14] reached No. 4, and a re-release of "Love of the Common People" made it to No. 2 and even received radio airplay in the United States (thanks to its soundtrack inclusion in John Hughes's film Sixteen Candles), and his debut album No Parlez was certified platinum in various countries.[15] In the UK, No Parlez spent five weeks at No. 1, and "Wherever I Lay My Hat" and "Love of the Common People" became the 14th and 15th best-selling singles of 1983.[16]

Young performing in Budapest, Hungary, on 18 June 1987[17]

The year 1984 was difficult for Young. His first heavy promotional and live concert tour of America strained his vocal cords to the extent that he was forced to rest his voice and did not sing for much of the year.[18] He recovered sufficiently to become involved with the Band Aid single "Do They Know It's Christmas?", an all-star charity project put together by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure for Ethiopian famine relief. Young sang the opening lines of the song as a replacement for David Bowie.[19]

Young returned to the UK Top Ten with a version of Ann Peebles' "I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down".[6] The latter appeared on his second album, The Secret of Association, released in 1985, which secured his future success in the United States, Japan and Australia. The album went to No. 1 in the UK. That year, Young scored the biggest worldwide hit of his career with "Everytime You Go Away", a cover of a song from the 1980 Hall & Oates album Voices. "Everytime You Go Away" was his biggest success in the U.S.[20] At the 1985 Brit Awards, Young received the award for Best British Male.[21] Associated with the Second British Invasion of the US,[22] "Everytime You Go Away" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1985. It also won Best British Video at the 1986 Brit Awards.[23]

In July 1985, Young appeared at Live Aid at Wembley Stadium, London, performing his own hits "Come Back and Stay" and "Everytime You Go Away". Alison Moyet joined him on stage to perform "That's The Way Love Is".[24] He also joined the other artists at the end of the concert for the performance of Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas?".

During parts of 1987, Young toured extensively as the opening act for Genesis on their Invisible Touch Tour. Young played more than 35 dates in 13 countries. The tour concluded from 1–4 July 1987 with four sold-out shows playing to more than 350,000 fans at Wembley Stadium in London.[citation needed]

In 1990, he released a cover of The Chi-Lites' "Oh Girl", which peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100.[6] Young sang the Crowded House track "Don't Dream It's Over" at the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute in 1988,[25] producing a popular duet, "Senza una donna (Without a Woman)," with Italian blues singer Zucchero in 1991, and singing "Radio Ga Ga" with the surviving members of Queen in 1992, at The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert soon after Freddie Mercury died.[26][27][28] In 1991, he recorded a duet with Irish group Clannad for the Blake Edwards film Switch, a cover of the Joni Mitchell song, "Both Sides Now".[6]

"Don't Dream It's Over", "Senza una donna (Without a Woman)" and "Both Sides Now" were featured on Young's first greatest hits album, From Time To Time – The Singles Collection (1991).[6]

In 1993, Young was dropped from his contract with the CBS/Sony Records label. He contributed to the Vangelis album Voices in 1995. Young sang the British national anthem, "God Save the Queen", at Wembley Stadium before England's Euro '96 semi-final match against Germany.

Young's next album, Paul Young, was released in 1997 on East West Records. In November 2001, when Young was on the final night of the Here and Now tour, Michael Aspel awarded him his This is Your Life book.[citation needed] In 2006, he released Rock Swings – On the Wild Side of Swing.

In 2010, Young recorded and released a new track "Come Back", a duet he did with electronic dance music act Chicane. The single was a sample of Young's 1983 hit "Come Back and Stay", and charted at 151 on the UK Singles Chart. The single was recorded onto Chicane's 2010 album Giants.[29] After a lengthy absence of recorded material, Young released an album of vintage soul songs in 2016 called Good Thing and began a lengthy period of tours and festival appearances.[citation needed]

Los Pacaminos

[edit]
Los Pacaminos at the 2006 Wickham Festival [30]

Young first formed Los Pacaminos[31][32] in 1993. The reason for the group forming was Young's desire to get back to basics. He said: "I was between record labels and writing material for a new album but I wanted to play live again. I've always loved the Tex-Mex sound and knew a few musicians who had a similar passion for this type of music. So I asked them to join me in forming a band."[33][34][35]

The group's early performances were in bars and clubs, performing a mixture of their own material and covers.[36] The album Los Pacaminos was released in 2002.[36][37]

The band have performed and recorded throughout Europe and the UK. In 2014, the band released their second album, A Fistful of Statins.[38] Other media released by the band include an EP and a live album. They are still performing live concerts as of 2025.[39]

Collaborations

[edit]

Young's earliest collaboration was in the late 1970s on Streetband's first album London, when Ian Dury made a guest appearance on the track "Mystery". In between the Q-Tips and the launch of his solo career, Young sang backing vocals on the Squeeze single "Black Coffee in Bed" with Elvis Costello. Young's best-known musical collaboration (apart from Los Pacaminos) was his early collaboration with bassist Pino Palladino.[40][41] Palladino, who had collaborated with Tears for Fears, Go West and Gary Numan, featured on four of Young's albums: No Parlez, The Secret of Association, The Crossing and Paul Young. Palladino was the bass player in Young's backing band The Royal Family and played at Live Aid.[42]

Young released a version of the song "Both Sides, Now" with Irish group Clannad for the 1991 motion picture Switch.

Personal life

[edit]

Young met his wife, former model Stacey Smith, on his video for "Come Back and Stay" in 1983. They married while they were living in Los Angeles in November 1987. They have two daughters and a son.[43][44] Young and Smith split up in May 2006 and then reconciled in March 2009.[43] During the separation, Smith had a son, Jude, with businessman Ilan Slazenger.[45] On 26 January 2018, it was announced that Stacey Young had died of brain cancer, aged 52.[46][47]

Young is a close friend of former Spandau Ballet lead singer Tony Hadley. The two toured Australia and New Zealand during October and November 2008.[48][49]

Discography

[edit]
Main article: Paul Young discography

References

[edit]
[edit]
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Paul Young

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Paul Antony Young (born 17 January 1956) is an English singer, songwriter, and musician best known for his blue-eyed soul-influenced and international success during the . Born in , , he began his career playing bass in local bands before rising to prominence as the frontman of the short-lived groups Kat Kool & the Kool Kats and Streetband in the late 1970s. Transitioning to a solo artist after a stint with the new wave band Q-Tips, Young signed with Records in 1982 and achieved breakthrough fame with his debut album (1983), which topped the and sold over seven million copies worldwide, featuring the number-one single "Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home)". Young's subsequent albums, including (1985) and Between Two Fires (1986), solidified his status as a leading pop artist, with hits like "Every Time You Go Away"—a cover of the song that reached number one on the and earned him the 1986 Brit Award for Best British Video. He also contributed vocals to the charity single "Do They Know It's Christmas?" by in 1984, helping raise funds for Ethiopian famine relief. Winning the Brit Award for Best British Male Solo Artist in 1985, Young has released ten studio albums to date, while fronting the band Los Pacaminos as a side project since 1997. In his later career, Young has continued touring and recording, including a 2016 album The Secret of Association Volume 1 reinterpreting his 1985 work with modern production, the 2023 album Behind the Lens, and collaborations such as duets with Italian singer Zucchero, whom he met during the recording of Between Two Fires. He completed a tour in 2025 and announced a 2026 tour titled "Songs and Stories." Beyond music, he has appeared on television cooking shows like Celebrity MasterChef, showcasing his self-taught skills as a and home cook.

Early life

Upbringing and family

Paul Antony Young was born on 17 January 1956 in , , . He grew up as the middle child in a working-class family, with an older brother named Mark and a younger sister named Joanne; the family initially lived with his paternal grandparents before relocating to a house near . His father was employed at the factory, a cornerstone of the local economy, while his mother served as a full-time homemaker before later working at . Young's formative years unfolded in the industrial landscape of Luton, a town dominated by manufacturing where employed tens of thousands in well-paid but demanding roles, fostering a amid the era's affluence for skilled workers. His childhood was marked by carefree play on of this working-class neighborhood, reflecting the typical experiences of youth in a rapidly growing automotive hub that shaped family livelihoods and aspirations. After leaving school at age 16, Young followed the local tradition by taking a four-year apprenticeship at , gaining hands-on experience in factory work that mirrored his father's occupation and provided early insight into the town's socioeconomic realities. This period immersed him in Luton's blue-collar culture, where industrial employment offered stability but also highlighted the physical toll of manual labor in the post-war boom.

Early musical interests

Paul Young's early exposure to music came through the radio and vinyl records in late 1960s , where he first encountered , , and R&B sounds that profoundly shaped his tastes. Growing up in a working-class family near , he acquired his first record player at age 14 around 1970, allowing him to delve deeper into these genres via broadcasts and purchased singles. His family environment further nurtured this interest, with his mother's involvement in the Luton Girls Choir and his uncle's harmonica performances at gatherings providing a backdrop of casual music-making. Key influences included artists like Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, and Tamla Motown acts such as The Supremes and The Four Tops, whose emotive vocals and rhythmic grooves captivated Young during his mid-teens. Older cousins introduced him to soul and ska records, expanding his appreciation beyond the blues and rock he initially heard on the radio, like Free and Cream. These sounds resonated with him as a departure from Luton's predominant rock scene, fostering a passion for soul's expressive depth that he later described as inherent to his vocal style, akin to Redding's raw emotion. As a self-taught , Young began learning and guitar in childhood through , though he noted it required significant effort rather than innate talent. By his early teens, he focused on , practicing informally and jamming with school friends in during the early 1970s, often covering tracks to hone his skills. These sessions marked his initial forays into , bridging casual experimentation with more structured amateur activities amid his engineering apprenticeship at . Young attended local gigs in throughout the 1970s, drawing further inspiration from live renditions of and R&B that reinforced his admiration for performers like Gaye and Redding. While still in school, he participated in informal music events and sing-alongs, including choir-like activities influenced by his mother's background, which helped build his confidence before transitioning to paid local performances. This period solidified his commitment to music despite limited formal training, setting the stage for his professional aspirations.

Career

Pre-solo bands

Paul Young's entry into the professional music scene began in the mid-1970s with the band Kat Kool & the Kool Cats, a short-lived group focused on performing soul and blues covers. Formed in Luton, England, where Young was based while working as an apprentice at Vauxhall Motors, the band featured Young initially on bass guitar, with him gradually taking on vocal duties for sections of songs by artists such as Bill Withers and Albert King, alongside some original material. The group's style, rooted in soul influences that echoed Young's early musical interests, struggled to find an audience in the local area, leading to limited success and Young's departure after recording demos in 1976. In late 1977, Young relocated to and joined Streetband, a rock outfit known for its humorous and novelty-driven sound. As the lead singer, Young contributed to the band's debut London (1978), which included their sole significant hit, the whimsical track "Toast," released in October 1978 and peaking at number 18 on the UK Singles Chart. The song's quirky lyrics about breakfast garnered notable airplay and propelled modest commercial attention, enabling Streetband to undertake touring across the UK to promote their work. However, the band's novelty appeal proved fleeting, and they disbanded in December 1979 amid waning momentum. Following Streetband's dissolution, Young transitioned in 1979 to front the newly formed Q-Tips, a and new wave band assembled from former Streetband members including guitarist Mick Pearl and keyboardist Ian Kewley. Adopting a and R&B style that showcased Young's powerful vocals on covers and originals, Q-Tips quickly built a reputation through intensive live performances, completing over 700 concerts in three years. The band supported major acts such as The Who on their 1980 tour and at Bowl in 1981, while also appearing at the that year, which helped cultivate a dedicated following despite limited radio play. Their debut studio album, Q-Tips (1980, ), reached the UK Top 50, featuring tracks like "SYSLJFM (The Letter Song)" and covers of Smokey Robinson's "." A live recording, Q-Tips Live at (1982), captured their energetic stage presence from a performance at the Arts Centre. Despite these efforts and the release of seven singles, Q-Tips faced ongoing commercial challenges with poor sales, leading to the band's breakup in early 1982 as Young pursued a solo career.

Solo breakthrough and 1980s stardom

After the breakup of his band Q-Tips in early 1982 due to poor sales, Paul Young signed a solo recording contract with Records, which released his music under the Columbia label in some markets. His debut solo album, , was released in July 1983 and quickly became a commercial phenomenon, topping the for five non-consecutive weeks and spending a total of 120 weeks on the chart. The album, featuring a mix of soulful covers and original material influenced by Young's experience with Q-Tips, sold over seven million copies worldwide, establishing him as a major pop-soul artist. Key singles from propelled Young's breakthrough, with "Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home)"—a cover of the 1962 recording—reaching number 1 on the UK Singles Chart in December 1983 and spending three weeks at the top. Follow-up releases "" peaked at number 4 in the UK later that year, while "" climbed to number 2 in early 1984, showcasing Young's emotive vocal style and contributing to the album's enduring success. Young's momentum continued with his second album, , released in May 1985, which also debuted at number 1 on the and spent 49 weeks in the top 100. The album's standout track, a cover of ' "Every Time You Go Away," marked his international breakthrough by topping the US for one week in July 1985 and reaching number 4 in the UK. Another single, "I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down," peaked at number 9 in the UK, further highlighting his soul-infused pop appeal. That same year, Young performed "Every Time You Go Away" at the concert at on July 13, 1985, reaching a global television audience of approximately 1.9 billion. He also received the Brit Award for Best British Male Solo Artist at the 1985 ceremony. Young's 1980s stardom was bolstered by extensive international tours across Europe, North America, Australia, and , alongside frequent television appearances on programs like and The Tube, which amplified his visibility as a leading figure in the Second . His third studio album, Between Two Fires, arrived in October 1986 and peaked at number 4 on the , featuring the cover "" that reached number 8 on the US Hot 100. These releases and performances cemented Young's status as a pop-soul icon of the decade, with his smooth tenor and interpretive covers drawing comparisons to artists like .

1990s collaborations and side projects

In the early , Paul Young continued to leverage his 1980s success through high-profile collaborations that blended his soulful vocals with diverse artists. One notable was with Italian singer Zucchero on "," released in 1991, which reached number 4 on the UK Singles Chart and marked a commercial highlight amid his transitional phase. Another collaboration came with the Irish folk group on a cover of Joni Mitchell's "" in 1991, featured on Young's greatest hits compilation From Time to Time – The Singles Collection and peaking at number 74 on the UK Singles Chart. These partnerships showcased Young's versatility, incorporating elements of pop, soul, and influences. Young's album releases in the decade reflected a move toward more introspective and cover-heavy material. His fourth studio album, Other Voices (1990), included soul covers like ' "" and peaked at number 4 on the , earning gold certification for sales exceeding 100,000 copies. Later, his self-titled seventh studio album Paul Young (1997) emphasized a country-tinged sound with original tracks such as "" and "Tularosa," signaling a departure from his earlier pop-oriented work. This period's output laid groundwork for Young's later affinity for reinterpretations, as seen in his 2020 covers album Reflections, which drew from the interpretive style honed in the 1990s. A significant side project emerged when Young formed the Tex-Mex band Los Pacaminos in November 1992 as a creative outlet during a career break, initially involving informal jams with friends to escape the rigors of solo touring. The group, featuring Young on lead vocals and guitar alongside musicians like Steve Greetham on bass, focused on rootsy, bilingual covers and originals inspired by and American border music, though their debut A Dent in the Universe would not arrive until 2002. Young also participated in major events, including at on April 20, 1992, where he performed Queen's "" backed by the band, contributing to the AIDS awareness benefit that drew over 72,000 attendees. Throughout the decade, his solo activity diminished compared to the , influenced by personal commitments including his marriage to model Stacey Smith in 1987 and the birth of their three children, allowing more time for family while pursuing collaborative and side endeavors.

Later career and recent activities

Following the foundations laid by his 1990s side projects, Paul Young maintained a steady presence in the music industry through the and , emphasizing live performances and new recordings. He undertook international tours across and the post-2010, including the Retro Futura Tour in the US in 2017—his first American outing in 25 years—and subsequent European legs in 2018 and 2019 to celebrate milestones like the 35th anniversary of his debut album . Young's side project with the band Los Pacaminos, which he fronts, saw significant developments in this period, including the release of their second studio , A Fistful of Statins, in 2014. The , featuring 14 tracks of rootsy, instrumental-driven music, was issued on Recado Records and distributed by Universal Music, blending influences with soulful elements. Los Pacaminos has continued annual tours and festival appearances, with scheduled dates extending into 2025, such as performances at The Brook in on November 22 and The Flowerpot in on November 27. On the solo front, Young released Good Thing in April 2016, his first new studio album in two decades, comprising re-recorded hits and covers in a style. The 10-track collection, issued on New State Music, included standout renditions like "Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home)" and originals such as the title track, receiving positive reviews for its polished production and vocal delivery. In May 2023, he released Behind the Lens, his first album of original material since 1997, marking the 40th anniversary of with 11 tracks on Crosscut Saw Records. In 2017, a reissued edition of his earlier singles compilation From Time to Time – The Singles Collection emerged on limited translucent blue vinyl, updating the 1991 original with remastered tracks spanning his career highlights. Young has made guest appearances on television, including spots on Later... with Jools Holland, where he performed alongside the host's Rhythm and Blues Orchestra in episodes highlighting his soulful repertoire. He has also reunited with former Q-Tips bandmates for select live shows, evoking the group's mod-soul energy in nostalgic sets. These activities underscore his versatility, blending solo soul performances with the Tex-Mex flair of Los Pacaminos. In 2023, Young published his autobiography Take a Piece of Me with You, a reflective account covering four decades of his , from early band days to global stardom and personal insights. The limited-edition release, available through his official channels, includes signed copies and ties into ongoing tours. As of 2025, Young remains an active performer with no plans announced, focusing on live sets and Los Pacaminos' outings, including a as part of the "I Want My 80s" package with .

Personal life

Marriages and relationships

Paul Young experienced several romantic relationships during his rise to fame in the early , a period marked by the excitement and pressures of sudden celebrity following the success of his debut solo album in 1983. He met his first wife, former model Stacey Smith, in 1983 while filming the music video for his single "." The couple married in November 1987 while living in , beginning a partnership that spanned over three decades despite challenges. Their relationship, though unconventional at times—including a separation in 2006 and reconciliation in 2009—was characterized by mutual support through Young's touring schedule and Stacey's involvement in his professional world. Tragically, Stacey was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2016 and passed away on January 26, 2018, at the age of 52, surrounded by family at their home. Young publicly shared his devastation on social media, announcing her death and expressing profound loss, and later discussed his ongoing grief in interviews, noting that performing on tour provided some relief amid the emotional turmoil. He received support from close friends in the music industry during this difficult period, which helped him navigate the profound personal challenges that briefly impacted his career in the late 2010s. Following a period of mourning, Young began a relationship with , an Irish woman from Roscommon whom he met through a mutual friend in the years after Stacey's death. The couple became engaged in October 2023 and married in an intimate ceremony at Marylebone Registry Office in on July 12, 2024, with Young describing the day as one of the happiest of his life.

Family and philanthropy

Paul Young and his late wife, Stacey Smith, had three children together: daughters Levi (born 1987) and Layla (born 1994), and son Grady (born 1996); they also raised Stacey's son Jude (born 2007) from her relationship during their separation. The family resided primarily in the London area during the children's upbringing, where Young balanced his music career with parenting responsibilities. Following Stacey's death from brain cancer in 2018, Young has continued to prioritize his relationship with his children amid his ongoing touring commitments. In interviews, he has described the challenges of while emphasizing the importance of support during this period, noting that being on the road sometimes helped ease the emotional pain but never replaced time with his kids. His to Stacey provided the foundation for this unit, which remains central to his life. Young has long been committed to , raising over £1 million for various causes across more than 30 years through performances and fundraising efforts. After Stacey's diagnosis and battle with brain cancer, he intensified his support for cancer-related charities, including active fundraising for to advance research into prevention, detection, and treatment. His involvement extends to high-profile charity events, such as his participation in the 1984 Band Aid recording of "Do They Know It's Christmas?" and subsequent Live Aid performances, which continue to inspire legacy initiatives for global humanitarian causes. The Brain Tumour Charity also acknowledged the family's loss, reflecting broader community support during Stacey's illness. In addition to his charitable work, Young maintains close personal friendships within the music industry, notably with former frontman , with whom he has collaborated on tours and shared a longstanding bond that respects their respective family lives.

Discography

Solo studio albums

Paul Young's debut solo studio album, , released in July on CBS Records, marked his breakthrough as a solo artist and topped the for five weeks while spending 120 weeks on the chart overall. Produced primarily by Laurie Latham at Power Station Studios in New York and recorded at Leisure Sounds in , the album blended soul, pop, and R&B influences with Young's distinctive vocals. It featured standout tracks such as "," a reworking of Jack Lee’s original, and has been certified 4× by the BPI in the for sales exceeding 1.2 million copies. His follow-up, , arrived in May 1985, also on , and reached number one on the for one week with 49 total weeks on the chart. Produced by Laurie Latham, the album integrated hit singles like "Every Time You Go Away" and showcased collaborations with renowned bassist , whose fretless bass lines added depth to the soulful pop arrangements recorded at Power Station and AIR Studios. It earned 2× Platinum certification from the BPI in the UK and Gold from the RIAA in the for over 500,000 units sold. Between Two Fires, released in October 1986 on , peaked at number 4 on the and spent 17 weeks there, reflecting a shift toward rock-infused elements compared to Young's earlier soul-focused work. Co-produced by , Ian Kewley, and Young himself at Westside Studios and in , it combined original songs by Young and Kewley with covers, earning certification from the BPI for 300,000 UK sales. In June 1990, Other Voices was issued on , reaching number 4 on the with 11 weeks total and receiving Silver certification from the BPI. Featuring a mix of original material and covers, including duets with , the album was produced by a team including Warne Livesey and , emphasizing Young's vocal versatility across and pop genres recorded at various UK studios. The Crossing, Young's 1993 release on Columbia, aimed at broadening his appeal in the market and peaked at number 27 on the with just two weeks there, marking lower commercial performance. Primarily produced by American producer at studios in and Memphis, it incorporated session contributions from musicians like and , blending , rock, and R&B for a more polished, crossover sound. Reflections, released in November 1994 on Vision, is an album of 15 soul covers, marking Young's exploration of classic and R&B tracks without significant chart success. Produced with a focus on reinterpretations, it highlighted his vocal style on songs like "Reflections" by . The self-titled Paul Young, released in May 1997 on , explored a country-influenced pop direction and peaked at number 39 on the . Co-produced by and Young at The Village Recorder in , it included originals and covers with a focus on heartfelt ballads and acoustic elements. Rock Swings – On the Wild Side of Swing, released in October 2006 on , reinterpreted rock and pop hits in a swing style, produced by Dieter Falk with arrangements by . Featuring covers like "Tainted Love" and "," it achieved modest sales and no major chart entry, showcasing Young's versatility in a lounge setting. After a long hiatus from studio albums, Good Thing emerged in April 2016 on New State Music/Baked Recordings, featuring a return to upbeat soul and pop with modern production. Executive-produced by Arthur Baker and recorded at Wise Buddha in , it highlighted Young's ongoing vocal prowess through originals like the title track, though it achieved modest chart impact. Behind the Lens, released in May 2023 on Crosscut Saw Records, marked Young's return to original material on the 40th anniversary of No Parlez. Featuring 11 tracks co-written with collaborators, produced with a soulful rock edge, it received positive reviews but no significant chart success as of November 2025.

Singles and compilations

Paul Young's solo career in the 1980s was marked by a series of successful singles that established him as a prominent figure in British pop and soul music. His breakthrough hit, "Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home)," a cover of the Marvin Gaye song, topped the UK Singles Chart for three weeks in 1983 and spent 16 weeks in the top 40, while reaching number 70 on the US Billboard Hot 100. This was followed by other top 10 UK entries such as "Love of the Common People" (number 2, 1984) and "Come Back and Stay" (number 4, 1983). The pinnacle came with "Every Time You Go Away," a cover of the Hall & Oates track, which peaked at number 4 in the UK in 1985 and number 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 for one week, marking his only US chart-topper. Overall, Young amassed 14 UK Top 40 singles during the decade, many featuring soulful covers and original material that highlighted his versatile baritone voice and contributed to his international appeal. In the 1990s and , Young's singles output shifted toward collaborations and covers, with fewer entries on major charts compared to his peak. A notable success was "," a with Italian artist Zucchero, which reached number 4 on the UK Singles Chart in after an initial Italian release in 1987. His cover of Crowded House's "" also charted at number 20 in the UK the same year, serving as a single from his 1990 Other Voices. These tracks demonstrated Young's continued exploration of duet formats and reinterpretations, though they did not replicate the commercial dominance of his earlier work, with only sporadic top 40 appearances thereafter. Remixes of hits like "Every Time You Go Away" appeared on later releases, often extending their radio play and club appeal. Young's compilation albums have played a key role in sustaining his catalog's popularity, collecting his singles alongside bonus material. The 1991 release From Time to Time – The Singles Collection topped the and earned triple from the BPI for over 900,000 units sold in the , featuring remastered versions of tracks like "Wherever I Lay My Hat" and including B-sides such as "I'm Only Foolin' Myself." A 2016 remastered edition with additional B-sides and live recordings was reissued in 2017, peaking at number 28 on the . Another early compilation, The Best of Paul Young (1992), gathered his major hits but did not chart as prominently. Globally, Young's recordings have sold over 5 million albums, with significant contributions from singles-driven success in and . Specific single certifications include status from the BPI for "Every Time You Go Away" (over 600,000 sales) and gold from the RIAA for the same track in the (500,000 units).
Key Solo SinglesYearUK PeakUS PeakNotes
Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home)1983170Cover of ; BPI Platinum certified
Every Time You Go Away198541Cover of ; BPI platinum, RIAA gold
(with Zucchero)19914-Duet; international hit in
199120-Cover of

Band releases

Paul Young's early band career began with Streetband, a short-lived pub rock outfit he fronted from 1976 to 1979, characterized by humorous, novelty-driven tracks that contrasted sharply with his later soulful solo style. The band's sole significant release was the single "Toast," issued in October 1978 on , which peaked at number 18 on the UK Singles Chart and featured Young's distinctive delivery in a whimsical about a mishap. Despite airplay on , Streetband did not release any full-length albums during their active years, though retrospective compilations like London Dilemma: A Compleat Collection (1985, Records) later gathered their material, including tracks from the unreleased London sessions. Following Streetband's dissolution, Young formed Q-Tips in with remaining members, shifting to a sound heavy on and R&B covers, which laid groundwork for his vocal prowess but achieved only modest commercial traction compared to his eventual pop breakthroughs. Their debut album, , released in November on Logo Records, comprised original songs and covers like "Some Kinda Wonderful," emphasizing tight harmonies and horn sections but failing to chart significantly. The self-titled follow-up Q-Tips arrived in 1980 on , featuring soul standards such as "" and originals like "Halfway to Nowhere," yet it too saw limited sales and no major hits. A live recording, (also known as Paul Young with the Q-Tips Live), captured a 1982 performance and was released that year on Records, showcasing energetic renditions of their repertoire including "Hi-Fidelity" and "," though it remained an indie effort with niche appeal. In the 1990s, Young founded Los Pacaminos as a side project to explore his passion for and roots music, diverging from his solo with a blend of original compositions, covers, and influences from border country, Cajun, and Latin sounds, often performed live in pubs before formal recordings. Their debut album, Los Pacaminos, emerged in 2002 on , mixing 12 originals like "Mañana" and "Raised on Margaritas" with a raw, festive energy that highlighted Young's versatile phrasing amid accordion and pedal steel. The band followed with sporadic releases, including the live album Viva (Live) in 2018 on their own Recado label, documenting energetic performances of tracks like "Caballero." Their second studio effort, A Fistful of Statins, arrived in 2014 (with a 2016 deluxe edition), featuring originals such as "" and "Jump Back Baby" alongside covers, earning praise for its authentic roots vibe but modest chart presence. Additional output included the compilation The Early Years (2016, Recado), drawing from pre-2002 demos, and EPs like the holiday single "When It's Christmas on the Range" (2020). The most recent album, Seven, released in 2023 on Recado, continued their tradition of originals and covers, such as reimagined country classics, underscoring the band's enduring hobbyist spirit without solo-level commercial ambitions.

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