You're a Lady


"You're a Lady" is a 1972 song by British singer-songwriter Peter Skellern. Skellern’s recording of the song was his first and biggest hit, reaching number three in the UK Singles Chart and number 50 in the United States Billboard Hot 100.
Skellern wrote "You're a Lady" in the summerhouse at his home in Shaftesbury, Dorset. He kept his piano there so as not to bother anyone with his practice. The song has been described as "a breathless love song". Skellern’s vocals and piano accompaniment are supplemented by the Congregation, a choral pop ensemble who had already had their own top ten UK hit with "Softly Whispering I Love You", and by the Hanwell Band, heard unaccompanied in the introductory bars. Skellern once played with the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain as a child, and he sought to recapture his "speechless amazement" at their sound by using the brass band on the record. The euphonium, played by John Luckett, is prominently featured.
The single was placed on Radio Luxembourg on a pay-for-play basis, but was then picked up by Terry Wogan on his BBC Radio 2 programme. The single went on to sell over 800,000 copies and the song was also the first track on Skellern's 1972 album of the same name.
Skellern performed the song live on many occasions prior to his retirement in 2001. It became a constant feature of his double act with Richard Stilgoe, and another rendition of the song featured on their 2000 album, A Quiet Night Out.

Cover versions

A French version of the song was released by folk singer Hugues Aufray with the title "Vous ma lady", and the following year the same version was released as a duet by Brigitte Bardot and Laurent Vergez.
Other performers who have covered the song include: