Lynsey de Paul — English singer‑songwriter and Eurovision performer

Lynsey de Paul (1948–2014) was a UK singer‑songwriter known for 1970s hits such as "Sugar Me", co-performing "Rock Bottom" at Eurovision 1977, and for her work as a composer and recording artist.

Lynsey de Paul (11 June 1948 – 1 October 2014) was an English singer‑songwriter and record producer who rose to prominence in the early 1970s. Working primarily as a pianist‑led pop artist, she scored several charting singles, wrote for other performers, and represented the United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1977. Her career combined recording, songwriting and occasional television and stage appearances.

Career overview

De Paul's breakthrough came with a series of singles that combined concise pop melodies with witty or romantic lyrics. Her 1970s recordings found chart success in the UK and parts of Europe, and she continued to write and record into later decades. In 1977 she teamed with musician Mike Moran to perform "Rock Bottom" at the Eurovision Song Contest, where the entry finished among the top contenders and helped sustain her international profile.

Notable songs and songwriting

Among the tunes most often associated with de Paul are upbeat and ballad‑style numbers that received radio play and cover versions. She both performed her own material and provided songs for other artists and productions. Selected titles linked to her name include:

"Sugar Me" — an early hit that brought wide attention to her songwriting and singing.
"Getting a Drag" — noted for its catchy arrangement and contemporary sound.
"Won't Somebody Dance With Me" — a ballad that showcased her melodic sense and lyrical touch.
"Ooh I Do", "No Honestly", "My Man and Me", and "Storm in a Teacup" — titles that reflect the range of moods in her catalog.
"Rock Bottom" (with Mike Moran) — the Eurovision entry that reached a high placing in 1977.

Style, influences and working methods

De Paul's work blended pop structures with elements of cabaret, jazz‑tinged harmonies and theatrical phrasing. She was often credited as a composer as well as a lyricist and sometimes produced her own recordings. Her songs were marked by concise hooks, clear vocal delivery and an emphasis on piano or keyboard-based arrangements.

Personal life and public image

Born and raised in London, de Paul maintained a public presence that combined showbusiness visibility with a reputation for being private about some aspects of her life. Though she never married, various press accounts discussed her associations with well‑known figures; contemporary reports linked her romantically with people such as Ringo Starr, Bernie Taupin, James Coburn, Sean Connery, Dudley Moore, Roy Wood and Bill Kenwright. These associations were frequently mentioned in profiles and interviews of the era.

Recognition, later years and legacy

De Paul received awards and professional recognition for her songwriting and recordings. She continued to be active in music beyond her most commercially successful period, writing, performing and making media appearances. On 1 October 2014 she suffered a brain haemorrhage and died in a London hospital at the age of 66. Her songs have been anthologized and remain part of the record of British pop songwriting of the 1970s.