Lydia

Album: "Well, Well," Said The Rocking Chair (1978)
Charted: 31
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Dean Friedman said of this song: "I wrote it about a lovely young lady I dated when I was just starting out in the music biz, but I used her roommates name to protect the not-so-innocent." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Jeffrey - Hilversum, Netherlands
  • Friedman's first single was "Ariel," which was a hit in America, but didn't catch on in the UK. His second album, Well Well Said The Rocking Chair, produced the #3 UK hit "Lucky Stars," and also the #31 "Lydia," but neither song made the American charts. In our 2012 interview with Dean Friedman, he explained what happened with his label, Lifesong Records: "Their subsidiary in the UK just said, 'Well, we've done as much as we can. If you're not going to share in the cost of continuing to break this artist, there's not much more we can do.' And at that point I just decided that I needed to part with the label. I had delivered four successive chart records around the world. Sold at least a million units. And I was still borrowing money to get to the studio. I was always very aware that I was on small labels that were not in a position to maximize the opportunity."

    Friedman ended up declaring bankruptcy, but was a consistent draw in the UK, where he would tour for about two months every year. He moved there in 1998.

Comments: 3

  • Zoe from RydeLydia needs to get some self esteem
  • Lela Van Son from Rotterdam, The Netherlands.I just found out this song was actually written about my grandma who dated him when she visited America. The song Lydia is about her.
  • Mark from Lancaster, PaDean Freidman had another great hit called Ariel from the 70's.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"They're Playing My Song

A song he wrote and recorded from "sheer spiritual inspiration," Allen's didn't think "Southern Nights" had hit potential until Glen Campbell took it to #1 two years later.

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Which Restaurants Are Most Mentioned In Song Lyrics?

Which Restaurants Are Most Mentioned In Song Lyrics?Song Writing

Katy Perry mentions McDonald's, Beyoncé calls out Red Lobster, and Supertramp shouts out Taco Bell - we found the 10 restaurants most often mentioned in songs.

Name the Character in the Song

Name the Character in the SongMusic Quiz

With a few clues (Works at a diner, dreams of running away), can you name the character in the song?

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside Story

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside StorySong Writing

The in-depth discussion about the making of Jesus Christ Superstar with Ted Neeley, who played Jesus in the 1973 film.

Little Richard

Little RichardFact or Fiction

Was Long Tall Sally a cross-dresser? Did he really set his piano on fire? See if you know the real stories about one of rock's greatest innovators.