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If Only You Knew: The instant bestselling memoir from British pop icon Lulu
A pop memoir like no the sensational tell-all story of one of Britain's most beloved pop stars.
Pop legend Lulu looks back over her astonishing life with fresh eyes, reflecting on all she has learnt.
From the tenements of Glasgow to the Royal Albert Hall and the glittering lights of Lulu's journey to fame and fortune is like no other British pop star. When she was 14 years old, she was invited down to London to sing, and the rest is history. She stepped into a part she played for the next 60 years. A part she played so well that she gradually lost who she was, becoming the version of herself she thought others wanted to see.
The book charts the highs and the lows of one of the longest running shows in British rock and roll history. It is the story of one woman's determination to stay real, relevant and happy, and one which ultimately reveals a woman who is far stronger and far braver than anyone knew.
Pop legend Lulu looks back over her astonishing life with fresh eyes, reflecting on all she has learnt.
From the tenements of Glasgow to the Royal Albert Hall and the glittering lights of Lulu's journey to fame and fortune is like no other British pop star. When she was 14 years old, she was invited down to London to sing, and the rest is history. She stepped into a part she played for the next 60 years. A part she played so well that she gradually lost who she was, becoming the version of herself she thought others wanted to see.
The book charts the highs and the lows of one of the longest running shows in British rock and roll history. It is the story of one woman's determination to stay real, relevant and happy, and one which ultimately reveals a woman who is far stronger and far braver than anyone knew.
- GenresBiographyNonfictionMusic
Audible Audio
Published September 25, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
June 29, 2026
My motivation for reading Lulu's autobiography stemmed from two reasons. Firstly, I watched an interview in which she expressed that she had never fully revealed her true self and, for many years, had acted in a way she believed others expected her to. I could relate to this. Secondly, considering she's been in show business since 1964, I expected that she would have some good stories to share.
To my delight, I was immediately engrossed by Lulu's narrative and read the entire book in just two sittings. The short yet detailed chapters help to make it very easy to digest.
In "If Only You Knew," Lulu appears to be completely honest and open. She reveals the challenges of her sometimes difficult childhood in Glasgow, raised by parents she obviously loved, but who both had their demons. This was a time when people were not as open and willing to talk about their struggles as they are today. I find it sad that her parents never received the help they would likely be offered in the present day.
Similarly, she discusses in intimate detail her two failed marriages: the first with Bee Gee Maurice Gibb, and the second with hairdresser John Frieda, with whom she has a son, Jordan. I was particularly interested in the numerous anecdotes about the famous people she met and worked with, including Paul McCartney, David Bowie, Elton John, and Take That, to name just a few.
Lulu has had a remarkable career, successfully navigating the worlds of music, film, stage acting, TV presenting, and songwriting, among other achievements. However, she is the first to admit that she isn't proud of all aspects of it.
I enjoyed reading about her original manager, Marion, who navigated Lulu's career as best as she could and, for the most part, very well. She invested so much of her time in her for over twenty-five years. It appears that they lost touch after she retired, and I wonder if Lulu regrets that now? Although the things Marion encouraged her to do might not always have been seen as 'cool,' she helped to keep her in the public gaze and made her a lot of money. I did expect Lulu to offer a somewhat deeper, warmer tribute to this lady who became her segregate mother, and I was left with the feeling that Marion must have bid farewell to Lulu feeling underappreciated. It can't have been easy for her to have suddenly been dropped from Lulu's world when the work she was finding her began to wear thin with the woman who seemed to have been primarily focused on making great records.
Although she had many hits in the 1960s with Mickie Most, she wasn't always satisfied with the material, some of which she likened to “nursery rhymes.” I felt her frustration and embarrassment when, in 1986, after she asked to re-record her 1964 hit "Shout,'' her label decided her next release should be a cover of "My Boy Lollipop,'' (a better song might well have revived her singing career there and then.) She deserved better material, and having listened to her vocals on excellent songs like "Oh Me Oh My" and ''Where the Poor Boys Dance'' (the latter of which she co-wrote!), I think it’s a pity she doesn't have a more consistent chart history of quality songs, like that of Dusty Springfield, whom she admired very much. The lady can sing! She is so much more than ''Shout.''
Fans of Lulu's music and those interested in learning about her career and personal life, which are nicely balanced, will not be disappointed with this book. I have to say, considering Lulu has recently spoken - for the first time - about her alcoholism - and the media has made a lot of that revelation - I did expect to read more about that here, but it is only touched upon at the end. If you were to buy this book purely to hear about this aspect of her life - you will be disappointed. My only other minor criticism is that I expected a larger picture section; there aren't many photographs in the one insert. However, Google is my friend. In terms of writing, though, I must say, "If Only You Knew" is one of the better-written memoirs I have read recently, and the content is interesting. I don’t think that you even have to be a Lulu fan to enjoy it, but it will probably win her a few more admirers. This is a book I will keep to read again!
To my delight, I was immediately engrossed by Lulu's narrative and read the entire book in just two sittings. The short yet detailed chapters help to make it very easy to digest.
In "If Only You Knew," Lulu appears to be completely honest and open. She reveals the challenges of her sometimes difficult childhood in Glasgow, raised by parents she obviously loved, but who both had their demons. This was a time when people were not as open and willing to talk about their struggles as they are today. I find it sad that her parents never received the help they would likely be offered in the present day.
Similarly, she discusses in intimate detail her two failed marriages: the first with Bee Gee Maurice Gibb, and the second with hairdresser John Frieda, with whom she has a son, Jordan. I was particularly interested in the numerous anecdotes about the famous people she met and worked with, including Paul McCartney, David Bowie, Elton John, and Take That, to name just a few.
Lulu has had a remarkable career, successfully navigating the worlds of music, film, stage acting, TV presenting, and songwriting, among other achievements. However, she is the first to admit that she isn't proud of all aspects of it.
I enjoyed reading about her original manager, Marion, who navigated Lulu's career as best as she could and, for the most part, very well. She invested so much of her time in her for over twenty-five years. It appears that they lost touch after she retired, and I wonder if Lulu regrets that now? Although the things Marion encouraged her to do might not always have been seen as 'cool,' she helped to keep her in the public gaze and made her a lot of money. I did expect Lulu to offer a somewhat deeper, warmer tribute to this lady who became her segregate mother, and I was left with the feeling that Marion must have bid farewell to Lulu feeling underappreciated. It can't have been easy for her to have suddenly been dropped from Lulu's world when the work she was finding her began to wear thin with the woman who seemed to have been primarily focused on making great records.
Although she had many hits in the 1960s with Mickie Most, she wasn't always satisfied with the material, some of which she likened to “nursery rhymes.” I felt her frustration and embarrassment when, in 1986, after she asked to re-record her 1964 hit "Shout,'' her label decided her next release should be a cover of "My Boy Lollipop,'' (a better song might well have revived her singing career there and then.) She deserved better material, and having listened to her vocals on excellent songs like "Oh Me Oh My" and ''Where the Poor Boys Dance'' (the latter of which she co-wrote!), I think it’s a pity she doesn't have a more consistent chart history of quality songs, like that of Dusty Springfield, whom she admired very much. The lady can sing! She is so much more than ''Shout.''
Fans of Lulu's music and those interested in learning about her career and personal life, which are nicely balanced, will not be disappointed with this book. I have to say, considering Lulu has recently spoken - for the first time - about her alcoholism - and the media has made a lot of that revelation - I did expect to read more about that here, but it is only touched upon at the end. If you were to buy this book purely to hear about this aspect of her life - you will be disappointed. My only other minor criticism is that I expected a larger picture section; there aren't many photographs in the one insert. However, Google is my friend. In terms of writing, though, I must say, "If Only You Knew" is one of the better-written memoirs I have read recently, and the content is interesting. I don’t think that you even have to be a Lulu fan to enjoy it, but it will probably win her a few more admirers. This is a book I will keep to read again!
November 20, 2025
A very open and honest autobiography.
I had read her previous autobiography some years ago, but this is more raw and revealing.
Lulu has had a fantastic career spanning over sixty years and encompassing music, film, stage and TV.
I learnt how she succumbed to the bosses at the beginning of her career and had to grin and carry on.
However after two marriages and years in the business, she took more control releasing material she wanted to, whether it was a hit or not, and started writing acclaimed songs with her brother.
Success took its toll and with her parental background of alcohol and physical abuse, she broke down only to learn and come out fighting.
A great story and a lesson to us all about the price of fame and the benefits of being grounded.
I really enjoyed it.
I had read her previous autobiography some years ago, but this is more raw and revealing.
Lulu has had a fantastic career spanning over sixty years and encompassing music, film, stage and TV.
I learnt how she succumbed to the bosses at the beginning of her career and had to grin and carry on.
However after two marriages and years in the business, she took more control releasing material she wanted to, whether it was a hit or not, and started writing acclaimed songs with her brother.
Success took its toll and with her parental background of alcohol and physical abuse, she broke down only to learn and come out fighting.
A great story and a lesson to us all about the price of fame and the benefits of being grounded.
I really enjoyed it.
December 6, 2025
Lulu writes with her heart on her sleeve, candidly open. Thoroughly enjoyed getting to know this talented lady.
January 23, 2026
When I started reading this book I thought ‘another claim to fame story’ but I was so wrong. Growing up in the Lulu era it was easy to be carried along with all the highs and lows of her career but Who knew indeed? This book was a realistic insight to the background of her struggles with life and her strong Glasgow character that eventually pulled her through. Well done Lulu to keep fighting and ‘Shout’ about it.
December 11, 2025
I do love a good memoir, and this was another really good one, that I managed to get for 99p the other day. It’s back to full price, so a real bargain!
I didn’t know much about Lulu at all, apart from her huge hit Shout, acting in To Sir With Love alongside Sidney Poitier, and her collaboration with Take That in the 90s. So I had a lot to discover, and I certainly did, as Lulu took me on a journey through her childhood in the Glasgow tenements in the 1950s, right up to singing with Rod Stewart at Glastonbury this year!
Starting from very humble beginnings, I enjoyed reading about her road to stardom, and then trying to keep making music that she enjoyed, but the record industry and her manager didn’t want her to sing. Lulu struggled her whole life being a people pleaser, so just painted on her big smile and did exactly what she was told. It wasn’t until much later in life when she realised she wasn’t being authentic to herself that she started to search for answers and for help.
This was a very easy to read memoir, in fact so easy I read it within 24 hours! It’s full of big names throughout, Bowie, The Beatles, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, The Bee Gees, Elton John, Take That, Ronan Keating, and Frank Sinatra, who offered to teach her how to take care of her vocal chords! Imagine that, but she didn’t take him up on it and later wished she had.
Highly recommended if you enjoy memoirs.
I didn’t know much about Lulu at all, apart from her huge hit Shout, acting in To Sir With Love alongside Sidney Poitier, and her collaboration with Take That in the 90s. So I had a lot to discover, and I certainly did, as Lulu took me on a journey through her childhood in the Glasgow tenements in the 1950s, right up to singing with Rod Stewart at Glastonbury this year!
Starting from very humble beginnings, I enjoyed reading about her road to stardom, and then trying to keep making music that she enjoyed, but the record industry and her manager didn’t want her to sing. Lulu struggled her whole life being a people pleaser, so just painted on her big smile and did exactly what she was told. It wasn’t until much later in life when she realised she wasn’t being authentic to herself that she started to search for answers and for help.
This was a very easy to read memoir, in fact so easy I read it within 24 hours! It’s full of big names throughout, Bowie, The Beatles, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, The Bee Gees, Elton John, Take That, Ronan Keating, and Frank Sinatra, who offered to teach her how to take care of her vocal chords! Imagine that, but she didn’t take him up on it and later wished she had.
Highly recommended if you enjoy memoirs.
October 18, 2025
It was a good book, well written and gave you an insight into Lulu’s life. The good times, the wild times and the low darker periods.
It’s amazing that she’s still performing and has survived where others have disappeared. Shows what a fighter and survivor she is!
I enjoyed it but it wasn’t as gripping as I expected
It’s amazing that she’s still performing and has survived where others have disappeared. Shows what a fighter and survivor she is!
I enjoyed it but it wasn’t as gripping as I expected
January 19, 2026
Such a great memoir, one which was easy to read and difficult to put down. A great insight into Lulu’s life. Well
November 7, 2025
An open an honest memoir from a spirited and talented lady. I feel like I know her after hearing her read this on audible. Her delivery appears to be genuine showing her frustrations of never being understood in her early professional years. Her management put her in a musical genre box that did not suit her style and passionate nature. Her strong resilience has got her through her challenges and it does seem that she is forever smiling. Good on her!
July 15, 2026
A book to shout about!
A very truthful account of the ups and downs of fame from someone brave enough to tell it like it is. No punches pulled but a testament to a perfomer who never gave up and through it all, did it her way and most importantly learned and continued to grow from her mistakes and deserves her success and iconic status. There will be only be one Lulu and long may she continue.
A very truthful account of the ups and downs of fame from someone brave enough to tell it like it is. No punches pulled but a testament to a perfomer who never gave up and through it all, did it her way and most importantly learned and continued to grow from her mistakes and deserves her success and iconic status. There will be only be one Lulu and long may she continue.
February 7, 2026
Loved this book. I had wanted to listen to it but it wasn’t available in the States so bought a hard copy in london. I had no idea of the breadth and depth of Lulu’s career. She’s super talented. Looks amazing for her age. She’s literally one year younger than my mum who also grew up in the east end of Glasgow.; quite e stories! Highly recommend. .
January 29, 2026
4.5⭐️
I wanted to read this to see if the goss on her and Jason Orange were true 😃 good memoir, I flew through it.
I wanted to read this to see if the goss on her and Jason Orange were true 😃 good memoir, I flew through it.
February 8, 2026
A very interesting read about Lulu’s life
March 8, 2026
One of the best autobiographies I’ve read.
March 8, 2026
Great book
Really insightful and interesting
Really insightful and interesting
March 14, 2026
I found this book in a bookcase in a hotel. Had nothing else to read so I had no choice. However, such an interesting life, which I had no idea about. Very open and honest. A good read
March 29, 2026
interesting read but you can skip to the middle if you’ve read I don’t want to fight anymore.
June 25, 2026
Fantastic read
This has been a very interesting and revealing of a life from a young girl to a mature woman, fantastic read!
This has been a very interesting and revealing of a life from a young girl to a mature woman, fantastic read!
July 16, 2026
Really good autobiography. I grabbed this basically because she worked with Bowie. She's always been there for as long as I've been alive, a true legend.
May 14, 2026
I read her first book and wanted to follow up with this one. I enjoyed it.
November 15, 2025
Vibrant personality !! Loved the book, although felt some parts were skipped over (not mentioned).
Can't seem to change the book edition, as it wasn't an audible audio, but hardbound book. Don't think an audio book was ever in the works. Still an enjoyable read.
Can't seem to change the book edition, as it wasn't an audible audio, but hardbound book. Don't think an audio book was ever in the works. Still an enjoyable read.
October 6, 2025
I’ve never been a fan of lulu, but some of the things I read in this book surprised me, I won’t go into detail as I don’t want to spoil the book for other readers
December 16, 2025
Honest account of a packed career
February 25, 2026
Honest and interesting- a few shocks but written kindly
July 20, 2026
She is some woman our Lulu. But clearly could have been a whole lot more had she not been stifled by her manager's views on what success was made of.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews