Formerly the frontman of the short-lived bands Kat Kool & the Kool Cats, Streetband and Q-Tips, he began 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. Released in 1983, his debut album, No Parlez was the first of three UK number one albums. His 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 also won Best British Video at the 1986 Brit Awards. He performed on the 1984 charity single "Do They Know It's Christmas," which included singing the opening lines, and played Live Aid held at Wembley Stadium in London in July 1985. Since the mid-1990s, Young has performed with the band Los Pacaminos.