With his small stature, curly red hair and liking for slapstick he was a popular comedian with children in his early years, becoming nationally-known for his "Hello, my darlings" catchphrase.
He recorded a remarkable number of records, the first of which, Splish Splash, a cover version of a rock and roll number originally recorded by Bobby Darin, got into the UK Top 10, but the rest were mostly novelty songs. One of these, My Boomerang Won't Come Back, became a modest hit in the United States, where for the most part his work was otherwise not known.
In 1975, Drake recorded a very unusual single for Charisma, unusual in that it is a novelty record with connections to the world of progressive rock. Written by Peter Gabriel and Martin Hall (who also co-wrote the light-hearted Excuse Me from Gabriel’s first solo album), the record has long been rumored to feature Genesis members and has been a source of great confusion for Genesis & Peter Gabriel collectors. Recently, in response to a post in the forum at www.philcollins.co.uk, Phil Collins offered the following recollection of the sessions for this single....
''....the post about Charlie Drake and his recording session brought back many memories. It did indeed feature Robert Fripp, Percy Jones, Keith Tippett, me and Peter G. A friend of Pete's, Martin Hall wrote the song, or possibly co-wrote it with Peter, called You Never Know. Apparently Charlie Drake who was a huge comedy star of the 50's and 60's wanted to make a record. How he ended up with this line up I have no idea !!! It seems the most obscure set of people to make a comedy record. On the day Charlie, who was quite small, turned up with a brand new denim outfit for his rock debut....it was quite touching to see him at it. Percy Jones and I were already in Brand X by then. The whole session was one of life's interesting snapshots !!!!''
Hello My Darlings
Charlie Drake Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When your feeling sad and blue
And the job's too much for you
This is what you've got to do, sing
Hello my darlings
Happy days are on their way
This is what you've got to say
It's a happy day today, sing
Wear a grin upon your sleeve
Smile with your eyes
You will find to your surprise
Happiness will multiply
Let it rain or let it shine
Everything will turn out fine
And the whole darn world is yours and mine, sing
Hello my darliiings
Hello were in Spain then
How's the rain, still mainly on the plain is it?
I got it
When your feeling sad and blue
And the job's too much for you
This is what you've got to do
SING Olay my darliiiings
Happy days are on their way
This is what you've got to say
Its a happy day today say!
She'll look lovely in white
Wear a smile upon your sleeve
Grin and wink your eye
You will find to your surprise
Happiness will mutitememenply
hello mum and dad and Ted and Ada and aunty Muriel This is my first record as
you know, I hope you're all going to buy one
cause I get a small remuneration from the
Ere mate why don't you belt up and get on with it then?
Alriiight no need to be flamboyant about it!
de dum dum dum dum
Let it rain or let it shine
Everything will turn out fine
the whole darn world is yours and mine
Sing hello sing hello sing hello
sing hello
get on with it!
helloooo my darliiings
The lyrics of the song "Hello My Darlings" by Charlie Drake is a cheerful and optimistic expression of how one can overcome sadness and difficulties in life. The song starts with the singer addressing the listeners as "darlings" and advising them to sing whenever they feel sad or depressed. He encourages them to smile and be happy as happy days are yet to come. The message is clear: when things get tough, look to the positive and sing out loud to lift your spirits.
The second part of the song, where the singer says he's in Spain, seems like a playful addition to the theme. Though it's not clear what this section means, it's probably a reference to the fact that travel and adventure can also lift one's mood. The song ends with the singer addressing his family and trying to sell his first record to them.
Overall, the song is a simple, upbeat tune with a positive message that encourages listeners to always look to the bright side of life. Through its catchy lyrics and upbeat melody, "Hello My Darlings" is a classic feel-good song that has stood the test of time.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello my darlings
A greeting to the listeners, calling them his darlings.
When your feeling sad and blue
And the job's too much for you
This is what you've got to do, sing
When feeling down or overwhelmed with work, singing is the solution.
Happy days are on their way
This is what you've got to say
It's a happy day today, sing
Encouraging listeners to believe that happy days are coming and to express their happiness by singing.
Wear a grin upon your sleeve
Smile with your eyes
You will find to your surprise
Happiness will multiply
By smiling and showing happiness, one can attract more happiness and positivity towards them.
Let it rain or let it shine
Everything will turn out fine
And the whole darn world is yours and mine, sing
Whatever happens, it will all turn out fine and the world belongs to everyone, encouraging everyone to sing along.
Hello were in Spain then
How's the rain, still mainly on the plain is it?
A reference to Spain and asking about the weather there.
She'll look lovely in white
Wear a smile upon your sleeve
Grin and wink your eye
You will find to your surprise
Happiness will mutitememenply
Advising on how to look lovely in white and suggesting that happiness will multiply by showing positivity and happiness.
hello mum and dad and Ted and Ada and aunty Muriel This is my first record as
you know, I hope you're all going to buy one
cause I get a small remuneration from the
A message to his family and friends, asking them to buy his first record because it helps him earn some money.
Ere mate why don't you belt up and get on with it then?
Alriiight no need to be flamboyant about it!
An exchange between the artist and someone else, telling him to get on with the performance and not be flamboyant.
Let it rain or let it shine
Everything will turn out fine
the whole darn world is yours and mine
Sing hello sing hello sing hello
sing hello
get on with it!
helloooo my darliiings
Repeating the idea that everything will turn out fine, encouraging listeners to keep singing and ending with another greeting of 'hello my darlings'.
Writer(s): Frank Loesser, Frederick K. Hollander
Contributed by Gavin C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@_ktie
ALRIGHT ME DARLINS!
@ThePeachygirl47
i was 6 then but still remember the song
@annpartoon5300
listening now he had quite a sexy voice at the time he was just loveable Charlie
@wolfblaze9614
I'd just had enough of this, I'm going on the other side to have a bath.
@Calculon1712
Tomdickandharry Alright me darlins!!!
@Thc14Me
...I've ad enough of this I'm going on the other side to 'ave a bath. SPLISH SLASH i was takin' a bath... is the B side if I'm not mistaken. I remember playing this to death when I was off school with the mumps in 1965.I was only 5 at the time. Have not heard it since. Scary! I still know the words. lol
@HavingFunTimes
ALRIGHT ME DARLIN'S?!?!?!
@johngiles5464
Spish splash Charlie drake
@thegreatburt9005
Hello my darlings!
@MalcolmMarshall57
this is the same age as me!!!!!!