Along with a successful recording career in the 1960s and early 1970s, Black hosted her own eponymous variety show, Cilla, for the BBC between 1968 and 1976. After a brief time as a comedy actress in the mid-1970s, she became a prominent television presenter in the 1980s and 1990s, hosting hit entertainment shows such as Blind Date (1985–2003) and Surprise Surprise (1984–2001).
In 2013, Black celebrated her 50 years in show business. British television network ITV honoured this milestone with a one-off entertainment special which aired on 16 October 2013. The show, called The One & Only Cilla Black, featured Black herself and was hosted by Paul O'Grady.
Black died at her holiday home near Marbella, Spain, on 1 August 2015. She was 72.
Alfie
Cilla Black Lyrics
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Is it just for the moment we live?
What's it all about when you sort it out, Alfie?
Are we meant to take more than we give?
Or are we meant to be kind?
And if only fools are kind, Alfie
Then I guess it is wise to be cruel
What will you lend on an old golden rule?
As sure as I believe there's a heaven above, Alfie
I know there's something much more
Something even non-believers can believe in
I believe in love, Alfie
Without true love we just exist, Alfie
Until you find the love you've missed, you're nothing, Alfie
When you walk let your heart lead the way
And you'll find love any day, Alfie
Alfie
Cilla Black's song Alfie is a poignant exploration of the meaning of life, delivered as a warning to the titular character, who the singer deems to be living life without much thought to the bigger picture. The song opens with a series of questions posed to Alfie, urging him to question the meaning of his existence. The singer wonders if life is fleeting or if there is some deeper purpose to it.
As the lyrics unfold, the song takes a more philosophical turn. The singer ponders the idea of taking more than one gives and the value of kindness. They note that if only fools are kind, then maybe it is better to be cruel. The lyrics suggest that life only belongs to the strong and that there is no real guiding principle to follow.
But the singer then offers a glimmer of hope in the belief that there is something more to life than what we see. They express their belief in love as a force that can transcend even the most skeptical of hearts. Without it, the singer suggests, we are merely existing, rather than truly living. They conclude by urging Alfie to follow his heart, as it will ultimately lead him where he needs to be.
Line by Line Meaning
What's it all about, Alfie?
What is the purpose of our existence, Alfie?
Is it just for the moment we live?
Are we only meant to live in the present, Alfie?
What's it all about when you sort it out, Alfie?
When we try to understand the bigger picture, what is it really all about, Alfie?
Are we meant to take more than we give?
Should we be selfish and seek more for ourselves than we give to others, Alfie?
Or are we meant to be kind?
Or should we aim to be kind, Alfie?
And if only fools are kind, Alfie
If only foolish people are kind, Alfie
Then I guess it is wise to be cruel
Then being cruel must be the wise choice, Alfie
And if life belongs only to the strong, Alfie
And if life is only for the powerful, Alfie
What will you lend on an old golden rule?
What value will you place on the old golden rule of treating others the way you want to be treated, Alfie?
As sure as I believe there's a heaven above, Alfie
I am confident that there is a heaven above, Alfie
I know there's something much more
But I also know that there is something much greater than that, Alfie
Something even non-believers can believe in
Something that even those who don't believe can find worth in, Alfie
I believe in love, Alfie
I believe that love is the answer, Alfie
Without true love we just exist, Alfie
Without genuine love, we are only surviving, Alfie
Until you find the love you've missed, you're nothing, Alfie
Without finding the love that you missed out on, you are incomplete, Alfie
When you walk let your heart lead the way
When you walk through life, follow your heart, Alfie
And you'll find love any day, Alfie
And you will find true love one day, Alfie
Alfie
Alfie
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Burt Bacharach, Hal David
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind