'Congratulations' was a global hit as it became a much bigger hit than 'La, La, La', which beat Cliff in the 1968 Eurovision song contest. Shortly after 'Congratulations', which was one of his solo efforts, Cliff recorded his last single with The Shadows. Again in 1973, with 'Power to All Our Friends', he entered the Eurovision song contest--this time reaching 3rd place.
The most sold artist in British Pop history - with over 40 top hits.
Worked with Stock Aitken Waterman in 1989 and the single "I Just Don't Have The Heart".
Sixty appearances at Wembley, plus sellout tour to celebrate 50 years in the business.
First hit: Move It, 1958, first no. 1: Living Doll
As big as he is in the UK, he has only had 3 Top 10 hits in the USA with the biggest still being his breakthrough 1976 single "Devil Woman" which made it all the way to #6.
Has also worked with Elton John, Mark Knopfler, Julian Lennon, Freddie Mercury, Stevie Wonder, Phil Everly, Janet Jackson, Sheila Walsh, Van Morrison, and Olivia Newton-John.
A Voice in the Wilderness
Cliff Richard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My arms were so lonely, lonesome and blue
Alone in my sorrow, I heard a voice cry
A voice in the wilderness, a voice from the sky
Have faith in your darling, the voice seemed to say
Be true to her memory, she'll come back some day
And though there was no-one, nobody to see
We had a quarrel, I was unkind
Why did you leave me, love made me blind
My darling forgive me, I yearn for your touch
Have pity, come back now, I need you so much
Believe me and you'll hear it, that voice from above
The voice in the wilderness, the voice of true love
Believe me and you'll hear it, that voice from above
A voice in the wilderness, the voice of true love.
My heart was so heavy with longing for you
My arms were so lonely, lonesome and blue
Alone in my sorrow, I heard a voice cry
A voice in the wilderness, a voice from the sky
Have faith in your darling, the voice seemed to say
Be true to her memory, she'll come back some day
And though there was no-one, nobody to see
A voice in the wilderness brought comfort to me
We had a quarrel, I was unkind
Why did you leave me, love made me blind
My darling forgive me, I yearn for your touch
Have pity, come back now, I need you so much
Believe me and you'll hear it, that voice from above
The voice in the wilderness, the voice of true love
Believe me and you'll hear it, that voice from above
A voice in the wilderness, the voice of true love.
The lyrics of Cliff Richard & The Shadows's song "A Voice in the Wilderness" depict a narrator longing for his lost love. He is filled with sadness and emptiness, as his arms feel so lonely and blue. However, while he is feeling lost, he hears a voice in the wilderness, crying out to him. This voice brings him comfort and tells him to have faith in his darling and to stay true to her memory.
The singer then acknowledges the quarrel that led to his love leaving him, and he pleads for her to come back to him. He admits that love made him blind and asks for forgiveness, yearning for her touch. The voice from above offers him solace and reminds him of the power of true love, urging him to believe in its ability to heal and reunite them.
Overall, this song tells a deeply emotional story of love and loss, offering hope and comfort to those who are feeling lost and alone.
Line by Line Meaning
My heart was so heavy with longing for you
I was overwhelmed with a strong feeling of desire and yearning for you.
My arms were so lonely, lonesome and blue
I felt lonely and sad without you and my arms felt empty.
Alone in my sorrow, I heard a voice cry
I was by myself feeling sad and grieving, when suddenly I heard a voice calling out.
A voice in the wilderness, a voice from the sky
The voice I heard seemed to be coming from nowhere, like a voice in the wilderness, or even from the sky.
Have faith in your darling, the voice seemed to say
The voice I heard spoke to me and told me to trust in you, my love.
Be true to her memory, she'll come back some day
The voice in the wilderness encouraged me to cherish your memory and to believe that one day you'll return to me.
And though there was no-one, nobody to see
Although there was nobody else around to witness it,
A voice in the wilderness brought comfort to me
I found solace and comfort in the voice I heard, even though it seemed to come from nowhere.
We had a quarrel, I was unkind
We had an argument and I behaved badly toward you.
Why did you leave me, love made me blind
I couldn't see clearly because I was blinded by love and didn't understand why you left.
My darling forgive me, I yearn for your touch
I'm begging for your forgiveness and I long to feel your touch again.
Have pity, come back now, I need you so much
Please have mercy and come back to me, I need you desperately.
Believe me and you'll hear it, that voice from above
Trust me and you'll hear the same voice I heard, coming from above.
The voice in the wilderness, the voice of true love.
The voice I heard was a voice of true love, like a guiding light in the darkness.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BUNNY LEWIS, NORRIE PARAMOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@noelmendes3690
While most people were Elvis fans, I was a die-hard Cliff fan. After Living Doll”, A Voice in the Wilderness”and “Evergreen Tree” were the big hits. How the years have passed. 1960-61. Nostalgic. Thanks Buddy.
@christinebeal3728
Absolutely Noel, I was 8 years old when I heard this playing on a friend of my mum’s record player and immediately ‘fell in love’. I had no idea who Cliff was or how he looked - just loved that voice! Still do and have loved Cliff all my life! ( I’m 72). I was lucky enough to meet Cliff in Sheffield in 1988 just before he performed at Sheffield City Hall on his birthday, October 14th. My wonderful late husband, Rod and our 2 children came to the show. Rod suggested we go into the coffee bar in the hotel as we may meet Cliff there before the show. Well I sent Cliff a birthday card to the hotel where a friend of mine worked she had previously told me that Cliff had booked in earlier in the week. On the reverse of the card I told Cliff we would be going into the cafe in the hotel around 5:30pm and if he could possibly meet us there on his birthday it would be wonderful! Guess what … We were just about to enter the cafe doorway when Rod excitedly said to me - Chris - Cliffs here!! Well I was totally dumbstruck and couldn’t move or speak! We walked in gingerly and Cliff came over on his way to pay his bill when Rod asked if he could take a photo of Cliff with me and our children. I still have it in pride of place. I couldn’t believe it how nice of my beautiful hubby to hope I could meet my hero! We enjoyed the show immensely Rod said how good Cliff was and that he had really enjoyed the show. I couldn’t stop singing the songs in my head for weeks after the show! Not many stars as famous as Cliff are anywhere near as nice! A beautiful man in mind body and soul.
@MoonPhaze5
He was better looking too. 😏
@user-xb5zc5or7x
That's the first songs in my life and I sang it in 1959, and I wanted to be like Cliff since that day.... Richard Tnp.
@mannen48
i feel like fifteen again-I´m born 1948!!
@maryashworth2963
I was born in 1947, and this is so of it's time, but such a superb melody. I cry every time i hear it.
@evelynbeer4417
Classic Cliff!
@JOSEPBRUNO
Lovely song from 1959!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@michaellindahl7969
God Bless Cliff Richard
@dianemcenroe4063
My favourite Cliff recording.