'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.
Be With Me Always
Cliff Richard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Never to find
Any kind of comfort
In death
May her lies satanic
That corrupt even now
Bring her back to confront
Me again
These are words of hatred
Words of contempt
Only one who suffered
At the hands and the heart
Of a woman who stole
Both his life and soul
Be with me always
Possess me and haunt me
Take any form
Or take none
Be with me always
In flesh or as a ghost
And you'll learn as the ages run
Learn what your sin has done
Who is my protector?
Whence comes my help?
Who is there to calm me
But she
God shall be my witness
That I pray she will know
Not one moment of rest
In the cold cold ground
Be with me always
Consume and invade me
Take any shape or disguise
Be with me always
To share all my despair
And to learn nothing justifies
Reckless inhuman lies
Here comes the night
The abyss unrelenting
Casting all reason aside
And I see in myself
All the things I see in you
Hear the savage I am crying
Be with me always...
The lyrics of Cliff Richard's "Be With Me Always" are a poignant and emotional portrayal of a man's painful and bitter memories of a relationship gone wrong. The opening lines, "May she wake in torment, never to find any kind of comfort in death", indicate the deep anger and resentment that the singer feels towards the woman who has deeply hurt him. He wishes her to never find peace, even in death, mirroring the pain and suffering that he has gone through as a result of her actions. The lines, "May her lies satanic that corrupt even now, bring her back to confront me again", suggest that the singer is unable to escape the hurt and betrayal inflicted upon him by his former lover, and that the memory of her still haunts him.
The second verse of the song describes the feelings of hatred and contempt that the singer harbors towards his ex-partner, who has "stolen" both his life and soul. The chorus, "Be with me always, possess me and haunt me, take any form or take none", shows that the singer is unable to fully let go of his hurt and anger, and that he would rather have his ex-partner torment him for eternity than be free from her. The concluding lines of the song, "Be with me always... hear the savage I am crying", reveal that the singer is still deeply wounded by the relationship and unable to move on, despite his hopelessness and despair.
Line by Line Meaning
May she wake in torment
Wishing for the person who caused him pain to suffer.
Never to find
Hoping that she will never find peace.
Any kind of comfort
Wishing for her to never be at ease.
In death
Even after death, he wants her to suffer.
May her lies satanic
Accusing her of telling deceitful and malicious lies.
That corrupt even now
The lies continue to affect him and his life.
Bring her back to confront
Wanting her to face him again.
Me again
To confront the torment she caused him.
These are words of hatred
Describing his feelings towards her.
Words of contempt
Implying that he holds her in disregard and disdain.
Only one who suffered
Pointing out that he was the only one who faced the consequences of her actions.
At the hands and the heart
Highlighting her role in hurting him both emotionally and physically.
Of a woman who stole
She took away his happiness and peace.
Both his life and soul
She left him broken and consumed with pain.
Be with me always
Requesting her presence with him forever.
Possess me and haunt me
Asking for her to take over his life and never leave him alone.
Take any form
Wanting her to come to him in any way she can.
Or take none
Even if it's just her presence without a physical form.
In flesh or as a ghost
Asking for her to be with him in any form possible.
And you'll learn as the ages run
Implying that she will learn about her sins and face the consequences in time.
Learn what your sin has done
Emphasizing that she will have to face her past wrongdoings eventually.
Who is my protector?
Questioning who will protect him from his pain and trauma.
Whence comes my help?
Asking where he can turn to for support and comfort.
Who is there to calm me
Searching for peace and someone to comfort him in his distress.
But she
Suggesting that even the one who caused him pain could bring him solace in some way.
God shall be my witness
Swearing that he hopes she never finds peace and will always be tormented.
That I pray she will know
Expressing the desire for her to endure the same suffering he went through because of her.
Not one moment of rest
Wishing for her to never find peace in her life.
In the cold cold ground
Hoping that even after death, she will never find peace or rest.
Consume and invade me
Requesting her influence to take over his life and become a part of him.
Take any shape or disguise
Asking for her to come to him in any form possible.
To share all my despair
Asking for her to be there to share his pain and trauma.
And to learn nothing justifies
Emphasizing that there is no excuse or justification for the pain she caused him.
Reckless inhuman lies
Describing the nature of the lies she told him.
Here comes the night
Imagining the darkness of his pain.
The abyss unrelenting
Describing how he feels trapped in his pain and suffering.
Casting all reason aside
His emotions are so strong that he cannot think logically anymore.
And I see in myself
Realizing that he is not completely innocent and has also been consumed by his pain.
All the things I see in you
Seeing similarities between his own pain and the pain she caused him.
Hear the savage I am crying
The depths of his pain is likened to an animalistic cry.
Be with me always...
Repeating the request for her presence in his life forever.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN FARRAR, TIM RICE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ledatustin3086
Love this song so much!!! It gives me goosebumps still...thank you so much Sir Cliff you are fabulous!!!
@mercedesbantatua4782
Great performance from the one and only,Sir Cliff Richard,SCR full of emotions!!!
@TheLuigiVerde
beautiful song and full emotions. Thanks Cliff Richard!!!
@51gary51
Absolutely gorgeous song given a magnificent performance!
@glorialobigas1742
Lovely song as only Sir Cliff can deliver. I' m breathless, God bless, stay healthy.
@brianvincent4165
I tell you, this track is right up there with HAD TO BE, what an amazing album the Heathcliff album was and is.
Incredible performance, he is simply untouchable!
The genius that is Sir Cliff Richard.
@hometruth7574
Just superb, powerful performance from Cliff.
@CarolM1968
I will never forget seeing Cliff live in Heathcliff, OMG I couldn't stop crying from beginning to end.. the memory will stay with me forever.
@fionajones5962
One of my favourite songs, sung with lots of emotion.
@richardwesleykirkland3490
One guy for sure stood the test of time respect Cliff.