'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.
Big Ship
Cliff Richard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I saw a ship ashore, a baked apple pie
Hide in corners and climbing up trees
Love is a big ship, following me
Big ship, following me
Love is a big ship, following me
You see me cool, like a fool, with all the lovin' I got
Passing the world and the world's passing me
Love is a big ship, following me
Big ship, following me
Love is a big ship, following me
Just like, just like a big ship
Just like, just like a big ship
Just like, just like a big ship
Following me, following me
Make me feel good, while you're shakin' me down
Singers are singing dubidu all the town
Dubiduda, singing dubidudi
Love is a big ship, following me
Make me feel good, while you're shakin' me down
Singers are singing dubidu all the town
Dubiduda, singing dubidudi
Love is a big ship, following me
Big ship, following me
Love is a big ship, following me
Just like, just like a big ship
Just like, just like a big ship
Just like, just like a big ship
Following me, following me
Following me, following me
The song "Big Ship" by Cliff Richard is a cheerful tune about the universal feeling of being followed by love. The lyrics describe the singer's disbelief at the sight of a ship onshore that resembles a baked apple pie, which is reiterated in the lines "I do believe my eyes are telling me lies / I saw a ship ashore, a baked apple pie." The ship is then compared to love, as the singer states "Love is a big ship, following me."
The following verses talk about how everyone has their own preferences, some like it cool, some like it hot, but the singer knows what he likes - to feel loved. The repetition of the phrase "Big ship, following me / Love is a big ship, following me" adds to the joyful tone of the song. The chorus also features a catchy melody that is easy to sing along to.
Overall, the song is about the feeling of being pursued by love, even when it seems unlikely or impossible. The ship metaphor is used to show the inevitability of love, just as a ship will always follow its course.
Line by Line Meaning
I do believe my eyes are telling me lies
I saw something that seems incredible or untrue
I saw a ship ashore, a baked apple pie
I saw a ship or something else that makes no sense
Hide in corners and climbing up trees
I am sometimes overwhelmed with emotion
Love is a big ship, following me
Love is a powerful force that guides and motivates my actions
Big ship, following me
Love is like a big ship following me
Some like it cool, some like it hot
People have different tastes and preferences
You see me cool, like a fool, with all the lovin' I got
I may appear unwise for publicly expressing my love
Passing the world and the world's passing me
I am moving through life and life is moving on without me
Just like, just like a big ship
Love is very much like a big ship
Make me feel good, while you're shakin' me down
I feel good when I am pushed out of my comfort zone
Singers are singing dubidu all the town
People are celebrating life and love all over the town
Dubiduda, singing dubidudi
The sounds and rhythms of love and life are everywhere
Following me, following me
Love is always following me, wherever I go
Contributed by Kennedy H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.