'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.
La mer
Cliff Richard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Qu'on voit danser le long des golfes clairs
À des reflets d'argent
La mer
Des reflets changeants
Sous la pluie
La mer
Au ciel d'été confond
Avec les anges si purs
La mer
Bergère d'azur
Infinie
Voyez près des étangs
Ces grands roseaux mouillés
Voyez, ces oiseaux blancs
Et ces oiseaux blancs
Et ces maisons rouillées
La mer
Les a bercés
Le long des golfes clairs
Et d'une chanson d'amour
La mer
À bercé mon cœur
Pour la vie.
Cliff Richard’s version of 'La Mer' is a beautiful interpretation of the french original by Charles Trenet that transports the listener to the shores of the sea with its poetic lyrics. The song begins by describing the reflection of silver in the clear bays, followed by how the sea changes its reflection color when it rains. The summer sky is said to come alive when the white sheep of the sea blend in with the pure white angels. This imagery of the dance of the sea and its reflection portrays the majestic beauty of nature.
The second verse describes how the ocean is endless and how the wet tall reeds and the white birds along with the rustic houses stand witness to it. The chorus reiterates the sea’s role in nurturing both the singer’s heart and the history of the golfs in their undulating lullaby of love. The lyrics of the song have a deep romanticism that illustrate the sea as the perfect metaphor for never-ending magnificent love. Cliff Richard’s version fully embodies this sentiment, as his voice lends a dreamy and almost hypnotic quality to these lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
La mer
The sea
Qu'on voit danser le long des golfes clairs
That we see dancing along the clear bays
À des reflets d'argent
With silver reflections
Des reflets changeants
Ever-changing reflections
Sous la pluie
Beneath the rain
Au ciel d'été confond
Confuses with the summer sky
Ses blancs moutons
Its white sheep
Avec les anges si purs
With the angels so pure
Bergère d'azur
Azure shepherdess
Infinie
Infinite
Voyez près des étangs
See near the ponds
Ces grands roseaux mouillés
These big wet reeds
Voyez, ces oiseaux blancs
See, these white birds
Et ces maisons rouillées
And these rusty houses
Les a bercés
The sea rocked them
Le long des golfes clairs
Along the clear bays
Et d'une chanson d'amour
And with a love song
À bercé mon cœur
Rocked my heart
Pour la vie.
Forever.
Writer(s): Charles Trenet, Albert Lasry
Contributed by Camden J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Yannick1947
J'avais acheté ce disque superbement enregistré pour l'époque. Cliff est admirable comme toujours..
@salamwati9281
Wonderful all around..Cliff oh so melts you with his croonin'..beautiful images along with superb audio enhances the mood too.🤗
@Hasje6
Thanks for the compliment Salam Wati.....
@lutfiaastrie4699
This song brings back back so many memories..simple love this song
@C6H12B26
Listened to them singing and playing this song at The Paris Olympia ... Wonderful !
@elisabethsue525
Merveilleux. Cette chanson me rappelle un week-end à Bourail avec papa et mes sœurs nous étions à l,école des sœurs de Bourail. Papa est venu de Kouaoua pour nous sortir. Seigneur que de beaux souvenirs.
@ClimateRealism
I always loved this song by Cliff
@marcellapaille2291
Belle melodie bien interprétée
@Hasje6
Merci pour le compliment....
@evajuliannapal
🎉