'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.
Little Town
Cliff Richard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight
How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is given
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His Heaven
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell
O come to us, abide with us
Our Lord Emmanuel
No ear may hear His coming
But in tHis world of sin
Where meek souls will receive Him still
The dear Christ enters in
Twinkle, twinkle little star (He's the one)
Now I know just what you are
Twinkle, twinkle little star (He's the one)
Now I know just what you are
Twinkle, twinkle little star (He's the one)
Now I know just what you are
Twinkle, twinkle little star (He's the one)
Now I know just what you are
Twinkle, twinkle little star (He's the one)
Now I know just what you are
Twinkle, twinkle little star (He's the one)
Now I know just what you are
Twinkle, twinkle little star (He's the one)
Now I know just what you are
The lyrics of Cliff Richard's "Little Town" are an evocative and reflective ode to the town of Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus Christ. The opening lines paint a peaceful and tranquil picture of the town, with the singer describing how the stars twinkle silently above the sleeping town. The use of the word "still" in the second line reinforces this idea of calm and tranquility. However, despite the sense of peacefulness, the third line of the song hints at the darkness and uncertainty that lies within the town's streets.
As the song progresses, we hear how the hopes and fears of all the years are united in this small town on this very night. These hopes and fears are represented by "the great glad tidings" being shared by the Christmas angels, who call for Emmanuel to come and abide with us - a reference to the name given to Jesus, which means "God is with us". The following lines echo this theme, as the singer tells us that although the dear Christ may enter the world unnoticed by many, it is the meek souls who will receive Him.
Despite the traditional hymn-like feel of the verses, there's an unexpected shift in tone at the end of the song, with the chorus changing to a repetition of the nursery rhyme "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star". This final section transforms the song, imbuing it with a sense of joyousness, wonder, and celebration that perfectly reflects the spirit of Christmas.
Line by Line Meaning
O little town of Bethlehem
Addressing the town of Bethlehem
How still we see thee lie
Observing the peaceful stillness of the town
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
Noting that the town is quiet and appears to be sleeping soundly
The silent stars go by
The stars move across the sky, appearing to be watching over the town
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
Despite the darkness of the streets, there is a shining light
The everlasting light
This light is everlasting and does not fade away
The hopes and fears of all the years
All the hopes and fears of people throughout history
Are met in thee tonight
Have come together in Bethlehem on this night
How silently, how silently
Noticing how quietly this gift has been given
The wondrous gift is given
This gift is truly amazing
So God imparts to human hearts
God has given this gift to people's hearts
The blessings of His Heaven
This gift is like a blessing from Heaven
We hear the Christmas angels
Acknowledging that the Christmas angels are heard
The great glad tidings tell
The angels are sharing good news
O come to us, abide with us
Inviting the Lord to come and stay with us
Our Lord Emmanuel
Referring to Jesus as 'Emmanuel', meaning 'God is with us'
No ear may hear His coming
Not everyone can hear Jesus' arrival
But in tHis world of sin
However, even in a sinful world
Where meek souls will receive Him still
People who are humble and open to receiving Him will welcome Jesus
The dear Christ enters in
And Jesus will come into their hearts
Twinkle, twinkle little star (He's the one)
A reference to Jesus as the shining star
Now I know just what you are
Realizing the true meaning behind the star
Twinkle, twinkle little star (He's the one)
Repeating the reference to Jesus as the shining star
Now I know just what you are
Emphasizing the new understanding of the star's significance
Twinkle, twinkle little star (He's the one)
Another reference to Jesus as the shining star
Now I know just what you are
Confirming the understanding of the star's meaning
Twinkle, twinkle little star (He's the one)
Continuing to refer to Jesus as the shining star
Now I know just what you are
Reiterating the newfound understanding of the star's significance
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Chris Eaton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jacques DESCAMPS
Absolutely. For me one of the best Xmas song ever with :
" i believe in father Xmas"
"Two little boys"
"the most beautiful time of the year"
"drivin home for Xmas"
"the power of love"
"a children is born"
Cliff is a real national treasure; what the voice. good stuff
jacob smith
Homeless Town
Oh homeless town of Manchester. How still we see the men lying on the pavement.
Amongst all the tall buildings in Bury. The silent men sit there hoping to get money.
Yet on the streets of Bury, lie all the homelesses. The hopes that they will buy a house are really quite slim.
How silently how silently. Burglars wander round trying to take all their money.
The police are called to arrest all the burglars. But that still doesn’t help all the homelesses.
We hear the homeless people, crying because they’re cold.
That’s why there are the men who help them out when it’s Winter.
One of them now has a job, but they are still homeless. But hopefully they will be able to get back to a house.
stray bullitt
Mistletoe and wine, seems to be the only Cliff Christmas song, radio stations play, but this, and Saviour's day, eclipses it by miles.
Alex Plumb
Cliff has had numerous Christmas hits but this one criminally gets overlooked fantastic harmony and arrangements.
Bill Hunter
@David Scott It is an incredible arrangement. The brass section towards the end is perfection.
Gaynor Reid
Yes it does and it’s a fantastic Christmas song ♥️
David Scott
Actually the musical arrangement is by Martyn Ford.....he replied to my you tube comment thanking me ...my comment was very similar to yours !!!
David Scott
Spot on mate !!
Old-school-Haaland-Girl
I prefer this to mistletoe & wine which in my opinion is vastly overplayed. I quite like Saviour's Day too.
Stevie B
This never fails to move me to tears. I think it's a wonderfully moving setting of these famous words. Cliff's voice is so pure and the extra vocals add such brilliance as do the instrumental and brass arrangements - London Philharmonic Orchestra brass section, if I'm not mistaken. This is just what need at Christmas time, and maybe throughout the whole year...`The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.' Thanks Cliff, you're a national treasure and long may you flourish. Love the high-quality sound also. 📯🎹🎹
Angie Lewis
@Martyn Ford That brass section kicks ass! I could listen to that part over and over. Amazing!
stray bullitt
@Martyn Ford Thank you for such a wonderful piece. I listen to it any time of year, it's so good.