'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.
Silvery Rain
Cliff Richard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cliff Richard's song Silvery Rain describes the beauty and wonder of nature before it is altered by modernization. The lyrics begin by describing butterflies dancing on invisible strings with wings borrowed from a rainbow. This imagery highlights the delicate balance of nature and suggests that the beauty we see is fleeting and temporary. The blackbird sings a praise to the sky while a light airplane enters the scene and sprays the fields with a silvery rain. The fur-backed bees also work tirelessly, and the grasshopper can be heard but not seen. The second verse highlights the urgency of preserving nature as Peter and Paul are asked to fly away before the silvery rain falls. The last verse paints a sad picture of a world where nothing moves but the swaying ripe corn and not even a dawn is greeted with a bird's song. This is a clear reference to the impact of modernization and how it's altered what we consider to be a natural space. The feather or two from a bird that once flew suggests that animals can no longer survive in these environments, and their habitat has been lost due to human interference.
Line by Line Meaning
Butterflies danced on invisible strings
Butterflies can be seen fluttering in the sky, moving as if they were dancing with some peaceful strings that can't be seen.
Showing wings they borrowed from a rainbow
The wings of the butterflies have varying colors similar to the colors of the rainbow.
And a blackbird on high sang a praise to the sky
A blackbird was heard singing a song of appreciation for the beauty of the sky.
While a light aeroplane sprayed the fields with a silvery rain
An airplane was seen scattering some kind of silvery substance throughout the fields.
Furry backed bees with a tireless drone
Bees with fur on their backs were working hard, producing a constant humming sound.
Never moan, they're happy to be working
The bees were content with their work and didn't complain.
And a grasshopper green could be heard but not seen
A grasshopper was present but couldn't be seen, but its sound could be heard.
While a light aeroplane sprayed the fields with a silvery rain
The airplane continued to spray the silvery substance all over the fields.
Chorus: Fly away, Peter, fly away, Paul, before there's nothing left to fly at all Take to the sky, higher than high, before the silvery rain begins to fall
The chorus warns Peter and Paul to fly away before the silvery rain completely ruins their surroundings.
Nothing moves now but the swaying ripe corn
Due to the effects of the silvery rain, only the ripe corn fields were seen swaying, and nothing else was moving.
Not a dawn is greeted with a bird's song
Sadly, birds have stopped greeting the morning with their beautiful songs.
There's a feather or two from a bird that once flew
Unfortunately, only a feather or two can be found from the birds that once flew in the area but are now gone.
Before a light aeroplane sprayed the fields with a silvery rain
This line implies that the silvery rain caused all the loss and destruction in the area.
Lyrics © CARLIN AMERICA INC
Written by: HANK MARVIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Louisa
Butterflies danced on invisible strings
Showing wings they borrowed from a rainbow
And a blackbird on high sang a praise to the sky
While a light aeroplane sprayed the fields with a silvery rain
Furry backed bees with a tireless drone
Never moan, they're happy to be working
And a grasshopper green could be heard but not seen
While a light aeroplane sprayed the fields with a silvery rain
Fly away, Peter, fly away, Paul, before there's nothing left to fly at all
Take to the sky, higher than high, before the silvery rain begins to fall
Nothing moves now but the swaying ripe corn
Not a dawn is greeted with a bird's song
There's a feather or two from a bird that once flew
Before a light aeroplane sprayed the fields with a silvery rain
Fly away, Peter, fly away, Paul, before there's nothing left to fly at all
Take to the sky, higher than high, before the silvery rain begins to fall
Fly away, Peter, fly away, Paul, before there's nothing left to fly at all
Take to the sky, higher than high, before the silvery rain begins to fall
KG
Butterflies danced on invisible strings
Showing wings they borrowed from a rainbow
And a blackbird on high sang a praise to the sky
While a light aeroplane sprayed the fields with a silvery rain
Furry backed bees with a tireless drone
Never moan, they're happy to be working
And a grasshopper green could be heard but not seen
While a light aeroplane sprayed the fields with a silvery rain
Chorus:
Fly away, Peter, fly away, Paul, before there's nothing left to fly at all
Take to the sky, higher than high, before the silvery rain begins to fall
Nothing moves now but the swaying ripe corn
Not a dawn is greeted with a bird's song
There's a feather or two from a bird that once flew
Before a light aeroplane sprayed the fields with a silvery rain
Chorus
(Instrumental break)
Chorus
Louisa
Butterflies danced on invisible strings
Showing wings they borrowed from a rainbow
And a blackbird on high sang a praise to the sky
While a light aeroplane sprayed the fields with a silvery rain
Furry backed bees with a tireless drone
Never moan, they're happy to be working
And a grasshopper green could be heard but not seen
While a light aeroplane sprayed the fields with a silvery rain
Fly away, Peter, fly away, Paul, before there's nothing left to fly at all
Take to the sky, higher than high, before the silvery rain begins to fall
Nothing moves now but the swaying ripe corn
Not a dawn is greeted with a bird's song
There's a feather or two from a bird that once flew
Before a light aeroplane sprayed the fields with a silvery rain
Fly away, Peter, fly away, Paul, before there's nothing left to fly at all
Take to the sky, higher than high, before the silvery rain begins to fall
Fly away, Peter, fly away, Paul, before there's nothing left to fly at all
Take to the sky, higher than high, before the silvery rain begins to fall
Sakila Samaraweera
Thanks ☺️
Jana H.
Great song ,I believe in a better Tomorrow!😊🦋🌱🕊️♥️
Ben Lindsay
I really love this song; could listen to it over and over!
KG
Butterflies danced on invisible strings
Showing wings they borrowed from a rainbow
And a blackbird on high sang a praise to the sky
While a light aeroplane sprayed the fields with a silvery rain
Furry backed bees with a tireless drone
Never moan, they're happy to be working
And a grasshopper green could be heard but not seen
While a light aeroplane sprayed the fields with a silvery rain
Chorus:
Fly away, Peter, fly away, Paul, before there's nothing left to fly at all
Take to the sky, higher than high, before the silvery rain begins to fall
Nothing moves now but the swaying ripe corn
Not a dawn is greeted with a bird's song
There's a feather or two from a bird that once flew
Before a light aeroplane sprayed the fields with a silvery rain
Chorus
(Instrumental break)
Chorus
Andrew Burns
Mum played this song a lot in the early 80s. I thought it was an ok song back then but now
I definately appreciate it a great deal more.
영국김
아름다운 노래. 추석의 리차드. 부드러운 목소리.
Huguette Marquet
Thank you sharing this lovely voice. And now Cliff could sing about chemtrails !
Robert Bugalski
Great song and video
Peter Beard
The Green Grasshopper in the song is represented by a Green "Cricket" in the video, so 8 out of ten.