'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.
Throw Down A Line
Cliff Richard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who's drowning in the stormy sea
Throw down a line, help a poor boy
Who's hanging in a nowhere tree
Have you got a place for me
Men are tied in chains of silence
I look on violence, up, down, left and right
The peaceful hand that once caressed me
Hurts like the rest, because it's turned to stone
Talons of steel have grown
Throw down a line, help a poor boy
Who's drowning in the stormy sea
Throw down a line, help a poor boy
Who's hanging in a nowhere tree
Have you got a place for me
Yeah, oh help me, yeah
Throw down a line, help a poor boy
Who's drowning in the stormy sea
Throw down a line, help a poor boy
Who's hanging in a nowhere tree
Have you got a place for me
See the moon, it's getting nearer
But no more clearer than the earth below
What do we really know
I feel the stab of pain returning
Despair is burning in my heart again
Why don't they see the end, ooooh
Throw down a line, help a poor boy
Who's drowning in the stormy sea
Yeah, throw down a line, help a poor boy
Who's hanging in a nowhere tree
Have you got a place for me
Throw down a line, help a poor boy
Who's drowning in the stormy sea
Yeah, throw down a line, help a poor boy
Who's hanging in a nowhere tree
Have you got a place for me
In Cliff Richard's song, "Throw Down A Line," we see the plea of a poor boy who is struggling in life. The lyrics are a call to those who have the power to help, to do so. The boy is drowning in the stormy sea, a metaphor for the hardships of life, and he is wandering through life, much like a tree that has no direction, no purpose. He is looking for someone to save him, someone who will take him in and give him the hope and the light that he so desperately needs. The violent world around him has tied him down, and he no longer knows where to turn or who to trust. He is left feeling hopeless and alone.
As the song progresses, the boy becomes more and more desperate. He sees the moon, which represents hope and a better future, but even that is becoming distant and unclear. The pain that he has been feeling returns, and he is consumed by despair. This is a cry for help, a call to anyone who can help him out of his difficult situation. The lyrics are emotional and moving, and they resonate deeply with anyone who has ever felt lost or alone.
Line by Line Meaning
Throw down a line, help a poor boy
Asking for help in a desperate situation
Who's drowning in the stormy sea
Feeling overwhelmed by life's challenges
Who's hanging in a nowhere tree
Feeling trapped with no way out
Have you got a place for me
Searching for acceptance and belonging
Men are tied in chains of silence
Society can restrict people from expressing themselves
I look on violence, up, down, left and right
Witnessing the harmful effects of aggression in all directions
Is there no hope of light
Doubting if things will ever improve
The peaceful hand that once caressed me
Losing trust in someone who used to bring comfort
Hurts like the rest, because it's turned to stone
Feeling betrayed by someone who has become emotionally cold
Talons of steel have grown
Becoming trapped in a situation that is impossible to escape
Yeah, oh help me, yeah
Begging for assistance
See the moon, it's getting nearer
Feeling like something is approaching, but unsure of what it is
But no more clearer than the earth below
Unclear of what the future holds despite seeing signs of change
What do we really know
Questioning the knowledge and understanding of the world around us
I feel the stab of pain returning
Experiencing emotional wounds that have not completely healed
Despair is burning in my heart again
Losing hope and sinking into sadness
Why don't they see the end, ooooh
Feeling frustrated that others cannot see a resolution to a problem
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HANK MARVIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind