Sir Cliff Richard (born Harry Rodger Webb, 1940-10-14, in Lucknow, India) m… Read Full Bio ↴Sir Cliff Richard (born Harry Rodger Webb, 1940-10-14, in Lucknow, India) moved as an 8-year-old to the UK, where it would be 10 more years before he and his group The Drifters emerged in the UK charts for the first time with 'Move It'. Cliff was heavily influenced by Elvis, imitating him shamelessly during the first couple of years of his career. Something which he openly admits, and fully acknowledges that without Elvis, he and many others would never have happened. 'Move It' was a classic British Rock 'n' Roll song, peaked at number two, and was followed by a long string of hits like 'Living Doll' and 'Please Don't Tease'. By then The Drifters turned into The Shadows. After 'A Girl Like You' from 1961, the bond between Cliff and The Shadows loosened a bit, and solo singles of Cliff like 'When The Girl In Your Arms Is The Girl In Your Heart' started to appear alongside Cliff & The Shadows singles like 'Do You Wanna Dance'.

'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.

Unchained Melody
Cliff Richard Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Oh my love, my darling
I've hungered for your touch
A long lonely time
Time goes by so slowly
And time can do so much
Are you still mine?
I need your love
I need your love

God speed your love to me

Lonely rivers flow to the sea
To the sea
To the open arms of the sea
Yeah
Lonely rivers sigh "Wait for me"
Wait for me
I'll be coming home
Wait for me

Oh my love, my darling
I've hungered,
Hungered for your touch
A long lonely time
And time goes by so slowly
And time can do so much
Are you still mine
I need your love, I,

I need your love
God speed your love to me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Cliff Richard & The Shadows' "Unchained Melody" express deep longing and a yearning for a lost love. The singer addresses his beloved, expressing how much he has missed her touch and how lonely he has been without her. Even though time has passed since they were together, he still wonders if she is his and if they can rekindle their love. The singer pleads for her love to be sent back to him, showing just how much he needs it to complete him.

The imagery of "lonely rivers" emphasizes the feeling of being lost and isolated without the touch and presence of the loved one. The rivers flowing to the sea represent the singer's journey through life, where he still longs for his love to wait for him and to come back to him. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes his deep desire for her love and his hope that she still belongs to him.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh my love, my darling
Addressing significant other with deep affection

I've hungered for your touch
Longing for physical and emotional connection

A long lonely time
Enduring prolonged emptiness without partner

Time goes by so slowly
Perception of time being extended in absence of loved one

And time can do so much
Reflecting on the transformative power of time

Are you still mine?
Expressing doubt about the status of the relationship

I need your love
Underlining the desire for physical and emotional love

God speed your love to me
Requesting for the divine intervention and reinstatement of love

Lonely rivers flow to the sea
Metaphor for the passage of time and life's journey

To the sea
Symbolizing a final destination

To the open arms of the sea
Describing a welcoming and comforting arrival