'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.
What'd I Say
Cliff Richard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come and love me all night long
Oh oh, hey hey
All right now
See the girl with the diamond ring
She knows how to twist that thing
Oh oh, hey hey
Tell your mama, tell your pa
I'm gonna ship you back to Arkansas
Oh yes, you don't do right
You don't do right
Tell me what'd I say
Tell me what'd I say right now
Tell me what'd I say
Tell me what'd I say
Tell me what'd I say
Tell me what'd I say
Yes, I wanna know
I wanna know
Baby, I wanna know right now
Yes, I wanna know
Honey, I wanna know
Yes, I wanna know
Hey hey
Ho ho
Hey hey
Ho ho
Hey hey ho ho hey
Sing me one more time
Sing me one more time
Sing me one more time
Sing me one more time
Sing me one more time
Sing me one more time
Hey hey
Ho ho
Hey hey
Ho ho
Hey hey ho ho hey
Make me feel so good
Make me feel so good
Make me feel so good right now
Make me feel so good
Make me feel so good
Make me feel so good
Huh huh
Ho ho
Huh huh
Ho ho
Huh huh ho ho huh
Baby, it's all right
Baby, it's all right right now
Baby, it's all right
Baby, it's all right
Baby, it's all right
Baby, it's all right
Come on, twist that thing
Come on, twist that thing
Keep a twistin' that thing
Keep a twistin' that thing
Keep a twistin' that thing
Keep a twistin' that thing
Make me feel all right
Well, I feel all right
Well, I feel all right
Well, I feel all right
Well, I feel all right
Well, I feel all right
The song "What'd I Say" by Cliff Richard is a cover of the Ray Charles original. It is a tune about the joy and exuberance of dancing, with the singer encouraging his lover to twist and dance with him. He asks her not to treat him wrong and to love him all night long. The song's infectious energy and pulsing rhythm help to convey the sense of excitement and movement that are central to the dance.
The singer then draws attention to a woman wearing a diamond ring who knows how to move her body. He lets the listener know that he is aware of her presence and that she can really twist that thing. He then tells his partner that he is going to ship her back to Arkansas because she isn't dancing right. The song's refrain, "Tell me what'd I say," is a question directed at his partner that emphasizes their physical connection and continues to build the energy of the dance.
Overall, "What'd I Say" is a joyful and energetic song that celebrates the pleasures of dance and sexual connection. It is an upbeat tune that encourages listeners to let loose and get lost in the rhythm.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong
Addressing his lover, Cliff is telling her not to mistreat him
Come and love me all night long
He's asking for her to make love to him the entire night
See the girl with the diamond ring
He spots a beautiful woman wearing a diamond ring
She knows how to twist that thing
He's admiring her dancing skills specifically her ability to twist her body
Tell your mama, tell your pa
Cliff is telling his lover to inform her parents
I'm gonna ship you back to Arkansas
He'll return her home to Arkansas as punishment for her bad behavior
Oh yes, you don't do right
He's criticizing her for being unfaithful or dishonest
Tell me what'd I say
He's asking his lover to reveal what he said wrong
Yes, I wanna know
He's insisting that he needs to know what he said wrong in order to make amends and/or avoid future mistakes
Sing me one more time
He's asking for his lover to reassure him by singing again
Make me feel so good
Cliff is requesting that his lover pleases him sexually
Baby, it's all right
He's assuring his partner that things are okay between them
Come on, twist that thing
He wants her to keep dancing and specifically twisting her body
Keep a twistin' that thing
He's urging her to continue the dancing motion
Make me feel all right
By asking her to keep twisting, Cliff is asking her to continue to make him feel good both physically and emotionally
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ray Charles
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Joy D
Loved these 'Cliff' series on TV - good to see some of the performances again. Who would have know that 60 years later we still love seeing Cliff on TV or 'Cliffin' to Concerts/tours! We are so lucky and blessed to have shared Cliff's music through the years.
gloria garcia
You're so right, Joy.
Jamie Doyle
Hi to cliff Richard my sister love you very much
Santanu
Totally right. I am hooked to him from the much later 90s, but his forst was Bachelor Boy for me. A theme song for life.
Jennifer Reddington
Cl
Rosalinda Dattola
A very charming great performance Sir Cliff.
You are a wonderful and a fantastic singer.
My family and I adore you.....we dearly love you, Sir Cliff. Please be safe.
Rosalinda Dattola
What a beautiful man. He's kind, humble, very giving
ROCKINGMAN
Most rock 'n' rollers have done What'd I Say, Ray Charles, Elvis, Orbison, Jerry Lee, Brenda Lee, etc. Cliff had to do this. Great version. A good song is worth doing over and over. Cliff Richard's version and his performances generally are always great to see and hear, love him.
MG John
Saw both Cliff and Jerry Lee Lewis live at the Granada Walthamstow back in very early 60s. As well as other great artists around that time. Think I paid two quid for my ticket. A tidy sum back then.
Cliff had that ability to perform a song live as well as the recording in the studio. Few performers can do that effectively.
Guillermo Ortega
AWESOME