'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.
Wind Me Up
Cliff Richard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm good for nothing, but to obey your commands
You never really love me, I know
So wind me up, let me go
I'm just your plaything 'til you see someone else A
nd then you'll leave me alone on the shelf
But even tin soldiers have hearts, don't you know
So wind me up, let me go
And teardrops don't look good in the eyes of soldier boys So pick me up and hold me one more time
That's just consolation for this heart of mine
Whisper a sweet word to the one, who loves you so
Then wind me up, let me go
Then wind me up, let me go
Let me go
The lyrics of "Wind Me Up" by Cliff Richard reveal the story of a tin soldier that has been reduced to a mere plaything for the person holding it. The singer admits that they are good for nothing except for following the commands of the person they belong to. Despite knowing that they are not loved by this person, they still cling to the hope that they could be given some attention, even if it is temporary. The soldier acknowledges the fact that they are disposable and will be abandoned once the person finds interest in someone else. However, even though it's made of tin, the soldier has a heart and longs for affection.
The chorus repeats the phrase "Wind me up, let me go" as a metaphor for the singer's detachment from their emotions. The tin soldier knows that the person holding them only sees them as an object, and the lyrics express the soldier's acceptance of this. The song delivers a powerful message about how people often treat others as disposable objects in relationships without acknowledging their feelings or humanity. The singer longs for the person to just pick them up for one final moment before leaving them on the shelf permanently. The melancholic melody of the song and Cliff Richard's poignant delivery add to the poignant nature of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm just a little tin soldier in your hand
I am powerless in this relationship, and I am under your control.
I'm good for nothing, but to obey your commands
I don't have any real value to you, except for doing whatever you tell me to do.
You never really love me, I know
I understand that you don't truly love me, despite what you may say or do.
So wind me up, let me go
Just set me free from this relationship, even though it may hurt me.
I'm just your plaything 'til you see someone else
I am just a temporary distraction for you until someone else comes along.
And then you'll leave me alone on the shelf
Once someone else captures your attention, you will abandon me and move on.
But even tin soldiers have hearts, don't you know
Even though I may seem insignificant, I am still capable of feeling emotions like any other person.
So wind me up, let me go
I may be asking you to set me free, but I am still hoping you will come to your senses and truly love me.
You don't really need me, you've a hundred other toys
You have many other options, and I am just one among them.
And teardrops don't look good in the eyes of soldier boys
As a man, it is not socially acceptable for me to openly cry or show emotion, but I am still hurting.
So pick me up and hold me one more time
I am hoping for one last moment of tenderness before our inevitable separation.
That's just consolation for this heart of mine
Even if it is brief, any affection you show me will help ease the pain of losing you.
Whisper a sweet word to the one, who loves you so
Perhaps you could show some kindness to the one person who truly loves you, instead of treating me as a disposable plaything.
Then wind me up, let me go
Once you have done that, you can free me to move on with my life.
Then wind me up, let me go
I repeat my earlier plea, please let me go and find someone who will truly love and appreciate me.
Let me go
Finally, I just want to be free from this unfulfilling relationship and find true happiness.
Lyrics ยฉ O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: BOB MONTGOMERY, JOHN TALLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
KAY GETAWAY
I'm just a little tin soldier in your hand
I'm good for nothing, but to obey your commands
You never really love me, I know
So wind me up, let me go
I'm just your plaything 'til you see someone else A
nd then you'll leave me alone on the shelf
But even tin soldiers have hearts, don't you know
So wind me up, let me go
You don't really need me, you've a hundred other toys
And teardrops don't look good in the eyes of soldier boys So pick me up and hold me one more time
That's just consolation for this heart of mine
Whisper a sweet word to the one, who loves you so
Then wind me up, let me go
Then wind me up, let me go
Let me go
ninjabluewings
This is one VERY BEAUTIFUL!! and very much underrated song from Cliff, one of his best in my honest opinion
Eugene Barry
Was, is and will be one of the very best male vocals and band of all time. Real talent makes a star and like a star they endure for all time. A gentleman and master of entertainment. You don't have to be a bad boy to be a star, just talented.
gloria garcia
Very well said, Eugene.
Anne Wilson
Cliff is the BEST god bless him
alibawb
Cliff and the shadows.....simply the best.
Fishtank33
I LOVE this performance so much! Love the close ups of Cliff
Galinka Denis
We live in a fantastic time. Sir Cliff, I'm glad I can see on your channel today that I missed. Thank you very much for sharing these valuable videos with us.
Christiane Mahy
Thanks for this wonderful video : his voice is so sweet and he was so calm in the beginning.
Marietta Chacon
Thereโs no Cliff songs that I didnโt like love them all specially ballads ๐๐๐๐ถ๐ถ๐ถ๐
Ann Rogers
Lovely song. Sung with so much emotion, beautiful.
Makes me want to cry. ๐ข