Prior to their arrival at Clacton, the group had cut their first demo-disc in a recording booth in Oxford Street, London, thanks to the promotional efforts of Johnny Foster and a loan of £10 from his mother. The song called 'Move It', written by Ian Samwell, was to be the start of something much bigger for Cliff and the boys. Their recording had been heard by the right people, and arrangements were made for them to appear in the original 'Oh Boy' show. This virtually ended their Butlin engagement and it was mutually agreed that their contract should be terminated. Almost immediately 'Move It' was released by Columbia Records and went to number two in the charts.
To dispel any rumours, Hank Marvin and Bruce Welch were never at Butlin's. They were hired later by Cliff when, or at about the time the name was changed to Cliff Richard & the Shadows.
Mean Woman Blues
Cliff Richard & The Drifters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lord, I gotta dead woman on my side
Oh lord, I gotta dead woman
And a body I can't find
Say she say something once
And never again
Oh, I miss my woman
I miss my woman
But she never was around
Went out one day
Now she's in the ground
Went out one day
Now she's in the ground
And I miss my woman
She's a memory now
I gotta dead woman
Gotta dead woman on my side
Lord, I gotta dead woman
And a body I can't find
Don't think she ever was there
Don't think she ever really cared
And I miss my woman
Even though she was never around
I miss my woman
Even though she was never around
She died
And I don't know why
Her body, they cant find
So I'm left here to cry
Her body, they can't find
So I'm left here to cry
And I miss my woman
She's a memory now
And I miss my woman
She's a memory now
The lyrics of Cliff Richard & The Drifters' song "Mean Woman Blues" tell the story of a protagonist who is dealing with the death of a woman who was once in his life. The repeated refrain of having a "dead woman on my side" suggests that she was once his partner or significant other, but now she is deceased.
The lines "Say she say something once, and never again" convey a sense of longing and nostalgia for their past interactions. The singer misses his woman, even though she is no longer alive. The mention of her being "six feet in the ground" emphasizes the finality of her death.
The lyrics further express the feeling of absence and emptiness caused by her absence. The singer laments that she was never truly present, even when she was alive. The repetition of "she never was around" emphasizes a sense of longing for her companionship, despite the relationship not being fulfilling.
The lyrics also touch upon the mystery surrounding her death. The line "Her body, they can't find" suggests that there may be some unresolved circumstances surrounding her passing. The singer is left with unanswered questions, leading to feelings of sadness and grief.
Ultimately, the singer acknowledges that his woman is now just a memory. The line "She's a memory now" signifies the acceptance of her absence and the realization that he can only hold on to the memories they shared.
Overall, "Mean Woman Blues" portrays a sense of loss, longing, and unanswered questions in the wake of the death of a woman who held significance in the singer's life.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh lord, I gotta dead woman
Oh my, I have a deceased woman
Lord, I gotta dead woman on my side
Goodness, I have a deceased woman by my side
Oh lord, I gotta dead woman
Oh my, I have a deceased woman
And a body I can't find
And I am unable to locate her physical remains
Say she say something once
She spoke something briefly
And never again
And never repeated those words
Oh, I miss my woman
Oh, I long for my woman
But she's six feet in the ground
But she is buried in a grave six feet deep
I miss my woman
I yearn for my woman
But she never was around
Although she was rarely present
Went out one day
She left one day
Now she's in the ground
Now she has been laid to rest
Went out one day
She departed one day
Now she's in the ground
Now she is buried
And I miss my woman
And I am yearning for my woman
She's a memory now
She exists only as a remembrance now
I gotta dead woman
I have a deceased woman
Gotta dead woman on my side
Have a deceased woman beside me
Lord, I gotta dead woman
Goodness, I have a deceased woman
And a body I can't find
And I cannot locate her physical remains
Don't think she ever was there
I don't believe she was ever present
Don't think she ever really cared
I don't think she truly cared
And I miss my woman
And I long for my woman
Even though she was never around
Despite her absence
I miss my woman
I yearn for my woman
Even though she was never around
Even though she rarely appeared
She died
She passed away
And I don't know why
And I am unaware of the reason
Her body, they cant find
Her physical remains cannot be found
So I'm left here to cry
So I am left here to weep
Her body, they can't find
Her physical remains cannot be located
So I'm left here to cry
So I am left here to shed tears
And I miss my woman
And I long for my woman
She's a memory now
She exists only as a recollection now
And I miss my woman
And I yearn for my woman
She's a memory now
She is now only a memory
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Christopher Rapp
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Geoff T
This clip really shows why Cliff and The Shads were the best combo around in the late 50’s and early 60’s, Cliff’s at his best when singing rocky numbers.
alibawb
What a rocker...Cliff.......What a band...The Shadows.......love this.
Alan Thurley
Talking about Cliff and The Shadows being the best rock n roll combo in the 50s and 60s, they still are to this day.
tracy hodgkins
A fantastic example of early Cliff and the Shads!
Rosalinda Dattola
A real great rock and roll star Sir Cliff you're the best!!!
Epikouros Allebook
THESE OLD GEMS GIVE A SPECIAL PLEASURE TO ALL OF US WHO HAVE A ROCKABILLY HEART
Jos van der Gun
Terrific, Cliff & the Shadows at their very, very best!
Isabelle Lévy - Banchereau
Merci pour ce partage en live
J'adore Cliff Richard et encore plus avec les Shadows
Excellent chanteur de rock britannique
Claude Progni
avec Cliff c est merveilleux et avec les ombres ce l ai encore plus la vidéo est super
Jacky Van Hal
GREAT performances all the time Sir Cliff Richard A theme for a dream you still are!