Known as Cliff Richard and the Drifters, the group consisted of, Cliff, Ian… Read Full Bio ↴Known as Cliff Richard and the Drifters, the group consisted of, Cliff, Ian Samwell (lead guitar) and Terry Smart (drums); their mentor/manager, Johnny Foster, made up the group, not musically, but as part of the payroll which was in the princely sum of £25 per week (less agents commission) between them all. Having no stage clothes the Entertainment Manager issued special red flash sports shirts, usually worn by the Redcoats. These shirts were originally designed for Redcoats to wear on outside sporting events to enable them to remove their red jackets and still be recognisable as Redcoats.

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.

The Shrine on the Second Floor
Cliff Richard & The Drifters Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I was born in the heart of a city
In a room that I'll always adore
Though it's not much to see
It's like heaven to me
The Shrine on the second floor

There's a beautiful grey haired Madonna
Oh what's taught me what life had in store

And I lift up mine eyes to that same tender skies
In the shrine on the second floor

Whenever my troubles too much to bear
I look for the answer and then
I look up and see that light shining there
And everything turns out right again

When I'm old and I find I'm getting lonely
I'll return to my heaven once more
I remember the face of that lady of grace
On the shrine on the second floor

When I'm old and I find I'm getting lonely
I'll return to my heaven once more

I remember the face of that lady of grace
On the shrine on the second floor

Overall Meaning

In "The Shrine On the Second Floor," Cliff Richard describes the room where he was born as a place he will always adore. Despite its appearance, it holds great significance to him due to the presence of a beautiful grey-haired Madonna statue. He finds solace and peace by looking up at the shrine on the second floor, especially in times of trouble. The song ends with the reflection that when he is old and lonely, he will return to the shrine on the second floor, remembering the face of the "lady of grace."

The lyrics of this song speak to the idea that sometimes the most important places in our lives aren't necessarily grand or significant to others, but hold a special place in our hearts. The Madonna statue in the room where he was born represents safety, comfort, and guidance during times of trouble. The song's theme of returning to this place of peace and comfort is something many people can relate to as we all have places that bring us solace and security.

Line by Line Meaning

I was born in the heart of a city
My birthplace was in the center of a bustling city

In a room that I'll always adore
Despite its simple appearance, I hold a great deal of affection towards that room

Though it's not much to see
Although the room may not be impressive or grand

It's like heaven to me
To me, it's still a sacred and heavenly place

The Shrine on the second floor
I refer to this room as 'The Shrine on the second floor'

There's a beautiful grey haired Madonna
In this room, there is a statue of a lovely, elderly woman

Oh what's taught me what life had in store
Her image has taught me many life lessons

And I lift up mine eyes to that same tender skies
Whenever I am facing difficulties, I gaze at her depiction and turn my attention towards the heavens

In the shrine on the second floor
I consider this statue a crucial part of the room I call 'The Shrine on the second floor'

Whenever my troubles too much to bear
When I am struggling to cope with difficult situations

I look for the answer and then
I seek guidance and await an answer or solution

I look up and see that light shining there
I look up at the statue to see a comforting, radiant light

And everything turns out right again
With that guidance, my troubles seem to dissipate

When I'm old and I find I'm getting lonely
In my advanced age, when I start to feel isolated and alone

I'll return to my heaven once more
I plan on visiting 'The Shrine on the second floor' to seek solace once again

I remember the face of that lady of grace
I recall the image of the statue, the 'lady of grace'

On the shrine on the second floor
This comforting place that I still refer to as 'The Shrine on the second floor'

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID HENEKER, WOLF MANKOWITZ, JULIAN MORE, MONTY NORMAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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