With his backing group The Shadows, he dominated the British popular music scene in the late 1950s and early 1960s, before and during the The Beatles' first year in the charts. A conversion to Christianity and subsequent softening of his music led to his having more of a pop than rock image. Although never able to achieve the same impact in the United States as in Britain (in spite of several chart hits there), Richard has remained a popular music, film, and television personality in the UK and also retains a following in several other countries.
During the last six decades, Cliff Richard has charted many hit singles, and holds the record (along with Elvis Presley) as the only act to make the UK singles charts in all of its active decades (1950s–2000s). According to his website, he has sold 250 million records over the course of his career. In the British charts alone, Richard has had more than 150 singles, albums and EPs make the top 20.
Bachelor Boy
Cliff Richard & The Shadows Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Son I have something to say'
And what he told me I'll never forget
Until my dying days
[Chorus:]
He said son you are a bachelor boy
And that's the way to stay
Until your dying days
When I was 16 I fell in love
With a girl as sweet as can be
But I remembered just in time
What my daddy said to me
[Chorus]
As time goes by I probably will
Meet a girl and fall in love
Then I'll get married have a wife and a child
And they'll be my turtle doves
But until then I'll be a bachelor boy
And that's the way I'll stay
Happy to be a bachelor boy
Until my dying days
The song "Bachelor Boy" by Cliff Richard & The Shadows is a story about a young man who is advised by his father to remain single until his dying days, signifying that he should avoid any serious or long-term relationships. The first verse describes how the young man's father sat him down to give him some advice that he would never forget until he died. The chorus repeats the advice given, that the young man should embrace his bachelorhood and remain unmarried.
The second verse tells us how the young man fell in love with a girl when he was 16, but just before the relationship got too serious or committed, he remembered his father's advice, and broke the relationship off. The final verse includes the possibility that in the future, the young man could find someone he wants to marry, but for now, he is content with being a bachelor boy. The song emphasizes how the young man sees being single as enjoyable, light-hearted and joyful, not a concern or a problem.
In summary, "Bachelor Boy" is about how one's father's advice to remain unmarried until the end can stay with and influence a son throughout his life. It illustrates how even though a man may fall in love, his father's advice can still guide him to remain single until he feels ready to commit.
Line by Line Meaning
When I was young my father said
When I was a child, my father had an important message for me
'Son I have something to say'
He told me he had important guidance to share with me
And what he told me I'll never forget
I remember every detail of what he told me
Until my dying days
I will remember his words until I die
Chorus: He said son you are a bachelor boy
My father instructed me that I am a bachelor boy
And that's the way to stay
He told me being a bachelor is the best way for me to live
Son you'll be a bachelor boy
He made it perfectly clear that I should remain single for life
Until your dying days
My father emphasized that I should stay a bachelor forever
When I was 16 I fell in love
As a teenager, I fell in love
With a girl as sweet as can be
She was a lovely young woman
But I remembered just in time
I recalled my father's words just in time
What my daddy said to me
I remembered my father's advice very clearly
Chorus
My father told me to stay a bachelor, and I will honor his wishes
As time goes by I probably will
As I grow older, I may change my mind
Meet a girl and fall in love
I might meet someone special and become enamored
Then I'll get married have a wife and a child
If I do fall in love, I will marry and have a family
And they'll be my turtle doves
My family will be the most precious things in my life
But until then I'll be a bachelor boy
Until I fall in love, I will remain a bachelor
And that's the way I'll stay
I respect my father's wishes and will stay single unless I meet the right person
Happy to be a bachelor boy
I am content with my current lifestyle as a bachelor
Until my dying days
I will remain a bachelor for the rest of my life
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRUCE WELCH, CLIFF RICHARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind