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 (1950sโ2000s). 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.
Willie and the Hand Jive
Cliff Richard & The Shadows Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He's got a groovy little chick named Rocking Lily
Yeah, rock and rolling Suzie Q
Do that crazy old hand jive, too
Mama, mama, look at sister Flo
Doing that hand jive with uncle Joe
When I gave little sister a dime
Hand jive, hand jive, hand jive
Do that crazy hand jive
A doctor, a lawyer and an Indian Chief
They all dig that Diddley beat
Way-out Willie gave them all a treat
When he did that hand jive with his feet
Hand jive, hand jive, hand jive
Do that crazy hand jive
Papa told Willie, "You'll ruin my home
You and that hand jive have got to go"
Willie told papa, "Don't you put me down
They're doing that hand jive all around town"
Hand jive, hand jive, hand jive
Do that crazy hand jive
Willie and Lily got married last fall
They had a little Willie Junior but that ain't all
Well, the baby got famous in his crib, you see
When he did that hand jive on MTV
Hand jive, hand jive, hand jive
Do that crazy hand jive
Hand jive, hand jive, hand jive
Do that crazy hand jive
The song "Willie and the Hand Jive" by Cliff Richard and The Shadows is a classic rock and roll tune with a catchy melody and a fun-filled storyline. The song describes a man named Way-out Willie and his groovy gang of friends who enjoy dancing the hand jive, a popular dance style in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The singer tells us about Willie's cat, his chick, and his friend Suzie Q, who all know how to do the hand jive. He also mentions a family gathering where his sister Flo and uncle Joe are dancing the hand jive, and he's giving his little sister a dime to keep doing it.
The song takes a playful turn when a doctor, a lawyer, and an Indian chief all enjoy Way-out Willie's hand jive. However, the singer's father is not a fan of the dance and tells Willie to stop. But in a turn of events, Willie and his lady love, Rocking Lily, get married and have a baby boy who becomes famous for, you guessed it, doing the hand jive on MTV.
The song is a lighthearted and nostalgic look back at the carefree days of rock and roll, when dancing was an expression of joy, freedom, and rebellion.
Line by Line Meaning
I know his cat named Way-out Willie
I am familiar with Way-out Willie and his cat.
He's got a groovy little chick named Rocking Lily
Willie has a cool girlfriend named Rocking Lily.
Yeah, rock and rolling Suzie Q
A girl named Suzie Q is into rock and roll.
Do that crazy old hand jive, too
Everyone is doing the popular dance move called the hand jive.
Mama, mama, look at sister Flo
Someone is excitedly pointing out their family member Flo to their mother.
Doing that hand jive with uncle Joe
Flo is performing the hand jive dance with her uncle Joe.
When I gave little sister a dime
The singer recently gave their young sister some money.
Said, "Do that hand jive one more time"
The artist requested that their sister perform the hand jive dance again.
A doctor, a lawyer and an Indian Chief
Three different professionals are mentioned.
They all dig that Diddley beat
All three professionals enjoy Bo Diddley's music.
Way-out Willie gave them all a treat
Willie impressed these professionals with his skills.
When he did that hand jive with his feet
Willie incorporated footwork into his hand jive dance.
Papa told Willie, "You'll ruin my home
Willie's father disapproves of his hand jive dancing.
You and that hand jive have got to go"
Willie's father wants him to stop doing the hand jive dance altogether.
Willie told papa, "Don't you put me down
Willie stands up for himself and defends his love of the hand jive dance.
They're doing that hand jive all around town"
The hand jive dance is popular in the entire town, not just with Willie.
Willie and Lily got married last fall
Willie and Lily got married recently.
They had a little Willie Junior but that ain't all
In addition to getting married, they had a child named Willie Junior.
Well, the baby got famous in his crib, you see
The baby became well-known for doing the hand jive dance, even as a young child.
When he did that hand jive on MTV
The baby's hand jive dance was featured on the music television network MTV.
Hand jive, hand jive, hand jive
A repeated call to perform the hand jive dance.
Do that crazy hand jive
Another call to do the popular dance move.
Lyrics ยฉ Kanjian Music, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHNNY OTIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rick Curtis
Good to see friends putting on a great show and having fun!
trevor brown
This 39 year old videotape is in amazingly good condition. If it wasn't for the fact we know that sir cliff and the rest of the band are all around 80 years old now then you could easily be fooled into thinking this was a recent performance.
Richard Lehtonen
Contagious joy and professionalism that is not to be found today. Great stuff
izitso. mojo
Perfection! Look at that rythme, the moves, musical prowess and incredible fun by all. Bands and musicians in the last 20yrs simply cant match this. Thank you for making my day with a smile.
The-Quiet-One
Absolutely brilliant. Such a fantastic vibe.
Gangadavi SEETHANEN
Merci Cliff pour ce bonheur que tu nous apportes depuis tant d'annรฉes. Tu es unique ! ๐๐
CAbborges Barbosa
Show Cliff๐ง๐ท que guitarra ๐๐๐
Mark Hedges
Superb! Rock and Roll at its best! Well done guys, cracking!!
Istvรกnnรฉ Kiss
Eternal worship Cliff and Shadows ๐ธ๐ค๐๐
Anita Glover
He is the best. Good to know they are still friends now all these years on from the late 50s.