Clifford T. Ward typified the early 70s bedsitter singer-songwriter with a series of albums that were at best delightful and at worst mawkish. Ward left grammar school before A-levels to work as a clerk, but by 1962 was fronting local beat group Cliff Ward and the Cruisers. The group changed their name to Martin Raynor and the Secrets and made their recording debut for EMI Records in 1965, before recording several more tracks as the Secrets for CBS Records.
In 1967 Ward enrolled at Worcester teacher training college to study English and divinity, after which he taught at Bromsgrove high school. His debut album appeared on disc jockey John Peel's brave-but-doomed Dandelion Records label in 1972. His second album and his first release for Charisma Records, Home Thoughts, proved to be his finest work and gave him wider recognition. Ward constructed each song as a complete story sometimes with great success.
The beautiful "Gaye" became a UK Top 10 hit but surprisingly the stronger "Home Thoughts From Abroad" and the infectious and lyrically excellent "Wherewithal" failed to chart. Mantle Pieces and Escalator contained a similar recipe of more harmless tales like the minor hit "Scullery" with affecting lyrics like; "You're my picture by Picasso, you'd brighten up any gallery'.
Ward's refusal to tour and promote his songs did not help endear the singer to his record company, however, and he switched to the Phonogram Records label for 1975"s No More Rock 'N' Roll. In later years although still recording the occasional album and still reluctant to perform live, Ward received kudos as a songwriter with his material being recorded by artists such as Cliff Richard, Art Garfunkel and Justin Hayward.
He was struck down with multiple sclerosis in 1987 and his health rapidly deteriorated. He managed to record 1991's vinyl-only album Laugh It Off, and friends and colleagues pieced together two more albums of new songs, out-takes and demos to give the ailing Ward some financial assistance. He finally succumbed to pneumonia December 18th 2001.
Gaye
Clifford T. Ward Lyrics
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Won't you let me have a say
In the way you behave
I won't last another day
You're the tray of nice things
I upset yesterday
The display of bright rings
I let slip away.
Oh Gaye
You allay my every fear
In a most extraordinary way
If I thought that I could find my way without you
I would not ask you to stay.
INSTRUMENTAL
You're the tray of nice things
I upset yesterday
The mainstay of my dreams
That I let slip away.
Gaye
Won't you let me have a say
In the way you behave
I won't last another day
If you decide to go away.
Don't go away
Oh please stay
Don't go away
Please stay.
The song Gaye by Clifford T. Ward is a beautiful love ballad that speaks to the singer's fears of losing his lover, Gaye. The lyrics begin with a plea for Gaye to let him have a say in the way she behaves, as he fears he won't last another day if she decides to leave him. The singer acknowledges that Gaye is the "tray of nice things" that he upset yesterday and the "display of bright rings" that he let slip away. He reiterates his love for her, saying that she allays his every fear in an extraordinary way, but he still cannot promise her that he can find his way without her.
The instrumental section reflects the singer's introspective mood, perhaps as he contemplates the possibility of life without Gaye. The lyrics continue with the recognition that Gaye is the "mainstay of my dreams" that he let slip away. The song's chorus is repeated twice at the end, with the singer begging Gaye not to go away but to stay with him.
Overall, the song Gaye beautifully captures the vulnerability and uncertainty of love, as the singer recognizes the importance of his lover but is still unsure if he can live without her.
Line by Line Meaning
Won't you let me have a say
Will you allow me to voice my opinion and have a say in our relationship?
In the way you behave
Can I influence how you act around me?
I won't last another day
I cannot survive without you.
If you decide to go away.
Your decision to leave me will prove fatal for me.
You're the tray of nice things
You are a collection of all the lovely moments and memories that we share.
I upset yesterday
I ruined a happy moment that we previously shared.
The display of bright rings
You symbolize the precious moments that I allowed to slip away from us.
I let slip away
I failed to safeguard our happy moments, causing them to disappear from our lives.
Oh Gaye
My beloved, Gaye
You allay my every fear
You provide me with immense relief and succor from all my fears.
In a most extraordinary way
Your support and love help me in ways that are inexplicably miraculous.
If I thought that I could find my way without you
If I genuinely believed that my life would be better without you-
I would not ask you to stay.
I wouldn't plead with you to continue to be mine.
You're the tray of nice things
You represent all the lovely moments we shared together.
The mainstay of my dreams
You are the anchor that holds my dreams together.
That I let slip away
By losing you, I have failed to realize my dreams.
Don't go away
Please do not leave me.
Oh please stay
Please remain by my side.
Don't go away
Please do not leave me.
Please stay.
Please remain with me.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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