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.
Not Waving
Clifford T. Ward Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You think I would not miss yer if you did not come
It's obvious you don't see clearly
'Cause if you did you'd see how all at sea I am.
Now if you took a careful look
You might just see the horizon and me
And if you took another look
You might discern - my concern.
I'm not waving I'm drowning
Why don't you save me?
'Cos you are the only one who can
I'm not waving I'm drowning
C'mon an' save me
You are the only one who can.
Though our relationship is sinkin'
It could be salvaged if we do not lose our head
It would be wrong of you in thinkin'
It's past recovery, that would be short-sighted.
Now if you took a careful look
You might just see the horizon and me
And if you took another look
You might discern - my concern.
I'm not waving I'm drowning
Why don't you save me?
'Cos you are the only one who can
I'm not waving I'm drowning
C'mon an' save me
'Cause you are the only one who can.
I'm not waving I'm drowning
Why don't you save me?
You are the only one who can
I'm not waving I'm drowning
So c'mon an' save me
'Cos you are the only one who can
C'mon an' save me.
In Clifford T. Ward's song "Not Waving," the lyrics depict a situation where the singer is misunderstood and their true emotions are not recognized by their partner. The opening line, "You get the wrong impression of me," suggests that the singer feels their partner has a mistaken perception of who they are and how they feel. The next line implies that the partner assumes the singer would not miss them if they were not present, indicating a lack of understanding of the singer's true emotions.
The following lines, "It's obvious you don't see clearly, 'Cause if you did you'd see how all at sea I am," further emphasize this lack of understanding. The singer believes that if their partner could see clearly, they would realize the singer's emotional turmoil and confusion. The metaphor of being "all at sea" conveys a sense of being lost and adrift, perhaps in their relationship or their own emotions.
The chorus of the song, "I'm not waving I'm drowning, Why don't you save me? 'Cause you are the only one who can," reinforces the theme of being misunderstood. The singer feels like they are drowning in their emotions, but their partner fails to recognize this. They plead for their partner to save them, emphasizing that they are the only one who can provide the support and understanding the singer needs. The repetition of this chorus throughout the song emphasizes the desperation and longing for their partner's understanding and help.
Overall, "Not Waving" explores the frustration of feeling misunderstood and the longing for emotional support and understanding from a partner. The song portrays a deep emotional struggle within the relationship and highlights the importance of genuine understanding and empathy.
Line by Line Meaning
You get the wrong impression of me
You have a mistaken understanding of who I am
You think I would not miss yer if you did not come
You believe that I wouldn't long for you if you weren't present
It's obvious you don't see clearly
Clearly, you lack perception and understanding
'Cause if you did you'd see how all at sea I am.
If you truly understood, you would recognize the extent of my confusion and disarray
Now if you took a careful look
If you examined closely
You might just see the horizon and me
You might catch sight of the vast expanse and me within it
And if you took another look
And if you inspected once more
You might discern - my concern.
You might perceive and understand the depth of my worry
I'm not waving I'm drowning
I am not signaling or greeting, I am actually in a state of distress
Why don't you save me?
Why don't you rescue me?
'Cos you are the only one who can
Because you are the sole person with the ability to do so
Though our relationship is sinkin'
Even though our connection is deteriorating
It could be salvaged if we do not lose our head
It could be preserved if we remain calm and rational
It would be wrong of you in thinkin'
It would be mistaken of you to believe
It's past recovery, that would be short-sighted.
That it is beyond repair, that would display lack of foresight
So c'mon an' save me
Therefore, come on and rescue me
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind