Comic Relief was launched live on Noel Edmonds's Late, Late Breakfast Show on BBC1, on Christmas Day 1985 from a refugee camp in Sudan. The idea for Comic Relief came from the noted charity worker Jane Tewson, who established it as the operating name of Charity Projects, a registered charity in England and Scotland.
The charity states that its aim is to "bring about positive and lasting change in the lives of poor and disadvantaged people, which we believe requires investing in work that addresses people's immediate needs as well as tackling the root causes of poverty and injustice."
One of the fundamental principles behind working at Comic Relief is the "Golden Pound Principle" where every single donated pound (£) is spent on charitable projects. All operating costs, such as staff salaries, are covered by corporate sponsors, or interest earned on money waiting to be distributed.
Currently, its main supporters are the BBC, BT and Sainsbury's supermarket chain. The BBC is responsible for the live television extravaganza on Red Nose Day; BT provides the telephony, and Sainsbury's sells merchandise on behalf of the charity.
Since the charity was started in the 1980s, Comic Relief has raised over £650 million.[4]
In 2002, Comic Relief and BBC Sport teamed up to create Sport Relief, a new initiative, aiming to unite the sporting community and culminate in a night of sport, entertainment and fund-raising on BBC One. Sport Relief is a biennial charity event, and the campaign deliberately alternates years with Red Nose Day, Comic Relief's flagship event. Red Nose Day occurs in odd-numbered years, and Sport Relief in even-numbered years.
In 2009, Comic Relief launched a website calling for a financial transaction tax, the "Robin Hood" tax.
In 2011, the three different red noses, each a different type, were available for the first time. They are a goofy one called Honkus (with larger ones that are like beanbags which laugh when you bash them called Brian; these are not red noses, however, but are the same as the character), a pirate called Captain Conk, and a nerdy one called Chucklechomp.
Each year the style of noses change, with some people collecting the different variations.
Islands In The Stream
Comic Relief Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I set out to get you with a fine tooth comb
I was soft inside there was something going on
You do something to me that I cant explain
Hold me closer and I feel no pain
Every beat of my heart
We got something going on
Tender love is blind
It requires a dedication
All this love we feel
Needs no conversation
We ride it together ah-hah
Makin' love with each other ah-hah
Islands in the stream
That is what we are
No one in-between
How can we be wrong
Sail away with me to another world
And we rely on each other ah-hah
From one lover to another ah-hah
I cant live without you if the love was gone
Everything is nothin' if you got no one
And you did walk in the night
Slowly loosen sight of the real thing
But that wont happen to us and we got no doubt
Too deep in love and we got no way out
And the message is clear
This could be the year for the real thing
No more will you cry
Baby I will hurt you never
We start and end as one in love forever
We can ride it together ah-hah
Makin' love with each other ah-hah
Sail away
Oh sail away with me
Sail away with me
Islands in the stream
That is what we are
No one in-between
How can we be wrong
Sail away with me to another world
And we rely on each other ah-hah
From one lover to another ah-hah
The lyrics of "Islands In The Stream" by Comic Relief tell the story of two lovers who have found an unparalleled sense of peace and satisfaction in their relationship. The singer describes how he was initially drawn to his partner and how they have developed a deep bond that requires no words. The chorus reveals that they are "islands in the stream," disconnected from anyone who might try to come between them.
The second verse describes the challenges that the couple has had to overcome, acknowledging that it takes "dedication" and "tender love" to maintain their connection. Despite these difficulties, however, they possess a sense of assurance and calm that sets them apart from others. The bridge of the song repeats the central theme of the chorus, inviting the listener to join them in their paradise, where they rely on each other and find fulfillment in their love.
Overall, the song celebrates the joy and contentment that come from a deep, committed relationship. The singers emphasize the importance of trust, love, and mutual support, encouraging listeners to find their own "island in the stream."
Line by Line Meaning
Baby when I met you there was peace unknown
When I first met you, there was a sense of calm and tranquility that I had never experienced before.
I set out to get you with a fine tooth comb
I pursued you with keen attention to detail, being careful not to miss any opportunity to win your affection.
I was soft inside there was something going on
Although I may have appeared gentle and sensitive on the outside, there was a strong sense of attraction and desire brewing within me.
You do something to me that I cant explain
There is something about you that affects me deeply, even though I can't quite put it into words.
Hold me closer and I feel no pain
Just being close to you has a powerful soothing effect on me, like all my cares and worries melt away.
Every beat of my heart
Every time my heart beats, I am reminded of how much I love and need you in my life.
We got something going on
We have a deep connection and chemistry that makes our relationship special and enduring.
Tender love is blind
Love requires a certain amount of idealism and innocence, where faults and imperfections are overlooked due to the strong emotions involved.
It requires a dedication
Maintaining a loving relationship requires steadfast commitment and devotion.
All this love we feel
The intensity of our love is overwhelmingly powerful and emotional.
Needs no conversation
Our love doesn't require words to be expressed, as it is deeply felt and understood without the need for verbal communication.
We ride it together ah-hah
We experience and navigate the ups and downs of our relationship side by side.
Makin' love with each other ah-hah
Our physical intimacy is just as important and fulfilling as our emotional connection.
Islands in the stream
We are two unique and separate entities existing together in harmony, like distinct islands in the same flowing current.
That is what we are
Our relationship is special because we both have our own distinct identities and personalities, yet we still share a strong bond.
No one in-between
There is no other person, circumstance, or obstacle that can come between us and our love for one another.
How can we be wrong
Our love is so pure and genuine that it cannot be anything but right and true.
Sail away with me to another world
Let's escape together to a different place, where our love can flourish and grow without any distractions or interference.
And we rely on each other ah-hah
We depend on each other for emotional support, encouragement, and strength.
From one lover to another ah-hah
Our love is a natural and inevitable progression from one person to another, growing stronger with each passing day.
I cant live without you if the love was gone
My life would be meaningless and empty if I ever lost your love and affection.
Everything is nothin' if you got no one
Without someone to share our lives with, even the most significant achievements and possessions can feel meaningless and empty.
And you did walk in the night
There was a time when I felt lost and alone, wandering in the darkness of life's uncertainties.
Slowly loosen sight of the real thing
I was in danger of losing sight of what really mattered in life, such as love and human connection.
But that wont happen to us and we got no doubt
Our love is strong enough to weather any storm, and we have complete confidence in our ability to overcome any obstacle together.
Too deep in love and we got no way out
Our love is so deep and all-encompassing that there is no way out, nor do we ever want there to be.
And the message is clear
The truth of our love is evident and undeniable.
This could be the year for the real thing
Our love is finally becoming real and meaningful, and this could be the start of something beautiful and lasting.
No more will you cry
I will never let you suffer or experience pain as long as I am here to protect and love you.
Baby I will hurt you never
I promise to always treat you with respect, kindness, and tenderness, and to never intentionally cause you harm or suffering.
We start and end as one in love forever
Our love is eternal and unbreakable, from beginning to end.
We can ride it together ah-hah
We can navigate the unpredictable waters of life together, hand in hand.
Sail away
Let's leave our cares and worries behind, and embark on a new and exciting adventure together.
Oh sail away with me
Let's go on this journey together, and never look back.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Maurice Ernest Gibb, Robin Hugh Gibb, Barry Alan Gibb
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@fifiricci
"All the way from Wales, England". Lol!!!
@Aimdog
I fucking love the Americans "Wales, England" lol XD I met an American on holiday who thought Scotland was a small town just outside of London
@mcculloch29
Perfectly done... well done Sir Tom as well, Rob Brydon stayed perfectly in Bryn's character - amazing, really as he must have been thrilled to be singing on the same stage as Tom Jones. You can see how excited Ruth Jones is by the way her eyes lit up. So many lovely little touches.. Bryn getting the flowers, the running Blunt joke, the accents spot on - "I sees Barry in Barry". I loved Amarillo but this is the top deal. I hope you're all going to buy it and support Comic Relief. Tidy.
@daverobertocarlos
OH, Ruth Jones can actually sing! Tidy
@vodkat22
Ruth Jones (Nessa) and Rob Brydon (uncle Bryn) are both Welsh, so obviously it's a joke. Americans always think we're all from England...and Welsh people are irritated by it, hence the joke!
@MyRandomReviews
"Continue straight on for 180 miles" - "Thank you" LOL Class
@NiGHTSFangirl
"All the way from Wales, England" -- lol, I love that. So clueless. I asked my Dad if the Americans really believe that Wales is in England and he said "Yeah". Lol. They probably don't, though. Anyway, this is an awesome song, love the way they sing it.
@jlcone
I met Rob Brydon Last Friday :) He is actually legend :) Loves this song :)
@jenni0884
love it love it love it. Ruth is an awesome singer you go girl.
@LadyGibbzey1994
"You broke my heart, but worse than that you took my lyrics to Sex Bomb and panned them off as your own" Looool! xD