It was the latter brief diversion that got the boy labeled the Singing Milkman at the outset of his career. At 16, his mother entered him in a local talent contest and he won by singing "Love Letters in the Sand." He got to a final round, where he specifically avoided doing the standard Elvis Presley imitations that his competitors presented. This led to an appearance at a variety show on the island, where he was seen by London agent Bunny Lewis, whose wife was performing on the same bill. She, in turn, was impressed with the boy's poise and professionalism. Lewis arranged for singing lessons for the 16-year-old and began grooming him for a career on the stage in London. Lewis gave him the name Craig Douglas after seeing it outside a house in Scotland.
His breakthrough came on The Six-Five Special, then the only real showcase for rock & roll on British television. Douglas was booked on the show the same week that Cliff Richard and Joe Brown appeared, but he made an impression even in their company: A few days later, he was presented with two huge sacks of fan mail from the performance. The Six-Five Special led Douglas to a recording contract and a string of successes. Much of Douglas' career was spent at EMI, for which he had a number one hit with his version of "Only Sixteen," but also charted very high with "A Teenager in Love," "The Heart of a Teenage Girl," "Pretty Blue Eyes," and "When My Little Girl Is Smiling." Douglas wasn't really a rock & roll singer, his diction being too good and his delivery too straight-ahead for that designation.
His early records call up images of Ricky Nelson but, like a lot of young British singers of his era, he quickly aimed for a more mature audience. His singing was very emotive but also very clean. He was obviously more comfortable with dignified pop music, such as "Time," than with the more rocking numbers like "Ring-A-Ding" that he was occasionally called upon to record, with its slurred lyrics, honking saxes, and loud electric guitars (although Douglas acquitted himself well in that setting). He made the usual moves, appearing on film soundtracks (Two and Two Make Six) and in movies (It's Trad, Dad; A Painted Smile), as well as numerous television shows. Douglas' appearance alongside his EMI stablemate Helen Shapiro in It's Trad, Dad (which was Richard Lester's first feature and a dry run for A Hard Day's Night) showed off his strengths and weaknesses. He was charismatic simply based on his good looks, but was rather a stiff on camera as an actor, especially next to the vivacious Shapiro (who was also about five years younger than the then 21-year-old Douglas).
Rock & roll was just another musical genre to Douglas, which is not to say he was wrong, it's just that antique numbers like "It All Depends on You" or "Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue" done straight will never resonate the same way "Dream Lover" or "Rainbows" will to listeners born after 1945. Douglas' time on the English charts ended in 1962 and his major recording career came to a halt a year later with the advent of the Liverpool sound, but he continues to perform regularly in clubs, on cruises, and in cabarets, as well as international tours. Indeed, well into the 1990s, he had an annual month-long booking in Hong Kong. He's a fondly remembered and talented exponent of England's early flirtation with rock & roll. ~ Bruce Eder, All Music Guide
Time
Craig Douglas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Time will melt the ice and snow,
Time can make a forest from a drop of dew
But to make me forget your love
Yes, to make me forget your love
Is going to take much more than time
Time will change the winter scene
Time can make a mountain disappear from view
But to make me forget your kiss
Oh that fabulous kiss you kiss
Is going to take much more than time
Much more than time
And if I live a thousand years
The thought that we're apart
Would fill my eyes with tears
Time can make the sun grow cold
Time can wash the clouds of gold
Time who knows the miracle that time can do
But to make me forget your love
Yes, to make me forget your love
Is going to take much more than time
Much more than time
Time can make the sun grow cold
Time can wash the clouds of gold
Time who knows the miracle that time can do
But to make me forget your love
Yes, to make me forget your love
Is going to take much more than time
Much more than time
Much more than time
Much more than time
The song 'Time' by Craig Douglas is a beautiful love song that speaks about how time can perform miracles and change many things, but when it comes to forgetting a love, time may not be enough. The song is written from the perspective of someone who has lost the love of their life and is struggling to cope with the pain of separation. The singer expresses how he wishes that time could help him forget the love he once had, but despite all the wonders that time can do, it seems like it is going to take much more than that to accomplish.
The first stanza of the song emphasizes that time has the ability to change many things. It is a powerful force that can make the flowers grow, melt the ice and snow, and even turn a drop of dew into a forest. However, the singer believes that forgetting his love is much harder than all these feats combined. The second stanza, with the use of the lines "Time will change the winter scene, Time can turn the dessert green," and "Time can make a mountain disappear from view," further emphasizes the power that time holds. However, in the end, the singer realizes that forgetting his love requires more than just time; it requires something much deeper and complex.
The final stanza of the song is a beautiful expression of true love. The singer says that even if he lived a thousand years, the mere thought of being apart from his loved one would bring tears to his eyes. It highlights the sad reality that some people can never forget the love they have lost. The song ends with a repetition of the lines "Much more than time," emphasizing that despite all the power that time can hold, it may not be enough to erase the memories of true love.
Line by Line Meaning
Time will make the flowers grow,
Time has the power to bring about regeneration and growth in nature.
Time will melt the ice and snow,
Over time, even the most frozen things can become fluid and changeable.
Time can make a forest from a drop of dew
Time and natural processes can bring about incredible transformations from the smallest beginnings.
But to make me forget your love
Despite the transformative power of time on nature, the singer's love is too strong to be forgotten by simply letting time pass.
Yes, to make me forget your love
Reiterating the sentiment that it is impossible to forget the love in question.
Is going to take much more than time
The singer knows that forgetting this love will require more than simply letting time pass.
Time will change the winter scene
Time can bring an end to bleak, cold conditions and usher in new seasons.
Time can turn the dessert green
Even the driest and most barren conditions can become fertile and full of life over time.
Time can make a mountain disappear from view
Over time, even the most solid and enduring things can change and disappear altogether.
But to make me forget your kiss
Again, the singer emphasizes the power of this love and how it cannot be forgotten easily.
Oh that fabulous kiss you kiss
The singer recalls a particularly powerful moment in the relationship that solidified their love and made it difficult to forget.
Much more than time
The singer reiterates that forgetting this love will require more than time, indicating the depth of emotion and connection involved.
And if I live a thousand years
The singer expresses a sense of hopelessness as even a long lifespan would not be enough to forget this love.
The thought that we're apart
Just the thought of being separated from this love is enough to bring tears to the singer's eyes.
Would fill my eyes with tears
The emotional pain of separation is intense and difficult to bear.
Time can make the sun grow cold
Time can bring about changes to even the most basic and essential components of life.
Time can wash the clouds of gold
Even the most beautiful and precious things can be subject to the transformative power of time.
Time who knows the miracle that time can do
The singer recognizes the incredible possibilities inherent in the passage of time and the changes it can bring.
Is going to take much more than time
The chorus repeats once more, emphasizing the deep and lasting nature of this love.
Much more than time
Finalizing the sentiment that this love is something that time alone cannot erase or diminish.
Writer(s): Philip Springer, Buddy Kaye Copyright: Tamir Music, Edwin H. Morris & Co. Inc.
Contributed by Charlotte F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ilmarvaim317
Loved this song from the day I first heard it as an 8 year old, that was 60 years ago.
@yurilemming4130
one of my favourite songs, great voice Craig.
@kathlinetaylor8526
Love this song thank you for this song awesome voice
@helenhudson891
Another favourite of mine, l am very sentimental.thanks so much.
@mickmiah7605
It is a great song Helen! And time makes us all sentimental I think. Luv 2 U n Urs, MM
@mickmiah7605
I only know this song because I have a bag of 45rpms from somewhere. I have sung this to my wife so often she to knows it. This vid is so much better than my poor old 45. Cheers Craig love ur tune, lovely voice.
@howardlawrence3055
Time, one of my top ten songs ever...Howard Lawrence Gold Coast Australia...
@helenechung5777
Time wonderful memories😍😍
@Baskerville22
Delightful song and singing.
@clumsycat09Msp
Absolutely love Craig Douglas, met him many years ago, at a club in Dewsbury, great voice, great songs, play his songs regularly.x🌹