I could easily fall in love with you - Cliff Richard

Cliff Richard released 'I could easily fall in love with you' in 1964. The song reached silver status in the UK, where it reached number 6 in the singles chart. It did even better in the Netherlands, where it peaked at number 4 in the Dutch Top 40.

I don't have a lot of Cliff Richard singles, but this song has a certain evergreen status and I instantly remembered it when I saw this single in the shop. The fact that the disc and sleeve were in such a great condition after all these years made me buy the single on the spot.

My collection: 7" single no. 6227
Found: 33|45 Records, Den Haag, December 28, 2019
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'I could easily fall in love with you' / 'I'm in love with you'

Man gratuliert mir - Cliff Richard

In 1968, Cliff Richard sang the UK's entry in the Eurovision Song Contest, 'Congratulations', written and composed by Bill Martin and Phil Coulter. He came second behind Spain's infamous winning song 'La La La'. Nevertheless, 'Congratulations' was a huge hit throughout Europe and Australia, and another number 1 hit for Cliff in April 1968.

Cliff Richard also recorded his Eurovision song in German: the lyrics in German for 'Man gratuliert mir' were written by Klaus Fleming. The song was only released in Germany, which makes this single a bit of a one-off.

My collection: 7" single no. 6054
Found: Discogs.com, received April 30, 2019
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Man gratuliert mir' / 'Ich kann treu sein'

Congratulations - Cliff Richard

Cliff Richard has been in the news lately with shady accusations that involve minors and many of his colleagues have actually been indicted - but fortunately he remains innocent until proven guilty. Let's hope that he won't be guilty because it would certainly bring a cynical ring to hit singles like this one.

'Congratulations' was of course a Eurovision hit, and although Cliff Richard didn't secure the title in 1968 - the contest was won by Spain with the song called 'La la la' - it certainly became a big hit for him.'Congratulations' was actually recorded in Spanish, and this Spanish version appears on this single.

My collection: 7" single no. 5766
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 11, 2015
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Congratulations (Canta en espanol) / 'High 'n' dry'

Listen to the song

Living doll - Cliff Richard

Cliff Richard and the Drifters recorded 'Living doll' in 1959, with Norrie Paramore producing. The single reached number 1 in the UK singles chart in July 1959, selling over a million copies. It America, the song reached number 30 in the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It was Richard's first hit in the Netherlands, reaching number 2 in the charts.

Richard re-recorded the song in 1986 with the alternative comedy group The Young Ones for the Comic Relief charity.

My collection: 7" single no. 4517
Found: Any old time, Amsterdam, January 30, 2010
Cost: 0,1 euro
Tracks: 'Living doll' / 'Apron strings'

Devil woman - Cliff Richard

'Devil woman' was written by Terry Britten and Christine Holmes. It was first recorded by Holmes under the name Kristine. The song is told from the point of a view of a man jinxed from an encounter with a stray cat with evil eyes, and his discovery that the psychic medium, a Gypsy woman, whose help he sought to break the curse was the one responsible for the curse in the first place.

When Cliff Richard recorded the song in 1976 and released it as a single, it reached number 5 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. In the UK singles chart. 'Devil woman' reached number 9.

My collection: 7" single no. 3199
Found: September 30, 2000
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Devil woman' / "Love on (Shine on)'

Lean on you - Cliff Richard

Cliff Richard worked with producer Alan Tarney once again on his album 'Stronger' (1989). The single 'Lean on you' was taken from this album - and personally I think this is one of the best songs of his career.

Not that many people agreed with me though: it only charted in the UK, where it peaked at number 17, and Ireland, where it reached number 10.

My collection: 7" single no. 1112
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, November 17, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Lean on you' / 'Hey mister'

Congratulations - Cliff Richard

'Congratulations' was written by Bill Martin and Phil Coulter as the UK entry for the 1968 Eurovision Song Contest. The song was performed by Cliff Richard. The song was immediately popular in the UK and became a number 1 hit both in the UK and the Netherlands. On the day of the Contest, the British press were posing the question: 'What will come 2nd to 'Congratulations'?'.

Of course, Cliff Richard did not win, but came second to Spain's entry, the infamous 'La la la' performed by Massiel. In 2008, documentary film-maker Montse Fernandez Vila claimed that the loss was the result of rigging of the Spanish vote by state television on behalf of General Franco's fascist regime.

My collection: 7" single no. 4152
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Congratulations' / 'High 'n' dry'

Power to all our friends - Cliff Richard

Being a collector of Eurovision Song Contest singles, I was always quite surprised that it was so hard to find the two contributions of Cliff Richard to the Contest - for a reasonable price. But I've finally tracked down a copy of 'Power to all our friends', Cliff's 1973 song for Eurovision.

He represented the United Kingdom at the 1973 Eurovision Song Contest with this song, written by Guy Fletcher and Doug Flett. He finished third, but did end up at fourth place in the UK singles chart and at number 1 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4130
Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 2,5 euro
Tracks: 'Power to all our friends' / 'Come back Billie Joe'

Some people - Cliff Richard

In 1987, Cliff Richard recorded the album 'Always guaranteed', which became his best selling album of all new material. It contained two top ten hit singles, 'My pretty one' and 'Some people'. The album was produced by Alan Tarney, who had been successful with Cliff Richard before.

'Some people' reached number 3 in the UK singles chart and number 4 in the Dutch Top 40. It was Cliff's last top 10 hit in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 1147
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, January 19, 1990
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Some people' / 'One time lover man'

The only way out - Cliff Richard

I was still defining my own taste circa 1982. Having struck a deal with my sister to buy as much different singles from one another, I was almost forced to find songs that I liked and she didn't. That way, I found out that Cliff Richard's 'The only way out' was a song I liked a little, while she hated it. So I went out and bought the single pretty quickly. I even played it a few times, but after 1982, it was all over for Cliff. I've had this single for the majority of my life, but now is the first time in 25 years I've played it again...

Chart-wise, this single was a success. It reached number 10 in the UK and Ireland and got to number 13 in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 134

Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1982

Cost: 6 guilders

Track: 'The only way out' / 'Under the influence'

Wired for sound - Cliff Richard

I don't think 'Wired for sound' is regarded as one of Cliff Richard's best singles ever. The lyrics are a bit naff ('I like small speakers / I like tall speakers / If they've music / they're wired for sound') and the music is not revolutionary. After all, it must have been the umpteenth single produced by Alan Tarney. Still, it's a nice little song, and that's why I have it.

Cliff Richard is of course one of Britain's living pop legends. These days he's mainly recording Christmas singles - although he quit doing that as well recently I think - and he's still the tall, dark bachelor - although at 68 he isn't really attracting screaming young girls anymore I think.

My collection: 7" single no. 3479

Found: Geest, Den Haag, 2004

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Wired for sound' / 'Hold on'

Download: here