Cliff Richard - The Post-Beatles Years - Five Essential Tracks

By Peter Checksfield

Cliff Richard and The Shadows virtually invented The Sixties: a string of largely self-composed hit singles, global success that rivalled Elvis Presley, classic ‘Beat Group’ two guitars, bass and drums instrumentation, appearances on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’, highly successful movies known for their memorable music and zany humour, the era’s most influential guitarist – they set the template for all that followed. That influence went both ways though, with The Beatles and their contempories influencing the sound of quite a few Cliff Richard and The Shadows’ mid-’60s records. Their biggest hits during this period tended to be ballads, but here are five of Cliff Richard and The Shadows’ more Beat-orientated recordings.

Don’t Talk To Him

[Single A side, November 1963]

There had already been a few nods to the Beat boom by Cliff and The Shadows, but Don’t Talk To Him was the most overt to date. With lyrics written by Cliff himself and superbly backed by The Shadows, the song features a memorable guitar riff, excellent harmonies and a superb Hank guitar solo. The single was promoted on ‘Sunday Night At The London Palladium’, ‘Thank Your Lucky Stars’ and – via a specially-made video – on the very first episode of ‘Top Of The Pops’, and peaked at No. 1 in Ireland and Norway, No. 2 in the UK and Germany, No. 3 in Australia, No. 5 in the Netherlands and New Zealand, No. 7 in Belgium, No. 9 in Sweden and No. 14 in Canada. Don’t Talk To Him was also recorded in German as ‘Sag ‘No’ Zu Ihm’ and in Italian as ‘Non L’Ascoltar’.

Blue Turns To Grey

[Single A side, March 1966]

After a run of rather mixed quality singles, 1966 would see a return to the quality control of earlier years. Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, and previously recorded by Dick and Dee Dee, Tracey Dey and The Mighty Avengers, Cliff Richard and The Shadows’ stomping version of Blue Turns To Grey with its powerful guitars and strong harmonies blows all other versions away – including The Rolling Stones’ own eventual recording of the song. The single was promoted on ‘Thank Your Lucky Stars’, ‘Cliff Richard and The Shadows’, ‘The Record Star Show’, ‘ABC of ABC: A Souvenir With Music’ and ‘NME Poll Winners Concert Part One’, but despite this, chart action was a little disappointing at No. 15 in the UK, No. 11 in Norway, No. 18 in the Netherlands and No. 20 in Australia.

Time Drags By

[Single A side, October 1966]

As a preview to the forthcoming ‘Finders Keepers’ movie and soundtrack, late 1966 saw the release of one of Cliff Richard and The Shadows’ finest ever singles. Opening with harmonica – played by session man and future Led Zeppelin Jimmy Page of all people – Time Drags By has a lazy, acoustic, feel, with some stunning multi-tracked harmonies from Cliff, Hank, Bruce and John. In a just world, this would’ve been Cliff’s biggest hit, but – despite promotion on ‘Top Of The Pops’, ‘The London Palladium Show’ and ‘Wish Upon A Wishbone’ – it peaked at No. 10 in the UK, No. 13 in New Zealand, and flopped just about everywhere else.

Shooting Star

[‘Thunderbirds Are Go!’ EP, November 1966]

In addition to the release of the ‘Finders Keepers’ movie and the ‘Cinderella’ stage musical, the closing weeks of 1966 saw the release of the ‘Thunderbirds Are Go!’ movie – a spin-off of the ‘Supermarionation’ TV series. Puppets of Cliff, Hank, Bruce, John and Brian were specially made for it, as were four songs. Shooting Star, the sole song to feature Cliff, is an engaging Beat group-styled number, with the by-now expected impeccable harmonies and backing by The Shadows. All great fun, but sadly the ‘Thunderbirds Are Go!’ EP failed to chart.

Washerwoman

[‘Finders Keepers’ Album, December 1966]

Cliff ‘s first movie since 1964’s ‘Wonderful Life’ and the final one to feature The Shadows, ‘Finders Keepers’ is also one of his best. The plot is daft but fun, Cliff looks great with his hair combed forward, and it has arguably the strongest soundtrack of all, with none of the song-and-dance numbers that plagued earlier movies. As well as the Country-Rock title track and sublime hit Times Drags By, one of the many highlights includes the extraordinary Washerwoman with its percussion, soaring harmonies and female chants. ‘Finders Keepers’ the album peaked at No. 9 in the UK album charts.