The Meaning Behind The Song: Living Doll by Cliff Richard
Living Doll is a classic pop song by British singer Cliff Richard. It was released in 1959 and reached the numero uno position on the UK charts, where it remained for six weeks. The song is often credited with being the first number one hit of the rock and roll era in the UK. Despite its success, the song has attracted controversy over the years, with some people interpreting its lyrics as sexist and objectifying. In this article, we will explore the meaning behind Living Doll and examine its impact on popular culture.
What is the song about?
Living Doll is a love song, but it takes a somewhat unusual approach. Rather than expressing love for a living person, the song is about a man’s love for a doll. The lyrics describe the doll in loving detail, praising her beauty and perfection. The singer sings about how he has made the doll his own, dressing her up and treating her like a real person. He sings about how he loves her all the more because she never changes or grows old.
What is the controversy surrounding the song?
Despite its popularity, Living Doll has attracted criticism over the years for its allegedly sexist and objectifying lyrics. Some people interpret the song as promoting the idea that women should be subservient to men and exist solely for their pleasure. Others believe that the song is harmless and that people are reading too much into it.
One of the most controversial lines in the song is “Got myself a crying, talking, sleeping, walking, living doll.” Some people argue that this line suggests that women should fulfill multiple roles and be everything to their partners. Others argue that it is just a catchy and memorable phrase that fits with the song’s overall theme.
What was the inspiration for the song?
The exact inspiration for Living Doll is not clear, but it is known that the song was written by Lionel Bart, who was a successful songwriter and composer in the 1950s and 60s. Bart wrote the song with Cliff Richard in mind, and the two had a long-standing creative partnership. Richard has said that he was initially hesitant to record the song because he didn’t like the idea of singing about a doll, but ultimately decided to do it because he trusted Bart’s instincts.
How did people react to the song?
Living Doll was an instant hit when it was released in 1959. It reached the top spot on the UK charts and remained there for six weeks, making it one of the most successful singles of the decade. The song was also a hit in other countries, including Australia and New Zealand. Its popularity helped to establish Cliff Richard as one of the most popular singers of the era.
What is the legacy of the song?
Living Doll is now regarded as a classic pop song and is often included on compilations of music from the 1950s and 60s. Despite the controversy surrounding its lyrics, the song remains popular and is still played on the radio today. In 1986, the song was re-recorded as a duet between Cliff Richard and the British comedy group The Young Ones, and it once again became a hit.
The song has also had an impact on popular culture beyond the world of music. In 1959, the song was adapted as a movie musical called Serious Charge, which starred Cliff Richard in his first acting role. The song has been covered by other artists over the years, including Michael Jackson, who performed it as part of his Bad tour in the 1980s.
How has the meaning of the song changed over time?
The interpretation of Living Doll’s lyrics has changed over time, reflecting changing attitudes towards gender and sexuality. In the 1950s, the idea of a man singing about his love for a doll was seen as quirky and unusual, but not necessarily controversial. Today, however, many people interpret the song as promoting outdated and sexist attitudes towards women.
Some have argued that the song can be understood as a commentary on the commodification of women in mainstream culture, with the doll representing a kind of idealized objectification. Others see the song as a reflection of a certain kind of male desire that is focused on controlling and possessing women.
What is Cliff Richard’s perspective on the song?
Cliff Richard has spoken about Living Doll in various interviews over the years. In a 2003 interview with The Guardian, he said that he never thought of the song as being sexist and that it was simply a “cute, kind of jokey song.” He also acknowledged that attitudes had changed since the song was first released and that people might interpret its lyrics differently today.
In a 2011 interview with BBC Radio 4, Richard described the song as “a little sexist by today’s standards,” but added that he was proud of his work on the song and that it was “a great song to sing.”
What other songs are similar to Living Doll?
There are many songs that share a similar theme to Living Doll, albeit with varying degrees of subtlety. One example is the song “My Girl” by The Temptations, which describes a man’s love for a woman and how he wants to protect and care for her. Another is the song “Barbie Girl” by Aqua, which takes the idea of a doll as a metaphor for the superficiality of modern life.
What impact did Living Doll have on Cliff Richard’s career?
Living Doll marked a turning point in Cliff Richard’s career, helping to establish him as a major star in the UK and beyond. He went on to record many other hit songs and became one of the defining voices of the rock and roll era. Despite its controversial lyrics, Living Doll remains one of Richard’s most popular and enduring songs.
What was the recording process like for the song?
The recording process for Living Doll was relatively straightforward. According to Richard, he and his band recorded the song in one take, with Richard singing live over the backing track. The song was recorded at Abbey Road Studios, which was then known as EMI Studios, and was produced by Norrie Paramor.
What impact did Living Doll have on British pop culture?
Living Doll had a significant impact on British pop culture, helping to establish the country as a major player in the world of popular music. The success of the song paved the way for other British artists to achieve international success, including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Elton John.
The song was also part of a broader cultural shift in the UK towards post-war modernity and youth culture. The rise of rock and roll music in the 1950s represented a break from the more conservative and traditional values of previous decades, and Living Doll was seen as a key part of this change.
What other songs did Cliff Richard record with Lionel Bart?
Cliff Richard enjoyed a long-standing creative partnership with Lionel Bart, who wrote several other songs for Richard over the years. One of the most famous of these is the song “Do You Mind,” which was released in 1960 and reached the number two spot on the UK charts. Other Richard-Bart collaborations include “Living in Harmony,” “We Love a Movie,” and “Twenty Flight Rock.”
Who else has covered Living Doll?
Living Doll has been covered by many artists over the years, including Michael Jackson, who performed the song as part of his 1988 Bad tour. Other notable covers include versions by punk rock band The Damned, British crooner Engelbert Humperdinck, and electronic musician The Human League.
