Cliff Richard pulls back the curtain on his rock and roll roots, the battles of growing older in music, and the harsh truth of streaming that threatens songwriters today. Yet, despite it all, his timeless songs still move fans to tears every time he sings. In “That Was Then, This Is Now,” Cliff shares rare, heartfelt reflections that reveal not just the legend, but the man behind the music — vulnerable, resilient, and forever connected to his audience.
Introduction:
When Cliff Richard looks back at his extraordinary journey, he often marvels at the sheer timing of it all. Born just as the wave of rock and roll from America crashed onto British shores, Richard and his peers found themselves at exactly the right age to seize the moment. “I don’t mind aging,” he once reflected, “because it means I was born at that certain time and rock and roll happened and hit us first.” The likes of Elvis Presley, Little Richard, Buddy Holly, and Ricky Nelson provided not only a soundtrack but also a pathway. For Cliff, Marty Wilde, and others, this was an invitation to aim high—and succeed.
Richard’s early days were raw and electric. His first tour came on the back of just one hit—“Move It.” With little catalog to lean on, he and his band filled the set with covers of American rock and roll standards, from Buddy Holly to Jerry Lee Lewis. By the time his fifth single, “Living Doll,” emerged in 1959, his repertoire was growing rapidly, and soon half his live set was his own. Those early struggles and adaptations laid the foundation for a career that would span decades, filled with iconic songs like Summer Holiday, Bachelor Boy, and Congratulations.
Yet what makes Richard’s reflections so compelling is not only his success, but also his awareness of how the industry has changed. He acknowledges the expectations of fans who want to hear the classics while also carving out moments in his shows for personal favorites—songs that may not have topped charts but carry deep meaning. One such track is “P.S. Please,” a hauntingly tender piece about a father leaving behind letters for his unborn daughter. Richard speaks of it with reverence, describing it as a song filled not with loss, but with an enduring love that transcends death.
His perspective also sheds light on the challenges veteran artists face today. While Richard has enjoyed continued support, including airplay and recognition on major stations, he knows many of his contemporaries struggle to have their new music heard. This gap gave rise to initiatives like the Heritage Chart, ensuring that established artists remain visible in an industry that often favors youth and fleeting trends. Richard points out a critical imbalance: without consistent radio play, audiences rarely discover new material, leaving even top performers unheard by younger generations.
The economics of streaming only deepen this concern. With thousands of plays needed to earn even a single cent, songwriters—who lack touring income—face an uncertain future. “What happens when writers give up because they can’t make money?” he asks. “What will they play then?” It’s a sobering question from a man who has lived through every phase of popular music, from vinyl to digital.
And yet, through it all, Cliff Richard’s outlook remains grateful and remarkably optimistic. He calls his career “charmed,” not with arrogance, but with humility. To him, the true gift was simply being there at the dawn of rock and roll—and grabbing it “by the throat” with both hands.
