Cliff Richard "Saviour's Day"

Together With Cliff at Christmas

by Mark Nobes, chief editor

Personally, I prefer this song to "Mistletoe & Wine", and it's the flute that does it for me, although I'm not entirely sure whether it's a real or synthesized flute?

Unlike Cliff's previous and aforementioned 80s Christmas hit which was penned in the summer months, this one was written in October 1989 by singer/songwriter Chris Eaton, who also provided the backing vocals on Roger Daltrey's 1987 solo album Can't Wait To See The Movie. 

However, the video was shot before this on a warm and sunny September day, so, once again, it would have been pretty difficult to get into the festive spirit, and everyone must have been pretty hot wearing all of that winter gear!

Cliff Richard - Saviour's Day (1990) Christmas No.1
By the way, check out the nonce at 3:43 who is trying to imitate cliff with his long overcoat and swaying arms.

The location for the video was the limestone arch at Durdle Door in Dorset on the Jurassic coast, where, incidentally, Tears For Fears also shot their Shout Video in 1984.

"Saviour's Day" entered the UK charts at #6 on 8th September and gradually climbed to the top spot on the 29th, becoming the official Christmas No.1 for 1990. Vanilla Ice was at No.1 with "Ice Ice Baby" in the previous week, so, I suspect, he was rather miffed by losing the prestigious top spot to Cliff. 

However, by 19th January Cliff's festive tune had already left the Top 40, falling to #53.

As with many of Cliff's festive tunes, the lyrics are related to Christianity, and ask those who may have given up on religion to come back and believe in God on the Saviour's Day. "Don't look back or turn away, life can be yours if you'll only stay, he is calling you, calling you on the Saviour's Day".

Living Doll with The Young Ones

Some People

Cliff At Christmas album