Rise Up

Album: Rise Up (2018)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In August 2014 police raided Cliff Richard's Berkshire home in response to an allegation of historical sexual abuse. The BBC was criticized for its coverage of the search, which featured live reports as it happened. The Crown Prosecution Service later announced there was "insufficient evidence" and the singer was never arrested or charged. Richard subsequently sued the BBC and South Yorkshire Police and a court ruled in July 2018 that his privacy had been infringed and ordered the broadcaster to pay damages.

    This song, based on the turmoil that Richard went through, was released a month after the court case had finished. It was penned by Terry Britten and Graham Lyle, the songwriters behind the 1985 Grammy winner of Song of the Year and Record of the Year "What's Love Got To Do With It." (Britten also co-penned Richard's 1976 hit "Devil Woman").
  • Richard has said he spent the two years of his life between the police raid and CPS' acquittal in a state of turmoil where he "couldn't sleep or think about anything." This tune finds him singing about redemption in the face of adversity.

    "I chose 'Rise Up' as the title track because, after the bad period I went through in my life, I've managed to rise up out of what seemed like a quagmire," Richard told the BBC (yep, the same BBC that he sued!), "I love the lyric, 'They're never gonna break me down, they're never gonna take me down, they know I'm gonna rise up feeling stronger.' It is always great to sing lyrics you can feel and I really felt those words."
  • The song was premiered on BBC Radio 2, which surprised many because it was inspired by Sir Cliff's privacy case against the broadcasting company.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Gary Brooker of Procol Harum

Gary Brooker of Procol HarumSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer and pianist for Procol Harum, Gary talks about finding the musical ideas to match the words.

Don Felder

Don FelderSongwriter Interviews

Don breaks down "Hotel California" and other songs he wrote as a member of the Eagles. Now we know where the "warm smell of colitas" came from.

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"They're Playing My Song

A song he wrote and recorded from "sheer spiritual inspiration," Allen's didn't think "Southern Nights" had hit potential until Glen Campbell took it to #1 two years later.

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)Songwriter Interviews

Before "Rap" was a form of music, it was something guys did to pick up girls in nightclubs. Donnie talks about "The Rapper" and reveals the identity of Leah.

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.

Emilio Castillo from Tower of Power

Emilio Castillo from Tower of PowerSongwriter Interviews

Emilio talks about what it's like to write and perform with the Tower of Power horns, and why every struggling band should have a friend like Huey Lewis.