Album: Back To Front (1972)

Charted: 1 2

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Songfacts®:

• For most of this song, Gilbert O'Sullivan sounds like he's singing to his (much) younger girlfriend. It gets more and more awkward as he gets firm with her and orders her back in bed, but then he reveals he is not Clair's boyfriend, but her babysitter.
  
  Clair is a real girl, the 3-year-old daughter of O'Sullivan's manager, Gordon Mills. Gilbert did indeed babysit her and experienced the joy and pain that comes from spending time with a delightful little girl who won't go to bed. That's the real Clair laughing at the end of the song.
  
  In a Songfacts interview with O'Sullivan, he said the song is really for Clair's parents, Gordon and Jo. "They would ring me up and say they had to go to some big do, and I would babysit," he said. "I'm one of six, so I'm used to kids. The song was written as a 'thank you' to the parents, and she laughs at the end. Gordon plays the harmonica solo, so it's pretty much a family record."
• In America, this was the follow-up to Sullivan's smash hit "Alone Again (Naturally)," which topped the chart for six weeks. "Clair" was also a huge hit there, but it was far bigger in the UK, where it went to #1. O'Sullivan had another chart-topper there with "Get Down."
• "Uncle Ray" in the lyric was not inserted to rhyme with "hearing you say," but alludes to Ray O'Sullivan, Gilbert's real name.
• Alas, this is a love song that had a most unhappy ending in real life. Gordon Mills, the father of Clair, was the man who can be said to have created Gilbert O'Sullivan. The Irishman was born Raymond Edward O'Sullivan, and moved to the North of England as a boy when his father was offered a job. After finishing art college, Raymond moved to the capital to chase the dream, a path taken by countless songwriters and other artistes before and since, successful and not so. He got lucky when a workmate who had a contract with CBS gave him an intro to the company, and he was signed up for a five-year deal, which must have been music to his ears at the time, but led precisely nowhere.
  
  Eventually, he came to the attention of Gordon Mills, who knew the music industry inside out, having been both a performer and a songwriter before moving over to the business side. (He co-wrote "It's Not Unusual," the song that launched the career of Tom Jones). Mills signed O'Sullivan to MAM, changed his name, and the world was his oyster.
  
  Alas, as often happens when a star arrives, he decides he is being underpaid, while the person who guided him to fame and fortune believes Mr. Ten Percent should receive a larger slice of the pie. Their relationship, which had been as much friendship as business, ended in the courts. After years of litigation, O'Sullivan came out on top; the London Times of May 6, 1982 reported that "agreements made between Mr. O'Sullivan and Mr. Mills and his company, Management Agency and Music Ltd [were] 'an unreasonable restraint of trade.'"
  
  Among other things, O'Sullivan won control of his songs and master tapes. According to a July 1995 article by Grace Bradberry, the court case left Mills humiliated, his company collapsed, his wife divorced him, and he died in 1986 a broken man. >>

  Suggestion credit:
  Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 2
• Jo Mills and Clair reunited with O'Sullivan in 2009 when they watched him perform at Royal Albert Hall in London. In 2017, Clair came to O'Sullivan's concert in Hyde Park, where he performed with the BBC Concert Orchestra. "My daughters were with her," he told Songfacts. "She said when I sang 'Clair' in front of 25, 30 thousand people, she had tears in her eyes. The song means a lot to her. She's very grown up now, with two children of her own, but I still have that relationship with her."

Comments: 38

• Pablo from CaliforniaWhatever happened to the real Clair of the song?
• Joe B from Napoli, ItalyI was a ten-yer-old boy when this song came out. I would babysit my neices and nephews and even some of my older brother's friend's kids. I would play with them and they loved me, and sometimes the girls would say that we were going to get married when they were older. I never once had a perverted thought about them nor did I ever think Gilbert O'Sullivan was a pervert. He was a good "uncle." It was a different era back then - sure, there were molesters, but it was the exception and people were considered innocent until proven guilty. This is a beautiful song about a man and a little girl who adored him. They have a good relationship to this day. Get your minds out of the gutter. It's not what you think it is.
• Zombiewooof from Northern CaliforniaUnfortunately, I was expecting this......It breaks my heart and pisses me off no end that people now think they "know" what this song is about - and immediately "go there" because of how sick & screwed-up society is today - well, let me tell you - this is a sweet, innocent story in song.
  
  And of course, people with rotten brains who didn't grow up in, or are aware of, a time when things were a lot more innocent and joyous - and not so evidenced by the sick society we have now.....you think it's horrible because you've been conditioned and brainwashed by "politically correct" crap - you weren't alive then, and therefore have NO IDEA that things used to be a lot different, fortunately, than today, and can't grasp that this song IN NO WAY spells out what you immediately go right to because you think you "know" - and you don't know anything, btw - so leave it alone....
  
  Gilbert's music brought a lot of us great joy & fond memories of a much better time when life was enjoyable and not toxic....so, please - if you weren't there, just leave it alone. Find something else, somewhere else, to rip into & ruin/hate if that's you're thing - because it's NOT about what you think it is....
  
  The complete story of the song and it's origins have been well documented and completely verified by Mr. O'Sullivan & the now-adult Claire Mills herself - AND her mother Jo Mills - so please give it a rest - there's no dirt here - if you can't accept the truth because it's not "scandelous" enough for you, well then tough you-know-what, just keep it to yourself and don't ruin it's enjoyment for the rest of us. In short, "get a life."
• Glinda47 from Philadelphia, PaYes, some of the lyrics are creepy and I'm sure they're mentioned above. Come on, you think he didn't know they sounded perverted? Of course, he did. Why he or his manager, Clair's dad, or her mom allowed this I do not know except to say that greed rules.
• Db from North CarolinaWhat makes me feel “damned freaked out” is a few of the comments I read here, NOT the lyrics to this song. It’s hard to believe there are people out there who have their mind so far down in the mire that they could take these innocent lyrics and turn them into something sinister. I was a little girl once and I remember telling my dad’s brother that I was going to marry him when I grew up. It’s perfectly innocent and normal. What little girl hasn’t done that sort of thing? I’m sure O’Sullivan thought of Clair as more than a child sometimes because she probably acted a little more “grownup” than her age at times. I certainly did at that age. As far as what he did to make her giggle at the end of the song, what’s wrong with a little tickle around the stomach, for example? Or acting like he was going to “goose” her on her stomach or her side, but not actually touching her? It’s very easy to get a little child’s “giggle box turned over”.
  
  Filthy minds think filthy thoughts, I guess.
• Von Stafford from California UsaI was in Junior High School when this song was released by this exceptional artist. No thought at all about this song having a sinister or perverted meaning. Anyone who does think that needs to their own inventory, take your head out of the gutter and grow up.
• Amanda from SurreyI went to school with Clair and I can say for certain that there was nothing sinister what so ever about his relationship with her. She spoke very highly of O’Sullivan and adored the fact that he had written a song in honour of her.
• Joe G from Cocoa Beach FloridaFor those who don't like the lyrics I would say it's about platonic love. Read the letters of the 19th Century. People used to gush about their undying love for each other in all sorts of "straight out of love poem" ways. I think a lot of it just hits wrong to cynical 2020's inhabitants ears.
• Mrcoffee from Flint, MiThe point being, we are all human beings from beginning, to end. We are a soul, and an entity, accountable to God, and Him alone. Two individuals may be at different stages in life, but that may not necessarily mitigate the relationship as long as the correct perimeters are in place.
• Joe S. from ColoradoThe lyrics to this song are disgustingly creepy. Lines such as, "You get to me in a way I can't describe..." What the?? How does a 2-year-old "get him"? And: "I don't care what people say, to me you're more than a child." No, she's a child, you freak. Anyone who doesn't find this song disturbing is as sick as this guy.
• Pj from UsaThe song Clair came out when I was 3. My mother’s name was Claire and I remember hearing that song on the radio when I was little. The song reminds me of my mother who passed away in 2011.
• Anonymous from TexasI remember so vividly listening to this song on the radio as a little girl. I loved it so much and always dreamed of one day having my own child and namely her Claire. And that's exactly what I did. . .she is 26 years old and we continue to play this song for her on her birthday. Even at 7 years old, I knew what this song was about. . .It's a beautiful song :-)
• AnonymousThis is b a beautiful song by a great musician. Back in those days the "I'm going to marry you uncle Ray" is innocent and we little girls would often say "I am going to marry uncle so and so when I grow up. It would be someone who we had a close bond with or admired. Just innocent.
• Joseph James from Pittsburgh It’s a wonderful song about an adorable, precocious little girl. If you have never had any experience with little girls, you couldn’t know how they are able to captivate you with their innocence, honesty and playfulness.
• Themightyjobu from Eau Claire, WiFor a long time, I thought the Oh, Clair at the end was added by the DJ, since the city is pronounced the same way.
• Homer Stein from Ottawa CanadaI have been a fan of Gilbert from the beginning. In the days when this song was first recorded and released, it truly was a sweet and innocent song. The passage of time has altered the view of male babysitting to such a degree that most things are viewed as tainted and looked upon with suspicion. Let us remember to ask, would Clair and her mum still be friends with "Uncle Ray" had the situation and song not have been as advertised? HS
• Bruh from This Is WeirdThe song talked about him and Clair getting married. that's weird.
• Alex from FloridaI think that those who doth protest too loudly about "X" (homosexuality, pedophilia, racism, etc) are simply trying to conceal their own fantasies about "X".
• Mike from AmsterdamPeople love their dogs and cats too. Does it mean there's something going on between them? Children are very sweet, and therefore very easy to have lovely feelings for. One could adore a child so much that he misses her company, her smile, her laughter, etc. It doesn't have to mean anything else. The first rule of a pedophile is secrecy; no one must find out. But Gilbert wrote a song on it; he had nothing to hide. It's a sweet song sung to a sweet girl by a sweet singer, that all. But all these accusations only show how sick the PC society has become.
• Dwayne from New JerseyI can put this to rest right now. Gilbert would have Never written the song , recorded it, and placed it in the public eye, if there was something going on. I mean, why would he be open with it, and his feelings towards her at the time if there was anything goin on? He wouldn't, and that's just it. He'd be trying to the hide the fact, if his feelings for her were anything other than just a tender, fatherly regard.
• Music Analyst from Usa It’s a fantastic song from a fantastic era. Clear your filthy minds, those of you who are thinking the worst. Gutter-brains.
• Spark from UsThere is nothing at all wrong with this song. I have daughter and I fully get what’s being said in the song. People need to get a grip.
• Stu from UkThe “Singers Unlimited “ accapella version is well worth a listen
• Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn December 24th 1972, "Clair" by Gilbert O'Sullivan peaked at #2 (for 2 weeks) on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; it had entered the chart on October 22nd and spent 16 weeks on the Top 100...
  The first week it was at #2 the #1 record was "Me and Mrs. Jones" by Billy Paul and its 2nd week at #2 it was "You're So Vain" by Carly Simon that kept it out of the top spot...
  In his native Ireland on Nov. 9th it reached #1 (for 3 weeks) on the Irish Recorded Music Association chart...
  An across from Ireland in the U.K. on Nov. 11th it also peaked at #1 (for 2 weeks) on the U.K. Single chart...
  Back here in the U.S. on December 9th once more it reached #1 (for 3 weeks) on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Tracks chart...
  Mr. O'Sullivan, born Raymond Edward O'Sullivan, celebrated his 67th birthday earlier this month on December 1st.
• Barry from Gagetown Nb Canada, -Have any of the negative critics of this 70's pop hit really examined any of today's lyrics ???
• Frank from Belfast, IrelandIts so sad to hear all the negative vibes about a classic masterpiece. Why did so many folks buy it? I wish I could have put my emotions about my own little girl into such poetry. I'm a musician, as was Gilbert. Musos are emotional folk unlike the potential pedos who think it was wrong. These are folk who like to validate their own doubts about themselves perhaps.
• Steve from Whittier, CaI agree with everyone, especially Dave Fowler.It's just a nice song.
  
• Eileen from Peoria, Az'Clair' is a beautiful song that Gilbert O'Sullivan helped write with the help of Clair's mum. Anyone who thinks this song is inappropriate in any way, needs to GET A LIFE plus you need to get your mind out of the gutter at once! Geesh...enough already with the nonsense!
• Jeff from Cambridge, United KingdomThis is a lovely and touching song in some ways but it is very clear he had more than feelings of closeness for a little girl - 'you get to me in a way I can't describe' and 'why in spite of our age difference do I cry, each time I leave you I feel I could die'. Those are the words of a man tormented by the fact that he was aware his feelings for a child were inappropriate.
• Tom from Souderton, PaI agree with David Fowler too.
• Audra Claire from Fayetteville, ArMy dad used to play me this song when I was little. I absolutely love it, and listening to it now that I live away from my parents brings me right back to my childhood and my dad singing it to me. I didn't ever realize that the song was about a little girl until now, and that just makes it even more special to me.
• Jas from Clifton, TxIt's just a nice song about girl he was babysitting. That's it. I'm not really sure what there is to be "a big damn freaked out" about. The song makes a lot of sense if you have a daughter. Little girls are really special and kind of mind-blowing. Their world is so much different than ours. They do "get to you in a way you can't describe." A little girl telling him she wants to marry him someday isn't even remotely unusual. He didn't say he wanted to marry her, it's just a little girl doing what little girls do. I've found that a lot of people who take this song entirely the wrong way aren't parents and most likely haven't even babysat for someone's daughter on a regular basis. You get attached to a little girl, be it your daughter or a girl you babysit regularly. In the 4 years since my daughter was born I've come to completely understand what he's talking about. Their world is just this innocent place where the realities of our world just don't apply anymore. When you hear a song like this and it immediately makes you think "Ah, he's a pedophile!," it says a lot more about you than it ever will about Gilbert O'Sullivan. Is your life really so tragic that you just can't believe that anything can ever be innocent anymore?
• John from Dublin, IrelandThe harmonica solo was played by O'Sullivan's then manager Gordon Mills, and the little girl's laughs on the track were courtesy of Mills' daughter Clair about whom the song was written.
• Ted from Phoenix, AzActually, there were questions raised about the song at the time it was out--I remember hearing people asking what Gilbert O'sullivan was doing to make the little girl laugh at the song's end.
• Steven from Chicago, IlA beautiful, heart-warming song. Anyone who gets "a bit damned freaked out" listening to it has unexamined issues of his own.
• Allox from Pom, --I loved it when I first heard it but then I started listening to the lyrics and got a bit damn freaked out.
• Rob from Chicago, IlI agree Dave we've come a long way in the wrong direction. But that doesn't take away the heart behind such a warm and caring song.
• David Fowler from Rochester, NhIt IS about him having to babysit, but these days, I don't think it could ever be a hit. There would be all sorts of talk about him being a pedophile and the like. We've come a long way in the wrong direction.
  I like it.

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