Twelfth of Never

Cliff Richard

About Twelfth of Never

"The Twelfth of Never" is a popular song written in 1956 and first recorded by Johnny Mathis the following year. The title is a popular expression, which is used as the date of a future occurrence that will never come to pass. In the case of the song, "the 12th of Never" is given as the date on which the singer will stop loving his beloved, thus indicating that he will always love her. Mathis initially disliked the song, which was released as the flip side to his number 1 hit single "Chances Are". It was written by Jerry Livingston and Paul Francis Webster, the tune (except for the bridge) being adapted from "The Riddle Song" (also known as "I Gave My Love a Cherry"), an old English folk song. Mathis's original version reached number 9 on what is now called the Billboard Hot 100 in the USA in 1957. A version by Cliff Richard was released in 1964 and reached number 8 in the UK. Donny Osmond's version, produced by Mike Curb and Don Costa, was his second number 1 single in the UK, spending a single week at the top of the UK Singles Chart in March 1973. In the U. S. it peaked at number 8. 


Year:
1984
71 

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You ask how much I need you
Must I explain
I-I need you oh my darlin'
Like roses ned rain
You ask how long I'll love you
I-I'll tell you true
Until the twelfth of never 
I'll still be loving you

Ho-old me close
Never let me go
Ho-ho-old me close
Me-elt my heart like April snow-ow

I'll love you 'til the blue be-ells 
Forget to bloom 
I'll love you 'til the clover 
Has lost its perfume
I-I'll love you 'til the poets 
Run out of rhyme
you-you-until the twelfth of never 
And that's a long long time

Until the twelfth of never 
And that's - a - long - long - time...
A long-long time...

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Cliff Richard

Sir Cliff Richard, OBE (born Harry Rodger Webb, 14 October 1940, Lucknow, India) is a British pop singer, musician, performer, actor, and philanthropist. He is the third biggest selling singles artist of all time in the United Kingdom, with total sales of over 21 million in the UK and has reportedly sold an estimated 250 million records worldwide. more »

3 fans

Written by: Jerry Livingston, Paul Francis Webster

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Spirit Music Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Artist Background
"Twelfth of Never" was first recorded by singing legend Johnny Mathis in 1957. - Following Mathis, English musician Cliff Richard covered the song too. He is popularly known for his contribution to rock and roll music during the post-Beatles era with a career spanning more than 60 years.
Song Background
"Twelfth of Never" is a love song that employs hyperbole to express unending love, stating it wouldn't die until "the Twelfth of Never", which signifies a time that would never come.
Chart Performance
Johnny Mathis's version of "Twelfth of Never" did well on the American Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 9. - Cliff Richard's rendition of the song was even more successful in the United Kingdom, peaking at No. 8 on the UK singles chart.
Song Creation
The title is an amalgam of two eternal time frames - "the Twelfth of Never" and "forever and a day”. - The song is known for its dreamy, timeless melody and romantic lyrics.
Cover Versions
After Mathis and Richard, many other artists have also recorded their interpretation of "Twelfth of Never". These include artists as diverse as Donny Osmond, Nina Simone, The Chi-Lites, Tammy Wynette, Glen Campbell, Olivia Newton-John, and Dolly Parton.
Legacy
The song remains one of Johnny Mathis's most popular and enduring hits. - For Cliff Richard, it is remembered as one of his most successful covers.
Distinct interpretations
While Johnny Mathis's rendition is soft and smooth - typical of 1950's pop music, Cliff Richard adds a bit more drama and intensity to the song making both versions distinct and enjoyable in their own right.
Awards and Recognition
Johnny Mathis's original recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2002, commemorating its lasting qualitative and historical significance.
Music style
The song, "Twelfth of Never," falls under the genre of traditional pop, which is a Western popular music that was pre-rock and roll.
Song Lyrics
The lyrics including the line-"I'll love you 'til the poets run out of rhyme." shows the depth of sentiment and eternal love that the song exerts on its listeners.

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