Story Behind The Song
Released in 1986, “Living Doll” brought together Cliff Richard and the cast of the BBC comedy series The Young Ones for a memorable charity single in aid of Comic Relief. The song was a humorous remake of Cliff Richard’s original 1959 hit, reinventing the classic with tongue-in-cheek lyrics, energetic performances and plenty of the anarchic comedy that made The Young Ones one of Britain’s most popular television shows.
The recording features Cliff Richard embracing the joke with enthusiasm, sharing vocals with Rik Mayall, Adrian Edmondson, Nigel Planer and Christopher Ryan. While staying faithful to the melody of the original, the new version includes comic interruptions, playful dialogue and exaggerated performances that poke fun at Cliff’s clean-cut image while celebrating his willingness to laugh at himself. The result is an entertaining blend of pop music and comedy that appealed to audiences of all ages.
The success of “Living Doll” highlighted the popularity of Comic Relief during its early years and demonstrated how music and comedy could come together to support a worthwhile cause. It also introduced Cliff Richard’s classic song to a new generation, while reinforcing his reputation as an artist unafraid to reinvent himself. Today, the recording remains one of the most memorable charity singles of the 1980s, fondly remembered for its infectious sense of fun, its star-studded collaboration and the light-hearted spirit that perfectly captured the era. It continues to stand as a unique and much-loved moment in British pop culture.
The song peaked at No. 01 on the UK Singles Chart on 23rd May 1986.
Eighties Archive Song Number
Highest Chart Position
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Date Of UK Top 40 Entry
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ALL information on this page was obtained from numerous sources. These include The Official Charts website, Discogs, 45Cat, Polyhex, and many other sites.
Some images have been cleaned up using CHATGPT.
A-SIDE & B-SIDE COVERS
TRACK LISTING
| A-Side | Living Doll (4:17) (Lionel Bart) Produced Stuart Colman |
| B-Side | (All The Little Flowers Are) Happy (6:28) (Elton, Mayall, Mayer, Edmondson, Planer, Ryan, Curtis, Colman, Tibble) Produced Stuart Colman |
CHART PERFORMANCE
| UK Top 40 Chart Run [9 Weeks] – 22nd March 1986 – 17th May 1986 |
OFFICIALLY RELEASED VERSIONS
Living Doll (Single Version) (4:17)
Living Doll (The Disco Funk Get Up Get Down To The Lavatory Mix) (6:32)
OFFICIAL VIDEO
LYRICS
Look everyone, he’s coming through the doors
Brilliant, he didn’t even open ’em
He’s here
Great, great, do the speech
Hey kids, stop smoking and pay attention to me
Look you’re a wild-eyed loon
Who’s standing at the gates of oblivion
Hitch a ride with us
Because we’re on the last freedom moped
Out of nowhere city
Golly, I haven’t even told our parents
What time we’ll be back
So put on your dancing trousers and get down
Because here’s the total king of rock
Cliff Richard
Got myself a crying, talking
Sleeping, walking living doll
Got to do my best to keep her
Just ’cause she’s a living doll
Got a roving eye and that is why
She satisfies my soul
I got the one and only
Walking, talking living doll
OK guys, ready Vyv
I’m plainly ready when you are, Shaky
Neil – does anybody know where the toilets are
Mike – does all this money really have to go to charity
Yes, it does Michael
Rik Myall – hi, Cliff, it’s me
Who are you?
Great joke, your majesty
Got myself a crying, talking
Sleeping, walking living doll (living doll)
Got to do my best to keep her
Just ’cause she’s a living doll (living doll)
Got a roving eye and that is why
She satisfies my soul (fies my soul)
I got the one and only
Walking, talking living doll
Take a look her hair
Well it’s so real and if
You don’t believe what I say just feel
Gonna lock her up in a trunk
So no big hunk
Can steal her away from me (get down)
Got myself a crying, talking
Sleeping, walking living doll
Got to do my best to keep her
Just ’cause she’s a living doll
Got a roving eye and that is why
She satisfies my soul
I got the one and only
Walking, talking living doll
OK, Daddy-o
He means what happens now
The instrumental break
Take a look her hair
Well it’s so real and if
You don’t believe what I say just feel
Gonna lock her up in a trunk
So no big hunk
Can steal her away from me
Got myself a crying, talking
Sleeping, walking living doll
Got to do my best to keep her
Just ’cause she’s a living doll
Got a roving eye and that is why
She satisfies my soul
I got the one and only
Walking, talking living doll
I got the one and only
Walking, talking living doll
Can I go now?
Uh yes, thanks Cliff. Bye.
Right kids, if you don’t buy this record
Then you’re an utter, utter
Utter, utter, utter…
Written By Lionel Bart
PROMO ADVERT
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