I'm Nearly Famous

Background

Cliff Richard's career had seen a downward slump in the 1970s compared to his success in the previous decade, culminating in his not hitting the chart at all in 1975 - the first year of his career not to do so. Bruce Welch set about finding new songs for Cliff and was to produce the album which would mark his comeback. The lead single on the album was "Miss You Nights" which came to be regarded by many fans as his best ever song. Although it was released in November 1975, it did not make the UK charts until early 1976, eventually peaking at No.15.

The follow-up, "Devil Woman" showed a new harder-edged side to Richard's music and became one of his biggest worldwide hits, peaking at No.9 in the UK and becoming his first ever top 10 hit in the US. Third single, "I Can't Ask for Anymore Than You" backed with album track "Junior Cowboy" completed the hat-trick of UK top 20 entries, while the album itself reached No.5 and remained in the charts for 21 weeks - his most successful album for over a decade. It was also his first hit album in the US (peaking at No.76).

The album received rave reviews in the press and received kudos from celebrities such as Elton John and Elizabeth Taylor who wore T-shirts emblazoned with the I'm Nearly Famous logo. Melody Maker was particularly enthusiastic about the album, with Geoff Brown writing:

Cliff Richard has at last made the sort of album he could, and should, have been making for years. It is with some incredulity that I have to say that for the past ten days I've been playing two albums constantly. One is Marvin Gaye's I Want You. The other is I'm Nearly Famous. The renaissance of Richard, for that is what I believe this album heralds, is long overdue...it is the best album of new songs ever and, if there are enough unprejudiced ears around, could well mark the start of fresh Cliff Richard buying public.

The album was remastered and re-issued on Compact disc in 2001, where it again received rave reviews from Q Magazine and Record Collector among others.

Track listing

Side One

1. "I Can't Ask for Anymore Than You" (Ken Gold, Michael Denne) 2:50
2. "It's No Use Pretending" (Michael Allison, Peter Sills) 3:22
3. "I'm Nearly Famous" (Michael Allison, Peter Sills) 3:54
4. "Lovers" (Mickey Newbury) 2:58
5. "Junior Cowboy" (Michael Allison, Peter Sills) 2:54
6. "Miss You Nights" (Dave Townsend) 3:57

Side Two

1. "I Wish You'd Change Your Mind" (Terry Britten) 3:04
2. "Devil Woman" (Terry Britten, Christine Holmes) 3:41
3. "Such is the Mystery" (John Dawson Read) 5:11
4. "You've Got to Give Me All Your Lovin'" (Ken Gold, Michael Denne) 3:06
5. "If You Walked Away" (David Pomeranz) 3:02
6. "Alright, it's Alright" (Michael Allison, Peter Sills) 2:33

Bonus tracks (2001 re-issue):

1. "It's Only Me You've Left Behind" (Hank Marvin, John Farrar) 3:07
2. "You're the One" (Alan Tarney, Trevor Spencer) 3:42
3. "Honky Tonk Angel" (Troy Seals, Denny Rice) 3:03
4. "Wouldn't You Know It" (Alan Tarney, Trevor Spencer) 3:03
5. "Love Enough" (Tim Moore) 2:50
6. "Love On (Shine On)" (Cliff Richard) 3:04

Arrangements