The Joy of Living (song)

"The Joy of Living" is a song by British singers Cliff Richard and Hank Marvin released as a single in February 1970. It peaked at number 25 on the UK Singles Chart.[2]

"The Joy of Living"
Cover of the single released in Germany
Single by Cliff Richard and Hank Marvin
B-side"Leave My Woman Alone"
"Boogitoo"
Released6 February 1970 (1970-02-06)
Recorded7 January 1970[1]
StudioAdvision Studios, London
GenrePop rock
Length3:04
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Norrie Paramor
Cliff Richard singles chronology
"With the Eyes of a Child"
(1969)		 "The Joy of Living"
(1970)		 "Goodbye Sam, Hello Samantha"
(1970)
Hank Marvin singles chronology
"Throw Down a Line"
(1969)		 "The Joy of Living"
(1970)		 "Break Another Dawn"
(1970)

Release and reception

"The Joy of Living" was Richard's second single with Marvin, excluding their work with the Shadows, with the first, "Throw Down a Line", released the previous year. It was written by Marvin and Paul Ferris, the latter of whom had previously written "Visions" for Richard. It was released as a single with two B-sides. The first, "Leave My Woman Alone", written and originally recorded by Ray Charles, was sung only by Richard. The second, "Boogitoo", was written by Marvin and Richard Anthony Hewson and was sung only by Marvin.

The song has been described as "a cynical look at the modern age, where Britain is in danger of being turned into one huge motorway".[1] Richard has said that "the "multicoloured crocodile" was the car, killing the trees and poisoning the air. I mean! It was kind of the first stages of the green movement, wasn’t it? I said [to Hank] I’d love to sing something like that. So we were trying to make a point".[3]

Reviewing for Record Mirror, Peter Jones described "The Joy of Living" as "super-gentle, vocally, but not for long. Beautiful crisp Marvin guitar spasms, full chorus, and a sort of Gospel build-up. Do listen to the lyrics, which are thoughtfully strong. Actually, a darned good and repetitive pop record".[4]

Track listing

7": Columbia / DB 8657

  1. "The Joy of Living" – 3:04
  2. "Leave My Woman Alone" – 2:57
  3. "Boogitoo" – 2:49

Charts
Chart (1970) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[5] 71
UK Singles (OCC)[2] 25

References
  1. "Cliff Richard Song Database - Song Details (The Joy Of Living)". www.cliffrichardsongs.com.
  2. "Cliff Richard: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  3. "Cliff Richard – Record Collector Magazine". 27 November 2018. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  4. "New Singles" (PDF). Record Mirror. 7 February 1970. p. 12. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  5. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 251. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
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