Once Upon a Time in the Top Spot: Cliff Richard, “I Love You” / “Savior’s Day”

When you’ve been a regularly-charting recording artist for more than half a century, it becomes increasingly less unlikely that you’re going to end up having two chart-toppers on the same date several years apart. In the case of Cliff Richard – who saw his single “I Still Believe in You” re-enter the British charts this year, 56 years after his first hit single, “Move It,” in 1958 – the accomplishment took precisely three decades.

On December 29, 1960, Sir Cliff and The Shadows took their single “I Love You,” written by the group’s rhythm guitarist, Bruce Welch, to #1 on the UK Singles Chart, making it Richard’s fourth time at the top of the charts. Fast-forward past several other chart-toppers – “The Young Ones,” “The Next Time,” “Summer Holiday,” “The Minute You’re Gone,” “Congratulations,” “We Don’t Talk Anymore,” “Living Doll” (recorded with the cast of The Young Ones, along with guest guitarist Hank Marvin), and “Mistletoe and Wine” – and on December 29, 1990, Richard hit the top spot with “Saviour’s Day,” written by Chris Eaton.

To celebrate this momentous date, we’ve put together a playlist which features as many of Richard’s chart-toppers as we could collect. Sadly, this means that the aforementioned Young Ones collaboration isn’t included, but…oh, all right, since it’s the holiday season, we’ll give you a Christmas present and embed the video:

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How could you watch that video and not walk away with a smile on your face? The answer, of course, is that you couldn’t, so you’re welcome. And having done our diligent duty on the bringing-good-cheer front, here’s the playlist we promised a moment ago. Enjoy!