"Summer Holiday" is a song recorded by Cliff Richard and the Shadows, written by rhythm guitarist Bruce Welch and drummer Brian Bennett.[1] It is taken from the film of the same name,[1] and was released as the second single from the film in February 1963. It went to number one in the UK Singles Chart for a total of two weeks.[2] After that, the Shadows' instrumental "Foot Tapper"—also from the same film—took over the top spot for one week, before "Summer Holiday" returned to the top spot for one further week.[3] The track is one of Richard's best known titles and it remains a staple of his live shows. It was one of six hits Richard performed at his spontaneous gig at the 1996 Wimbledon Championships when rain stopped the tennis.
"Summer Holiday" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Cliff Richard, The Shadows and the Norrie Paramor Strings | ||||
from the album Summer Holiday | ||||
B-side | "Dancing Shoes" | |||
Released | 8 February 1963 | |||
Recorded | 9 May & 19 November 1962 | |||
Studio | EMI Studios, London | |||
Genre | Pop | |||
Length | 2:03 | |||
Label | Columbia DB 4977[1] | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Norrie Paramor[1] | |||
Cliff Richard, The Shadows and the Norrie Paramor Strings singles chronology | ||||
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Audio sample | ||||
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The melody of the song is used in the chorus of the 1986 rap tune "Holiday Rap", by the Dutch duo MC Miker G & DJ Sven.[4]
In 2019, the UK Government's Drinkaware campaign parodied Summer Holiday for a string of radio adverts and videos for the "No Alcoholiday" initiative to encourage people to have drink-free days.[5]
In 2023, this song is used for Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget.
Chart (1963) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australia (Kent Music Report)[6] | 3 |
Australia (Music Maker, Sydney)[7] | 1 |
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[8] | 5 |
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[9] | 18 |
Canada (CHUM)[10] | 1 |
Denmark (Quan Musikbureau)[11][12] | 1 |
Finland (IFPI Finland)[13] | 6 |
France (SNEP)[14] | 46 |
Hong Kong[15][16] | 2 |
Ireland (IRMA)[17] | 2 |
Israel (Kol)[7] | 2 |
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[18] | 2 |
New Zealand [15] | 2[*] |
Norway (VG-lista)[19] | 1 |
Spain (Promusicae)[20] | 1 |
South Africa (SARMDA)[7] | 10 |
UK Singles (OCC)[21] | 1 |
'Notes:
The B-side "Dancing Shoes" also entered some charts, some of which are listed below.
Chart (1963) | Peak position |
---|---|
Hong Kong[11] | 6 |
South Africa (SARMDA)[15] | 4 |
UK (NME)[22] | 25 |
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