Clifford T Ward - Up In The World - David Hamilton, Boom Radio - The Story Behind The Song

When Clifford reached no.8 in the charts in 1973 with Gaye, he was known as The Singing School Teacher. Clifford taught English and Drama at the North Bromsgrove High School whilst recording his first two albums, Singer Songwriter and Home Thoughts. In 1975 a plan was hatched with the BBC that Clifford would write a Play For Today to be accompanied by his songs. The play was to be called Pathos, about a young couple working in a carpet factory who fall in love . The girl rose rapidly through the ranks to achieve a position of seniority in the factory, but lost some humanity during her rise to the top, and the relationship ultimately floundered. The ethereal song Up In The World was written especially for the play, which sadly never came to fruition, despite a further attempt ten years later to revive it under the title Both Of Us. Fortunately for us music lovers, the song Up In The World has survived. With it’s suspenseful intro’ and Richard Hewson’s heavenly strings -laden arrangement, Up In The World proved to be one of Clifford T Ward’s finest musical achievements, a song of magnificent sadness. The Shadows’ Bruce Welch said that when he played Up In The World to Cliff Richard all the hairs on Cliff’s body stood on end. Cliff Richard recorded his own version of the song and sang it live at The Royal Albert Hall, again with the help of Richard Hewson’s magical orchestral arrangement. Up In The World was also covered Art Garfunkel, Colm Wilkinson and Acker Bilk. On 22nd September 2025 radio broadcasting legend, David Hamilton, made Up In The World Boom Radio's Story Behind The Song on his popular lunchtime show. Boom Radio has become the new spiritual world of Clifford T Ward's music and Up In The World remains a favourite for many fans. Thanks again to David Hamilton and Boom Radio. https://www.boomradiouk.com/player/ Everything is on loan.