In 1999, Cliff Richard did something no major pop star dared to do at the edge of the millennium: he released a song that was literally the Lord’s Prayer set to music. No metaphors. No subtlety. Just the “Our Father” — sung verbatim over the melody of Auld Lang Syne.
The backlash was instant. BBC Radio refused to play it. Critics mocked it. Music executives rolled their eyes. In a pop world chasing sex appeal and digital beats, Cliff’s anthem of faith felt archaic — even laughable to some.
But Cliff wasn’t trying to chase hits anymore. What most people didn’t realize was that this was not just a song — it was his rebellion. For decades, Cliff had been told to tone down his Christianity, to separate his faith from his fame. He played along — until this moment.
The Millennium Prayer was Cliff Richard’s quiet revolution — not against people, but against the silence imposed on faith. While others threw fireworks to welcome the new millennium, Cliff offered a prayer.
And the result? Despite no radio support, the song went straight to #1 in the UK charts. It outsold global stars, stunned the industry, and proved one thing:
🔔 Sometimes, you don’t need a chorus. You just need conviction.
Cliff Richard – The Millennium Prayer
Lyrics