About the song
“We Don’t Talk Anymore” is a song that marked a significant milestone in the career of British pop legend Cliff Richard. Written by Alan Tarney and produced by Bruce Welch, the rhythm guitarist for the Shadows, this track became an iconic hit following its release in 1979. The song achieved immense commercial success, reaching number one on the UK Singles Chart in August 1979 and staying there for four weeks. This achievement made it Richard’s tenth UK number one single and his first since “Congratulations” in 1968.
The genesis of “We Don’t Talk Anymore” is quite interesting. Alan Tarney initially wrote the song in 1979 with the intention of using it on an album with the Tarney/Spencer Band. However, during a break in recording sessions for Charlie Dore’s “Where to Now,” which Tarney and Welch were producing, Tarney played a demo of the song to Welch. Recognizing its hit potential, Welch immediately contacted Richard’s manager, Peter Gormley, insisting that Cliff Richard was the only artist who could do justice to the song. Consequently, the track was recorded swiftly in May 1979 at RG Jones Recording Studios in Wimbledon.
Released as a single between the albums “Green Light” and “Rock ‘n’ Roll Juvenile,” “We Don’t Talk Anymore” was initially not intended to be part of “Rock ‘n’ Roll Juvenile.” Richard himself felt that it was not suitable for an album he envisioned as being filled with energetic, progressive rock ‘n’ roll. However, the record label EMI insisted on including the track due to its massive success, and Richard eventually agreed. The single’s success led to Alan Tarney being brought in to produce Richard’s next two albums, “I’m No Hero” and “Wired for Sound.”
The B-side of the single, “Count Me Out,” was written by Terry Britten and Bruce Welch and was taken from Richard’s previous album, “Green Light.” In several European countries, a 12-inch single version of “We Don’t Talk Anymore” was released, featuring an extended, slightly remixed version of the song that runs for seven minutes. This extended version has never been released on CD. In the United States, the single was released with an edited version that fades out about half a minute earlier than the original.
In December 1990, a remixed version of “We Don’t Talk Anymore” was released as a single in continental Europe and in Australasia in November 1991. This remix, taken from the live album “From a Distance: The Event,” was created by Ian Curnow and Phil Harding at the PWL Studios. Despite the remix’s failure to chart, the original song’s impact was profound.
The release of “We Don’t Talk Anymore” came just before Richard’s 39th birthday and the announcement that he would receive an OBE for services to music. The song played a crucial role in solidifying his comeback, which continued successfully into the 1980s and 1990s. It became his biggest worldwide seller, reaching number one in multiple countries, including Germany, where it held the top spot for five weeks. The song also reached number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in the United States, making Richard the first artist to have top 40 hits in the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s.
“We Don’t Talk Anymore” sold over 4 million copies worldwide, topping charts in the UK, Austria, Belgium (Flanders), Finland, West Germany, Ireland, Norway, and Switzerland. It spent four weeks at number one on the Irish Singles Chart in September 1979 and was certified Gold in both the UK and West Germany.
Tragically, during the single’s run at the top of the UK Singles Chart, Norrie Paramor, Richard’s original producer who had guided his early career in the late 1950s and 1960s, passed away on September 9, 1979. Despite this loss, “We Don’t Talk Anymore” remains a testament to Richard’s enduring appeal and his ability to connect with audiences across different generations.
Video
Lyrics
Used to think that life was sweet
Used to think we were so complete
I can’t believe you’d throw it away
Used to feel we had it made
Used to feel we could sail away
Can you imagine how I feel today?
Well, it seems a long time ago
You were the lonely one
Now it comes to letting go
You are the only one
Do you know what you’ve done?
It’s so funny how we don’t talk anymore
It’s so funny, why we don’t talk anymore?
But I ain’t losing sleep and I ain’t counting sheep
It’s so funny how we don’t talk anymore
Oh, we don’t talk, ooh
Well, it really doesn’t matter to me
I guess your leaving was meant to be
It’s down to you now, you wanna be free
Well, I hope you know which way to go
You’re on your own again
Don’t come crying to me when you’re the lonely one
Remember what you’ve done
Oh, it’s so funny how we don’t talk anymore
It’s so funny, why we don’t talk anymore?
But I ain’t losing sleep and I ain’t counting sheep
No, no, no
It’s so funny how we don’t talk anymore, anymore
Oh, we don’t talk anymore
Ooh, we don’t talk anymore
But I ain’t, no, losing sleep
No, I ain’t counting sheep
No, no, no, no
It’s so funny how we don’t talk anymore, anymore
Oh, we don’t talk, oh, we don’t talk