The 10 Best Petula Clark Songs of All-Time

Born in 1932, Petula Clark is a British singer and actress who has had an illustrious career spanning more than six decades. She grew up in Surrey, England, and made her stage debut at nine. Her big break came in 1954 when she starred in the West End production of “The Boy Friend.” She starred in several other West End productions and films, and television shows. Clark is perhaps best known for her hit songs from the 1960s, including “Downtown,” “I Know a Place,” and “My Love.” She has continued to release music over the years, and her most recent album was released in 2016. Clark is also a noted stage and screen actress and has won several awards for her work in both fields. While she has released numerous albums and singles over the years, we’ve chosen her 10 best songs of all time.

10. Alone (1958)

 

Written by Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent, “Alone” was one of the first songs Petula Clark ever recorded. It was released as a B-side to her single “The Little Shoemaker” in 1958 and didn’t chart. However, it has become a popular Christmas song over the years and has been covered by many artists, including Perry Como, Elvis Presley, and Barbra Streisand.

9. I Know a Place (1965)

 

“I Know a Place” was Clark’s first U.S. number one hit and spent four weeks at the top of the charts. The song is about a place where “everyone is happy,” and it’s been covered by many artists over the years, including Shirley Bassey, Dusty Springfield, and The Mamas & the Papas. The album of the same name was also a hit, reaching number two on the U.K. Albums Chart. The song talks about how different the world could be if we all just stopped to talk about it/and how we should take some time out from our day to find a better place to stay.”

8. Baby Lover (1986)

 

Petula Clark and her then-husband Clive LaPage, “Baby Lover” is a lighthearted love song about a mother’s love for her child. The song was originally recorded in French as “L’Amour de Ma Vie” and was the lead single from Clark’s album Greatest Hits. It reached number 47 on the U.K. Singles Chart. The song is great for moms and dads to sing to their children because it talks about the unconditional love a parent has for their child.

7. The Little Shoemaker (1987)

 

Written by Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent, “The Little Shoemaker” was one of the first songs Petula Clark ever recorded. It was released as a B-side to her single “Alone” in 1958 and didn’t chart. However, it has become a popular Christmas song over the years and has been covered by many artists, including Perry Como, Elvis Presley, and Barbra Streisand. The lyrics talk about how a little boy who makes shoes for a living will be famous one day.

6. Romeo (1966)

 

Written by Petula Clark and Tony Hatch, “Romeo” is a jazz-influenced ballad about a young man in love with a girl who is “out of his reach.” The song was originally recorded in French as “Roméo” and was the lead single from Clark’s album C’est ma chanson. It reached number six on the U.K. Singles Chart and 49 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. It also won Clark a Grammy Award for Best Female Vocal Performance.

5. My Love (1966)

 

“My Love” was Petula Clark’s first U.K. number one hit and spent two weeks at the top of the charts. The song is about a woman in love with a man who is “too busy to love her back.” It was later covered by The Beatles, who released it as a single in 1970. The Beatles’ version reached number four on the U.K. Singles Chart and number two on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

4. Chariot (I will follow him) (1962)

 

Written by Petula Clark, “Chariot” was the B-side to her single “Don’t Sleep in the Subway.” It reached number two on the U.K. Singles Chart and number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. The song is about a woman in love with a man who is “too busy to love her back.” It talks of how she will follow him anywhere and do anything for him. The song talks about how love is the only thing that matters in life.

3. This is my song (1967)

 

Released in 1967, “This is my song” was Petula Clark’s biggest American hit. Written by Charles Aznavour and Herbert Kretzmer, the song became an instant classic and has been covered by many artists over the years. The stirring ballad is about a person who has found true love and wants to spend the rest of their life with them. Clark’s expressive vocals and the stirring orchestral arrangement make this one of her most memorable recordings.

2. Monsieur (1963)

 

Released in 1963, “Monsieur” was one of Petula Clark’s most successful German-language recordings. The wistful ballad tells the story of a man in love with a woman who is out of his reach. Clark’s passionate vocals and the beautiful string arrangement make this one of her most memorable recordings. The song talks about how the man is content to watch her from afar. It has won numerous awards over the years and has been covered by many artists.

1. Downtown (1964)

 

Released in 1964, “Downtown” was Petula Clark’s biggest international hit. Written by Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent, the infectious pop song tells the story of a young woman in love with a man out of her reach. Clark’s joyous vocals and the upbeat orchestral arrangement make this one of her most memorable recordings. The lyrics of “Downtown” were later sampled by the Black Eyed Peas for their song of the same name.

Conclusion

These are just a few of Petula Clark’s most memorable songs. She has had a long and successful career and has been honored with numerous awards, including four Grammy Awards and a Golden Globe Award. She is a true icon of popular music, and her recordings will continue to be enjoyed by generations to come.