Stewart and Gouldman were straight pop-song-writers, who created the band’s most accessible songs; Godley and Creme were the experimental half of 10cc, featuring an Art School sensibility and cinematic writing. All are skilled multi-instrumentalists, vocalists, writers, and producers, and each could perform convincingly as lead singers, leading to favourable comparisons with The Beatles.
The band achieved its greatest commercial success during the 1970s.
In 1976 ... Godley & Creme left, releasing records under that name before making a significant contribution to the development of the music video in the 80s.
In 1977 ... 10cc embarked on an international tour with guitarist Rick Fenn, keyboardist Tony O'Malley and additional drummer Stuart Tosh and recorded a live album in 1977, "Live And Let Live", which mixed the hits with material from the previous three albums.
Fenn, Tosh, Burgess and keyboardist Duncan Mackay were full members of the band and performed on 1978 album "Bloody Tourists", which provided the band with their third UK No.1 single, the reggae-styled "Dreadlock Holiday".
1977-1983 ... After the departure of Godley and Creme, Stewart and Gouldman opted to continue as 10cc, bringing in to the studio drummer Paul Burgess, who had up to that point been their tour backup drummer. Their first album as a three piece band was "Deceptive Bends".
1984-1992 ... Separate projects - after 1983, the band went into recess as Stewart did produce recordings for Sad Café and Gouldman produced tracks for The Ramones before teaming up with Andrew Gold to form the synth-pop group Wax.
1992-1995 ... In 1992 the original four members reunited to record "Meanwhile", an album produced by Gary Katz of Steely Dan fame. ...the album was not a "reunion" in the strict sense of the word. All the album's songs were written by Stewart and Gouldman ... Creme and Godley agreed to guest on the album to fullfil their obligation to Polydor records.
1999-2009 ... since 1999 Gouldman has toured as 10cc consisting of Rick Fenn, Paul Burgess, Mick Wilson, Mike Stevens and/or Keith Hayman, with occasional guest appearances by Kevin Godley. The band has embarked on several national tours of the UK and various dates throughout the World playing 10cc hits, plus a section of Gouldman's hits written for others. Their first gig was at Ronnie Scotts jazz club in Birmingham in 1999.
Additional info:
There is much speculation about where the name of the band comes from but the general consensus was that it is named after the average amount of ejaculate in a single male orgasm. However one will find that the average is about 3cc ...the name "10cc" in fact comes from a dream: Jonathan King, the person who signed them, dreamed of a band called 10cc topping the charts in both the UK and America - see: snopes.com/music/artists/10cc.asp
City Lights
10cc Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh oh I love those city lights
But when the sun comes up
And the party's over
I don't care I'm coming back tonight
To the bright city lights
Home from work got your money in your pocket
If you had the chance you'd hock it
For a night on the tiles
And a shot of midnight fever
Get off your back get on the track
Tune in your receiver oh oh
Oh oh I feel the city rhythm
Oh oh I love those city lights
But when the sun comes up
And the party's over
I don't care I'm coming back tonight
To the bright city lights
Truck down the street feeling kinda funky
Get on the beat shuffle your feet
Never know you might get lucky
You got love on the brain
Flashing like a neon
Feed 'em a line
Give 'em a sign
They're looking for a come on oh oh
Oh oh I feel the city rhythm
Oh oh I love those city lights
But when the sun comes up
And the party's over
I don't care I'm coming back tonight
To the bright city lights
No way to stop when the music's in your body
Into the night feel all right
No time for feeling sorry
You go down to the club
With the old familiar faces
Buy 'em a drink kick up a stink
Everybody's going crazy oh oh
Oh oh I feel the city rhythm
Oh oh I love those city lights
But when the sun comes up
And the party's over
I don't care I'm coming back tonight
To the bright city lights
To the bright city lights
To the bright city lights
To the bright city lights
Oh I love those city lights
The song City Lights by 10cc portrays the excitement and allure of city life in the lyrics. The song talks about how the city rhythm excites a person and how they love the city lights. The party, music, and the joy that the city life brings are depicted in the lyrics. The line “Home from work got your money in your pocket, Pull on your boots brand new suit,” refers to how someone wants to indulge in the city life after a long day at work. They are ready to put on their best suit, go out and party all night, and let the city rhythm and lights engulf them.
The next stanza talks about how someone feeling funky, gets on the beat and shuffles their feet, hoping to find love. The neon lights flash as people look for love, and they are eager for a come-on. The last stanza talks about how people cannot resist the music that has gotten into their body, how they do not have time to feel sorry and how they go down to the club with old familiar faces. Everyone is ready to party, kick up a stink, and go crazy.
The theme of the song City Lights is all about the party culture, the music, and the excitement the city life brings. The lyrics talk about how people are drawn to the excitement and are willing to party all night long. It is an ode to the city life and all that it represents.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh oh I feel the city rhythm
I am aware of the sound and pace of the city
Oh oh I love those city lights
I adore the colorful and vibrant lights of the city
But when the sun comes up
And the party's over
I don't care I'm coming back tonight
To the bright city lights
Although the party ends and the sun rises, I still don't mind returning to the lively city at night
Home from work got your money in your pocket
Pull on your boots brand new suit
If you had the chance you'd hock it
For a night on the tiles
Once home from work, I have some money on hand, put on my best outfit, and if possible, I'd sell everything just to have a night out in the town
And a shot of midnight fever
Get off your back get on the track
Tune in your receiver oh oh
I'm ready for a night of wildness and fun, forget about all my problems, and get in the mood for the party
Truck down the street feeling kinda funky
Get on the beat shuffle your feet
Never know you might get lucky
You got love on the brain
As I walk down the street, I feel a little strange and awkward, but I start dancing to the rhythm of the music and hope to meet someone special
Flashing like a neon
Feed 'em a line
Give 'em a sign
They're looking for a come on oh oh
The bright light illuminates my surroundings, I say things to attract attention, beckon them with a sign, as they seek my attention
No way to stop when the music's in your body
Into the night feel all right
No time for feeling sorry
I can't control myself when the music enters my soul and the night air feels great, there's no time to feel remorseful
You go down to the club
With the old familiar faces
Buy 'em a drink kick up a stink
Everybody's going crazy oh oh
I head down to the nightclub where I meet my regular companions, buy them drinks, raise some controversy, and have a wild time
To the bright city lights
To the bright city lights
To the bright city lights
Oh I love those city lights
The colorful and lively lights of the city, which I love, brighten up my mood and make me forget about my troubles
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVE STEWART, KAYA STEWART
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind