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
Donna
10cc Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You made me stand up
You made me sit down, Donna
Sit down, Donna
Sit down
You made stand up
Donna waiting by the telephone
Oh Donna
You make me break up
You make me break down, Donna
Break down, Donna
Break down
You make me break up
Meanwhile waiting by the telephone
Donna is waiting for the phone to ring
"Hello, darling
Yes I love you darling
Yes I love you"
Oh Donna
You made me stand up
You made me sit down, Donna
Sit down, Donna
Sit down
You make stand up
Donna I'd stand on my head for you
Oh my love, my own one
Oh my love, my own one
Donna waiting by the telephone
Donna waiting for the phone to ring
Oh Donna
Oh Donna
Oh Donna
Oh Donna
Donna I love you
The lyrics to 10cc's song Donna are about a man who is controlled by a woman named Donna. She makes him feel a range of emotions that cause him to go back and forth between standing up and sitting down, breaking up and breaking down. The chorus repeats the phrase "Oh Donna" several times as if to emphasize the power she holds over him.
Throughout the song, Donna is waiting by the telephone, presumably waiting for the man to call her. This suggests that he may be stringing her along or that she is waiting for him to make a commitment to her. When he finally does call her, he tells her that he loves her, confirming that he does have genuine feelings for her despite being at her mercy throughout the song.
The song may be interpreted as a commentary on power dynamics in relationships, as well as the anxiety and uncertainty that can come with waiting for someone else to make a move. It also captures the feelings of being overwhelmed by another person and the lengths we may go to in order to win over their affection.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh Donna
Addressing Donna and setting the tone for the rest of the song
You made me stand up
Donna has the ability to inspire and motivate the singer
You made me sit down, Donna
Donna also has the power to calm and soothe the singer
Sit down, Donna
The artist is asking Donna to relax and take it easy
You made stand up
Reinforcing the idea that Donna is able to influence the artist's actions
Donna waiting by the telephone
Painting a picture of Donna waiting for someone to call her
Donna waiting for the phone to ring
Reiterating that Donna is waiting for a specific call
You make me break up
Donna is causing the artist to have emotional breakdowns
You make me break down, Donna
Further expressing how Donna is affecting the artist's emotional state
Break down, Donna
Asking Donna to ease up and not cause any more emotional turmoil
Meanwhile waiting by the telephone
Shifting attention to the singer who is also waiting for a call
Donna is waiting for the phone to ring
Repeating the idea that Donna is waiting for a phone call
"Hello, darling
Yes I love you darling
Yes I love you"
A snippet of a conversation between two people who are expressing their love for each other
Donna I'd stand on my head for you
The singer is expressing the extent of their love for Donna by saying they would do anything for her
Oh my love, my own one
An endearing term of affection for Donna
Donna I love you
A declaration of love for Donna
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: KEVIN GODLEY, LOL CREME
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@elizabethdevine7634
Remember waiting for Thursday night to see Top of the Pops, at half 7 to see bands like 10cc, early 70's. Happy days....
@michaelzarro8871
When music was great!😁
@jackojackson9082
My teenager years listening to this song. Lovely simple times. Now 63 🤷🏽♀️
@andymatthews7617
I'm 62 so sad those great days are no more 😢😢
@juliebaybutt7447
Breaks heart listening this....My daughter is Donna not seen her in years hope she hears this,thanx guys brilliant,says it all !!!!!!
@declanmurphy417
sorry to hear that why did you fall out
@kathleen9750
I'm in the same boat with my daughter. It just kills me too. My heart...
@chris-rfs
Wherever your daughter is you need to go a find her and tell her how much you love her!
Sorry you haven't seen her in a long time.
@grantweir3538
Fingers x Julie , hope for good news .x
@kazzyification
My son hasn't spoken to me for 14 years. 😢