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
Old Wild Men
10cc Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They are in deepest water
Where are they now?
They are over the hill and far away
But they are broken men who lie low
Waiting for miracles
Old men of rock and roll
Where are they now?
They are over the hill and far away
But they're still gonna play guitars
On dead strings, and old drums
They'll play and play to pass the time
The old wild men
Old wild men
Old wild men, waiting for miracles
Lord have mercy upon the many
Lord have mercy upon the few
Lord have mercy upon the many
Lord have mercy on me and on you
The lyrics to 10cc's song "Old Wild Men" are reflective about aging musicians who are past their prime, but still continue to play their music despite their circumstances. The first set of lyrics ask where the boys are, and the answer is that they are in deepest water and over the hill and far away. The boys have experienced hardships and are now broken men who lie low, waiting for miracles. The second set of lyrics describes the old men of rock and roll who came bearing music, but now are also over the hill and far away. They still play their guitars on dead strings and old drums, to pass the time. The chorus repeats the phrase "old wild men" several times, once again emphasizing the theme of aging and the continued love of music.
The last set of lyrics asks for mercy upon the many and the few, and upon the singer and the listener. This final verse brings a sense of community and shared experience to the song, as if to acknowledge that life may not have turned out as expected, but at least they have each other and the power of music. Overall, "Old Wild Men" is a melancholy yet hopeful song that explores the human experience of aging and the persistence of music in difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
Where are my boys?
The singer is searching for his fellow musicians.
They are in deepest water
The boys are in a difficult and complicated situation.
Where are they now?
The singer is still looking for his boys.
They are over the hill and far away
The boys are no longer young and have moved on from their past.
But they are broken men who lie low
The boys have experienced hardship and are trying to stay out of trouble.
Waiting for miracles
The boys are hoping for a positive change in their lives or careers.
Old men of rock and roll
The singer is referring to himself and his fellow musicians as experienced musicians who have been in the industry for a long time.
Came bearing music
The old men brought their musical talents and skills with them wherever they went.
But they're still gonna play guitars
Despite their age, the old men are still passionate about playing music.
On dead strings, and old drums
They do not have new equipment to play with, but they still make music with what they have.
They'll play and play to pass the time
Playing music is a way for the old men to spend their time and keep themselves occupied.
The old wild men
The old men are still free-spirited and unconventional.
Lord have mercy upon the many
The singer asks for God's blessings and kindness for many people.
Lord have mercy upon the few
The singer asks for God's blessings and kindness for a select few.
Lord have mercy upon the many
The singer repeats his request for God's blessings and kindness for many people.
Lord have mercy on me and on you
The singer asks for God's blessings and kindness for himself and his listeners.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: KEVIN GODLEY, LOL CREME
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@geoleolecky5056
Most people thought that 10 cc were just a pop band..how wrong. They produced great songs with outstanding lyrics and they're exploration using different instruments are sublime.bands like this don't die they go to music heaven.
@taster321
Geoleo lecky I grew up with vinyl records & 10cc. For me 10cc is the greatest Pop band along with The Beatles and ABBA .
@cramlacy
I can remember buying this album with my first weeks wages at 16. Played it to death on vinyl and same again when I upgraded to cd. They were brilliantly ahead of their time, and sorely missed
@aldiakaroofus
I am not ashamed of admitting that this song always makes me cry.
@kevinkelleher8492
you shouldn't be
@jeffbridges666
And me
@paulmasters7621
My older brother was in hospital recently , we played some old rock tunes and the other ward patients smiled and rocked too , I noticed then that the wards were filled with ‘the old wild men , waiting for miracles ‘ I cried going home that night , god bless them all xx❤️❤️👍😀
@virginiabravo2569
What a beauty!!!! Simply brilliant. Eric and Kevin's voices are just gorgeous in this poignant ballad. Thank you so much for sharing.
@Misty33Blue
Music does not get any better than this!
@Soleil954
❤