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
Shine A Light In The Dark
10cc Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It was never easy but I found a way
Well the journey was hard and the road was tough
There were times when I cried lord I've had enough
Please don't desert me now
Don't you leave me stranded now I need a friend
Please don't desert me now
You've gotta show me mercy when I'm helpless
Show me mercy when I'm helpless
Shine a light in the dark
Hold me back when I get reckless
Shine a light in the dark
Stand me up if I get legless
Shine a light in the dark
Shine a light in the dark
Shine a light in the dark
I've been down and out and I've been fit to drop
But the thought of you wouldn't let me stop
Now a man should stand upon his own two feet
Because the taste of failure is a bitter sweet
Please don't desert me now
I can hear the reaper calling in the wind
Please don't desert me now
You've gotta show me mercy when I'm helpless
Show me mercy when I'm helpless
Shine a light in the dark
Hold me back when I get reckless
Shine a light in the dark
Stand me up if I get legless
Shine a light in the dark
Shine a light in the dark
Shine a light in the dark
Where were you when the chips were down
I fell apart when I hit the town
Where were you when I couldn't get arrested
Where were you when the lights went out
I blew a fuse, did you hear me shout
Where on earth do I look for heavens sake
There's a brotherhood that I want to see
Gotta take my share of equality
There's no harmony in a one man band
Even god almighty needs a helping hand
Please don't desert me now
There's no time and I can't fight another day
Please don't desert me now
You've gotta show me mercy when I'm helpless
Show me mercy when I'm helpless
Shine a light in the dark
Hold me back when I get reckless
Shine a light in the dark
Stand me up if I get legless
Shine a light in the dark
Shine a light in the dark
Shine a light in the dark
The lyrics of "Shine A Light In The Dark" by 10cc explore the theme of the need for support during difficult times. The opening lines suggest that the singer has made mistakes in the past and has had to pay for them. The journey has been challenging, and there were moments when the singer felt like giving up. However, the singer is now asking for help, urging the listener not to desert them in their time of need. The singer acknowledges their vulnerability and seeks mercy, hoping to find a friend who will hold them back when they get reckless, stand them up if they get legless, and shine a light in the dark.
As the song continues, the singer questions where the listener was when they needed them most in the past. The vivid imagery paints a picture of a person struggling to keep going, and the tension builds as they search for answers. The chorus repeats the same message of vulnerability and a plea for support, emphasizing the importance of solidarity and togetherness in confronting life's challenges.
Overall, "Shine A Light In The Dark" is a powerful song that acknowledges the strength needed to face life's challenges but also recognizes the importance of human connection in overcoming them.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been lost before and I had to pay
I have experienced being lost before and suffered the consequences.
It was never easy but I found a way
Although it was difficult, I eventually found a solution.
Well the journey was hard and the road was tough
The journey was challenging and difficult to navigate.
There were times when I cried lord I've had enough
There were moments when I felt overwhelmed and couldn't handle any more.
Please don't desert me now
I need your support and assistance at this time.
Don't you leave me stranded now I need a friend
I can't do this alone, I need someone to help me through this difficult situation.
You've gotta show me mercy when I'm helpless
When I am feeling helpless and vulnerable, I need your compassion and assistance.
Show me mercy when I'm helpless
I am asking for leniency and kindness when I am unable to help myself.
Shine a light in the dark
Help me find a way out of the darkness and into the light.
Hold me back when I get reckless
When I am not thinking clearly, I need someone to stop me from making foolish decisions.
Stand me up if I get legless
If I become so overwhelmed that I can't stand on my own, I need someone to lend me support.
I've been down and out and I've been fit to drop
I have experienced extreme lows and moments when I was close to collapse.
But the thought of you wouldn't let me stop
The thought of having you as a support system gave me the motivation to keep going and not quit.
Now a man should stand upon his own two feet
Generally speaking, a man should be self-sufficient and not rely on others.
Because the taste of failure is a bitter sweet
The feeling of failing at something is unpleasant, although it can also be a learning opportunity.
I can hear the reaper calling in the wind
I feel like I am on the verge of giving up or facing a life-threatening situation.
Where were you when the chips were down
I am feeling disappointment or resentment towards someone who was not there for me during difficult moments.
I fell apart when I hit the town
I lost my composure or control when I was in a challenging situation.
Where were you when I couldn't get arrested
I needed someone's help but no one was willing to assist me.
Where were you when the lights went out
I felt scared or helpless during a time of crisis or uncertainty, and there was nobody to turn to.
I blew a fuse, did you hear me shout
I lost my temper and shouted out in distress or desperation.
Where on earth do I look for heavens sake
I am feeling lost or confused and don't know where to turn for help.
There's a brotherhood that I want to see
I want to experience a sense of community and support with others.
Gotta take my share of equality
It is important for me to receive fair treatment and recognition.
There's no harmony in a one man band
I can't do everything on my own and I need others to help me achieve my goals.
Even god almighty needs a helping hand
Even the most powerful and capable entities in the world need assistance at times.
There's no time and I can't fight another day
I am feeling overwhelmed and exhausted, and I can't continue dealing with the situation on my own.
Shine a light in the dark
Help me find my way out of the difficulties and into a better situation.
Hold me back when I get reckless
Prevent me from making mistakes and bad decisions that could worsen my situation.
Stand me up if I get legless
Help me maintain my stability and prevent me from collapsing.
Shine a light in the dark
Guide me towards a better outcome and help me overcome the obstacles in my way.
Shine a light in the dark
Provide me with support and guidance through a difficult time.
Shine a light in the dark
Be a beacon of hope and positivity when I am struggling to find my way.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ERIC STEWART, GRAHAM GOULDMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind