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
Welcome To Paradise
10cc Lyrics
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Shook the hand of my brother
And I said goodbye to the woman I loved
It may seem like a madness
To be leaving the love nest
But I'm taking a chance on a place far away
Welcome to paradise
You will find heaven is here on earth
Welcome to paradise
Did somebody say . . .
There's a coup coming on
There's a coup coming on
There's a coup coming on
There's a coup coming on
A coup coming on
Bad vibrations (there's a coup coming on)
Feeling the tension (there's a coup coming on)
No smoke without fire (there's a coup coming on)
I could smell the danger
Never dance with a stranger
But the music took me and soon I was lost
So I questioned a lady
But her answers were crazy
And before I knew I was counting the cost
Welcome to paradise
Love it but don't look twice
You'll soon be living in make believe
Welcome to paradise
Did somebody say
There's a coup coming on
There's a coup coming on
There's a coup coming on
There's a coup coming on
A coup coming on
Somebody help me (there's a coup coming on)
(Welcome to paradise)
So much I don't follow (there's a coup coming on)
(Welcome to paradise)
I'm not looking for trouble (there's a coup coming on)
(Welcome to paradise)
There's a coup coming on
A coup coming on
I shouldn't have come
No I shouldn't have come
Why did I come, hey!
The clouds were gathering
And the temperature rising
Be no turning back all my bridges were burned
Then it hit me, jumped up and bit me
Now I'm under your spell I can never return
This is your paradise
Now you must pay the price
You should have flown
When the coup was blown
Welcome to paradise
Did somebody say
There's a coup coming on
There's a coup coming on
There's a coup coming on
There's a coup coming on
A coup coming on
A band on the run
Annie get your gun
The lyrics of 10cc’s “Welcome to Paradise” tell a story of a man who is leaving behind everything he knows and loves, taking a chance on something new and exciting, only to be met with unexpected danger and chaos. The song begins with the man saying goodbye to his family, including the woman he loves, to go to a place far away. He’s taking a chance on a new beginning, but is still unsure if he made the right decision. Upon arriving, he realizes that something is wrong. There’s “a coup coming on” and he can feel the tension in the air. Furthermore, he’s tempted by the music and starts dancing with a stranger, which turns out to be a costly mistake. He starts to question the answers he’s receiving as they make no sense. Finally, he realizes he's under a spell, and it’s too late to go back. The song ends with the man realizing that he's in paradise, but he can never leave and will have to pay the price for his decision, suggesting that he may have made a pact with the devil.
The story painted in the lyrics is sad, yet cautionary since it encourages listeners to think twice before making life-changing decisions. It portrays how, even with the best of intentions, things may not turn out as well as planned. The central message of the song seems to be that we should be careful what we wish for because sometimes paradise can turn out to be hell.
Line by Line Meaning
I kissed my mother
I said goodbye to my family before leaving for a new adventure
Shook the hand of my brother
I said farewell to my sibling before embarking on a journey
And I said goodbye to the woman I loved
I parted ways with my beloved as I left for an uncertain future
It may seem like a madness
It might appear irrational or insane to take such a risk
To be leaving the love nest
Departing from a comfortable and familiar environment, such as home or a relationship, can be challenging
But I'm taking a chance on a place far away
Nevertheless, I am willing to make a leap of faith and try my luck in a distant location
Welcome to paradise
This is the promised land, where everything is perfect and desirable
Who said you can't live twice
Just because you only have one life doesn't mean you can't make the most of it and change your situation
You will find heaven is here on earth
By exploring the world and experiencing new things, you can discover that happiness and fulfillment are within reach
There's a coup coming on
There is a political upheaval or rebellion brewing in the background
Bad vibrations (there's a coup coming on)
There is a sense of unease or tension in the air due to the impending conflict
Feeling the tension (there's a coup coming on)
The escalating crisis is causing individuals to feel anxious and nervous
No smoke without fire (there's a coup coming on)
Where there is smoke, there is usually a fire, meaning that there are signs of danger that cannot be ignored
I could smell the danger
I sensed that something was wrong or risky
Never dance with a stranger
It is unwise to trust someone you don't know
But the music took me and soon I was lost
However, I couldn't resist the allure of the new and unknown, and I was quickly drawn in
So I questioned a lady
I asked a woman for information or advice
But her answers were crazy
However, she gave me nonsensical or irrational responses
And before I knew I was counting the cost
Before I realized it, I was dealing with the consequences of my actions and decisions
Love it but don't look twice
Enjoy your stay in paradise, but don't examine it too closely or scrutinize it too much
You'll soon be living in make believe
You will eventually be confronted with the reality that paradise is not what it seems
Somebody help me (there's a coup coming on)
I feel overwhelmed and helpless in the face of the impending crisis
(Welcome to paradise)
Once again, this is the ideal and idyllic destination of your dreams
So much I don't follow (there's a coup coming on)
There is a lot happening that I don't understand or comprehend
I'm not looking for trouble (there's a coup coming on)
I want to avoid conflict or danger, but it may be too late
A band on the run
A group of musicians fleeing from danger or persecution
Annie get your gun
A reference to a historical figure who was known for her sharp-shooting skills and bravery
This is your paradise
This is the place that you have been seeking and dreaming of for so long
Now you must pay the price
However, there is always a cost or a trade-off for obtaining such a perfect destination
You should have flown
You would have been better off leaving this place while you still had the chance
When the coup was blown
Before the revolution or insurrection began
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ERIC STEWART, GRAHAM GOULDMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind