The first two albums, 'the Human Me… Read Full Bio ↴See Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel
The first two albums, 'the Human Menagerie' and 'The Psychomodo', were released under the name 'Cockney Rebel'. The original line-up split after the second album, due to contractual and 'personal' reasons. During their last tour, most of the band had to perform as session musicians. Steve Harley reformed the band at the end of 1974, releasing 'The Best Years Of Our Lives' album under the name 'Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel', with the original drummer Stuart Elliot.
Tumbling Down
Cockney Rebel Lyrics
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Now me I regard it's a torturous hardship that smolders
Like a peppermint eaten away
Will I fight, will I swagger or sway?
Hee hee, my lady, she cries like a baby to scolders
See her tumbling down, tumbling down
Hail to the monkey, we're having a funky reunion
He got nicotine stains in his eyes
He got nothing to protect but his pride
Oh! smother the kiss or be drownded in blissful confusion
See it tumbling down, tumbling down
Juvenile tale, see the Tintanic sail into Brighton
The Hemingway stacatto, the tragic bravado can frighten
To be here, there and everywhere's fine
But do you have to be so swift all the time
Deliver the dawn to the Moulin-Rouge on the horizon
Watch it tumbling down, tumbling down
Tumbling down, tumbling down
Oh dear, look what they've done to the blues, blues, blues
Oh dear, look what they've done to the blues, blues, blues
Oh dear, look what they've done to the blues, blues, blues
Oh dear, look what they've done to the blues, blues, blues ....
The lyrics of "Tumbling Down" by Cockney Rebel are quite enigmatic and poetic, with obscure references and cryptic metaphors. The song seems to be addressing various themes of vulnerability, disillusionment, addiction, and artistic expression. The opening line "Gee, but it's hard when one lowers one's guard to the vultures" suggests the dangers of exposing oneself to scrutiny and criticism, possibly in the context of show business or personal relationships. The singer acknowledges that such exposure is a "torturous hardship that smolders" like a peppermint eaten away, implying that the sweetness and freshness of life can be corroded by external pressures.
The chorus of "See her tumbling down, tumbling down" could be interpreted as a lament for the loss or decline of something or someone precious, though it is not clear what that is. The second verse introduces a new character, the "monkey" who is apparently a former friend or lover of the singer, but now is reduced to a state of degradation and addiction. The line "He got nothing to protect but his pride" suggests that even in his downfall, the monkey clings to some semblance of dignity or defiance, much like the singer's "fight, swagger, or sway". The joyless communion on Sundays also implies a sense of hypocrisy or emptiness in religious ritual.
The third verse has some surreal and exotic imagery, with the Titanic sailing into Brighton, referencing the infamous disaster and contrasting it with the mundane seaside town. The Hemingway staccato and tragic bravado may refer to the style of the famous writer or to a more general sense of masculine posturing and drama. The lines "To be here, there and everywhere's fine, but do you have to be so swift all the time" suggest a criticism of restlessness or fickleness, perhaps in the context of artistic or romantic pursuits. The final repetition of "Oh dear, look what they've done to the blues" could be interpreted as a commentary on the state of music or culture in general, as well as a refrain of sadness and resignation.
Line by Line Meaning
Gee, but it's hard when one lowers one's guard to the vultures
It's difficult to let your guard down and be vulnerable to those who might take advantage.
Now me I regard it's a torturous hardship that smolders
For me, it's a painful experience that continues to cause discomfort.
Like a peppermint eaten away
It's like something refreshing and uplifting has been consumed, but is now fading away.
Will I fight, will I swagger or sway?
Will I resist and stand my ground or try to charm my way out of the situation?
Hee hee, my lady, she cries like a baby to scolders
My partner is easily upset by criticism and becomes very emotional.
See her tumbling down, tumbling down
She's struggling and seems to be losing control of the situation.
Hail to the monkey, we're having a funky reunion
We're celebrating, but it's clear that we're not taking it too seriously.
Wasted and sunk, he can only have Sunday communion
He's in a state of despair and can only find solace in religion once a week.
He got nicotine stains in his eyes
He's clearly been smoking too much and it's affecting his appearance and health.
He got nothing to protect but his pride
He doesn't have anything else left to hold onto except his sense of self-worth.
Oh! smother the kiss or be drownded in blissful confusion
Either we need to stop romanticizing and face reality or risk losing ourselves in fantasy and delusion.
See it tumbling down, tumbling down
It's all falling apart and there doesn't seem to be any way to stop it.
Juvenile tale, see the Tintanic sail into Brighton
It's a silly, childish story, like a ship being transported to a city it doesn't belong in.
The Hemingway stacatto, the tragic bravado can frighten
The way we're acting and speaking seems tough and impressive, but it's actually quite unsettling.
To be here, there and everywhere's fine
Traveling and exploring is great and all.
But do you have to be so swift all the time
But why do we have to rush around all the time and never slow down and enjoy ourselves?
Deliver the dawn to the Moulin-Rouge on the horizon
Let's bring a new day and start fresh, perhaps with some excitement and pleasure waiting for us in the future.
Watch it tumbling down, tumbling down
It's all falling apart and we're not in control. We're watching things crumble before our very eyes.
Oh dear, look what they've done to the blues, blues, blues
It's a lament over the current state of affairs. The situation has gotten bad and people are blaming and even ruining the blues.
Oh dear, look what they've done to the blues, blues, blues
Things have gotten even worse and it's hard to ignore the damage that's been done to this once-great art form.
Oh dear, look what they've done to the blues, blues, blues
It's a final cry of frustration and sorrow over what's been lost and how things might never be the same again.
Oh dear, look what they've done to the blues, blues, blues ....
It's a repeated refrain that emphasizes the extent of the damage and how deeply it's being felt and mourned.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: STEVE HARLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Philip Kilmartin
on Rock and Roll Parade
it took me two years to build, oh lord you know how I tried