Steve Harley (born Steven Nice on 27 February 27 in south London, died on 17th March 2024 at the age of 73)) began his musical career as a soloist in the legendary Beckenham Arts Lab founded by David Bowie. Here, he was busking (with John Crocker) and performing his own songs, some of which were later recorded by him and the band. The original Cockney Rebel was formed when Steve hooked up with his former folk partner, John Crocker (fiddle / mandolin / guitar) in 1972. They auditioned drummer Stuart Elliott, bassist Paul Jeffreys, and keyboardist Milton Reame-James. They were signed to EMI after playing just five gigs, one of the band's first gigs being at The Roundhouse in Chalk Farm, London, on 23 July 1972 supporting The Jeff Beck Group . Their first single "Sebastian", a soaring rock epic, was an immediate success in Europe, though failed to score in the UK singles chart. Their first album, The Human Menagerie, was released in 1973 to critical acclaim, and is still felt by many fans to be their best.
Harley managed to irritate a significant segment of the music press with his self-aggrandisement, even as the music itself was getting rave reviews and gaining a wide audience. It was becoming clear that Harley regarded the band as little more than accompaniment to his own agenda, and already there were signs that things would not last, despite having a big hit with their second single, "Judy Teen". There then followed the album The Psychomodo, an adventurous and ambitious production which showed that there was real talent in the group. A second single from the album, "Mr. Soft", was also a big hit. The band was voted the 'Most Outstanding New Act' of 1974. By this time the problems within the band had already reached a head, and all the musicians, with the exception of Stuart Elliott, quit at the end of a highly successful UK tour. Harley's next appearance on Top of the Pops was supported by session musicians drafted in for the show.
From then on, the band was a band in name only, being more or less a Steve Harley solo project. In 1974, a further album, The Best Years Of Our Lives was made, produced by Beatles recording engineer, Alan Parsons. This included the track "Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me)" which would go on to be a UK Number One single and the band's biggest selling hit. In a television interview recorded in 2002, Harley described how the lyrics are vindictively directed at the former band members, whom he felt had abandoned him - a fact which eludes a majority of listeners who enjoy the apparently happy chorus.
After 1975, Harley struggled to match the success of "Make Me Smile" and faded from fame, and Cockney Rebel eventually disbanded in 1977.
In 1998 Harley began to use the Cockney Rebel name again. The 2005 album "Quality of Mercy" (which included the singles "A Friend for Life" and "The Last Goodbye") was the first album since the 1970s to be released with the Cockney Rebel name
In 2010, Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel began touring again setting concert dates for England, Ireland, and Northern Ireland. This was done following the release of the new studio album Stranger Comes to Town. On 24 November 2012 the band including the Orchestra of the Swan and a choir performed the band's first two albums The Human Menagerie and The Psychomodo in their entirety for the first time. A live double-CD and DVD was released in October 2013 of this performance, titled Birmingham (Live with Orchestra & Choir).
Current members
Steve Harley - vocals, guitars (1972–1977, 1998–present)
Stuart Elliott - drums (1972–1977, 1998–present)
Lincoln Anderson - bass (2001–present)
Robbie Gladwell - guitar, vocals (1998-present)
Former members
John Crocker - violin, mandolin, guitar (1972–1974)
Paul Jeffreys - bass (1972–1974; died on 21 December 1988 in the Lockerbie air disaster)
Nick Jones - guitar (1972)
Pete Newnham - guitar (1972)
Milton Reame-James - keyboards (1972–1974)
Jim Cregan - guitar (1975–1977)
George Ford - bass (1975–1977)
Duncan Mackay - keyboards (1975–1977)
Jo Partridge - guitars (1976–1977)
UK Discography
Singles
* "Sebastian" - 1973
* "Judy Teen" - 1974 - Number 5
* "Mr. Soft" - 1974 - Number 8
* "Big Big Deal" - 1974
* "Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me)" - 1975 - Number 1
* "Mr. Raffles (Man It Was Mean)" - 1975 - Number 13
* "Black Or White" - 1975
* "White White Dove" - 1976
* "Here Comes The Sun" - 1976 - Number 10
* "(I Believe) Love's A Prima Donna" - 1976 - Number 41
* "The Best Years Of Our Lives" (live) - 1977
* "Freedom's Prisoner" - 1979 - Number 58
* "Ballerina (Prima Donna)" - 1983 - Number 51
* "The Phantom Of The Opera" - 1986 - Number 7
* "Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me)" - re-issue - 1992 - Number 46
* "Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me)" - 2nd re-issue - 1995 - Number 33
*"The Last Goodbye" - 2006 - UK # 186
Albums:
Cockney Rebel:
* The Human Menagerie - 1973
* The Psychomodo - 1974 - Number 8
Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel:
* The Best Years Of Our Lives - 1975 - Number 4
* Timeless Flight - 1976 - Number 18
* Love's A Prima Donna - 1976 - Number 28
* Face To Face - A Live Recording - 1977 - Number 40
* The Quality of Mercy - 2005
* Birmingham (Live with Orchestra & Choir) - 2013 UK Independent Chart # 36
Best Years of Our Lives
Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You, me and the boys, barred from the shore
Fresh-faced imbeciles, laughing at me
I've been laughing myself, is that so hard to see?
Do I have to spell each letter out, honestly!
If there's no room for laughter, there's no room for me
For me
No truth is in here, it's all fantasy
Since the last time we met I've been through
About seven hundred changes and that's just a few
And the changes all tend to be something to do
But you've got to believe that they're all done for you
For you
Oh, you'll think it's tragic when that moment first arrives
Oh, but it's magic, it's the best years of our lives
Lost now for the words to tell you the truth
Please banter with me the banter of youth
If I knew how to say it, I would say it for you
If I knew how to whisper, I'd whisper for you
If I knew how to waltz, I'd get up and dance for you
If I thought I could run, I'd come running to you
To you
I've discovered now how to be fair
And this I could teach you if only I dare
The only conclusion that I've reached in my life
Is that if I should die, I should die by the knife
Since it's only a matter of courage all right
Die a man or a martyr, the two would be nice
So nice
Oh, you'll think it's tragic when that moment arrives
Oh, oh, but it's magic, it's the best years of our lives
Oh oh oh oh, you'll think it's tragic when that moment first arrives
Oh oh, oh, but it's magic, it's the best years of our lives
The song "The Best Years of Our Lives" by Steve Harley is about the realization that laughter is necessary in life and that it is a key to happiness. The opening lines talk about the beauty of European women and the exclusion of the singer and his friends from the shore. As the song continues, the singer contrasts his own laughter with that of others who he believes are laughing at him, highlighting the importance of being able to laugh together rather than at one another. He urges others to look at themselves rather than him and see the fantasy that they are living in. He claims to have gone through many changes since they last met and that these changes are all for others to benefit from. The singer talks about his inability to find the right words to express his feelings and his longing to be able to communicate and dance the waltz. He concludes by saying he has learned the value of being fair and taking risks to ensure a fulfilling life, whether that involves dying with courage as a man or martyr.
One of the interesting facts about the song is that it was published in 1975 and was the fourth and final single from the album "The Best Years of Our Lives." The song was a massive hit in the UK charts, achieving #4 on the UK Singles Chart. It's widely considered one of Steve Harley's best songs, even though it was never released in the US. The song's backing vocalist is Linda Lewis, well-known for her own solo career. Another interesting fact is that the song's guitar solo was performed by the legendary Jim Cregan, who later played with Rod Stewart's band. Many listeners assume that this song is about nostalgia and reminiscing about the past, but it's actually about the present and the importance of living in the moment. The lyrics are inspired by T.S. Eliot's play "The Cocktail Party" and the phrase "The Best Years of Our Lives" was a recurring phrase throughout the play.
Chords for the song are:
Verse 1
Dmaj7 - Dmaj7 - Gmaj7 - Gmaj7
Dmaj7 - Dmaj7 - Gmaj7 - Gmaj7
Em7 - Em7 - Am7 - Am7
Em7 - A7 - Dmaj7 - Dmaj7
Chorus
G - G - Em - Em
G - G - Em - Em
C - C - G - G
D - D - G - G
Line by Line Meaning
European Maids, hard to ignore
The women here are beautiful and it's impossible not to notice.
You, me and the boys, barred from the shore
We're not allowed to access the privileged areas.
Fresh-faced imbeciles, laughing at me
Young and inexperienced people are mocking me.
I've been laughing myself, is that so hard to see?
I've been able to recognize the humor in my own situations.
Do I have to spell each letter out, honestly!
I shouldn't have to explain it, it's obvious.
If there's no room for laughter, there's no room for me
If people can't enjoy themselves, I don't feel welcome either.
Try looking at you, rather than me
Maybe you're the one doing something wrong, not me.
No truth is in here, it's all fantasy
Nothing here is genuine, it's all made up.
Since the last time we met I've been through, about seven hundred changes and that's just a few
I've gone through a lot of transformations since we last saw each other.
And the changes all tend to be something to do
These transformations are all related to you.
But you've got to believe that they're all done for you
Despite any mistakes I've made, everything I do is for you and your benefit.
Oh, you'll think it's tragic when that moment first arrives... Oh, but it's magic, it's the best years of our lives
You may be sad when a certain time comes, but it's actually a wonderful period in our lives.
Lost now for the words to tell you the truth
I don't know how to explain things honestly anymore.
Please banter with me the banter of youth
Let's talk like we did when we were young.
If I knew how to say it, I would say it for you
I'm not sure how to express myself, but I would try to for your sake.
If I knew how to whisper, I'd whisper for you
If I could speak softly, I would do so for you.
If I knew how to waltz, I'd get up and dance for you
If I was capable, I would dance with you.
If I thought I could run, I'd come running to you
If I believed I could make it to you, I would run to you.
I've discovered now how to be fair
I've learned how to be impartial and just.
And this I could teach you if only I dare
I could show you how to do this too, if I was brave enough.
The only conclusion that I've reached in my life
The one thing I've learned in my experiences is that
Is that if I should die, I should die by the knife
If I have to go down, it should be on my own terms.
Since it's only a matter of courage all right
It all comes down to bravery in the end.
Die a man or a martyr, the two would be nice, So nice
It's better to die like a strong and honorable man, rather than like a coward.
Oh oh oh oh, you'll think it's tragic when that moment first arrives... Oh oh, but it's magic, it's the best years of our lives.
Even though you may initially be sad when a certain time comes, it's actually an incredible period in our lives.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: STEVE HARLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@robmccluskey6906
True - and shameful - story coming up.
This was one of the first songs I learned to play on guitar. Anyone who knows a bit of guitar knows it is incredibly basic - which makes it even more awesome. Dylan was a master of it, I think I learned his entire 1961-1976 catalogue in a week on 5 or 6 chords.
Anyways ... several years later, I was in Zimbabwe. One night around a campfire, with a few locals, lots of beer and a guitar, I finally got enough Dutch in me to take a turn when the guitar was passed round. I remember doing a couple of Dylan songs, then I did this one ... nobody had heard it before.
To my eternal shame... I told everyone I wrote it myself. I had to write the lyrics and chords out for a couple of the lads there, they made me sign it and told me one day I would be famous if I wrote more songs like this.
This, of course, was in the wonderful pre-interweb era, when you couldn't type a few lines into google and get called out for being a bullshitter.
So... if you're ever in Zimbabwe, hanging around Victoria Falls, and you hear a busker tell you he learned this song off Steve Harley himself ... just smile and walk on.
(I actually recounted this story to Steve around 1996 / 97 after a gig, I think he called me a cunt ... with that Harley smile on his chops !)
@krisslee
November 2018
Friday 02 November 2018 - Butlins Skegness Resort - Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel - Butlins - Skegness
Monday 12 November 2018 - Mt.Rainier Hall Shibuya Pleasure Pleasure - Acoustic Trio - Mt.Rainier Hall Shibuya Pleasure Pleasure - Tokyo
Tuesday 13 November 2018 - Takadanobaba Super Live Theatre Area - Acoustic Trio - Takadanobaba Super Live Theatre Area, Tokyo
Thursday 22 November 2018 - P3 - Purmerend - P3
Friday 23 November 2018 - Vorstin - Hilversum - Vorstin
Saturday 24 November 2018 - Gebr DeNobel - Leiden - Gebr. de Nobel
Sunday 25 November 2018 - Bosuil, Weert - Muziekcentrum De Bosuil
December 2018
Sunday 02 December 2018 - The Great British Folk Festival, Butlins Skegness Resort - Acoustic Trio - Butlins - Skegness
Wednesday 19 December 2018 - De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill Hill On Sea - De La Warr Pavilion
Thursday 20 December 2018 - Open, Norwich - Open
Friday 21 December 2018 - Nell's Jazz and Blues, London - Nells Jazz & Blues
Saturday 22 December 2018 - Engine Rooms, Southampton - Engine Rooms
@Notalwaysrightbutmostly
Just loved Cockney rebel , my first musical love .Started in 74 when I was 15 here I am almost 50 years later still listening still loving .Thank you Steve make me smile will see me on my final journey
@mogensfriis7627
Wonderful Song - deserves a million likes !
@melfzs
Been a fan of the man since I first heard Sebastian, but the best years is my all time favourite, and as has already been said a poetic genius.
@iancarter4196
I took my wife along to see Cockney Rebel in 1976, In Plymouth. Still one of the best live gigs I’ve ever been to. I still have albums. Also in my car (cds). Best years of our lives, beautiful track.
@rogermanning3702
I was at that gig, ABC cinema, Make me smile brought the house down.
@kerryalbany3922
Man, this songs making me cry
@welderman444
I saw Steve Harley perform this great song live last Saturday in Warrington. 22/7/17. This was the stand out song for me in a fantastic show. as with this video, he invited the audience to sing along. i sang like a nutter and had a brilliant night. At 58 years old I`m so lucky to see real talent like Steve Harley still performing.
@picdriver
Nice one! Wish I was there too....enjoy your memories ;)
@charlessimpson3202
Steve Harley, such an under-rated songwriter. A true poet x
@DaniRocksaurier
I was lucky to saw him live in Switzerland around mid 90's. I grow up with his music
since early 70's