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
If This Is Love
Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like in the sixties youre my peaches and my cream
You give me loving like Im wanking in a dream
I wouldnt swoop you for the riches of no queen
Dont show me doors just give me the keys
Youre like some devil when Im down on my knees
Chorus: if this is love youve gotta give me more
You give me shivers when your tongue is in my ear
Like in the movies youre my pin-up of the year
Im so excited by your alligator tears
Its only love but then its music to my ears
Dont give me words just show me your eyes
Youre my tarantula so itll come as some surprise
Chorus: take it !!!
Dont show me doors just give me the keys
Youre like some devil when Im begging you down on my knees
Chorus: out? out? out!!!
In Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel's song Give Me More, the singer is expressing his intense passion and desire for his lover. He describes how she arouses him both physically and emotionally. The line "you beat my pillow with your whispers and your screams" suggests that she is vocal and expressive in bed, while the reference to the sixties, "like in the sixties you're my peaches and my cream," implies that their love is reminiscent of a time of sexual liberation and experimentation. He also compares the intensity of his pleasure to "wanking in a dream." He emphasizes that he values her over material wealth, saying "I wouldn't swoop you for the riches of no queen."
The second verse continues with the theme of physical arousal as he describes how her words and touch give him shivers and evoke excitement. He likens her to a pin-up girl and describes her tears as alligator tears, suggesting that they may not be genuine but he still finds them moving. The line "you're my tarantula so it'll come as some surprise" is a metaphor that could imply that she is his poison and he is addicted to her, or that she is dangerous and he is drawn to her.
Overall, the song presents a picture of a passionate and intoxicating relationship that borders on obsession, where the singer yearns for more of the intense feelings that their love provides.
Line by Line Meaning
You beat my pillow with your whispers and your screams
Your words and sounds in bed are overwhelming and emotionally intense.
Like in the sixties youre my peaches and my cream
Our love and connection are reminiscent of the wild and free times of the 1960s.
You give me loving like Im wanking in a dream
Your passion feels like a vivid fantasy coming to life.
I wouldnt swoop you for the riches of no queen
I value you above any material wealth or royalty.
Dont show me doors just give me the keys
I don't want barriers or restrictions in our relationship, only freedom.
Youre like some devil when Im down on my knees
You have a powerful hold over me, especially in vulnerable moments.
Chorus: if this is love youve gotta give me more
I need deeper and stronger emotions from you if this is going to be true love.
You give me shivers when your tongue is in my ear
Your physical touch and presence send chills down my spine.
Like in the movies youre my pin-up of the year
You fulfill my fantasy of the perfect partner and embodiment of attraction.
Im so excited by your alligator tears
Your emotional vulnerability and tears elicit excitement and passion from me.
Its only love but then its music to my ears
Our love is simple but it still sustains and delights me like beautiful music.
Dont give me words just show me your eyes
Actions speak louder than words, and I want to see your true feelings and intentions through your eyes.
Youre my tarantula so itll come as some surprise
You have a mysterious, dangerous, and seductive appeal that surprises and enthralls me.
Chorus: take it !!!
Take this as a serious plea for more love and emotion from you.
Dont show me doors just give me the keys
I want complete and open access to your heart and soul without any obstructions.
Youre like some devil when Im begging you down on my knees
Your allure and hold over me is like that of a tempting, irresistible devil when I'm at your mercy.
Chorus: out? out? out!!!
I urgently demand more love and emotion from you, or else this relationship might end soon.
Lyrics © MUSIC & MEDIA INT'L, INC.
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