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
Make Me Smile
Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And pulled the rebel to the floor
You spoilt the game, no matter what you say
For only metal, what a bore!
Blue eyes, blue eyes
How come you tell so many lies?
Or do what you want, running wild
There's nothing left, all gone and run away
Maybe you'll tarry for a while
It's just a test, a game for us to play
Win or lose, it's hard to smile
Resist, resist
It's from yourself, you have to hide, oh
Come up and see me to make me smile, oh
Or do what you want, running wild
There ain't no more, you've taken everything
From my belief in Mother Earth
Can you ignore my faith in everything
'Cause I know what faith is and what it's worth
Away, away
And don't say maybe you'll try
To come up and see me to make me smile
Or do what you want just running wild
Come up and see me, make me smile
Or do what you want, running wild
Come up and see me
The song "Make Me Smile" by Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel is a quintessential rock ballad about a relationship that has gone sour. The singer speaks to their former partner who has betrayed them and broken all the rules of their once-strong bond. The song is a combination of the frustration and the pain that comes with such a betrayal. The lyrics highlight the anger and hurt of someone who was once enamoured but who has now been deeply hurt by the actions of their partner.
The first verse acknowledges the fact that the person to whom the song is directed has destroyed everything that they and their partner once had. The second verse talks about the blue eyes of the person and how they have been telling so many lies, which is the reason for their relationship falling apart. Despite all the hurt, the singer still desires the presence of their partner and wants them to make them smile as they used to. Alternatively, the singer suggests that their partner can do what they want and continue to run wild.
The bridge acknowledges that the relationship is done and there is nothing left for the singer. However, their partner can stay for the time being, and they can play a game of testing each other for fun. However, winning or losing would be difficult as the relationship has lost its magic. The final verse talks about how the partner has taken everything, including the singer's faith in the natural world, and destroyed it. However, the singer still depends on their own faith despite everything that has happened.
Line by Line Meaning
You've done it all, you've broken every code
You have accomplished everything and broken all the barriers to success.
And pulled the rebel to the floor
You have subdued a rebel and defeated their spirit.
You spoilt the game, no matter what you say
You ruined everything and can't blame anyone else for it.
For only metal, what a bore!
You are only interested in material things and everything else is boring.
Blue eyes, blue eyes
Addressing someone with blue eyes.
How come you tell so many lies?
Asking why the person with blue eyes tells so many lies.
Come up and see me, make me smile
Come visit me and bring joy to my life.
Or do what you want, running wild
Alternatively, do whatever you want and live life to the fullest.
There's nothing left, all gone and run away
Everything has been taken away and disappeared.
Maybe you'll tarry for a while
Perhaps you will stay for a short time.
It's just a test, a game for us to play
Life is merely a test or game for us to participate in.
Win or lose, it's hard to smile
Regardless of the outcome, it's tough to maintain a happy disposition.
Resist, resist
Fight against the urges and temptations.
It's from yourself, you have to hide, oh
The need to resist comes from within oneself.
There ain't no more, you've taken everything
There is nothing left, as everything has been taken.
From my belief in Mother Earth
Everything was taken from my belief in Mother Earth.
Can you ignore my faith in everything
Can you disregard my trust and belief in everything?
'Cause I know what faith is and what it's worth
Because I understand the value and significance of faith.
Away, away
Depart or leave.
And don't say maybe you'll try
Don't suggest that you might attempt to fix or resolve the situation.
To come up and see me to make me smile
Visit me to make me happy.
Or do what you want just running wild
Alternatively, live on your own terms and enjoy freedom.
Come up and see me, make me smile
Visit me and bring joy to me.
Or do what you want, running wild
Otherwise, live your life to the fullest on your own terms.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Steve Harley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Choober65
Simpler world, happier times. What a cracker of a song.
@user-wc8pm8eu4b
young people today do not understand how much of an impact the release of these records was in the days before the internet and streaming. we would wait each week for the new chart to be released and then to see the acts on music shows like Top Of The Pops, eagerly looking to see whether our favourite record/s had gone up or down in the chart. Everything today is instantaneous - then, we had to wait for stuff.
@lokiwiseyt8608
This song is almost 50 years old and it’s still one of the best songs I’ve ever heard
@anjasmolders2013
Good taste Loki greetings
@antman5474
It's Islam
@buffalosowljah373
oh its a classic alright.sort of glam and punk mixture... id love to hear a johnny lydon version of this would be perfect for him .. wonder if he ever did one 😁
@robcoggins8484
Be number one if released these days timeless
@stormdog6197
Very Esoteric....
@eileencarey8983
It's the pauses, the timing, the tune, it's just perfect.
@scrotrot1595
The guy who produced this song for Steve really tweeked it good. Steve had its composition very slow, so they sped it up a bit. The producer also wanted to add the pauses, which they did.