I was at university in Scotland between September 1973 and December 1977. Bang in the middle of that time, a song was released by Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel. It made Number 1 in the British charts and for many weeks was played continuously in the student union's pub - "The Allangrange".
The song was "Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)" and if a film was ever made of my university days and that particular time in my life, that single would have to be the theme song. Admittedly, such a prospect seems highly unlikely unless I become a mass murderer or, more likely, assassinate Boris Johnson with a cricket bat.
I had never really analysed why I liked that song so much. After all, there's a lot of bitterness in the lyrics. Steve Harley was addressing the original members of Cockney Rebel with whom there had been a breaking up in the summer of 1974 but at the time we never knew of that background. With its pauses, its guitar solo and its Mae West-like top line it was a curiously catchy song.
Sadly, Steve Harley died yesterday morning at the age of 73. It wasn't drink, drugs or a rock star lifestyle that did for him but a cancer that he had been battling with for a few short months. Now, as the song said, "There's nothing left/All gone and run away" and Steve Harley is no more. But behind, as well as his grieving family, he leaves an army of people from my generation who danced to "Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)" without fully understanding what it meant though it truly did make us smile.
Yes I was saddened when I read of his demise. A great song.
ReplyDeleteOf course there were many other songs but that's the one that most people remember.
DeleteI'd never heard of him, but the song is good.
ReplyDeleteRIP, sir.
Thanks for giving it a listen Bob.
DeleteI remember that song, though it didn't get much airplay out here and I didn't actually remember it until I heard it here today.
ReplyDeleteI reached Number 17 in the Australian charts in 1975.
DeleteIn 1975 I was busy with a toddler and a new baby, there wasn't time for radio listening.
DeleteI was very sad to hear of his death. I loved that song but had no idea what it was about. Cancer is still a big killer even though huge strides have been made in it's defeat.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear of your badly foot. Maybe it's plantar fasciitis? Sounds similar to something my other half suffers with. I'm sure Nurse Shirley will sort you out!
I am pretty confident it is not plantar fasciitis Christina. I know the feeling of gout but thanks for your kind thoughts.
DeleteYou are probably not surprised to read that I have never heard of the singer or the song until just now.
ReplyDeleteCancer has taken away so many lives way too soon.
The song reached Number 20 in the West German charts in 1975.
DeleteA great song, brilliantly played and performed. From the photograph on his website, he might have been ill for quite a time, but only decided to make it public at the end of last year.
ReplyDelete"Cockney Rebel frontman Steve Harley has died after a short battle with cancer just a month after his official social media page announced that he was taking a break from touring to undergo treatment" - The Mirror
DeleteSee https://www.steveharley.com/
Deleteand announcement and picture on Sunday, 24 December 2023
2023 has not exactly been an annus horibilis for me, as the first half was often magical, with some great nights on stage with Barry, Oli and David. And the full rock band in Holland and Belgium, and Denmark….out there, on the road, that’s where I come alive.
The second half, well…cancelling Live dates is heartbreaking. I’m aware of the stress and financial strain it can place On you.
But I’m fighting a nasty cancer. My oncologist is pleased with the treatment’s effects so far. It’s tiresome, and tiring. But the fight is on. And thankfully the cursed intruder is not affecting the voice. I sing and play most evenings.
Thanks for researching this further Tasker.
DeleteIt has jolting to read about our generation dying. Take care,
ReplyDeleteThe saddest day of all will be when Bob Dylan dies. That will truly mark the end of an era.
DeleteI have never heard that song before, Neil.
ReplyDeleteIt got very little traction or airtime in The States.
DeleteNever heard that song as far as I know. It's so sad when the people who helped shape and define our lives die. I'm sorry, Mr. P.
ReplyDeleteBy the way- Hank left a comment on your comment about Fred Sandford. I was going to offer that information but he beat me to it. He is, of course, the Trivia Master. He did not get that from me.
I'll go back and see what Hank wrote. Having an appetite for trivia is one that I share with Hank. Remembering it all is a different matter.
DeleteOne of my all time favorite songs.
ReplyDeleteLet's dance in Steve's memory.
DeleteI saw that he had died but I didn't know who he was. I don't believe that song charted in the USA. But there's nothing like music to bring us back to a specific time in our lives, so I can imagine how sad it was for you to hear this news.
ReplyDeleteIt reached number 96 in the US Billboard Top 100.
DeleteCan't say I like the song but he did have a nice smile. I found it strange that two different newsites said two different things, a short battle with cancer and a long battle with cancer. I guess it really doesn't matter in the end, dead is dead.
ReplyDeleteCancer tends to win in the end.
DeleteI'd never heard it either. Guess it didn't chart in the U.S. But R.I.P. to Mr. Harley.
ReplyDeleteIt did chart in America! I believe it reached number 96.
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