The prompts for this week’s Song Lyric Sunday leave me at something of a disadvantage. Making and fixing, it would be fair to say – and I freely acknowledge it – are not among my strengths (insofar as I have any to speak of).
However, this seminal British mid-seventies song by Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel fits the bill nicely. Although it’s a bouncy, very catchy tune, the lyrics, on closer inspection, are quite dark as writer Steve Harley rails against former band members by whom he feels let down.
You’ve done it all, you’ve broken every code
And pulled the rebel to the floor
(Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba)
(Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba)
You spoiled the game, no matter what you say
For only metal, what a bore
(Ooh la la la)
Blue eyes, blue eyes
(Ooh la la la)
How can you tell so many lies?
(Ooh ah)
Come up and see me, make me smile
Or do what you want, running wild
There’s nothing left, all gone and run away
Maybe you’ll tarry for a while
(Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba)
(Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba)
It’s just a test, a game for us to play
Win or lose, it’s hard to smile
(Ooh la la la)
Resist, resist
(Ooh la la la)
It’s from yourself you have to hide, oh
(Ooh ah)
Come up and see me, to make a-me smile, oh
Or do what you want, run on wild
There ain’t no more, you’ve taken everything
From my belief in Mother Earth
(Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba)
(Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba)
Can you ignore my faith in everything?
‘Cause I know what faith is and what it’s worth
(Ooh la la la)
Away, away
(Ooh la la la)
And don’t say maybe you’ll try, oh oh oh
(Ooh ah)
To come up and see me to make a-me smile
Or do what you want, just run on wild
(Ooh la la la)
(Ooh la la la)
(Ooh ah)
Come up and see me, make me smile
Or do what you want, running wild
(Ooh la la la)
(Ooh la la la)
(Ooh ah)
Come up and see me, make me smile
Or do what you want, running wild
Written by Steve Harley
the only deadhead in the hameau 
New to me and I like it. Thanks for expanding my musical horizons.
I have read about Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel, but I didn’t listen to much of their music and this song is really good. Is this song before their glam rock era?
To be honest, I haven’t listened to very much Cockney Rebel either. I think when originally released it was in their (and everyone else’s) glam rock period, although this video is, I believe, from a couple of years later, when things had calmed down a bit.
That takes me back. Great song!
New to me, but I really like the tune, thanks for sharing!