Big Big Deal

Last updated

"Big Big Deal"
Steve Harley Big Big Deal 1974 Single Cover German.jpg
Single by Steve Harley
B-side "Bed in the Corner"
Released1 November 1974
Genre Pop, rock
Length
  • 5:36 (full version)
  • 4:34 (single version)
Label EMI
Songwriter(s) Steve Harley
Producer(s) Steve Harley
Steve Harley singles chronology
"Tumbling Down"
(1974)		"Big Big Deal"
(1974)		"Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)"
(1975)
Alternative Cover
Steve Harley Big Big Deal Belgian Cover 1974 Single.jpg
Belgian cover of "Big Big Deal"

"Big Big Deal" is a song by British singer-songwriter Steve Harley, released by EMI as his debut solo single on 1 November 1974. [1] The song, which was written and produced by Harley, would be his only solo release before the formation of the second line-up of Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel. [2]

Contents

Background

"Big Big Deal" was recorded during the time when Harley was in the process of forming a new line-up for Cockney Rebel. The original band split at the end of an extensive UK tour in July 1974 but, despite the setback, the band's label, EMI Records, were not dissuaded, as Harley revealed in 2014, "The people at my record label were right behind me. They believed I could find new band members without too much of a problem and continue on to a new level of success. They believed it wasn't a major stumbling block." [3] While auditioning musicians and finalising a new line-up, Harley recorded "Big Big Deal" at Air Studios, London in September 1974. He played all instruments on the track except drums, which were played by Cockney Rebel drummer Stuart Elliott. [4] [5]

Harley initially only intended to record the song as a demo, but was ultimately satisfied enough to take it to EMI and express his wishes to have it released as a single. [4] [6] He told Disc in 1974, "It was an experiment and started out being intended as a demo, but in the end it became more than that, so I decided to put it out as a 'one off' single under my own name." [4] Harley demanded "Big Big Deal" be released without the Cockney Rebel name as he did not want to mislead the public. He told Record & Popswop Mirror , "I don't want anyone thinking it's my new group playing on it because it isn't." [6] The single was released on 1 November 1974. It failed to enter the UK Singles Chart, but did appear on the unnumbered UK Breakers Chart on 23 November 1974. [7]

Speaking to Record & Popswop Mirror in 1974, Harley said of the song, "It's on the lines of 'Judy Teen' and 'Mr. Soft'. Could almost be the old group [Cockney Rebel], couldn't it? First time I played it back I thought, 'Hey it could be the old group' and I realised a few home truths." [6]

Release

"Big Big Deal" was released by EMI Records on 7-inch vinyl in the UK, Ireland, Belgium and Germany. [8] [9] [10] The B-side, "Bed in the Corner", was taken from Cockney Rebel's 1974 album The Psychomodo , and was written by Harley, and produced by Harley and Alan Parsons. [11] [12]

Following its original release as a single, "Big Big Deal" first appeared on the 1980 EMI compilation The Best of Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel . [13] In 1992, it appeared as a bonus track on the EMI CD re-issue of The Psychomodo. [14] It has also appeared on 2006's The Cockney Rebel – A Steve Harley Anthology , [15] and on 2012's Cavaliers: An Anthology 1973-1974 . In addition to the single version, the Cavaliers release included the full version of "Big Big Deal", which was previously unreleased. [16]

Promotion

On 24 October 1974, Harley performed the song, along with "Bed in the Corner", live on David Jensen's ITV show 45. [17] [18] The single was also promoted by an advert in the 9 November 1974 issue of Melody Maker . [19] During October 1974, the new Cockney Rebel line-up included the song within their set-list for the three concerts they performed that month.

Critical reception

On its release, Sue Byrom of Record & Popswop Mirror felt "Big Big Deal" was not "as good" as Harley's previous material with Cockney Rebel and lacked "the force normally associated with Harley". However, she praised the song's latter section "when Harley goes into a semi la la la hook line". [20] Andy Bone of the Sunday Sun picked the song as one of his "blockbusters" during November 1974. [21] Look-in commented, "The latest single is written, produced and performed by Steve, and the new group's not on it. It's a sign of his individuality and talent, and he's worked hard to get where he is." [22] Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic highlighted "Big Big Deal" as a standout track on the 2012 compilation Cavaliers: An Anthology 1973-1974 by labelling it an AMG Pick Track. [16]

Cover versions

In April 2016, a version of the song was released by Darren Hayman and the Papernut Cambridge. It was released as a double A-side 7" single, along with a cover of the Paul Jones' 1967 song "I've Been a Bad, Bad Boy". [23] [24]

Track listing

7-inch single

  1. "Big Big Deal" – 4:34
  2. "Bed in the Corner" – 3:33

Personnel

Production

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel</span> British glam rock band

Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel were an English rock band who formed in the early 1970s in London. Their music covered a range of styles from pop to progressive rock. Over the years, they have had five albums on the UK Albums Chart and twelve singles on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Harley</span> English singer and songwriter (1951–2024)

Stephen Malcolm Ronald Nice, known by his stage name Steve Harley, was an English singer-songwriter and frontman of the rock group Cockney Rebel. The band achieved six UK hit singles in the mid-1970s, including "Judy Teen", "Mr. Soft", and the number one "Make Me Smile ". Harley later scored a further three UK hit singles as a solo artist, including "The Phantom of the Opera", a duet with Sarah Brightman.

<i>The Human Menagerie</i> 1973 studio album by Cockney Rebel

The Human Menagerie is the debut studio album by Cockney Rebel, which was released by EMI in 1973. It was produced by Neil Harrison.

<i>The Psychomodo</i> 1974 studio album by Cockney Rebel

The Psychomodo is the second studio album by Cockney Rebel, released on 2 June 1974 by EMI. It was produced by Steve Harley and Alan Parsons.

<i>The Best Years of Our Lives</i> (Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel album) 1975 studio album by Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel

The Best Years of Our Lives is the third studio album by Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel, released by EMI on 7 March 1975. It was the first album to feature Harley's name ahead of the band's. The album was produced by Harley and Alan Parsons, and contains the band's only UK number one, the million-selling "Make Me Smile ".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Freedom's Prisoner</span> 1979 song by Steve Harley

"Freedom's Prisoner" is a song by British singer-songwriter Steve Harley, which was released in 1979 as the only single from his second solo album The Candidate. The song, which was written and produced by Harley and Jimmy Horowitz, reached number 58 in the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">(I Believe) Love's a Prima Donna</span> 1976 song by Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel

"(I Believe) Love's a Prima Donna" is a song by the British rock band Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel, released on 1 October 1976 as the second single from their fifth studio album Love's a Prima Donna. The song was written and produced by Harley. It reached number 41 in the UK Singles Chart and would be the band's last charting single before their split in 1977.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roll the Dice (Steve Harley song)</span> 1978 song by Steve Harley

"Roll the Dice" is a song by English singer-songwriter Steve Harley, which was released in 1978 as the lead single from his debut solo album Hobo with a Grin. The song was written by Harley and Jo Partridge, and produced by Michael J. Jackson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black or White (Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel song)</span> 1975 song by Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel

"Black or White" is a song by British rock band Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel, released on 14 November 1975 as the lead single from their fourth studio album Timeless Flight (1976). The song was written and produced by Harley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psychomodo</span> 1974 song by Cockney Rebel

"Psychomodo" is a song by the British rock band Cockney Rebel, fronted by Steve Harley. It was released in 1974 as the lead single from their second studio album The Psychomodo. "Psychomodo" was written by Harley, and produced by Harley and Alan Parsons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tumbling Down (Cockney Rebel song)</span> 1974 song by Cockney Rebel

"Tumbling Down" is a song by the British rock band Cockney Rebel, fronted by Steve Harley. It was released in 1975 as the third and final single from the band's second studio album The Psychomodo (1974). The song was written by Harley, and produced by Harley and Alan Parsons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Judy Teen</span> 1974 song by Cockney Rebel

"Judy Teen" is a song by the British rock band Cockney Rebel, fronted by Steve Harley. It was released as a non-album single in 1974, and became the band's first UK hit, after their debut single, "Sebastian", was only a hit in continental Europe. "Judy Teen" was written by Harley, and produced by Harley and Alan Parsons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mr. Soft</span> 1974 song by Cockney Rebel

"Mr. Soft" is a song by the British rock band Cockney Rebel, fronted by Steve Harley, which was released in 1974 as the second single from their second studio album The Psychomodo. The song was written by Harley, and produced by Harley and Alan Parsons. "Mr. Soft" peaked at number 8 in the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sebastian (song)</span> 1973 song by Cockney Rebel

"Sebastian" is a song by the British rock band Cockney Rebel, fronted by Steve Harley. It was released as the band's debut single in 1973 from their album The Human Menagerie. The song was written by Harley and produced by Neil Harrison.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hideaway (Cockney Rebel song)</span> 1974 song by Cockney Rebel

"Hideaway" is a song by the British rock band Cockney Rebel, fronted by Steve Harley. Released as the opening track on the band's 1973 debut album The Human Menagerie, "Hideaway" was released in 1974 as a single in Denmark only. It was written by Harley and produced by Neil Harrison.

"The Best Years of Our Lives" is a song by the British rock band Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel, released in 1975 as the title track from the band's third studio album The Best Years of Our Lives. In 1977, a live version of the song was released as a single from the album Face to Face: A Live Recording.

<i>A Closer Look</i> (Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel album) 1975 compilation album by Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel

A Closer Look is a compilation album by Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel, which was released by EMI Records in the United States in 1975. It features material recorded by the original Cockney Rebel as well as the reformed Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel line-up.

<i>The Best of Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel</i> 1980 compilation album by Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel

The Best of Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel is a compilation album by Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel, released by EMI in September 1980. It features material from the original line-up of Cockney Rebel, the Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel line-up, and two tracks from Harley's solo career.

<i>Cavaliers: An Anthology 1973–1974</i> 2012 compilation album by Cockney Rebel featuring Steve Harley

Cavaliers: An Anthology 1973–1974 is a remastered four-disc box-set anthology by Cockney Rebel, released in 2012. The set chronicles the recording career of the original line-up of Cockney Rebel, between 1973 and 1974. It includes both of the band's albums The Human Menagerie (1973) and The Psychomodo (1974), as well as all the singles and non-album B-Sides. It also features early alternative versions and mixes of tracks from both albums, as well as live sessions for the BBC, including a John Peel session and on the Old Grey Whistle Test.

<i>The Cream of Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel</i> 1999 compilation album by Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel

The Cream of Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel is a compilation album by Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel, released by EMI Gold on 15 March 1999. It features material from Cockney Rebel, Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel and Harley's solo career. It contains sixteen tracks, covering Harley and the band's career from Cockney Rebel's 1973 album The Human Menagerie to Harley's 1979 album The Candidate, as well as the 1982 non-album single "I Can't Even Touch You". The album was reissued on 7 July 2008 as The Best of Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel.

References

  1. ↑ "Announcing Harley the Super Star". Record & Popswop Mirror . 2 November 1974. p. 3. ISSN   0144-5804.
  2. ↑ Ankeny, Jason (27 February 1951). "Steve Harley - Music Biography, Credits and Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  3. ↑ The Best Years of Our Lives - Definitive Edition - CD+DVD Set - Booklet. EMI Records. 2014. pp. 9, 10.
  4. 1 2 3 Fox-Cumming, Ray (9 November 1974). "The Mellowing of Mr Harley". Disc .
  5. ↑ "The Great Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel Story". Steveharley.www.50megs.com. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 2012-12-26.
  6. 1 2 3 Harvey, Pete (9 November 1974). "Steve Harley". Record & Popswop Mirror . p. 18.
  7. ↑ "Breakers". Chartwatch. No. 46. November 1993. pp. Breakers 1974–75 section.
  8. ↑ "Steve Harley - Big Big Deal / Bed In The Corner - EMI - Ireland - EMI 2233". 45cat. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  9. ↑ "Steve Harley - Big Big Deal (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. 1974. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  10. ↑ "Steve Harley - Big Big Deal (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. 1974. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  11. ↑ Thompson, Dave. "The Psychomodo - Cockney Rebel, Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  12. ↑ "Bed in the Corner - single label". Images.45cat.com. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  13. ↑ "Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel - The Best Of Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel at Discogs". Discogs.com. 1980. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  14. ↑ "Cockney Rebel - The Psychomodo (CD, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com. 1992. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  15. ↑ "The Cockney Rebel: A Steve Harley Anthology: Amazon.co.uk: Music". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  16. 1 2 Thomas, Stephen (9 October 2012). "Cavaliers: An Anthology 1973-1974 - Cockney Rebel : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  17. ↑ YouTube (10 January 2011). "Cockney Rebel-Big Big Deal". YouTube. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  18. ↑ "45 with Kid Jensen". Homepage.ntlworld.com. Archived from the original on 6 November 2012. Retrieved 2012-12-26.
  19. ↑ "Big Big Deal - single cover". I.ebaying.com. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  20. ↑ Byrom, Sue (9 November 1974). "Singles". Record & Popswop Mirror. p. 35.
  21. ↑ Bone, Andy (17 November 1974). "Trash on the turntable: Bone's blockbusters". Sunday Sun . p. 7.
  22. ↑ "Rebel Rule O.K!". Look-in . 14 December 1974. pp. 15–16.
  23. ↑ "Listen to this! Darren Hayman and Papernut Cambridge announce new track". Louderthanwar.com. 29 April 2016. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  24. ↑ "Darren Hayman & Papernut Cambridge – I've Been A Bad Boy / Big Big Deal (2016, CDr)". Discogs.com. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.