Friday, 2 January 2026

A Quick Look at 10cc

 


10cc were a popular and successful singles and albums rock-pop act in the Seventies. The four members were skilled professional musicians and song-writers, who grew up in Manchester, and had been members of bands since the early 60's, often together. Godley was in a band called  The Sabres, while Gouldman formed The Whirlwinds, which released a single in 1964, the B-side of which was a Creme composition, "Baby Not Like You". The Whirlwinds then changed name to The Mockingbirds, with Gouldman on bass, and Godley joining as drummer. They released five singles, including "That's How (It's Gonna Stay)".  Gouldman was a successful songwriter, writing songs such as "Heart Full of Soul" (1965) and "For Your Love" (1965) for Jeff Beck's Yardbirds, "Look Through Any Window" (1965) and "Bus Stop" (1966) for Graham Nash's Hollies, and "No Milk Today" (1966) for Herman's Hermits. 

Stewart had played with The Mindbenders; becoming lead guitarist and singer in time for their biggest hit "A Groovy Kind of Love" in 1966.  In June 1967, Godley and Creme got together under the name The Yellow Bellow Room Boom, and recorded a solitary single, "Seeing Things Green". By 1968, Stewart had disbanded The Mindbenders and invested in Strawberry Studios. Gouldman, who had been working during the day as a songwriter for Kennedy Street Enterprises in Manchester, joined him as an investor while also releasing the solo album, The Graham Gouldman Thing.

In 1969, Godley & Creme, who were then signed to Marmalade Records directly by label head Giorgio Gomelsky as Frabjoy and Runcible Spoon, a folk-rock duo in the style of The Incredible String Band and Simon & Garfunkel, recorded at Strawberry Studios, and were supported in their recordings by Stewart and Gouldman, so all four 10cc members played together in the same band, though the material was not released at the time. 

The four musicians pooled their skills in 10cc. Between the four of them they wrote some clever and attractive singles, while the albums allowed them to stretch a little and play around with prog-rock concepts and ideas. In 1976 they split, with Graham Gouldman and Eric Stewart keeping the 10cc name, while Kevin Godley and Lol Creme formed Godley & Creme as well as getting into video production. After the split, 10cc had one of their biggest hits with "Dreadlock Holiday" (1978), but then went into a long slow decline before issuing their final album in 1995. The band's peak was 1973 to 1978. They were a decent and clever band who now feel a little dated. Though they toured, and still do with Graham Gouldman as the only remaining original member, they have always presented more as a studio band than a proper band. There was no lead figure to focus on, such as Freddy Mercury with Queen, and the band felt anonymous and amorphous - lacking in the sort of identity that engages attention and loyalty. While competent musicians and singers, none of them stood out in terms of skill or character. 


Wikipedia: 

10cc are an English rock band formed in Stockport, southeast of Manchester, in 1972. The group initially consisted of four musicians, Graham Gouldman, Eric Stewart, Kevin Godley and Lol Creme, who had written and recorded together since 1968. The four members contributed to songwriting, working together in various permutations. Godley and Creme’s songwriting has been said to be inspired by art and cinema. The four members were multi-instrumentalists, singers, writers and producers. Most of the band's records were recorded at their own Strawberry Studios (North) in Stockport and Strawberry Studios (South) in Dorking, with most of those engineered by Stewart.

From 1972 to 1978, 10cc had five consecutive UK top-ten albums: Sheet Music (1974), The Original Soundtrack (1975), How Dare You! (1976), Deceptive Bends (1977), and Bloody Tourists (1978). 10cc also had twelve singles reach the UK Top 40, three of which were the chart-toppers "Rubber Bullets" (1973), "I'm Not in Love" (1975), and "Dreadlock Holiday" (1978). "I'm Not in Love" was their breakthrough worldwide hit, and is known for its innovative backing track.

In 1976, Godley and Creme quit the band to concentrate on developing an electronic music device, "The Gizmo", and being in video production and music as Godley & Creme. Stewart left the band in 1995. Since 1999, Gouldman has led a touring version of 10cc.

Albums

   
Graham Gouldman - The Graham Gouldman Thing (1968)

Solo album with un-named sessions players. John Paul Jones arranged and co-produced, and likely also played on the album. It's a pleasant album typical of the period, though gradually outstays its welcome. Curiously only released in the US at the time.  

All songs composed by Graham Gouldman

Side 1

  1. "The Impossible Years" – 2:38
  2. "Bus Stop" – 2:24
  3. "Behind the Door" – 3:38
  4. "Pawnbroker" – 3:02
  5. "Who are They" – 2:03
  6. "My Father" – 2:47

Side 2

  1. "No Milk Today" – 2:15
  2. "Upstairs, Downstairs" – 2:17
  3. "For Your Love" – 2:34
  4. "Pamela, Pamela" – 2:11
  5. "Chestnut" – 3:23

AllMusic: 4
Score: 2.5


Frabjoy and Runcible Spoon were Godley & Creme, but their backing musicians were Gouldman & Stewart, so this is an early version of 10cc. The sound is very in for the late 60s (and early 70s) - there's a folk rock and a psychedelic folk sound - a bit Tyrannosaurus Rex, a bit Incredible String Band, a bit Strawbs. It's likeable, and admirable how close they got to the sound, but nothing really stands out.  

All tracks written by Kevin Godley and Lol Creme, unless otherwise noted.

Unreleased LP

No.TitleRecordedLength
1."I'm Beside Myself"September 19693:09
2."Chaplin House"September 19693:24
3."Cowboys and Indians"September 19693:23
4."It's the Best Seaside in the World"September 19692:47
5."Fly Away"September 19692:58
6."Take Me Back"September 19695:52
7."Today"September 19693:58

1969 Marmalade sessions outtakes and singles

No.TitleWriter(s)Recorded/ReleasedLength
8."Hot Sun"Graham GouldmanJuly 19692:30
9."Virgin Soldiers"Graham GouldmanJuly 19693:28
10."The Late Mr. Late"Graham GouldmanJune 19692:34
11."To Fly Away" (100 Proof version) June 19692:48
12."I'm Beside Myself" (single version) September 19692:53
13."Animal Song" September 19692:22


AllMusic: 
Score: 3.5



Hotlegs consisted of three future 10cc members, with the fourth, Gouldman, joining them for the track "Today". Godley, Creme, and Stewart had created and recorded "Neanderthal Man" while testing out new recording equipment at Stewart and Gouldman's studio, Strawberry Studios. Godley and Creme were regulars at the studio, frequently working with Stewart and Gouldman on bubblegum songs. The song was released as a single and became a success, hitting No 1 in various countries, and No 2 in the UK. This album was recorded and released as a follow up to try and build on the success of the single, but while the rest of the songs were interesting, and in line with what 10cc would later do on their albums, there were no other commercial pop tracks, and there was a nine month delay between  "Neanderthal Man" (June 1970) and the album (March 1971),  so it wasn't successful.  It's a solid and interesting soft prog album, but nothing really stands out, and even "Neanderthal Man" sounds a little dated. 


  1. "Neanderthal Man" (Kevin Godley, Lol Creme, Eric Stewart) – 4:19
  2. "How Many Times" (Godley, Creme, Stewart) – 3:57
  3. "Desperate Dan" (Godley, Creme, Stewart) – 2:12
  4. "Take Me Back" (Godley, Creme) – 5:01
  5. "Um Wah, Um Woh" (Godley, Creme, Stewart) – 5:30
  6. "Suite F.A." (Godley, Creme) – 12:53
    • 1st Movement – On My Way
    • 2nd Movement – Indecision
    • 3rd Movement – The Return
  7. "Fly Away" (Godley, Creme) – 2:43
  8. "Run Baby Run" (Godley, Creme, Stewart) – 2:50
  9. "All God's Children" (Godley, Creme, Stewart) – 3:55

Additional personnel

AllMusic: 
Score: 3.5

   
10cc (1973)

Reflecting the contemporary musical taste for glam rock, which tended to evoke late 50s music such as Doo Wop, the album is witty and fun, with its tongue firmly in its cheek, and three tracks were top ten hits as singles. Godley and Creme were involved in writing 8 of the album's ten tracks, and all three of the top 10 singles.  The album is witty, bright, cheeky, and great fun. 


Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Johnny, Don't Do It"
3:36
2."Sand in My Face"
  • Creme 
  • Gouldman 
  • Godley
3:36
3."Donna"
  • Creme 
  • Godley
2:53
4."The Dean and I"
  • Creme 
  • Godley
3:03
5."Headline Hustler"
3:31
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
6."Speed Kills"
  • Stewart 
  • Creme 
  • Gouldman 
  • Godley
3:47
7."Rubber Bullets"
  • Creme 
  • Gouldman 
  • Godley
5:15
8."The Hospital Song"
  • Creme 
  • Godley
2:41
9."Ships Don't Disappear in the Night (Do They?)"
  • Stewart 
  • Gouldman
3:04
10."Fresh Air for My Mama"
  • Stewart 
  • Creme 
  • Godley
3:04



Score: 5.5
  
Sheet Music (1974)

A more comfortable and assured album than the 10cc debut. Though less fun, it was more successful - possibly because the hits continued, and the band were now becoming known. 


Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Lead vocalsLength
1."The Wall Street Shuffle"
Stewart3:54
2."The Worst Band in the World"
Creme2:49
3."Hotel"
Godley4:54
4."Old Wild Men"
  • Creme 
  • Godley
Stewart and Godley3:21
5."Clockwork Creep"
  • Creme 
  • Godley
Creme, Godley, Stewart and Gouldman2:46
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Lead vocalsLength
6."Silly Love"
  • Stewart 
  • Creme
Creme and Stewart with Godley4:01
7."Somewhere in Hollywood"
  • Creme 
  • Godley
Godley with Creme6:39
8."Baron Samedi"
  • Stewart 
  • Gouldman
Stewart with Godley3:46
9."The Sacro-Iliac"
  • Gouldman 
  • Godley
Gouldman and Godley with Creme2:33
10."Oh Effendi"
  • Stewart 
  • Godley
Godley and Stewart2:49

Score: 4.5

  
The Original Soundtrack (1975)

This is the band at their peak. We go from one of their best (many would argue it is their best) album tracks, "Une nuit a Paris", straight into their widely acknowledged best single/track, "I'm Not In Love", and then there are several more killers on the album, including another hot single, "Life Is a Minestrone". Hot stuff. 


Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Lead vocalsLength
1."Une nuit a Paris"
  1. "One Night in Paris"
  2. "The Same Night in Paris"
  3. "Later That Same Night in Paris"
All8:40
2."I'm Not in Love"
Stewart6:08
3."Blackmail"
  • Stewart 
  • Gouldman
All4:28

Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Lead vocalsLength
4."The Second Sitting for the Last Supper"
  • Stewart 
  • Creme 
  • Gouldman 
  • Godley
Stewart4:25
5."Brand New Day"
  • Creme 
  • Godley
Godley and Stewart4:04
6."Flying Junk"
  • Stewart 
  • Gouldman
Stewart4:10
7."Life Is a Minestrone"
  • Stewart 
  • Creme
Creme4:42
8."The Film of My Love"
  • Creme 
  • Godley
Gouldman5:07



   
How Dare You! (1976)

As with many people in the early 70s I'd enjoyed and respected 10cc's singles, and I'd read in the music papers that the albums were also good. This was the 10cc album I bought, and I loved it. I think I came to it from enjoying and respecting "I'm Mandy Fly Me", and I wasn't disappointed by the rest of the album. And the creative album cover by Hipgnosis which reflected intelligently on the contents of the album, reinforced the sense that this was a "serious" band, not just a hit singles band. 


Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Lead vocalsLength
1."How Dare You"
instrumental4:14
2."Lazy Ways"
Stewart4:20
3."I Wanna Rule the World"
Creme3:57
4."I'm Mandy Fly Me"
  • Stewart 
  • Gouldman 
  • Godley
Stewart5:24
5."Iceberg"
  • Gouldman 
  • Godley
Gouldman and Godley3:43
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Lead vocalsLength
6."Art for Art's Sake"
  • Stewart 
  • Gouldman
Stewart, Gouldman, Creme5:59
7."Rock 'n' Roll Lullaby"
  • Gouldman 
  • Stewart
Godley and Stewart3:58
8."Head Room"
  • Godley 
  • Creme
Creme and Stewart4:21
9."Don't Hang Up"
  • Godley 
  • Creme
Godley6:16


Deceptive Bends (May 1977)

Band is reduced to Stewart and Gouldman as Godley and Creme form their own project, Godley & Creme, which had success with video making and with music.  Paul Burgess, the band's touring drummer, joined 10cc as a full time member. 
The first two tracks were successful singles, and the album sold well. But this is a weaker band, and, despite the inclusion of a three part suite with a prog aspect, the bulk of the album feels less adventurous, less fun, less confident, and more run of the mill. Though, to be fair, the differences are minor, and are more culminative than immediate. Individual songs are OK, it's only after a while that the lack of range of voices and musical styles, and a general feel of ordinariness starts to creep in. 

All tracks written by Eric Stewart and Graham Gouldman.

Side one

No.TitleLead vocalsLength
1."Good Morning Judge"Stewart2:55
2."The Things We Do for Love"Stewart3:27
3."Marriage Bureau Rendezvous"Gouldman4:04
4."People in Love"Stewart3:48
5."Modern Man Blues"Gouldman and Stewart5:35

Side two

No.TitleLead vocalsLength
6."Honeymoon with B Troop"Gouldman and Stewart2:46
7."I Bought a Flat Guitar Tutor"Stewart1:48
8."You've Got a Cold"Stewart3:36
9."Feel the Benefit
I: "Reminisce and Speculate"
II: "A Latin Break"
III: "Feel the Benefit""		Stewart and Gouldman11:32



AllMusic:
Score: 3 

    
Godley & Creme - Consequences (Oct 1977)

This is the album that caused Godley & Creme to leave 10cc. G&C wanted to explore their guitar effects device, The Gizmo. They wanted to include some recordings using The Gizmo on a 10cc album, while Gouldman and Stewart did not. SO G&C left in order to make this huge sprawling album as a demonstration of what The Gizmo could do. Some guitarists liked the device - Jimmy Page used it on In Through The Out Door, but it was difficult to make, and the company who took on The Gizmo went bankrupt. 

Consequences was released in several formats. I couldn't find any version on Spotify, so I selected one from YouTube. There really isn't much sense to it. Track listings are pointless as it's all just noises. Some people like it, and are quite cultish about it. But it is widely regarded as a turkey. It's fairly Zen like background music. 


Wikipedia 
AllMusic: 3
Score: 2.5
  
Live & Let Live (Oct 1977)

Recorded at the Hammersmith Odeon and Manchester Apollo in June 1977 during the promotional tour for the Deceptive Bends album.  It chugs along, but never develops an atmosphere. Shame there doesn't appear to be a live album of the band at their peak. 

All tracks composed by Eric Stewart and Graham Gouldman, except where indicated.

Side one
  1. "The Second Sitting for the Last Supper" (Stewart, Gouldman, Kevin Godley, Lol Creme) - 5:22
  2. "You've Got a Cold" - 3:57
  3. "Honeymoon with B Troop" - 3:56
  4. "Art for Art's Sake" - 7:14
  5. "People in Love" - 4:11
Side two
  1. "The Wall Street Shuffle" - 4:12
  2. "Ships Don't Disappear in the Night (Do They?)" - 7:33
  3. "I'm Mandy Fly Me" (Stewart, Gouldman, Godley) - 6:03
  4. "Marriage Bureau Rendezvous" - 4:20
Side three
  1. "Good Morning Judge" - 3:11
  2. "Feel the Benefit" - 13:35
  3. "The Things We Do for Love" - 3:49
Side four
  1. "Waterfall" - 7:48
  2. "I'm Not in Love" - 6:59
  3. "Modern Man Blues" - 8:05


Wikipedia 
AllMusic: 7
Score: 2.5


Godley & Creme L (Aug 1978)

There's something of a Frank Zappa vibe going on here, fed through a 10cc sensibility and sound. It's an interesting album, though not entirely successful, and it starts to grate after a while.  Consequences is a more pleasant listen. I'm not surprised that musicians and record company parted company after this. 


Side 1
  1. "This Sporting Life" – 7:25
  2. "Sandwiches of You" – 3:17
  3. "Art School Canteen" – 3:00
  4. "Group Life" – 4:11
Side 2
  1. "Punchbag" – 4:44
  2. "Foreign Accents" – 4:37
  3. "Hit Factory/Business Is Business" – 7:08



Wikipedia 
AllMusic: 3
Score: 1.5 


Bloody Tourists (Sept 1978)

"Dreadlock Holiday" was a big hit. The rest of the album is dross. 


Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Lead vocalsLength
1."Dreadlock Holiday"Stewart, GouldmanGouldman with Stewart4:28
2."For You and I"Stewart, GouldmanStewart5:20
3."Take These Chains"Stewart, GouldmanStewart2:36
4."Shock on the Tube (Don't Want Love)"StewartStewart3:38
5."Last Night"Gouldman, Rick FennGouldman3:10
6."The Anonymous Alcoholic"Stewart, GouldmanStewart and Gouldman5:38
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Lead vocalsLength
7."Reds in My Bed"Stewart, Stuart ToshTosh with Stewart4:08
8."Life Line"GouldmanGouldman3:26
9."Tokyo"StewartStewart4:29
10."Old Mister Time"Stewart, Duncan MackayStewart4:27
11."From Rochdale to Ocho Rios"GouldmanGouldman3:41
12."Everything You Wanted to Know About!!!"StewartStewart4:25




AllMusic:
Score: 2
The band were mainly a singles band. The albums were a couple of singles and the rest filler or doodles.  So this compilation of the band's most successful singles during their peak, is pretty much all a casual listener needs. Though to be complete, then this album plus one or two of the first four albums would work well for someone who wanted a more rounded appreciation of the band. My suggestions would be Original Soundtrack and How Dare You! 


  1. "Rubber Bullets" (Godley, Creme, Gouldman) - 4:43
  2. "Donna" (Godley, Creme) - 2:56
  3. "Silly Love" (Stewart, Creme) - 3:15
  4. "The Dean and I" (Godley, Creme) - 2:52
  5. "Life Is a Minestrone" (Creme, Stewart) - 4:27
  6. "The Wall Street Shuffle" (Stewart, Gouldman) - 3:52
  7. "Art for Art's Sake" (Stewart, Gouldman) - 4:21
  8. "I'm Mandy Fly Me" (Stewart, Gouldman, Godley) - 5:21
  9. "Good Morning Judge" (Stewart, Gouldman) - 2:54
  10. "The Things We Do for Love" (Stewart, Gouldman) - 3:22
  11. "Dreadlock Holiday" (Stewart, Gouldman) - 5:01
  12. "I'm Not in Love" (Stewart, Gouldman) - 6:06

AllMusic:
Score: 5
  
Godley & Creme - Freeze Frame (Nov 1979)

New record company, and a new attempt at making a decent album largely fails. "An Englishman in New York" was released as a single complete with quirky and attractive promotional video, and reached the charts in several countries, including No. 17 in Australia, where the album also charted. The "Englishman" track is like an odd blend of a Zappa single, Queen, and 10cc. I can see why some liked it, but while it is serious, it somehow lacks natural authenticity. 


All tracks composed by Kevin Godley and Lol Creme

  1. "An Englishman in New York" – 5:37
  2. "Random Brainwave" – 2:38
  3. "I Pity Inanimate Objects" – 5:24
  4. "Freeze Frame" – 4:47
  5. "Clues" – 5:24
  6. "Brazilia (Wish You Were Here)" – 6:11
  7. "Mugshots" – 3:55
  8. "Get Well Soon" – 4:38


Wikipedia
AllMusic: 5
Score: 3


Look Hear? (1980)

There's familiar 10cc elements about this album, but most of the fun and confidence has gone. The lead single, "One-Two-Five" was released with a promotional video, though only charted in Norway. The album did reach international charts, but at the lower end, apart from Norway where it reached No. 3. Stewart and Gouldman later admitted that their hearts were not in the album, as they had been distracted by Stewart's long recovery from a car accident, and Gouldman's divorce. Ultimately the album is listenable but boring.  


Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Lead vocalsLength
1."One-Two-Five"Eric Stewart, Graham GouldmanStewart and Gouldman5:21
2."Welcome to the World"Duncan Mackay, Rick FennStewart and Gouldman3:43
3."How'm I Ever Gonna Say Goodbye"Gouldman, FennGouldman and Fenn3:38
4."Don't Send We Back"FennFenn3:20
5."I Took You Home"StewartStewart5:18
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Lead vocalsLength
6."It Doesn't Matter at All"Stewart, GouldmanStewart4:01
7."Dressed to Kill"Stewart, GouldmanGouldman3:26
8."Lovers Anonymous"Stewart, GouldmanStewart5:06
9."I Hate to Eat Alone"GouldmanGouldman2:57
10."Strange Lover"Stewart, GouldmanStewart3:44
11."L.A. Inflatable"Stewart, GouldmanStewart4:32




Godley & Creme Ismism (Oct 1981)

The duo's second album for Polydor, and it was reasonably successful, with two Top Ten singles, "Under Your Thumb" and "Wedding Bells", stirring sales enough to get it into the UK Top 30. The lead track (also the third, but less successful single) "Snack Attack" is a clever (knowing) musical piece incorporating elements of hip hop and synth-pop with echoes of Zappa's "Don't Eat The Yellow Snow".  "Under Your Thumb" is a classic 10cc style song, and many Brits would likely misremember it as a 10cc single. It's an interesting and varied album, but it feels too cold and playful like some of Zappa's stuff. This feels more jazz than rock or pop. On the whole, though, I find the Godley & Creme albums to be more interesting, attractive, and satisfying than the Gouldman & Stewart 10cc albums. Shame they split up. I think the four together could have made some decent albums. 


All tracks are written by Kevin Godley and Lol Creme.

Side one
No.TitleLength
1."Snack Attack"7:07
2."Under Your Thumb"4:40
3."Joey's Camel"5:23
4."The Problem"4:06
5."Ready for Ralph"2:20
Side two
No.TitleLength
6."Wedding Bells"3:21
7."Lonnie"4:45
8."Sale of the Century"4:20
9."The Party"8:00


Wikipedia 
AllMusic: 4
Score: 3

Ten Out of 10 (Nov 1981)

This is a perkier and bolder album than the previous release, though is still below what 10cc did during their peak. Some sources say that the album is Stewart and Gouldman as a duo, using the other musicians as session players, but there is no evidence of that on the album sleeve. And I'm not sure that it matters anyway, as 10cc is clearly Stewart and Gouldman's band regardless of the legal or technical standing of the other musicians. 
The band's American label were concerned that the album wouldn't sell in the US, so they asked the band to write some songs with an American song-writer, Andrew Gold, and issued a different version of the album in the US. The version released on CD in 2006 (and so the one on Spotify) is the original UK/International release with bonus tracks which include most of the tracks written with Gold and released on the US version. 
It's a pleasant album, but there are no standout tracks, and both the album and singles underperformed globally. 


Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Lead vocalsLength
1."Don't Ask"Graham GouldmanGouldman4:02
2."Overdraft in Overdrive"Eric Stewart, GouldmanGouldman3:24
3."Don't Turn Me Away"StewartStewart5:03
4."Memories"Stewart, GouldmanStewart4:31
5."Notell Hotel"Stewart, GouldmanStewart4:56
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Lead vocalsLength
6."Les Nouveaux Riches"StewartStewart5:11
7."Action Man in Motown Suit"Stewart, GouldmanGouldman and Stewart4:45
8."Listen with Your Eyes"Stewart, GouldmanStewart3:10
9."Lying Here with You"GouldmanStewart3:22
10."Survivor"Gouldman, StewartGouldman5:46

Bonus tracks on the 2006 CD reissue

No.TitleWriter(s)Lead vocalsLength
11."The Power of Love"Stewart, Gouldman, GoldStewart and Gouldman4:11
12."Memories (U.S. mix)"Stewart, GouldmanStewart4:28
13."We've Heard It All Before"Stewart, Gouldman, GoldGouldman and Stewart3:37
14."Tomorrow's World Today"GouldmanGouldman3:10
15."Run Away"Stewart, Gouldman, GoldStewart4:02
16."Les Nouveaux Riches (Single Mix)"StewartStewart4:47
17."You're Coming Home Again"StewartStewart4:29


  
Godley & Creme - Birds of Prey (Apr 1983)

The least critically and commercially successful of Godley & Creme's albums. It's all small stuff that doesn't engage my interest.  


All tracks are written by Kevin Godley and Lol Creme.

Side one
No.TitleLength
1."My Body the Car"2:25
2."Worm and the Rattlesnake"3:23
3."Cats Eyes"3:44
4."Samson"5:29
5."Save a Mountain for Me"3:36
Side two
No.TitleLength
6."Madame Guillotine"5:04
7."Woodwork"4:39
8."Twisted Nerve"4:03
9."Out in the Cold"4:53


Wikipedia 
AllMusic: 5
Score: 2
   
Windows in the Jungle (Sept 1983)

The band wanted to do a concept album on the theme of love and life in the city, but felt pressured to write a hit single, so were unsatisfied with the result which, despite common late 10cc elements such as prog and reggae, was well below the standards of the band's peak. The album was not a critical and commercial  success. The band split from their record company, and didn't release another album for nine years. 

All songs written by Eric Stewart and Graham Gouldman.

  1. "24 Hours" – 8:09
  2. "Feel the Love (Oomachasaooma)" – 5:10
  3. "Yes, I Am" – 6:03
  4. "Americana Panorama" – 3:45
  5. "City Lights" – 3:34
  6. "Food for Thought" – 3:34
  7. "Working Girls" – 4:26
  8. "Taxi! Taxi!" – 7:39
Reissue bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
9."24 Hours (Radio Edit)"4:23
10."Dreadlock Holiday (Live, London / 1982)"4:58
11."I'm Not in Love (Live, London / 1982)"6:35
12."Feel the Love (Oomachasaooma) (Radio Edit)"3:46
13."She Gives Me Pain" (Instrumental)2:14
14."Food for Thought (Radio Edit)"3:21
15."The Secret Life of Henry"6:05

with

Godley & Creme - The History Mix Vol 1 (1985)

Curious album which blends original new music with parts of songs from the history of 10cc, including songs not written by Godley & Creme, like "I'm Not In Love". An original song, "Cry", that is either part of "Wet Rubber Soup" or a stand alone track after "Wet Rubber Soup" depending on what release you're looking at, was a modest hit in US and UK. The accompanying promotional video of morphing faces is widely admired.  

On the whole the album is something of a mess, though the AllMusic reviewer found it "invigorating sonic madness". General critical opinion seems divided, though most do find it largely unlistenable and somewhat cold. 

Track listing
  1. "Wet Rubber Soup" – 12:25
  2. "Cry" (Godley, Creme) – 6:32 
  3. "Expanding the Business / The 'Dare You' Man / Hum Drum Boys in Paris / Mountain Tension" – 17:03
    • Includes: "Business Is Business" (Godley, Creme), "How Dare You" (Godley, Creme), "Neanderthal Man" (Godley, Creme, Stewart), "This Sporting Life" (Godley, Creme), "One Night in Paris" (Godley, Creme), "The Dean and I" (Godley, Creme), "Sand in My Face" (Godley, Creme, Gouldman), "Umbopo" (Godley, Creme)
4."Light Me Up"4:30
5."An Englishman in New York"5:52
6."Save a Mountain for Me"3:34
7."Golden Boy"5:48


Wikipedia 
AllMusic: 9
Score: 2
   
Godley & Creme - Goodbye Blue Sky (1988)

The last Godley & Creme album. Bright, colourful, and full of energy. The duo are helped by three backing singers and two harp players. It's good fun while it's on, but there's little here to bring me back. Often it sounds like quickly knocked off stage-musical music. 

All songs composed by Kevin Godley and Lol Creme

  1. "H.E.A.V.E.N. / A Little Piece of Heaven" – 5:06
  2. "Don't Set Fire (To the One I Love)" – 3:27
  3. "Golden Rings" – 4:17
  4. "Crime & Punishment" – 7:22
  5. "The Big Bang" – 2:32
  6. "10,000 Angels" – 5:16
  7. "Sweet Memory" – 4:50
  8. "Airforce One" – 3:40
  9. "The Last Page of History" – 4:01
  10. "Desperate Times" – 3:41

  • Lol Creme – guitar, bass, keyboard & vocals
  • Kevin Godley – drums, percussion, vocals
  • Mark Feltham – harmonica
  • Mitt Gamon – harmonica
  • Jimmy Chambers – backup vocals
  • George Chandler – backup vocals
  • Jimmy Helms – backup vocals


Wikipedia 
AllMusic: 5
Score: 3

   
...Meanwhile (1992)

  
After the success of the Greatest Hits album, Polydor did a survey to see if the public would like another 10cc album before asking the band to make one. It's a well made, and attractive album, but as with pretty everything the band have done since Godley & Creme left, it is missing the essence of what made the band that little bit special during their peak in the Seventies. The album didn't do well, so Polydor terminated the contract. 

All tracks are written by Eric Stewart and Graham Gouldman, except where noted.

No.TitleLength
1."Woman in Love"6:11
2."Wonderland"4:53
3."Fill Her Up"4:08
4."Something Special"3:23
5."Welcome to Paradise"6:14
6."The Stars Didn't Show"4:51
7."Green Eyed Monster"4:44
8."Charity Begins at Home"4:55
9."Shine a Light in the Dark"5:42
10."Don't Break the Promises" (Stewart, Paul McCartney, Gouldman)6:22

  
Mirror Mirror (1995)

Recorded for and released on a Japanese label as the band retained some popularity in Japan. The album opens and closes with different versions of the band's best song, "I'm Not In Love", and Stewart and Gouldman are assisted in the songwriter by Paul McCartney, Andrew Gold, and Tim Rice. It only charted in Japan, and didn't receive much critical attention. Recognising that they no longer had it, the band sensibly gave up after this.   


No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."I'm Not in Love (Rework of Art Mix)"Eric Stewart, Graham Gouldman10cc5:51
2."Peace in Our Time"Gouldman, Steve PigottGraham Gouldman, Adrian Lee, Rod Gammons4:03
3."Code of Silence"StewartEric Stewart, Lee5:39
4."Take This Woman"Stewart, GouldmanGouldman, Lee3:51
5."Yvonne's the One"Paul McCartney, StewartStewart, Lee4:26
6."The Monkey and the Onion"Gouldman, Tim RiceGouldman, Lee3:17
7."Margo Wants the Mustard"StewartStewart, Lee3:54
8."Ready to Go Home"Andrew Gold, GouldmanGouldman, Lee4:37
9."Everything Is Not Enough"StewartStewart, Lee4:28
10."Blue Bird"GouldmanGouldman, Lee4:04
11."Age of Consent"StewartStewart, Lee5:24
12."Grow Old with Me"GouldmanGouldman, Lee3:22
13."Why Did I Break Your Heart?"Stewart, GouldmanStewart, Lee5:18
14."Now You're Gone"GouldmanGouldman, Lee3:01
15."I'm Not in Love (Acoustic Session '95)"Stewart, Gouldman10cc, Gammons3:30


Wikipedia
AllMusic: 6 (the review is much harsher than the score)
Score: 1.5 


Discography

10cc (1973)
Sheet Music (1974)
The Original Soundtrack (1975)
How Dare You! (1976)
Deceptive Bends (1977)
Bloody Tourists (1978)
Look Hear? (1980)
Ten Out of 10 (1981)
Windows in the Jungle (1983)
...Meanwhile (1992)
Mirror Mirror (1995)


Links
* Setlists 


AI Summaries


10cc – Critical Summary

10cc were one of the most intelligent and idiosyncratic bands to emerge from 1970s British pop-rock. Formed by Graham Gouldman, Eric Stewart, Kevin Godley, and Lol Creme, the group distinguished itself through sharp studio craft, genre-hopping experimentation, and a persistent strain of irony that set them apart from both earnest prog rock and straightforward pop acts of the era.

Critically, 10cc’s greatest strength lay in their conceptual wit and production ingenuity. Songs like “I’m Not in Love” and “The Wall Street Shuffle” showcased their mastery of studio technology and arrangement, while tracks such as “Rubber Bullets” and “Dreadlock Holiday” revealed a satirical eye for pop conventions, masculinity, and cultural clichés. Unlike many contemporaries, they treated pop music as something to dissect, parody, and reconstruct without losing accessibility. This balance between experimentation and commercial appeal is central to their enduring reputation.

However, 10cc’s cleverness could also be a limitation. Some critics argue that their ironic detachment and constant stylistic shifts prevented deep emotional engagement, especially compared with bands whose work felt more confessional or politically urgent. After Godley and Creme left in 1976 to pursue avant-garde and visual projects, the band’s output became more conventional, maintaining professionalism but losing some of the experimental edge that defined their best work.

In legacy, 10cc are often underrated: too playful for prog purists, too complex for pure pop historians. Yet their influence is evident in later art-pop and studio-driven acts. They stand as a prime example of how pop music can be both intellectually sharp and commercially successful—an embodiment of British pop’s capacity for irony, craftsmanship, and innovation.


10cc -Encyclopedia entry

10cc are an English rock and pop band formed in Stockport, Greater Manchester, in 1972. Known for their sophisticated songwriting, studio experimentation, and ironic, often satirical approach to popular music, the group achieved significant commercial success in the UK, Europe, and internationally during the 1970s.

Formation and Members

The classic lineup of 10cc consisted of Graham Gouldman, Eric Stewart, Kevin Godley, and Lol Creme. Prior to forming 10cc, all four had extensive experience in the music industry as songwriters, session musicians, and producers. Gouldman was already well known for writing hits for bands such as the Yardbirds and the Hollies, while Stewart, Godley, and Creme worked together in various projects, including the band Hotlegs.

The name “10cc” is often said to derive from a claim that the average male ejaculate was approximately ten cubic centimetres, reflecting the group’s characteristic sense of humour, though alternative explanations have also been offered.

Musical Style

10cc’s music defies easy categorisation, blending art rock, pop, soft rock, progressive elements, and novelty music. They were particularly noted for their inventive studio techniques, layered vocal arrangements, and use of irony and parody. While their songs were frequently catchy and radio-friendly, they often subverted pop conventions through unexpected structures, lyrical satire, or experimental production.

Career Highlights

The band achieved early success with singles such as “Donna” (1972) and “Rubber Bullets” (1973), the latter reaching number one on the UK Singles Chart. Their 1974 album Sheet Music is widely regarded as a critical high point, combining commercial appeal with musical ambition.

Their international breakthrough came with “I’m Not in Love” (1975), a minimalist, emotionally ambiguous ballad built from complex multitracked vocal loops. The song became a global hit and remains their most widely recognised work. Other notable singles include “The Wall Street Shuffle,” “Art for Art’s Sake,” and “Dreadlock Holiday.”

In 1976, Kevin Godley and Lol Creme left the band to pursue more experimental music and visual projects, including early music videos. Gouldman and Stewart continued as 10cc, achieving further success but with a more conventional pop-rock sound.

Later Years and Legacy

Although 10cc’s popularity declined in the 1980s, the band never fully disbanded, and various lineups continued to tour and record intermittently. Their work has since been reassessed, with critics highlighting their influence on later art-pop and studio-oriented acts.

10cc are widely regarded as one of the most inventive British bands of the 1970s, notable for demonstrating that pop music could be clever, self-aware, and technically innovative while still achieving mainstream success.


10cc – Harsh Summary

10cc were a band of undeniable technical skill who often mistook cleverness for depth. Emerging in the early 1970s, they built a reputation on studio trickery, ironic detachment, and pastiche, frequently sounding more like sharp-eyed observers of pop music than emotionally invested participants in it. Their songs were impeccably constructed but often felt calculated, as though designed to impress rather than to move.

At their best, 10cc produced memorable, immaculately produced hits such as “I’m Not in Love,” which succeeded largely because it accidentally stripped away the band’s usual smirk and allowed genuine vulnerability to surface. More often, however, their work relied on parody, novelty, or conceptual gimmicks that dated quickly and undercut emotional resonance. Tracks like “Rubber Bullets” and “Dreadlock Holiday” can sound glib or patronising in retrospect, leaning heavily on caricature rather than insight.

The band’s restless genre-hopping—rock, reggae pastiche, doo-wop, faux soul—often felt less like adventurous curiosity and more like a demonstration of how easily they could mimic styles without committing to any of them. This approach won them chart success but cost them a coherent artistic identity. When Kevin Godley and Lol Creme left in 1976, the group’s experimental ambitions evaporated, exposing how much of 10cc’s appeal depended on clever production rather than strong, lasting songwriting.

Ultimately, 10cc occupy an awkward place in rock history: too arch to be loved, too polished to be dangerous, and too ironic to inspire loyalty. They remain a band admired for their brains and studio skill, but rarely for their heart.


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