Tumbling Down (Cockney Rebel song)

"Tumbling Down"
Single by Cockney Rebel
from the album The Psychomodo
Released 1974
Format 7"
Genre Pop, Glam Rock
Length 3:23 (single version)
5:55 (album version)
Label EMI Records
Writer(s) Steve Harley
Producer(s) Steve Harley, Alan Parsons
Cockney Rebel singles chronology
"Mr. Soft"
(1974)		 "Tumbling Down"
(1974)		 "Big Big Deal"
(1974)

"Tumbling Down" is a song by British rock band Cockney Rebel, fronted by Steve Harley. The song was released as an American only promotional single in 1974 from the album The Psychomodo, under the title Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel.[1] "Tumbling Down" was written by Harley, and produced by Harley and Alan Parsons.[2]

Background

As a promotional single, "Tumbling Down" was not eligible to make a chart appearance, and despite the song not being issued as a single in Europe, it remains one of Harley's most popular songs. It is a staple at Harley's concerts and has appeared on numerous compilations. The song was recorded during February/March 1974. It was either recorded at Morgan Studios, Nova Sound Studios in London or AIR Studios. It was mastered at Abbey Road Studios, like the rest of The Psychomodo album.[3][4] The song's orchestral arrangements were handled by Andrew Powell.[2]

Release

The single was released via 7" vinyl through EMI Records in America only. For the single, the song's album version was cut down from six minutes to almost half the duration. On the vinyl, the A-side is in stereo and the B-side features the same song but in mono. It was issued in a generic sleeve and featured no artwork.[2]

Compilations

Following the original release on The Psychomodo album and as a single, the song has also appeared on various Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel compilations, including the 1975 American EMI release A Closer Look,[5] the 1980 EMI release The Best of Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel, the 1987 EMI release Greatest Hits, the 1999 EMI Gold release The Cream of Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel and the 2006 EMI box-set The Cockney Rebel - A Steve Harley Anthology.[6][7]

The song has also appeared on the 2013 various artists four-disc compilation Love Ballads.[8]

Promotion

The song has often been part of Harley's set-list when performing live. On YouTube, audience recorded footage exists of Harley performing the song at various concerts.[9]

A number of official live versions have also been released. The song was included on the band's 1977 live album Face to Face.[10] This version was also added as the B-side to the live version of "The Best Years of Our Lives", released as a single in 1977.[11] It was also included on the live albums; 1999's Stripped to Bare Bones and 2002's Acoustic and Pure - Live.[12][13][14]

The song was professionally filmed live in 1984 at Camden Palace for the Live from London video release.[15][16][17]

Track listing

7" Single
  1. "Tumbling Down (Stereo)" - 3:23
  2. "Tumbling Down (Mono)" - 3:23

Critical reception

Dave Thompson of Allmusic spoke of the song in a review of The Psychomodo album. He stated "The hopelessly romantic "Bed in the Corner" opens another door entirely - relatively straightforward, astoundingly melodic, it was (though nobody realized it at the time) the closest thing in sight to the music Harley would be making later in the decade. Here, however, it swerves in another direction entirely, the dawn of a closing triptych - completed by "Sling It" and "Tumbling Down" - which encompasses ten of the most heartstoppingly breathless, and emotionally draining minutes in '70s rock. Indeed, though the latter's final refrain was reduced to pitifully parodic singalong the moment it got out on-stage, on record it retains both its potency and its purpose. "Oh dear!" Harley intones, "look what they've done to the blues." The fact is, he did it all himself - and people have been trying to undo it ever since."[18]

Donald A. Guarisco of Allmusic spoke of the song in a review of the A Closer Look compilation, stating "As for the epics, the most impressive ones are "Sebastian," a slowly building ballad that adds layers of orchestration and choral vocals as it lays out a gothic tale of a romantic obsession that gives way to insanity, and "Tumbling Down," another dramatic opus that gradually builds from quiet piano chords to an orchestral blowout as Harley vocalizes a pained but elegantly crafted tale of facing a grim destiny."[19]

George Starostin reviewed The Psychomodo album for his website and spoke of the song, stating "Fortunately, after testing our patience with these lumpy monsters, the album picks up steam again with the remaining three songs - the mock-sentimental 'Bed In The Corner', the amazing, crazy-violin-heavy 'Sling It!', and the romantic, soothing finale in the 'Tumbling Down' ballad where you won't understand a single line until you get to the plaintive 'oh dear, what have they done to the blues?' coda. If anything, though, the song is so goddamn beautiful it serves as a perfect example of lyrics not being important. At all. More of that gorgeous orchestration that made 'Death Trip' such a wallop. An anthemic singalong which causes you to join in even if you don't know what the hell you're doing."[20]

In the Record Mirror magazine of 1 June 1974, a review of The Psychomodo album under the article headline "New Bands Show the Way" stated "They now have a raw edge that got lost amid the sweet production of their first album. If your never ends are tattered by the lyrics, you can almost look to the music for comfort. At times it's punky - Sling It - or grand and orchestrated - Ritz and Tumbling Down - then just plain loony - Mr Soft."[21]

In The Milwaukee Journal of 11 February 1975, a review of The Psychomodo album was published, with the author stating "There are flashes of talent here, particualry on "Psychomodo", "Mr. Soft" and "Tumbling Down." A full orchestra often backs him up. Interesting, but we've heard a hundred better albums so far this year - and it's only February."[22]

In The Miami News of 3 December 1976, a review of the Love's a Prima Donna album by Miami News critic Jon Marlowe, mentioned the song, stating "For those not familiar with Harley's previous musical accomplishments, suffice to say he's only written two all-time classic songs "Cavaliers" and "Tumbling Down"; and to hear him lead the audience in a rousing sing-along of "Oh dear look what they've done to the blues" is nothing short of a musical miracle."[23]

On the German website Altona Info, an article on Harley was published on 21 September 2009. In the article, the author stated "Steve Harley and his band were in any case always in both areas in the Middle: With its extravagant outfit was undoubtedly the formation of the then-current glam rock. So it's good that at least the music has withstood the test of time without damage. Songs such as "Sebastian", "Tumbling Down" or the aforementioned "Make Me Smile" are to this day as a real pop gems."[24]

In the 2007 Italian book 24.000 Dischi (24,000 discs), written by Riccardo Bertoncelli and Cris Thellung, a review of The Psychomodo album noted the song, stating "Sweet Dreams, Psychomodo, Mr. Soft, Tumbling Down are fine examples of a decadent rock that uses a lot of the shape of the ballad and enriches it with very theatrical choreography."[25]

Personnel

Cover versions

Yvonne Keeley version

"Tumbling Down"
Single by Yvonne Keeley
B-side "Loretta's Tale"
Released 1974
Format 7"
Genre Pop, Rock
Length 4:25
Label EMI Records
Writer(s) Steve Harley
Producer(s) Steve Harley, Alan Parsons
Yvonne Keeley singles chronology
"Tumbling Down"
(1974)		 "Concrete and Clay"
(1975)

On 23 August 1974, Dutch pop music singer Yvonne Keeley released her own version of the song as a single. It was her debut single.[26] She is best known for the UK Top 3 "If I Had Words" duet with Scott Fitzgerald and her success in the 1980s with her sister Patricia Paay in the Dutch female Dance/Pop trio, the Star Sisters. At the time she was the girlfriend of Harley. She would also often provide backing vocals for Harley on his music.[27]

The song was not a commercial success and failed to enter the Top 100 UK chart.

Background

On the song, Ian Bairnson played a Les Paul guitar. It was one of Bairnson's earliest sessions and was one that had the most impact on his career or at least potentially could have altered its direction dramatically. At the time, Bairnson had moved from Edinburgh to London to make it in the music business and had shopped around demo tapes done by this band without any success. After one song being rejected by a record executive, the song went on to become a hit single and the band Pilot got a recording contract. However, Bairnson was faced with a tough decision after he had another offer. Harley was so impressed by Ian's guitar playing on "Tumbling Down" that he asked him to join Cockney Rebel. In the end, Bairnson stayed with Pilot.[28]

Release

The single was released via EMI Records in the UK only and was produced by Harley and Parsons, like the original Cockney Rebel version. The B-side was another Cockney Rebel song - Loretta's Tale - which was originally found on the band's 1973 debut album The Human Menagerie.[29] Keeley would also cover the Cockney Rebel 1973 The Human Menagerie track "Hideaway" as the B-side to her June 1975 single "Concrete and Clay", with both tracks produced by Harley.[30]

A UK promotional demo copy/DJ copy of the single was also released, which simply highlighted "Demo Records - Not for Resale" as the only difference from the main release.[26]

Track listing

7" Single
  1. "Tumbling Down" - 4:25
  2. "Loretta's Tale"

Personnel

Velvet Goldmine

The song was used in the 1998 British/American drama film Velvet Goldmine, directed and co-written by Todd Haynes. The fictional band who covered the song for the film soundtrack were Venus in Furs and lead vocals were handled by Jonathan Rhys Meyers. Additionally, two other Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel songs were used, "Sebastian" and "Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)". The original version of "Make Me Smile" was used, whilst like "Tumbling Down", "Sebastian" was covered by Venus in Furs/Meyers.[31]

The song was made available on the Velvet Goldmine original motion picture soundtrack release.[32]

Background

In June 2000, Harley did an interview with the Swedish web publication Bomben. During the interview he spoke of the song's use in the film. "I was never much of a part of all that [glam rock]. More theatrical for one album, I suppose. But it ended there." The article author noted "He says and I get the feeling he doesn't want to be connected with tacky glam rock bandwagon jumpers such as Gary Glitter or Mud. But still it's the connection with the glam scene of the seventies that has made the interest in Steve awake again in later years. Through the film "Velvet Goldmine" from 1998, a celebration of glam rock in general and, of David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust years, in particular, Steve reached out to a whole new generation of fans. In the film three of Steve's biggest hits; "Sebastian", "Tumbling Down" and "Make Me Smile" can be heard. But although the film awakens a commercial interest in a whole new generation Steve doesn't think much of it." Harley had stated "When my friends and I first saw Velvet Goldmine, we thought, "straight to video." i.e.: not much of a film, really. My opinion was not improved after seeing it a second time, I'm afraid. I was only caught up at all when the Bowie character "recorded his video" for his "new single" Tumbling Down. I thought there was magic about the shoot. But in all it isn't the best portrayal of a hedonistic time, simply because it was made by an American who really never was part of it all."[33]

On the independent.ie website, Harley was interviewed by Ed Power on 16 April 2010. Power asked "What did you think of Jonathan Rhys-Meyers covering your song Tumbling Down in Velvet Goldmine?" and Harley replied "Velvet Goldmine... actually, I saw that in the cinema. I'm one of the few! It didn't run for very long. We were invited to the opening in Edinburgh. When it finished my tour manager stood up and said, 'straight to video'." Power continued "Not a fan,then? Even though your music was all over it?" Harley stated "I understand Bowie refused to let them use his music. I agreed they could use mine. Thank you David (hah!). God bless you mate." Finally, Power also asked "So what about Rhys Myers' tilt at Tumbling Down?" and Harley responded "It's always flattering that people would do one your songs. Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me) has been covered something like 130 times."[34]

Critical reception

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette of 11 December 1998, reviewed the soundtrack album and described the song as "a rainy-day cover of Harley's "Tumbling Down"."[35]

References

  1. ↑ "Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel - Tumbling Down (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-05-22.
  2. 1 2 3 "Steve Harley And Cockney Rebel - Tumbling Down / Tumbling Down - EMI - USA - P-4023". 45cat. Retrieved 2013-05-22.
  3. ↑ "Cockney Rebel - The Psychomodo (Vinyl, LP, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com. 1974-06-02. Retrieved 2013-05-22.
  4. ↑ "Cockney Rebel - The Psychomodo (CD, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-05-22.
  5. ↑ "Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel - A Closer Look (Vinyl, LP) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-05-22.
  6. ↑ "Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel Discography at Discogs". Discogs.com. 1976-08-05. Retrieved 2013-05-22.
  7. ↑ "Tumbling Down - Steve Harley : Listen, Appearances, Song Review". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-05-22.
  8. ↑ "Love Ballads - CD". Images.plixid.com. Retrieved 2013-06-29.
  9. ↑ "steve harley tumbling down". YouTube. Retrieved 2013-05-22.
  10. ↑ "Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel - Face To Face (Vinyl, LP, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-05-22.
  11. ↑ "Steve Harley And Cockney Rebel - Best Years Of Our Lives / Tumbling Down - EMI - UK - EMI 2673". 45cat. Retrieved 2013-05-22.
  12. ↑ Thomas, Stephen (1999-08-03). "Stripped to Bare Bones - Steve Harley : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-05-22.
  13. ↑ Thompson, Dave (2001-03-19). "Unplugged - Steve Harley : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-05-22.
  14. ↑ "Acoustic and Pure - Live by Steve Harley : Reviews and Ratings". Rate Your Music. 2004-12-18. Retrieved 2013-05-22.
  15. ↑ YouTube (2012-11-16). "Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel - Tumbling Down". YouTube. Retrieved 2013-05-22.
  16. ↑ "Steve Harley + Cockney Rebel - Live From London DVD 2012 NTSC: Amazon.co.uk: Steve Harley: Music". Amazon.co.uk. 2012-06-11. Retrieved 2013-05-22.
  17. ↑ "Steve Harley And The Cockney Rebel - Live From London DVD 2007: Amazon.co.uk: Classic Pictures: Film & TV". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-05-22.
  18. ↑ Thompson, Dave. "The Psychomodo - Cockney Rebel, Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-05-22.
  19. ↑ Guarisco, Donald A. "A Closer Look - Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-05-22.
  20. ↑ "Steve Harley/Cockney Rebel". Starling.rinet.ru. Retrieved 2013-05-22.
  21. ↑ "New bands show the way". Harleyfanzone.com. Retrieved 2013-05-22.
  22. ↑
  23. ↑
  24. ↑ "Glam Rock in der Fabrik mit Steve Harley". Altona.Info. 2009-10-20. Retrieved 2013-05-22.
  25. ↑ "Ventiquattromila dischi. Guida a tutti i dischi degli artisti e gruppi piů ... - Google Books". Books.google.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-05-22.
  26. 1 2 "Yvonne Keeley - Tumbling Down / Loretta's Tale - EMI - UK - EMI 2206". 45cat. 1974-08-30. Retrieved 2013-05-22.
  27. ↑ "The Great Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel Story". Steveharley.www.50megs.com. Retrieved 2013-05-22.
  28. ↑ "Ian Bairnson Official Site Discography - Yvonne Keeley - Tumbling Down". Ianbairnson.com. Retrieved 2013-05-22.
  29. ↑ "Cockney Rebel - The Human Menagerie at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-05-22.
  30. ↑ "Yvonne Keeley - Concrete And Clay (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-05-22.
  31. ↑ "Velvet Goldmine (1998) : Soundtracks". IMDb.com. Retrieved 2016-10-10.
  32. ↑ Thomas, Stephen (1998-11-03). "Velvet Goldmine - Original Soundtrack : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-05-22.
  33. ↑ "Official Steve Harley Website UK - Swedish web mag interview by Bengt Wallman (English translation)". Steveharley.com. 2009-07-15. Retrieved 2013-05-22.
  34. ↑ Ed Power – 16 April 2010 (2010-04-16). "Q&A: Steve Harley". Independent.ie. Retrieved 2013-05-22.
  35. ↑ "Post-Gazette.com". Nl.newsbank.com. 1998-12-11. Retrieved 2013-05-22.
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