The Best Years of Our Lives

by Steve Harley, Cockney Rebel

Overview

By his third album, Steve Harley had developed a strong grasp of how to combine his artistic ambitions with strongly crafted pop tunes that win the casual listener over to his artsy cause. The result was The Best Years of Our Lives, the most successful album of his mid-'70s heyday. This album was a big hit in his native England, thanks to the fact that it spawned two major hit singles. The first was "Mr. Raffles," a surreal yet romanticized portrait of a convention-flaunting outlaw. The odd lyrics work thanks to the phenomenal tune backing them up, which contrasts gentle verses built on piano and acoustic guitar with choruses that work in a surprising but slickly integrated reggae beat. The second and even more impressive hit was "Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)," a romantic pop tune that pairs Harley's clever wordplay with a clever pop tune that boasts an inventive stop-start arrangement and a lovely flamenco-styled acoustic guitar solo. Although the rest of the songs on the album aren't as strong as these singles ("It Wasn't Me" has an atmospheric synthesizer-dominated soundscape, but lacks any memorable hooks or surprising twists in its arrangement), there are plenty of highlights for the Harley fan. Some of the standouts include "The Mad, Mad Moonlight," a driving rocker with humorous lyrics about a romantic encounter with an unlikely female suitor, and the title track, a touching acoustic ballad that highlights some of Harley's most direct and emotional lyrics. All in all, The Best Years of Our Lives is a fine, slickly crafted album that will delight Steve Harley enthusiasts and will also appeal to fans of glam-oriented 1970s English rock. ~ Donald A. Guarisco

Product Details

Release Date:	06/20/2025
Label:	Chrysalis
UPC:	0840401712177

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel   Primary Artist
Steve Harley   Primary Artist,Vocals
Cockney Rebel   Primary Artist
Duncan Mackay   Elka,Clavinet,Keyboards,Synthesizer,Piano (Grand),Organ (Hammond),Piano (Electric)
Yvonne Keely   Vocals
Martin Jay   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Tina Charles   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Stuart Elliott   Drums,Marimba,Percussion
George Ford   Bass,Vocals,String Bass,Guitar (Bass),Vocals (Background)
Liza Strike   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Jim Cregan   Guitar,Vocals,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric),Vocals (Background)
Linda Lewis   Vocals,Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Gary Edwards   Tape Operator
Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel   Performer
Chris Blair   Mastering
George Hardie   Lettering
Alan Clayson   Liner Notes
Mick Rock   Sleeve Art,Photography,Original Sleeve Design
Alan Parsons   Mixing,Engineer,Producer
Steve Harley   Composer,Producer
Peter James   Tape Operator