An old clip of Steve Harley discussing the inspiration behind his hit song Make Me Smile has resurfaced following the star’s tragic death aged 73.
The English singer and songwriter was best known for being the frontman of the rock group Cockney Rebel.
He died at his home in Suffolk on Sunday morning after a short battle with cancer – having stopped his current tour last month to undergo treatment.
As fans expressed their grief at his sudden passing, old videos of Steve resurfaced, including one from October 2010 in which the musician spoke about his motivation for writing his best-known track Make Me Smile.
Speaking to The One Show, Steve explained that he wrote the 1975 song after the original Cockney Rebel disbanded.
An old clip of Steve Harley discussing the inspiration behind his hit song Make Me Smile has resurfaced following the star’s tragic death aged 73 (pictured 2015)
The English singer and songwriter was best known for fronting the rock group Cockney Rebel (pictured in 1989)
He died at his home in Suffolk on Sunday morning after a short battle with cancer – having put his current tour on hold last month to undergo treatment (seen in 2020)
He recalled that he was ‘in distress’ and needed an outlet for the emotions, and admitted that he was ‘b****y’.
Cockney Rebel was a rock band that gained success in the early 1970s in London, whose music covered a range of styles from pop to progressive rock.
Over the years they had five albums in the UK Albums Chart and twelve singles in the UK Singles Chart.
The original band consisted of Steve, Jean-Paul Crocker, drummer Stuart Elliott, bassist Paul Jeffreys and guitarist Nick Jones.
However, in July 1974, the original lineup disbanded after the other band members approached Steve and insisted that they also write songs for the band.
However, Steve, who was the band’s sole songwriter, argued that this was unfair as he had hired the musicians in the first place, and explained the deal to them at the time.
The band split, with Steve putting together a new line-up later in the year, with only drummer Stuart remaining.
In 2002, Steve revealed that he then wrote Make Me Smile just days after the split, directed at his former bandmates who felt they had abandoned him.
As fans expressed their grief at his sudden passing, old videos of Steve resurfaced, including one from October 2010 in which the musician spoke about his motivation for writing his best-known track Make Me Smile (pictured in 1974)
Steve explained that he wrote the 1975 song after the original Cockney Rebel disbanded, saying he was ‘in distress’ and needed an outlet for his emotions, while admitting he was a ‘b*** *y’ (pictured in 1974)
He later added that the first verse was probably written at four in the morning after drinking a bottle of brandy while feeling sorry for himself.
Steve opened up about writing the song and his motivations in the resurrected interview with The One Show, calling the lyrics ‘a pointed piece of vengeful poetry’.
‘It’s beyond me how I felt about the guys tearing apart a perfectly serviceable machine. I wrote it and said “Look, you’re going to learn how good we have it, we have it good, why are you doing this?”
Steve recalled: ‘Three of them came to me in a small position with several ultimatums. They wanted to write songs for the third album, and I said, “You know, I started the band, and I tried you out, and I told you the deal back then. We’re not moving the goalposts here.”
‘They knew that and they came to me and demanded that they could write songs too and I just said “Go ahead and do it”.
When the interviewer asked if he had hoped they would return after hearing the song, he replied: ‘No, it was funny. I was going crazy and it wasn’t nice and I’m not proud of it.’
Then he smiled and said back, “Of course I am.”
Steve based the song on a previously unused track he had written called Laid in the Shade, which he later said was ‘absolute rubbish’, but felt that ‘the melody worked’.
Opening up about writing the song and his motivations in the resurfaced interview with The One Show, Steve called the lyrics ‘a pointed piece of vengeful poetry’
Steve based the song on an unused earlier track he had written called Laid in the Shade, which he later said was ‘absolute rubbish’ but felt ‘the melody worked’
He developed it to be much slower and darker and wrote new lyrics to reflect his feelings at the time.
Steve said: ‘The mood was quite dark, it was a slow moody blues piece. I was in trouble, no doubt at all.
“But because of adversity, I had to talk about it, I had to write about it. I had to say these things, I had to get it off my chest.’
It comes after Steve’s death was announced on Sunday, with his daughter Greta revealing he had ‘died peacefully at home’.
She added: ‘We know he will be desperately missed by people all over the world.’
Last month, Steve’s official social media page released a statement saying: ‘Due to ongoing treatment for cancer, Steve cannot commit to any concerts in 2024.
“Steve hopes that next year will be completely different. He appreciates all your kind words and well wishes. Keep SH.’
Last October, he announced the cancellation of the Steve Harley Acoustic Band shows scheduled to take place in January 2024 due to undergoing a medical procedure followed by a ‘reformation period’.
It comes after Steve’s death was announced on Sunday, with his daughter Greta revealing he had ‘died peacefully at home’
At Christmas he posted a message on his website saying how it was “heartbreaking” to cancel tour dates but that he was battling “bad” cancer
Then at Christmas he posted a message on his website saying how it was ‘heartbreaking’ to cancel tour dates but that he was battling ‘bad’ cancer.
He said: ‘2023 hasn’t exactly been an annus horribilis for me as the first half was often magical, with some fantastic nights on stage with Barry, Oli and David. And the full rock band in Holland and Belgium and Denmark… out there, on the road, that’s where I come alive.
‘Second half, well…cancelling live dates is heartbreaking. I am aware of the stress and financial burden this can cause you.
‘But I’m fighting a nasty cancer. My oncologist is satisfied with the effect of the treatment so far. It is tiring and tiring. But the battle is on. And luckily, the cursed intruder doesn’t affect the voice. I sing and play most nights.’
After announcing a hiatus from his tour, his fans were quick to send him greetings during the post.
One wrote: ‘All the best with your treatment Steve, we hope for a full recovery.’
Another commented: ‘Hope you get better soon, sending love to you and yours.’
A third wrote: ‘Sending positive thoughts your way. Best wishes to you and your family.’
He enjoyed a brief stint as a solo artist before the band regrouped in April 1990 following the success of Harley’s 1989 tour
Steve enjoyed a brief stint as a solo artist before Cockney Rebel regrouped in April 1990 following the success of Harley’s 1989 tour.
From 1999 to 2008, Steve presented the BBC 2 radio program Sounds of the 70s. Tony Blackburn has since hosted the show since 2017.
After his death was announced on Sunday, fans took to social media to express their grief.
One wrote: ‘RiP…Steve Harley…another one.’
Another wrote: ‘Brilliant musician and fantastic story teller. Great live performer and a regular at Kenney Jones’s Rock ‘n’ Horsepower festivals.’
A third poignantly wrote: ‘And God said: ‘Come up and see me, make me smile.’ So he did. Rest in peace.’
