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"Big Big Deal"
Song
B-side"Bed in the Corner"

"Big Big Deal" is a song by British singer-songwriter Steve Harley, released as his debut solo single in 1974.[1] It did not appear on any album and would be Harley's last release before his UK number one hit "Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)" in 1975.[2] "Big Big Deal" preceded the formation of a new Cockney Rebel band lineup.[3] "Big Big Deal" was written and produced solely by Harley.

Background

Following the split of the original Cockney Rebel line-up in August 1974, Harley found himself without a band. His label EMI Records were not dissuaded by Cockney Rebel's split, as Harley revealed in 2014: "The people at my record label, EMI, 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."[4]

During the period of auditioning new musicians, Harley decided to keep the momentum of Cockney Rebel's recent hit releases by releasing a solo single under his own name, without the Cockney Rebel tag. The song featured original Cockney Rebel member Stuart Elliot on drums,[5] and was recorded at AIR Studios in London, during September 1974.

Although the single failed to enter UK Top 50, it did enter the unnumbered BMRB's UK Breakers chart on 23 November 1974 (which would be equal to a position somewhere between #51-60 on the UK Singles Chart, at a time when the national singles chart only ran to the Top 50.)[6] Reportedly though the single was pulled not long after this. Regardless, the single was successful in keeping Harley in the public eye, and a new line-up for Cockney Rebel was found later in 1974.

Release

The single was released via 7" vinyl through EMI Records in the UK and Ireland,[7][8] as well as Belgium and Germany.[9] All releases of the single featured the B-Side "Bed in the Corner" which was written by Harley and produced by Harley and Alan Parsons.[10] The B-Side was taken from the 1974 Cockney Rebel album The Psychomodo.[11]

No artwork was added to the UK or Irish release of the single, however the German version featured artwork with a close up photograph of Harley,[12] whilst the Belgian version had different artwork - highlighting a close up of Harley performing on stage, holding a guitar.[13] An identical promotional 7" vinyl was also released in the UK.[14]

Following the original release, the track was unavailable on any other release for a few years, until it first appeared on the 1980 UK/European vinyl compilation The Best of Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel, released by EMI.[15] It next appeared as a bonus track on the 1992 EMI CD re-issue of The Psychomodo album.[16] The track's later appeared on the 2006 compilation The Cockney Rebel: A Steve Harley Anthology,[17] and on the 2012 Cavaliers: An Anthology 1973-1974 compilation. The song appeared on disc two, while on disc three, the full version of the track was added, titled "Big Big Deal (Full Version)" which is approximately a minute longer than the original version. This full version was previously unreleased.[18]

Promotion

No music video was created for the single, and limited promotion was given overall, although Harley did perform the track, along with "Bed in the Corner", live on the UK Kid Jensen 45 TV Show on 24 October 1974.[19][20] A music advert to promote the single was released in Melody Maker on 9 November 1974, which highlighted the fact the single was Harley's "first solo single".[21]

The Cockney Rebel band, including Yvonne Keeley and Patricia Paay on backing vocals, performed the song live on the Autumn Tour dates of 1974.

Track listing

7" Single
  1. "Big Big Deal" - 4:34
  2. "Bed in the Corner" - 3:33
7" Single (UK promo)
  1. "Big Big Deal" - 4:34
  2. "Bed in the Corner" - 3:33

Critical reception

Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic had highlighted "Big Big Deal" as a standout track on the Cavaliers: An Anthology 1973-1974 compilation by labeling it an AMG Pick Track.[18]

In the Look-In Magazine of 14 December 1974, where Harley was pictured on the front cover, an article/interview with Harley was published. The author/interviewer spoke of the "Big Big Deal" single, stating "The latest single, "Big Big Deal" 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]

Personnel

  • Producer on "Big Big Deal" - Steve Harley
  • Engineer on "Big Big Deal" - Pete Swettenham
  • Producer on "Bed in the Corner" - Steve Harley, Alan Parsons
  • Drums - Stuart Elliot
  • Writer of "Big Big Deal" - Steve Harley
  • Writer of "Bed in the Corner" - Steve Harley

References

  1. ^ "Steve Harley - Big Big Deal at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  2. ^ "Steve Harley Discography at Discogs". Discogs.com. 27 February 1951. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  3. ^ Ankeny, Jason (27 February 1951). "Steve Harley - Music Biography, Credits and Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  4. ^ The Best Years of Our Lives - Definitive Edition - CD+DVD Set - Booklet. EMI Records. 2014. pp. 9, 10.
  5. ^ "The Great Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel Story". Steveharley.www.50megs.com. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  6. ^ Chartwatch magazine (Issue 46). Chartwatch. November 1993. pp. Breakers 1974-75 section.
  7. ^ "Steve Harley - Big Big Deal / Bed In The Corner - EMI - Ireland - EMI 2233". 45cat. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  8. ^ "Steve Harley - Big Big Deal (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  9. ^ "Steve Harley - Big Big Deal (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  10. ^ Thompson, Dave. "The Psychomodo - Cockney Rebel, Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  11. ^ "Bed in the Corner - single label". Images.45cat.com. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  12. ^ "Images for Steve Harley - Big Big Deal". Discogs.com. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  13. ^ "Steve Harley - Big Big Deal (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  14. ^ "Steve Harley - Big Big Deal / Bed In The Corner - EMI - UK - EMI 2233". 45cat. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  15. ^ "Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel - The Best Of Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  16. ^ "Cockney Rebel - The Psychomodo (CD, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  17. ^ "The Cockney Rebel: A Steve Harley Anthology: Amazon.co.uk: Music". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  18. ^ a b Thomas, Stephen (9 October 2012). "Cavaliers: An Anthology 1973-1974 - Cockney Rebel : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  19. ^ YouTube (10 January 2011). "Cockney Rebel-Big Big Deal". YouTube. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  20. ^ "45 with Kid Jensen". Homepage.ntlworld.com. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  21. ^ "Big Big Deal - single cover". I.ebaying.com. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  22. ^ "Magazine article". Harleyfanzone.com. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
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