Mr. Soft
"Mr. Soft" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() German cover of "Mr. Soft" | ||||
Single by Cockney Rebel | ||||
from the album The Psychomodo | ||||
B-side | "Such a Dream" | |||
Released | 26 July 1974 March 1988 (re-issue) | |||
Genre | Glam rock | |||
Length | 3:17 | |||
Label | EMI Records | |||
Songwriter(s) | Steve Harley | |||
Producer(s) | Steve Harley, Alan Parsons | |||
Cockney Rebel singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Alternative Cover | ||||
![]() 1988 UK re-issue |
"Mr. Soft" is a song by the British rock band Cockney Rebel, fronted by Steve Harley. It was released in 1974 as the second single from their second studio album The Psychomodo.[1] In the UK, the song became the band's second hit, following the Top 5 success of "Judy Teen". "Mr. Soft" was written by Harley, and produced by Harley and Alan Parsons.[2]
Background
By the time "Judy Teen" successfully broke Cockney Rebel in the UK charts in May 1974, the band had already finished recording their second album The Psychomodo. During May, EMI released the title track, "Psychomodo", as the album's lead single, however it was quickly withdrawn in the UK as "Judy Teen" continued to climb the charts. The Psychomodo was released in June, and once "Judy Teen" dropped out of the UK Top 50, "Mr. Soft" was released in late July. The song proved to be another success, peaking at No. 8 and remaining in the charts for nine weeks.[3] It also reached No. 16 in Ireland.[4]
From May to July 1974, Cockney Rebel embarked on a major British tour.[5] As it progressed, the band faced growing tensions, which ultimately led to the band's split in late July. On 18 July, the band received a 'Gold Award' for outstanding new act of 1974, and a week later they had split up over their disagreements.[6] By the time "Mr. Soft" was released, Cockney Rebel had already disbanded, leaving Harley to assemble a new line-up by the end of the year.
On "Mr. Soft", the backing vocals were performed by the Mike Sammes Singers, who also contributed vocals on other tracks on The Psychomodo album. In 2012, Harley recalled: "The Mike Sammes Singers, practically resident on the BBC Light Programme, came in to sing backing vocals, all those "boom-boom-boom, boom"s and bassy "mmmmms"s on "Mr Soft"."[7]
The English alternative rock band Elbow called themselves "Mr Soft" during the early 1990s. Speaking the Birmingham Post in 2013, Harley mentioned the band and their name:
"I kind of secretly hear and imagine the possibility that I might be an influence, and my wife will see it, but, I don't want to go there and find out that they've never heard of me! I don't need that kudos. I'm a great fatalist. Elbow's first group name was Mr Soft, and I've spoken quite a lot to Guy Garvey about it. It's nice. But mostly you don't want to think about it."[8]
Trebor Softmints adverts
In circa 1986/87, the song was featured in two successful TV adverts for Trebor Softmints. One advert promoted Trebor Softmints, and the other Trebor Softfruits. Both adverts used two lines of the song, with changed lyrics sung by a Steve Harley sound-alike.
Initially, Harley was approached with the idea of re-writing and re-recording the lines himself. However, uncomfortable at the idea of doing this, he gave permission for the advert creators to adapt the song themselves. The lyrics were re-written by Malcolm Green and an unknown vocalist was used to replicate Harley's vocal style. Ironically, much of the public believed Harley to be singing anyway.[9][10] Both videos were directed by Len Fulford and produced by BFCS.[11][12]
For the Softmints advert, the lyrics were rewritten accordingly:
"Mr. Soft, won't tell you why the world in which you're living is so strange? Oh, Mr. Soft, how come everything around you is so soft and rearranged?"
For the Softfruits advert, the lyrics were:
"Mr. Soft, ain't it grand you can afford to go abroad just to unwind? It's so hot, just you be careful that the sun don't turn you softer in the mind"
The use of the song in the adverts led EMI to re-release the song in the UK on 7" vinyl during March 1988, however it was not a commercial success. Later in their 1994 hit "Shakermaker", the English rock band Oasis referenced the "Mr. Soft" character of the song and advert with the line "I've been driving in my car with my friend Mr. Soft".[13] In a 2004 survey by Phones 4u for the UK's most recognisable jingles, "Mr. Soft" ranked at No. 7 of 10.[14]
Release
"Mr Soft" was released by EMI Records on 7" vinyl in the UK, Ireland, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Yugoslavia and Japan.[15] A UK promotional demo/DJ copy was also issued by EMI.[16] The majority of editions featured the B-side "Such a Dream", which was written by Harley, and produced by Harley and Parsons. It had previously appeared as B-side on the "Psychomodo" single. It later appeared as a bonus track on the 1991 Japanese and 1992 UK CD issues of The Psychomodo.[17][18] It would also appear on the 2006 compilation The Cockney Rebel – A Steve Harley Anthology and Cavaliers: An Anthology 1973-1974.[19] For its release in Belgium and the Netherlands, a different B-side, "Crazy Raver", was used, which was an album track from the band's 1973 debut The Human Menagerie.[20][21] The Yugoslavian release featured "Judy Teen" as the B-side.[22]
All releases of "Mr. Soft", except in the UK and Ireland, came with colour picture sleeves, which each featured a different photograph of the band. The German, Spanish and Yugoslavian sleeves used photograph from The Psychomodo,[23] although the former two zoomed in to show only Harley. Following its original release as a single, and on The Psychomodo, the song has appeared on the majority of Steve Harley/Cockney Rebel compilations.[24]
The 1988 re-issue of "Mr. Soft" was released under the artist title of Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel. The B-side, "Mad, Mad Moonlight", was taken from their 1975 album The Best Years of Our Lives, and included the preceding short album track "Introducing the Best Years" at the beginning. The single featured a colour picture sleeve with a close-up photograph of Harley.[25] On the 2012 compilation Cavaliers: An Anthology 1973-1974, an alternate mix of "Mr. Soft" appeared on disc three.[26]
Promotion
The song was performed twice on the UK music show Top of the Pops. As Cockney Rebel had disbanded before its release, Harley had to quickly form an impromptu band to perform on the show Top of the Pops. For the 15 August performance, Harley appeared with original Cockney Rebel drummer Stuart Elliott, the new Cockney Rebel guitarist Jim Cregan and bassist George Ford, and Francis Monkman on keyboards. For the 22 August performance, Ford was replaced by Herbie Flowers and Monkman was replaced by B. A. Robertson.[27] For the band's concerts at Aylesbury Friars on 24 August and Reading Festival on 25 August, the Harley/Elliott/Cregan/Ford/Monkman line-up was re-established. Soon afterwards, Monkman would be replaced by keyboardist Duncan Mackay, completing the new permanent line-up, which from then began to record and perform live as Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel.[28][29] In the Netherlands, the new line-up performed the song on AVRO TV show TopPop.[30] Later in 1983, Harley also appeared on the Channel 4 show Gastank, hosted by former Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman. During his appearance, Harley performed a slower, revised version of the song with the house band.[31]
The song has consistently been a popular inclusion of Harley and the band's concerts. As a result, live versions of the song have also been recorded and released. On 28 May 1974, the original line-up performed it during a BBC session for John Peel, which was later released on the 1995 compilation Live at the BBC[32] and Cavaliers: An Anthology 1973–1974.[33] On 14 April 1975, Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel performed the song as part of their set at the Hammersmith Odeon, London. The concert was filmed and released as a film titled Between the Lines.[34] Another live version was included on the band's 1977 album Face to Face: A Live Recording. The song was later performed at the band's 1984 concert at the Camden Palace, London, which was filmed for TV and released on the VHS Live from London in 1985.[35][36] In 1989, the band's concert at Brighton, which included the song, was released on the VHS The Come Back, All is Forgiven Tour: Live.[37]
Further live version's also appeared on 1999's Stripped to the Bare Bones, 2003's Acoustic and Pure: Live, 2004's Anytime! (A Live Set),[38][39][40] and 2005's Live at the Isle of Wight Festival DVD.[41] In November 2012, the band performed the song live at the Birmingham Symphony Hall. On the night, Harley and the band, supported by an orchestra and chamber choir, performed the first two Cockney Rebel albums in their entirety, including "Mr. Soft". It was released on CD and DVD in 2013 as Birmingham (Live with Orchestra & Choir).[42]
Critical reception
On its release, Charles Shaar Murray of New Musical Express felt that "most" of The Psychomodo was "disposable", but added that "Mr Soft" "succeeds primarily on the strength of the arrangement, a kind of modified Brechtian cabaret vamp of the kind that Bowie tackled on "Time"." He added: "What makes this one work is a '50s doo-wop backing vocal which maintains interest for most of the track's three minutes and 17 seconds." Daily Mirror commented: "Steve Harley and his band have a rough brush with a violin and a touch of the cossacks as they wend their way through a creepy camper."[43] Peter Jones of Record & Radio Mirror described the song to be "what you might term a novelty record with strong hook 'ooola' feelings". He also made comparisons to James Darren's "Goodbye Cruel World".[44]
Carol Clerk of Classic Rock, in a 2006 review of The Cockney Rebel – A Steve Harley Anthology, commented on the song being "exquisitely crafted and arranged, and determinedly eccentric to boot".[45] Chris Roberts of Uncut wrote: "Harley's band slid perfectly into the post-Ziggy/Roxy slipstream, all mannered English vocals, florid lyrics and sexual-theatrical rock. Tricksy hits like "Judy Teen" and "Mr Soft" (riddled with inventive sonic punctuation, also violins) displayed arch wit."[46]
Track listing
- 7" Single
- "Mr. Soft" - 3:17
- "Spaced Out" - 5:04
- 7" Single (Belgium and Netherlands release)
- "Mr. Soft" - 3:17
- "Crazy Raver" - 3:43
- 7" Single (Yugoslavia release)
- "Mr. Soft" - 3:17
- "Judy Teen" - 3:45
- 7" Single (1988 UK re-issue)
- "Mr. Soft" - 3:17
- "Mad, Mad Moonlight" - 5:37
Personnel
- Cockney Rebel
- Steve Harley - vocals, producer
- Jean-Paul Crocker - electric violin, guitar
- Paul Jeffreys - Fender bass
- Milton Reame-James - keyboards
- Stuart Elliott - drums, percussion
- Additional personnel
- Mike Sammes Singers - backing vocals
- Alan Parsons - producer
Charts
Chart (1974) | Peak position |
---|---|
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[47] | 43 |
Ireland (IRMA)[4] | 16 |
UK Singles (OCC)[48] | 8 |
References
- ^ "Cockney Rebel - The Psychomodo at Discogs". Discogs.com. 13 August 2013. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
- ^ "Cockney Rebel - Mr. Soft / Such A Dream (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. 26 July 1974. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
- ^ http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/3034/cockney-rebel/
- ^ a b Jaclyn Ward. "The Irish Charts - All there is to know". Irishcharts.ie. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
- ^ Tobler, John (1992). NME Rock 'N' Roll Years (1st ed.). London: Reed International Books Ltd. p. 264. CN 5585.
- ^ "The Great Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel Story". Steveharley.www.50megs.com. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
- ^ Booklet of 2012 compilation album Cavaliers: An Anthology 1973–1974
- ^ Pell, Tom (1 November 2013). "Steve Harley still has the engine to make us smile". Birmingham Post. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
- ^ "Trebor - Mr Soft". YouTube. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
- ^ http://www.pulse2.co.uk/on-air/blogs/ray-rose-840198/entry/312/
- ^ http://www.luerzersarchive.com/en/classic-spot-of-the-week/2016-8.html
- ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3-sMraeHvI
- ^ Till, Rupert (2 December 2010). Pop Cult: Religion and Popular Music. ISBN 9780826445926.
- ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/3390693.stm
- ^ "Cockney Rebel - Mr. Soft at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
- ^ "Cockney Rebel - Mr. Soft / Such A Dream - EMI - UK - EMI 2191". 45cat. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
- ^ "Cockney Rebel - The Psychomodo (CD) at Discogs". Discogs.com. 26 July 1991. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
- ^ "Cockney Rebel - The Psychomodo (CD, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
- ^ "Cockney Rebel Discography at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
- ^ "Cockney Rebel - Mr. Soft / Crazy Raver (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
- ^ "Cockney Rebel - Mr. Soft (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
- ^ "Cockney Rebel - Mr Soft / Judy Teen (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
- ^ "Singles 1973-74". Harleyfanzone.com. Archived from the original on 28 November 2009. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
- ^ "Steve Harley Discography at Discogs". Discogs.com. 27 February 1951. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
- ^ "Steve Harley And Cockney Rebel - Mr Soft / Mad, Mad Moonlight - EMI - UK - EM 50". 45cat. 17 September 2011. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
- ^ "Cavaliers [An Anthology 1973-1974]: Amazon.co.uk: Music". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
- ^ http://www.allmusic.com/artist/cockney-rebel-mn0000139498/biography
- ^ "Why Rebel Had To Split". Harleyfanzone.com. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
- ^ "Hello Goodbye". Harleyfanzone.com. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
- ^ "Cockney Rebel - Mr. Soft (TopPop 1974) - YouTube". youtube.com. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
- ^ "Tony Ashton and Friends (Gastank) - Featuring Steve Harley singing Mr. Soft". YouTube. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
- ^ "Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel - Live At The BBC (CD) at Discogs". discogs.com. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
- ^ "Cavaliers [An Anthology 1973-1974]: Amazon.co.uk: Music". amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
- ^ "Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel - Mr Soft - April 14th 1975 - Hammersmith Odeon". YouTube. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
- ^ Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel (1989). The 'Come Back, All is Forgiven' Tour Official Programme. Print Simplicity.
- ^ "Steve Harley + Cockney Rebel - Live From London DVD NTSC: Amazon.co.uk: Steve Harley: Music". Amazon.co.uk. 11 June 2012. Retrieved 25 December 2012.
- ^ "Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel: Greatest Hits [VHS]: Steve Harley: Amazon.co.uk: Video". Amazon.co.uk. 20 October 1989. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
- ^ Stephen Thomas Erlewine (3 August 1999). "Stripped to Bare Bones - Steve Harley | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
- ^ Dave Thompson (19 March 2001). "Unplugged - Steve Harley | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
- ^ "Official Steve Harley Website UK - Anytime! – A Live Set". Steveharley.com. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
- ^ "Steve Harley: Live - in Concert [DVD]: Amazon.co.uk: Steve Harley: Film & TV". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
- ^ "Birmingham - Live With Orchestra & Choir: Amazon.co.uk: Music". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
- ^ Daily Mirror - Short Plays - 23 July 1974 - page 10
- ^ Jones, Peter (27 July 1974). "Singles". Record & Radio Mirror. p. 15.
- ^ "Rebel Rousing". Harleyfanzone.com. Archived from the original on 5 March 2014. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
- ^ "Uncut Anthology Review". Harleyfanzone.com. Archived from the original on 5 March 2014. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
- ^ "Cockney Rebel – Mr. Soft" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
- ^ "Cockney Rebel: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.