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Song written by Steve Harley and originally recorded by Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel. It was released as the lead single from the band’s 1975 album ‘The Best Years of Our Lives’. In July 1974, the original Cockney Rebel disbanded, and Harley then assembled a new line-up later in the year. Only the original line-up’s drummer, Stuart Elliott, would join the new line-up. The song’s lyrics described Harley’s feelings on the band’s split. He felt that the former band members had abandoned him.

When the song was near completion, Harley played an early mix of the song to Bob Mercer, who was the head of A&R at EMI. He was so blown away by what he heard that he immediately pronounced the song as a number-one hit. Released by EMI in January 1975, it did indeed reach the top of the charts in the UK and France. In most other European countries the single reached the top 10.

Steve Harley performed the song with Kate and Peter Gabriel providing backing vocals during the Bill Duffield memorial concert at the Hammersmith Odeon on 12 May 1979.

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