THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

2-Cockney Rebel-Death Trip.

1973-It has never been released as a single in the UK.

Best Bit-At 3.18. You’re probably wondering how a song that less than 1% of the Human Race has even heard of can possibly be better than ‘Bohemian Rhapsody,’ American Pie.’ or ‘Life on Mars.’ Well it is up to us the lucky 1% who are fortunate to know about this masterpiece to spread the word. I sincerely hope that after listening, you too will see what I mean.

Steve Harley (see also best songs 410) was born Stephen Malcolm Ronald Nice, on February 27th, 1951, in Deptford, London, England, and at the time of writing he still tours constantly throughout Europe. Prior to forming the first incarnation of ‘Cockney Rebel’ in 1972, Harley began his music career playing mainly at Folk Music venues on open-mike nights, he also began busking around London, which included playing some of the earliest songs he had written.

Steve Harley put together ‘Cockney Rebel,’ who after sending demo tapes to record companies, were signed by ‘EMI’ for a three Album deal. The five band members who played on ‘Death Trip,’ and it’s parent Album ‘The Human Menagerie’ were, Steve Harley, (vocals) Jean Paul Crocker, (electric violin, mandolin, and guitar) Milton Reame James, (keyboards) Paul Jeffreys, (1952-1988) (bass) and Stuart Elliott, (drums) for the discography of Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel see best songs 410. Due to musical differences following the release of the bands second studio Album ‘The Psychomodo’ in 1974, three of the group left, leaving only Harley, and Elliott to continue. For the recording of the third studio Album ‘The Best Years of Our Lives,’ Harley brought in three new musicians to fill their places. Harley’s most successful song ‘Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me’) is his feelings about that split.

‘Death Trip’ is the last of the 10 tracks released on Cockney Rebel’s debut studio Album ‘The Human Menagerie’ from November 1973. It was written by Steve Harley, with the songs production by Neil Harrison. It was at Harrison’s suggestion that two of the Albums tracks ‘Sebastian,’ and ‘Death Trip,’ should feature a large symphony orchestra. ‘EMI’ showed great faith in Harley’s songs by spending big money on a 50 piece orchestra, and also bringing in the legendary Geoff Emerick (1945-2018) as the engineer, Emerick had previously worked with the Beatles on three of their studio Albums in the 1960’s. Also brought on board was Andrew Powell, (see also best songs 866-130 and 81) to compose and take charge of the orchestral arrangements, something which was almost unheard of for a debut Album by an unknown act.

In 2004 Steve Harley reminisced about that time.’Neil Harrison and I were sharing a pot of coffee when he told me he would like to record an orchestra and choir onto ‘Sebastian’ and ‘Death Trip’. We were about three-parts through (the album) so Neil, my producer, must have known his announcement that afternoon would bowl the young Steve over, and it did. But seeing them in there, 50-plus classical musicians, mostly old enough to be my dad, was a real shocker. We were young and full of dangerous ideas and adventure, ready to experiment without consideration for the consequences or cost. And Joop Wisser, ‘EMI”’s head of A&R and the man who discovered us, was a consistently kind ally to Neil and myself, otherwise there would have been no orchestra or choir!’ In 2013 Steve Harley said,’Those first two Albums were heavily orchestrated. I was 22 years old at ‘Abbey Road’ with a full orchestra and a choir for songs like ‘Sebastian.’ I’d busked with those songs for a year before Cockney Rebel signed to ‘EMI,’ so to get all that was just, oh it was magnificent for a young man.’

Steve Harley was inspired to write ‘Death Trip’ after he had attended the inquest of a friend who had died of a Heroin overdose. On ‘The Human Menagerie’ Album, the preceding track is ‘Chameleon,’ and was written about the same person. That song runs for only 49 seconds, and was initially going to be the intro to ‘Death Trip.’ The lyrics to ‘Chameleon’ which may shed some light as to the meaning behind ‘Death Trip’ are,’And Louise cowering into nowhere. Speaking in terms of a foreign land where winter lies easy, and she will surmise the guise of chateau eyes and rise.’ Recalling those first two Albums, ‘The Human Menagerie,’ and ‘The Psychomodo,’ Steve Harley has said,’I remember where the songs came from. They came from a young man’s dream, where the blending of musical literature and mad, formless imaginings, could hang out together at the same folk club, and present him with an entire raison d’etre.’

‘Someone’s trying to fool us, maybe it’s your daughters, can you hear the walrus offering a sad solution, he’s calling out for teenage revolution, and can you think of one good reason to remain? To remain? To remain? To remain?’