GRAHAM GOULDMAN
10cc & more
Interview
This is a great interview Graham did with Eoghan you can read that below. Before I've put some press notes which gives an indication of what the legendary songwriter, band member, tick all & more of the above has been doing. Also you can read an incredible biog which sets the scene. Thanks Graham & Eoghan - best pp
It has been an eventful few years for Graham Gouldman. Not only is 10cc enjoying increasing success around the world, but recognition of his solo achievements has grown too.
Being invited by Ringo Starr to join his All Starr Band for tours of Europe in June 2018 and the USA that September, during which the band played three 10cc songs, elevated his profile yet further.
Another event, although not publicly known, gave Graham a further lift. It happened backstage at a festival when Robert Plant thanked him for writing one of the songs that got him through the audition to join Led Zeppelin. The song was For Your Love.
Graham’s status as one of the world’s leading songwriters was acknowledged in 2014 with his induction into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame – an arm of America’s National Academy of Music.
Previous inductees include Noel Coward, Irving Berlin, Burt Bacharach, Neil Sedaka, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, Leonard Cohen and Sting.
That was followed in 2015 by Broadcast Music Incorporated in the US anointed him an Icon of the Industry at a special ceremony in London, where he stunned the audience with an acoustic rendition of I’m Not In Love, accompanied by Lisa Stansfield on vocals.
When Graham formed what became Heart Full of Songs six years ago, it was purely for the pleasure of playing his songs in their simplest form, acoustically.
The format became so popular that the acoustic four-piece undertook its first concert tour in April-May 2013. The band now tours across Belgium, Germany, Holland and the UK and comprises Graham, Ciaran Jeremiah, Dave Cobby and either Iain Hornal, Nick Kendal or Andy Park, depending on their various commitments.
For lovers of perfectly-crafted music performed by the composer, a Heart Full of Songs concert is truly an exquisite experience coming to theatres this Spring, alongside the release of Graham’s fifth solo album.
Being invited by Ringo Starr to join his All Starr Band for tours of Europe in June 2018 and the USA that September, during which the band played three 10cc songs, elevated his profile yet further.
Another event, although not publicly known, gave Graham a further lift. It happened backstage at a festival when Robert Plant thanked him for writing one of the songs that got him through the audition to join Led Zeppelin. The song was For Your Love.
Graham’s status as one of the world’s leading songwriters was acknowledged in 2014 with his induction into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame – an arm of America’s National Academy of Music.
Previous inductees include Noel Coward, Irving Berlin, Burt Bacharach, Neil Sedaka, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, Leonard Cohen and Sting.
That was followed in 2015 by Broadcast Music Incorporated in the US anointed him an Icon of the Industry at a special ceremony in London, where he stunned the audience with an acoustic rendition of I’m Not In Love, accompanied by Lisa Stansfield on vocals.
When Graham formed what became Heart Full of Songs six years ago, it was purely for the pleasure of playing his songs in their simplest form, acoustically.
The format became so popular that the acoustic four-piece undertook its first concert tour in April-May 2013. The band now tours across Belgium, Germany, Holland and the UK and comprises Graham, Ciaran Jeremiah, Dave Cobby and either Iain Hornal, Nick Kendal or Andy Park, depending on their various commitments.
For lovers of perfectly-crafted music performed by the composer, a Heart Full of Songs concert is truly an exquisite experience coming to theatres this Spring, alongside the release of Graham’s fifth solo album.
ABOUT GRAHAM
GG.info link
Born on 10 May 1946 in Manchester, Graham was given his first guitar at the age of 11 and started playing with local bands at 15. He received early encouragement to develop his musical talent from his mother Betty and father Hymie, who also contributed with suggested lyrics and song titles.
Graham played with various Manchester bands before forming The Mockingbirds in 1965 (with Kevin Godley on drums), and when the record label Columbia rejected Graham’s first single composition for the band, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The song, For Your Love, became a huge hit for The Yardbirds.
Working by day in a men's outfitters shop and playing by night with his semi-professional band, Graham went on to write a string of hits, such as Pamela, Pamela for Wayne Fontana, For Your Love, Evil Hearted You and Heart Full of Soul (The Yardbirds), Bus Stop and Look Through Any Window (The Hollies), No Milk Today and Listen People (Herman's Hermits), and Tallyman for Jeff Beck.
In 1972, along with Eric Stewart, Kevin Godley and Lol Creme, he formed 10cc and enjoyed a string of Top 10 hits, including three No 1s - Rubber Bullets, I’m Not In Love and Dreadlock Holiday – along with Donna (No 2), Art For Art’s Sake and Good Morning Judge (both reaching No 5), The Things We Do For Love and I’m Mandy Fly Me (6), and The Wall Street Shuffle (10).
It’s the enduring popularity of these tracks and Graham’s love of playing songs acoustically, that led to the formation of Heart Full of Songs, which features many of these songs, Bridge To Your Heart(from Graham’s time in Wax with the late Andrew Gold) and other compositions including film sound tracks and material from his acclaimed solo albums Animalympics, And Another Thing, Love And Work and Play Nicely And Share,.
Among songs written or co-written by 10cc’s Graham Gouldman
Graham played with various Manchester bands before forming The Mockingbirds in 1965 (with Kevin Godley on drums), and when the record label Columbia rejected Graham’s first single composition for the band, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The song, For Your Love, became a huge hit for The Yardbirds.
Working by day in a men's outfitters shop and playing by night with his semi-professional band, Graham went on to write a string of hits, such as Pamela, Pamela for Wayne Fontana, For Your Love, Evil Hearted You and Heart Full of Soul (The Yardbirds), Bus Stop and Look Through Any Window (The Hollies), No Milk Today and Listen People (Herman's Hermits), and Tallyman for Jeff Beck.
In 1972, along with Eric Stewart, Kevin Godley and Lol Creme, he formed 10cc and enjoyed a string of Top 10 hits, including three No 1s - Rubber Bullets, I’m Not In Love and Dreadlock Holiday – along with Donna (No 2), Art For Art’s Sake and Good Morning Judge (both reaching No 5), The Things We Do For Love and I’m Mandy Fly Me (6), and The Wall Street Shuffle (10).
It’s the enduring popularity of these tracks and Graham’s love of playing songs acoustically, that led to the formation of Heart Full of Songs, which features many of these songs, Bridge To Your Heart(from Graham’s time in Wax with the late Andrew Gold) and other compositions including film sound tracks and material from his acclaimed solo albums Animalympics, And Another Thing, Love And Work and Play Nicely And Share,.
Among songs written or co-written by 10cc’s Graham Gouldman
Graham Gouldman
talks to
Eoghan Lyng
What do Paul Carrack, The Yardbirds and McFly share in common? Graham Gouldman, that’s what! The one founding 10cc member still touring with the Stockport outfit, Gouldman’s reputation was set as early as 1965. The Hollies Graham Nash has publicly credited Gouldman with his personal trajectory after presenting ‘Bus Stop’ to the group. Gouldman is a strong vocalist, his basso nova heard most notably on the jaunty ‘Dreadlock Holiday’. Gouldman is set to play ‘MANCHESTER – Royal Northern College of Music on Thursday 2nd April 2020!’ Longtime 10cc fan Eoghan Lyng caught up with the songwriting bassis
To start Graham, ‘For Your Love’; was that your first composition?
It was my first hit. I’d written some others, but this was my first hit song. The Yardbirds covered it. I thought they were fantastic. I loved the harpsichord they used, it wasn’t there in my demo. It was an acoustic piece I wrote.
It’s wonderful, but I’ve heard Eric Clapton wasn’t crazy about the arrangement.
I think that was a breaking point for Eric. He felt they were becoming too commercial. But that was ok, because The Yardbirds brought in my favourite guitarist of all time. Jeff’s work on ‘Heart Full Of Soul’ is great.
You wrote ‘Schoolgirl’ for The Mindbenders. Was that your first collaboration with Eric Stewart?
I didn’t write the song with Eric, but it was probably the first time I worked with Eric. I produced this one for the band. I played with The Mindbenders for their last six months. Wayne Fontana had left, and the others had a hit with ‘A Groovy Kind of Love’. Things went a bit wrong after that. Eric invited me to join, so I did. I played bass.
And you’d known Kevin Godley and Lol Creme since childhood?
Childhood, yes. Kev and I went to the same primary school, though Kevin is a bit older. I first met Lol through Kev, because they were best mates. That’s how I got to know them.
The three of you wrote the fiery ‘Rubber Bullets’. What was your contribution?
My proudest contribution is this couplet. It’s the ‘We all got balls and brains
But some's got balls and chain’s bit. I also mostly wrote the middle eight, where it all slows down. Kev sang it, he has the greatest voice of all!
Could you see yourself writing with Kevin Godley again?
Absolutely! Out of all the 10cc members, Kev’s the one I’ve kept in touch with. That started in 1976 when Lol and Kev split, we’ve talked since then. Kevin directed some of the 10cc videos, so we’ve worked since then.
If Sheet Music is the best 10cc album, Deceptive Bends is my personal favourite. How do you feel about the album?
I’m very proud of Deceptive Bends. It was the first one we made without Kevin or Lol, so there was a lot of pressure. It was different, very different in fact, but I think we wrote a lot of good stuff.
Including the sprawling ‘Feel The Benefit’, perhaps 10cc’s best song.
Thank you. That was written out of pieces we hadn’t already used. We put pieces together to make it feel like one song, there are different rhythms hanging together. I don’t think songwriting is a clever thing, more of a gift really, but the way songs are arranged is important. And I think it works on this one.
You sing Marriage Bureau Rendez-Vous. What’s it about?
Marriage Bureau Rendez-Vous? Well, a marriage bureau rendez-vous. [chuckles]. I guess they were yesterday’s Tinder. Have you seen Fiddler On The Roof? You know the matchmaker? Matchmakers used to be very important setting couples up. So, it’s basically all about that.
Am I right in saying your father helped with the early lyrics?
Yes, he did. He suggested titles, he contributed to lyrics, he helped improve lyrics and he suggested lyrics. Art for art’s sake was something he used to say, that was a phrase he used.
I’ve read that you consider Bus Stop your favourite song. Why is that?
I think it just works really well. I think the romanticism really works. On my new album, Modesty Forbids, I’ve done a couple like that, getting the chords and the rhythms. If something comes naturally, it really works. I gave Bus Stop to The Hollies.
How does the album feature in your life’s body?
It’s basically a continuation of everything I’ve done. I write a lot of fantasy, I make somethings up, but I do write more from personal experience. I might have done that earlier. The second track is called ‘That’s Love Right There’. It’s something from my wife leaving little chocolates. I was touring with the other boys and found a chocolate in my bag. I said “that’s love right there”. And I wrote another song about playing with Ringo and The All Starr Band.
You got the Beatle on your album.
I feel there should always be a Beatle. I’d written the song about playing with Ringo and who should drum on it? No brainer, really! It was great playing with him live. Ringo’s one of the most influential drummers ever, people are still covering his style.
Last year, Cherry Red released a Wax live album. How did you feel about it?
I loved working with Andrew [Gold], I think I wrote some of my best stuff with him. I love a lot of the stuff, so I’m glad people are getting to listen to it.
Didn’t Storm Thorgerson direct the colourful ‘Bridge To Your Heart’ video?
Yes. Nice video. I worked with Storm not long before he passed away. In 2012, for my solo album Love and Work, he worked on the designs. He did a lot of rock covers.
You are about to perform in Manchester. What can fans expect?
That’s for ‘Heart Full of Songs’. So that’s a lot of songs I wrote before 10cc. Stuff I did for The Hollies, The Yardbirds, Herman’s Hermits. There is some 10cc stuff, stuff I wrote with Andrew, stuff from my solo albums, stuff I wrote with other people. We have Ciaran Jeremaih, we have Andy Park. Iain Hornal normally sings, but he’s busy with Jeff Lynne and ELO, so Andy is a great sub. We also have Dave Cobby on percussion. He’s 10cc’s production manager, so he’s always on the road. I thought he should something more practical to do!
Graham Gouldman, thank you.
To start Graham, ‘For Your Love’; was that your first composition?
It was my first hit. I’d written some others, but this was my first hit song. The Yardbirds covered it. I thought they were fantastic. I loved the harpsichord they used, it wasn’t there in my demo. It was an acoustic piece I wrote.
It’s wonderful, but I’ve heard Eric Clapton wasn’t crazy about the arrangement.
I think that was a breaking point for Eric. He felt they were becoming too commercial. But that was ok, because The Yardbirds brought in my favourite guitarist of all time. Jeff’s work on ‘Heart Full Of Soul’ is great.
You wrote ‘Schoolgirl’ for The Mindbenders. Was that your first collaboration with Eric Stewart?
I didn’t write the song with Eric, but it was probably the first time I worked with Eric. I produced this one for the band. I played with The Mindbenders for their last six months. Wayne Fontana had left, and the others had a hit with ‘A Groovy Kind of Love’. Things went a bit wrong after that. Eric invited me to join, so I did. I played bass.
And you’d known Kevin Godley and Lol Creme since childhood?
Childhood, yes. Kev and I went to the same primary school, though Kevin is a bit older. I first met Lol through Kev, because they were best mates. That’s how I got to know them.
The three of you wrote the fiery ‘Rubber Bullets’. What was your contribution?
My proudest contribution is this couplet. It’s the ‘We all got balls and brains
But some's got balls and chain’s bit. I also mostly wrote the middle eight, where it all slows down. Kev sang it, he has the greatest voice of all!
Could you see yourself writing with Kevin Godley again?
Absolutely! Out of all the 10cc members, Kev’s the one I’ve kept in touch with. That started in 1976 when Lol and Kev split, we’ve talked since then. Kevin directed some of the 10cc videos, so we’ve worked since then.
If Sheet Music is the best 10cc album, Deceptive Bends is my personal favourite. How do you feel about the album?
I’m very proud of Deceptive Bends. It was the first one we made without Kevin or Lol, so there was a lot of pressure. It was different, very different in fact, but I think we wrote a lot of good stuff.
Including the sprawling ‘Feel The Benefit’, perhaps 10cc’s best song.
Thank you. That was written out of pieces we hadn’t already used. We put pieces together to make it feel like one song, there are different rhythms hanging together. I don’t think songwriting is a clever thing, more of a gift really, but the way songs are arranged is important. And I think it works on this one.
You sing Marriage Bureau Rendez-Vous. What’s it about?
Marriage Bureau Rendez-Vous? Well, a marriage bureau rendez-vous. [chuckles]. I guess they were yesterday’s Tinder. Have you seen Fiddler On The Roof? You know the matchmaker? Matchmakers used to be very important setting couples up. So, it’s basically all about that.
Am I right in saying your father helped with the early lyrics?
Yes, he did. He suggested titles, he contributed to lyrics, he helped improve lyrics and he suggested lyrics. Art for art’s sake was something he used to say, that was a phrase he used.
I’ve read that you consider Bus Stop your favourite song. Why is that?
I think it just works really well. I think the romanticism really works. On my new album, Modesty Forbids, I’ve done a couple like that, getting the chords and the rhythms. If something comes naturally, it really works. I gave Bus Stop to The Hollies.
How does the album feature in your life’s body?
It’s basically a continuation of everything I’ve done. I write a lot of fantasy, I make somethings up, but I do write more from personal experience. I might have done that earlier. The second track is called ‘That’s Love Right There’. It’s something from my wife leaving little chocolates. I was touring with the other boys and found a chocolate in my bag. I said “that’s love right there”. And I wrote another song about playing with Ringo and The All Starr Band.
You got the Beatle on your album.
I feel there should always be a Beatle. I’d written the song about playing with Ringo and who should drum on it? No brainer, really! It was great playing with him live. Ringo’s one of the most influential drummers ever, people are still covering his style.
Last year, Cherry Red released a Wax live album. How did you feel about it?
I loved working with Andrew [Gold], I think I wrote some of my best stuff with him. I love a lot of the stuff, so I’m glad people are getting to listen to it.
Didn’t Storm Thorgerson direct the colourful ‘Bridge To Your Heart’ video?
Yes. Nice video. I worked with Storm not long before he passed away. In 2012, for my solo album Love and Work, he worked on the designs. He did a lot of rock covers.
You are about to perform in Manchester. What can fans expect?
That’s for ‘Heart Full of Songs’. So that’s a lot of songs I wrote before 10cc. Stuff I did for The Hollies, The Yardbirds, Herman’s Hermits. There is some 10cc stuff, stuff I wrote with Andrew, stuff from my solo albums, stuff I wrote with other people. We have Ciaran Jeremaih, we have Andy Park. Iain Hornal normally sings, but he’s busy with Jeff Lynne and ELO, so Andy is a great sub. We also have Dave Cobby on percussion. He’s 10cc’s production manager, so he’s always on the road. I thought he should something more practical to do!
Graham Gouldman, thank you.
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