Take Five: Classic Tracks from 10cc

From its formation through its peak, British art-pop band 10cc was something of a supergroup. Formed as Hotlegs, the band featured hit songwriter Graham Gouldman (composer of the Yardbirds’ “For Your Love,” the Hollies’ “Bus Stop” and many others) along with multi-instrumentalist, producer and recording studio owner Eric Stewart. The group was rounded out by two more major creative talents, Lol Creme and Kevin Godley; at the height of 10cc’s success, the latter two departed for a career as a duo, scoring MTV-era hits and creating a cracked masterwork box-set concept album, Consequences.

Between 1973 and 1980, 10cc charted well with all seven of its albums released in that period in the UK. Five of those albums reached the UK Top Ten. In the United States, while 10cc was a critics’ darling, the band’s commercial fortunes were more measured, though they scored three Top 40 singles. On the 50th anniversary of the release of their fourth album, 1976’s How Dare You!, here are five classic tracks from 10cc.

“Rubber Bullets” from 10cc (1972)
Coming out in the glam-rock era, 10cc’s debut album was a mix of arty sensibilities, pop hooks and wry musical adventurousness. The third single from that album, the band-composed “Rubber Bullets” reached Number One on charts in the UK and Australia, a formidable feat for a new act. Its pop styling contrasted somewhat bizarrely with lyrics related to the recent riots at Attica State Prison in New York. “Rubber Bullets” bubbled under at No. 73 on Billboard’s U.S. singles chart.

“I’m Not in Love” from The Original Soundtrack (1975)
With its rich and sonorous keyboards, mellifluous melody and whispered vocal filigrees, 10cc’s ironically romantic single from the band’s third LP was a critical smash and a Top Ten hit in 11 countries. Making intelligent use of tape loops, synthesizers and studio effects, the Eric Stewart and Graham Gouldman penned “I’m Not in Love” remains a deeply organic-sounding tune, often considered the pinnacle of the band’s output.

“I’m Mandy Fly Me” from How Dare You! (1975)
10cc’s second single from 1975’s How Dare You!, this tune was a big hit in the band’s native UK (No. 6). But the band-composed “I’m Mandy Fly Me” – a slyly suggestive ode to female flight attendants (then known as stewardesses) only reached No. 60 in the U.S.

“The Things We Do for Love” from Deceptive Bends (1976)
A decidedly more pop-leaning tune from 10cc’s fifth long-player, Eric Stewart’s bouncy and infectious “The Things We Do for Love” earned the band its first hit after Kevin Godley and Lol Creme departed to form their own project. Released in December ‘76 some five months ahead of the album on which it would be featured, the song went Top Ten in five countries, and Top 40 in two others. In the U.S., “The Things We Do for Love” was certified Gold (one million units sold), ranking as 10cc’s second-biggest hit in the States.

“Dreadlock Holiday” from Bloody Tourists (1978)
Working a distinctive reggae beat into their sound, 10cc racked up yet another worldwide hit (number one in four countries). It fared modestly in the U.S. where many of the cultural references were presumably lost, reaching only No. 44. The wry and humorous “Dreadlock Holiday” was based on real events taking place in Jamaica; a wacky music video for the song was directed by Hipgnosis’ Storm Thorgeson, best-known for his work with Pink Floyd album covers; he designed the cover of Bloody Tourists as well, though it was originally offered to another artist who turned it down.