Take Five: Classics Written by Graham Gouldman

Graham Gouldman is perhaps best known for his time with 10cc. As a member of that art-pop group, he was responsible for writing or co-writing some of their biggest smash hits. Beginning with “Rubber Bullets,” his 1973 co-composition with band mates Lol Creme and Kevin Godley, Gouldman landed eight 10cc singles in the Top 40 in the band’s native UK, and two hits “(1975’s “I’m Not in Love” and “The Things We do for Love” in 1976) in the U.S. Top 10 on Billboard’s singles charts.

But Gouldman was a hit songwriter even before co-founding 10cc. And his success would continue even after that band’s hit-making era passed. In celebration of Graham Gouldman’s 80th birthday on May 10, here are five great songs that he composed, recorded by his groups and/or other artists.

“For Your Love” from The Yardbirds’ For Your Love (1965)
Featuring guest harpsichord work by acclaimed soul jazz organist Brian Auger (the first time he ever laid hands on the instrument), “For Your Love” was a UK No. 1 single and a U.S. No. 6 for the Yardbirds. The song also made it into the Top Ten in Canada, Ireland, Italy and Sweden. Even though it was a hit – or perhaps because of it – the song led to guitarist and blues purist Eric Clapton leaving the band. Gouldman also wrote two more hits for the Yardbirds: “Heart Full of Soul” and “Evil Hearted You.”

“Bus Stop” from the Hollies’ Bus Stop (1966)
Featuring lead vocals by Allan Clarke (and scintillating harmony vocals by guitarists Graham Nash and Tony Hicks), the Hollies’ “Bus Stop” climbed to the No. 5 spot on both the Billboard and Cash Box singles charts in the U.S. It reached the same spot in the UK, making it all the way to No. 1 in Canada and Sweden. The Hollies recorded several other songs penned by Gouldman, including “Look Through Any Window,” “Listen People,” “No Milk Today” and “East West.”

“How to Find a Lover” by The Mockingbirds (1966)
Years before launching 10cc – and during the period in which he was already busy writing for other artists – Graham Gouldman led a group of his own, the Mockingbirds. While that group never released an album, they did record and release a handful of fine singles. “How to Find a Lover” found a generation of new fans when it was featured on Rhino’s Nuggets II: Origianal Artyfacts from the British Empire and Beyond 1964-1969 boxed set in 2001. Other great Gouldman songs recorded by the Mockingbirds include “You Stole My Love,” featuring backing vocals by Trinity’s Julie Driscoll; the song was also recorded by the Yardbirds but not released until some years later.

“The Way I’m Feeling Tonight” from Paul Carrack’s Beautiful World (1997)
Paul Carrack first came to fame as lead singer for Ace, best known for their 1974 hit “How Long, “a No. 3 hit in the U.S. and Canada. Briefly a member of Squeeze, he sang lead on their 1981 hit “Tempted.” With Mike + the Mechanics he scored yet again with hits “Silent Running” and “The Living Years.” Carrack has had a number of modest hits as a solo artist as well; his single “The Way I’m Feeling Tonight” from his sixth solo LP Beautiful World was co-written with Graham Gouldman.

“Treachery” from Kirsty MacColl’s Tropical Brainstorm (2000)
Daughter of famed folk singer Ewan MacColl, Kirsty MacColl made a name for her own during the punk era with a classic slice of pop, “They Don’t Know,” later a major hit for Tracey Ullman. MacColl released a superb body of work before her tragic death in Mexico in 2000. Released nine months before her death, MacColl’s Tropical Brainstorm showcased her love of Cuban music and culture; her co-write with Graham Gouldman, “Treachery” is one of many highlights on the record.