December 15, 2023 —– Chart #224
Hey folks, welcome to another edition of Chart of the Week. Today lets go with a pop tune from the 70’s and a little known UK band. “The Things We Do for Love” is a song by British band 10cc, released as a single in 1976. It later featured on the album Deceptive Bends released in 1977 and was the group’s first release after the departure of band members Kevin Godley and Lol Creme.
The song originated during the How Dare You! sessions, but was unpopular with Godley and Creme. Eric Stewart recalled, “While we were recording it, Kevin was coming out with some heavy statements like, ‘I don’t want to do any more crap like this,’ after I played ‘The Things We Do for Love’ to him and Lol.”
Record World called it a “well crafted tune with a crisp, pop sound“. Cash Box called it a “pop record that combines the best of a strong Beatles influence with solid rock ’n’ roll and the luxuriant harmonies that characterized [10cc’s] past efforts“.
10cc is a British rock band formed in Stockport in 1972. The group initially consisted of four musicians – Graham Gouldman, Eric Stewart, Kevin Godley and Lol Creme – who had written and recorded together since 1968. The group featured two songwriting teams. Stewart and Gouldman were predominantly pop songwriters, who created most of the band’s accessible songs. Godley and Creme were the predominantly experimental half of 10cc, featuring art and cinematically inspired writing.
A live performance by 10cc: https://youtu.be/i-6PnsnBpQE?si=5j36h82fdLwgbZBX
Every member of 10cc was a multi-instrumentalist, singer, writer and producer. Most of the band’s records were recorded at their own Strawberry Studios (North) in Stockport and Strawberry Studios (South) in Dorking, with most of those engineered by Stewart.
From 1972 to 1978, 10cc had five consecutive UK top-ten albums: Sheet Music (1974), The Original Soundtrack (1975), How Dare You! (1976), Deceptive Bends (1977) and Bloody Tourists (1978). 10cc also had twelve singles reach the UK Top 40, three of which were the chart-toppers “Rubber Bullets” (1973), “I’m Not in Love” (1975) and “Dreadlock Holiday” (1978). “I’m Not in Love” was their breakthrough worldwide hit, and is known for its innovative backing track. Godley and Creme quit the band in 1976 due to artistic disagreements and became a duo act. Stewart left the band in 1995. Since 1999, Gouldman has led a touring version of 10cc.
I hope this song brings back some good memories for you. Download the chart and play along. It will brighten your day.
Peace.
Keep Rockin’,
Stan Bradshaw