Great to hear Sebastian again. The first time nearly 50 years ago was an eyeopener regarding the potential of popular music. These were not a ‘glam’ band - they were a prog band. Please consider playing the darkly magnificent ‘Death Trip’ from the same album - ‘Sebastian’ on steroids.
I can remember first hearing this on my radio during the 74 miners strike, it was a powercut and I had gone to bed and was listening to Brian Smart on Radio Merseyside, I was aware of the band and in the darkness he played this, blown away doesnt do this epic song justice, so sad that Steve has joined the Heavenly choir, RIP to a genius
Very pleasant surprise! Starts out a requiem and morphs into a poetic reverie. Love the strings and arrangement. I can hear why this is his most popular song, it's going to be in my head this morning! Peace and Love.
Great you react to Cockney Rebel, one of the most underrated bands in rock history (at least in their first incarnation). Human Menagerie and Psychomodo are real masterpieces, unique, idiosyncratic. They stand the test of time maybe cos" they were so different from the rest of glam (yes, they were a glam band in the beginning) although the Roxy Music influence is clear. Hope you'll react to other fabulous tracks such as "Death Trip", "Cavaliers", "Tumbling Down" or "Ritz". Your analysis of "Sebastian" was very interesting. PS. Alan Parsons is the arranger of the orchestra on this song.
Superb superb superb - Sebastian and Death Trip are orchestral masterpieces on this most wonderful of albums but don’t discount the rest of it. Cockney Rebels debut album is entirely unique and inspiring.
I've loved this songs since I was a teen (long after its release - this was the late 90:s). Just opened your video but couldn't wait to comment. Hope you enjoyed it!
Steve was a a magician with every album being different, his unique voice and accent took me through my teen years, psycho pop at its best, start with the Human Menagerie album and your on your way, RIP Steve
So much to talk about with this track. It's superb. Let me concentrate on the deliberate wobble on the vocals (caused by phasing, I think, rather than natural) Imagine this with autotune. Now banish that thought forever. The wobble, together with the slightly discordant orchestra, the plaintive lyrics, the choral backing and extended coda make this one of those excellent progressive tinged singles released by bands in the UK glam-rock period (similar to Roxy Music's 'Virginia Plain', Sparks' 'This Town Ain't Big Enough' and 10CC's 'The Dean and I') Wonderful.
Great song! Such an epic sound. Arguably even more epic is the last track from this album 'Death Trip' if you're looking for something similar. Many great songs from this artist/band though. 'Hideaway', 'Judy Teen', 'Mr Raffles', 'Best Years of our Lives' and of course the big International hit 'Come Up and See me (Make Me Smile'.
Afternoon, Justin. Dave from Somewhere (Along The Way). Thanks for introducing me to this song. I know the hit singles but this, their first release, was a new one on me (I notice it was a big hit in Belgium and Holland but not the UK). Steve's voice is a bit of an acquired taste but it suits the feel of this song so well, and I love your description of him being a drunk in a Western bar recounting a tale. Terrific reaction, JP. P.S. my song ref Somewhere Along the Way is by Nat King Cole.
this came out when I was 18 and was so intriguing, I didn't get it at first.Then I did and loved this band. I went to see them around about 1974 at The royal Court Liverpool.Superb concert,the song they closed with, "Tumbling Down" audience wer carried away with the edmotion of it. The Album Psychomodo, is a stone cold classic,worth a listen.
Lucky you, that was probably Rebel mk1. I saw tham a year or so later at the deMontfort Hall in Leicester and enjoyed the show, but mk2 always felt like more of a pop band.
When I saw this review pop up, I hit the button so fast, couldn't wait. I love Sebastian. There is so much in there. You get your money's worth. Though it was released as a single, it didn't get anywhere, no air play, which is a shame, other oddities have caught the imagination and flown, but this one didn't. First single ralease that did fly was Judy Teen. That went well into the charts. It's good too, but more of a pop song than this epic piece. Their biggest hit following the break up and rebuilding of Cockney Rebel, was Come up and see me ( make me smile). Which still gets plenty of airplay decades later, and Mr. Harley has called hie pension fund. It is their most popular offering, though not the artistic masterpiece that Sebastian aspired to be.
IIRC, the single (which omitted the high soprano solo) was a major hit in the Lower Countries (Belgium, Netherlands). Solid Top 3 and eternal favourite over there.
Nearly 50 years ago since I first heard this!!@@ Saw Steve Harley on a solo tour a couple of years ago and he did this and the theatre erupted.....sounded as good live as the original 👍
Hi. First time listener to the channel. As an old boy (b. 1962), this is what helped define my younger days. I, like many of my generation were blessed with the eclectic mix that was pop, rock, glam, disco, punk, new wave, new romantics et al. Cockney Rebel was probably the first band that kicked off my interest. I never liked this track as a kid as it sounded too much like classical music. By the time I'd matured, I knew better and recognised it for the masterpiece it is. I had the same initial thoughts when I first heard Meat Loaf's "For Crying Out Loud", the closing track from "Bat Out Of Hell". Your honest analysis was great to hear but what pleases me most is seeing a new generation discovering another classic song from so long ago. There was true craftsmanship and heart put into this song and the sudden crescendo of the brass section gets me every single time. Thanks for sharing our era to a new audience. Great job, Justin.
Afternoon Steve, thank you so much for watching and enjoying the music with me :) This was a fantastic one, and I've enjoyed exploring all this new music (for myself, lol) Hope you're having a great one out there
Great review JP. I had just started high school when this was released and was an important track/album in my musical development. Steve blew in and out of popularity within his relatively short pop group career before going on to become The Phantom. Great choice and thoroughly enjoyed it ✅✅
Psychomodo and Human Menagerie are both outstanding masterpieces and all time fave albums to me. JP, if you haven't heard yet, I'd highly recommend "Cavaliers", "Tumbling Down", "Ritz" and "Death Trip" - try! :-)
It's four in the morning (no sign of Faron Young) and I have just come to the computer, saw you were about to listen to the wonderful 'Sebastian' and had to watch that straightaway. Delighted to have my name read out in your intro and then really enjoyed the song (again) and your thoughtful reaction. More power to you Justin. Do listen to 'Death Trip' as well, another epic from the Rebels. The song 'Hideaway' doesn't get mentioned too much but it is the lively and intriguing opener to this excellent album.
One favorite classic! I remember hearing this song on the radio for the first time when I was about 9 or 10 years old. It stayed with me ever since. Its bombastic production would irritate me, if I heard it for the first time now, but at that age it overthrew me completely. Nice reaction Justin.
Cockney Rebel was the band, then steve went solo. Make Me Smile (Come up and see me) was not the warm invitation most people believe, but a scathing condemnation of the band's breakup. Not so well known here in America; his oh so British neurosis was not for everyone. I loved it, and wore down his first 6 albums til the grooves were gone.
English writer of working class origins Alan Moore (who is from the same age group and same kind of social background as the song's writer Steve Harley) once told he would be called "Sebastian" in his younger years because that's what a working class boy would be called he was perceived as wanting to adopt the delicate, supposedly effeminate manners of upper class "gentlemen". So we can safely say that the chorus is about being called effeminate in a "male at work" context and the verses is about imagining what it would be like to be a bona fide Sebastian.
Great song, great revue. I've followed this band since I was a wee lad and seen them live several times (even did the MOT on his dad's car when Steve brought it in to our garage! This is from the first album when they were just Cockney Rebel. After most of the original band buggered off it became Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel with the new band. As you go through the albums, Psychomodo, Best Years of our Lives, Timeless Flight and lastly Prima Donna you'll see the style evolve and change. He also released a few early solo albums Hobo with a Grin and The Candidate but the later Poetic Justice is superb! As a side note when I saw them in Tunbridge Wells in 2015 they were supported by The Mona Lisa Twins who were excellent - check them out.
If I'd been asked to give a guess what sort of music I was going to hear a split-second before it began, I would never... NEVER... have come close to what actually played. Amazingly different, and to think it was a single?
I always thought this song was so over the top there had to be some element of irony to it. And if not, if this absolute bombartment of pathos is genuine, even better. A one of a kind song, either way.
Beautiful! And that was the LAST thing I expected to hear. I'm not familiar with Cockney Rebel, but the name evoked something like the Pogues to me. Not. 😄 And it was so interesting, towards the end, he's singing la-da-dee-da-dai-da something, and the form of it seemed very reminiscent of Klezmer and other Jewish music. (!?) I wonder if that was intentional or what - can anyone else hear that? This was just full of surprises.
JP, the first time I sort of heard Sebastian, was watching the film Velvet Goldmine. Which is a fictional film about the glam era. The soundtrack is Cockney Rebel, Eno, Roxy Music and The Stooges amongst others. It stars Ewan McGrgor as " not" Iggy Pop, Jonathan Rhys Meyers as " not" David Bowie and Christian Bale as a fan who become a music journalist.
I remember the BBC playing this a lot back in ‘73 but as a single it never had a chance…too long, too slow, too grandiose, too idiosyncratic (even for Glam Rock times). Always sounded like the Artful Dodger, now grown up and giving out. Next try Death Trip and Tumbling Down…👍
Hey JP! Great job as always. Death Trip is a masterpiece closer on that Human Menagerie album! Check it out for yourself if you get some time somewhere down the line.
I was expecting punk or new wave when I saw the title but I listened anyway since I’d never heard of the band. It was not AT ALL what I was expecting. I actually liked it and was even okay with the singing. The title should have been “Ludwig”, though. I kept thinking of the Moonlight Sonata. 🌕👍
Unfortunately you choose the wrong Version of this wonderful Song. Ok.. Not really the "wrong" version... But there's a way better version of this song. The Live Version. So... Let's do this again! You will love it 🥰 m.czcams.com/video/JGngiGS8jKQ/video.html&pp=ygUcc2ViYXN0aWFuIGxpdmUgY29ja25leSByZWJlbA%3D%3D
Great to hear Sebastian again. The first time nearly 50 years ago was an eyeopener regarding the potential of popular music. These were not a ‘glam’ band - they were a prog band. Please consider playing the darkly magnificent ‘Death Trip’ from the same album - ‘Sebastian’ on steroids.
Saddened to hear of the death of Steve Harley, he was an extraordinary musician.
Sebastian is a real classic ❤🎶
I can remember first hearing this on my radio during the 74 miners strike, it was a powercut and I had gone to bed and was listening to Brian Smart on Radio Merseyside, I was aware of the band and in the darkness he played this, blown away doesnt do this epic song justice, so sad that Steve has joined the Heavenly choir, RIP to a genius
Radio Luxembourg for me, but otherwise the same memory and reaction. Brilliant music.
Very pleasant surprise! Starts out a requiem and morphs into a poetic reverie. Love the strings and arrangement. I can hear why this is his most popular song, it's going to be in my head this morning! Peace and Love.
What a wonderful piece of music.
No more words than those needed.
What a talent he was. Utterly wonderful.
Great you react to Cockney Rebel, one of the most underrated bands in rock history (at least in their first incarnation). Human Menagerie and Psychomodo are real masterpieces, unique, idiosyncratic. They stand the test of time maybe cos" they were so different from the rest of glam (yes, they were a glam band in the beginning) although the Roxy Music influence is clear. Hope you'll react to other fabulous tracks such as "Death Trip", "Cavaliers", "Tumbling Down" or "Ritz". Your analysis of "Sebastian" was very interesting. PS. Alan Parsons is the arranger of the orchestra on this song.
Superb superb superb - Sebastian and Death Trip are orchestral masterpieces on this most wonderful of albums but don’t discount the rest of it. Cockney Rebels debut album is entirely unique and inspiring.
I've loved this songs since I was a teen (long after its release - this was the late 90:s). Just opened your video but couldn't wait to comment. Hope you enjoyed it!
Goosebumps indeed.
Eternal goosebumps even!
I remember in the day this was a massiv hit in Holland, I absolutly love it. Check the live performances which they/he did years later.
Steve was a a magician with every album being different, his unique voice and accent took me through my teen years, psycho pop at its best, start with the Human Menagerie album and your on your way, RIP Steve
So much to talk about with this track. It's superb. Let me concentrate on the deliberate wobble on the vocals (caused by phasing, I think, rather than natural) Imagine this with autotune. Now banish that thought forever. The wobble, together with the slightly discordant orchestra, the plaintive lyrics, the choral backing and extended coda make this one of those excellent progressive tinged singles released by bands in the UK glam-rock period (similar to Roxy Music's 'Virginia Plain', Sparks' 'This Town Ain't Big Enough' and 10CC's 'The Dean and I') Wonderful.
Great song! Such an epic sound.
Arguably even more epic is the last track from this album 'Death Trip' if you're looking for something similar. Many great songs from this artist/band though. 'Hideaway', 'Judy Teen', 'Mr Raffles', 'Best Years of our Lives' and of course the big International hit 'Come Up and See me (Make Me Smile'.
Afternoon, Justin. Dave from Somewhere (Along The Way). Thanks for introducing me to this song. I know the hit singles but this, their first release, was a new one on me (I notice it was a big hit in Belgium and Holland but not the UK). Steve's voice is a bit of an acquired taste but it suits the feel of this song so well, and I love your description of him being a drunk in a Western bar recounting a tale. Terrific reaction, JP.
P.S. my song ref Somewhere Along the Way is by Nat King Cole.
This song was one of those covered for the movie Velvet Goldmine (well worth a watch if you enjoy this era of music).
this came out when I was 18 and was so intriguing, I didn't get it at first.Then I did and loved this band. I went to see them around about 1974 at The royal Court Liverpool.Superb concert,the song they closed with, "Tumbling Down" audience wer carried away with the edmotion of it. The Album Psychomodo, is a stone cold classic,worth a listen.
Lucky you, that was probably Rebel mk1. I saw tham a year or so later at the deMontfort Hall in Leicester and enjoyed the show, but mk2 always felt like more of a pop band.
When I saw this review pop up, I hit the button so fast, couldn't wait. I love Sebastian. There is so much in there. You get your money's worth. Though it was released as a single, it didn't get anywhere, no air play, which is a shame, other oddities have caught the imagination and flown, but this one didn't.
First single ralease that did fly was Judy Teen. That went well into the charts. It's good too, but more of a pop song than this epic piece.
Their biggest hit following the break up and rebuilding of Cockney Rebel, was Come up and see me ( make me smile). Which still gets plenty of airplay decades later, and Mr. Harley has called hie pension fund. It is their most popular offering, though not the artistic masterpiece that Sebastian aspired to be.
That Sebastian IS!!!
IIRC, the single (which omitted the high soprano solo) was a major hit in the Lower Countries (Belgium, Netherlands). Solid Top 3 and eternal favourite over there.
I played the full length version over n over til my dad threatened to break it!
Nearly 50 years ago since I first heard this!!@@ Saw Steve Harley on a solo tour a couple of years ago and he did this and the theatre erupted.....sounded as good live as the original 👍
Hi. First time listener to the channel. As an old boy (b. 1962), this is what helped define my younger days. I, like many of my generation were blessed with the eclectic mix that was pop, rock, glam, disco, punk, new wave, new romantics et al. Cockney Rebel was probably the first band that kicked off my interest. I never liked this track as a kid as it sounded too much like classical music. By the time I'd matured, I knew better and recognised it for the masterpiece it is. I had the same initial thoughts when I first heard Meat Loaf's "For Crying Out Loud", the closing track from "Bat Out Of Hell".
Your honest analysis was great to hear but what pleases me most is seeing a new generation discovering another classic song from so long ago. There was true craftsmanship and heart put into this song and the sudden crescendo of the brass section gets me every single time. Thanks for sharing our era to a new audience. Great job, Justin.
Afternoon Steve, thank you so much for watching and enjoying the music with me :) This was a fantastic one, and I've enjoyed exploring all this new music (for myself, lol) Hope you're having a great one out there
I was born in 1960 and remembered this song. Only heard it once but it left an impression. Thanks. 🇬🇧
Ty Francesca! Here you are :) czcams.com/video/9IydotyUrho/video.html
Great review JP. I had just started high school when this was released and was an important track/album in my musical development. Steve blew in and out of popularity within his relatively short pop group career before going on to become The Phantom. Great choice and thoroughly enjoyed it ✅✅
Psychomodo and Human Menagerie are both outstanding masterpieces and all time fave albums to me. JP, if you haven't heard yet, I'd highly recommend "Cavaliers", "Tumbling Down", "Ritz" and "Death Trip" - try! :-)
Same for me. Two incredible masterpieces.
Yes to all four of those!
It's four in the morning (no sign of Faron Young) and I have just come to the computer, saw you were about to listen to the wonderful 'Sebastian' and had to watch that straightaway. Delighted to have my name read out in your intro and then really enjoyed the song (again) and your thoughtful reaction. More power to you Justin. Do listen to 'Death Trip' as well, another epic from the Rebels. The song 'Hideaway' doesn't get mentioned too much but it is the lively and intriguing opener to this excellent album.
This iswhatwe grew up with in the 70's
RIP Mr Raffles. You were brilliant.
What an unknown classic.
RIP Steve Harley.
One favorite classic! I remember hearing this song on the radio for the first time when I was about 9 or 10 years old. It stayed with me ever since. Its bombastic production would irritate me, if I heard it for the first time now, but at that age it overthrew me completely. Nice reaction Justin.
I admire your analyse of my fav song all time above the rest
Thanks guardiano!
😢 every time I hear this song; fifty years already.
I highly recommend this entire album, particularly Death Trip
Cockney Rebel was the band, then steve went solo. Make Me Smile (Come up and see me) was not the warm invitation most people believe, but a scathing condemnation of the band's breakup. Not so well known here in America; his oh so British neurosis was not for everyone. I loved it, and wore down his first 6 albums til the grooves were gone.
English writer of working class origins Alan Moore (who is from the same age group and same kind of social background as the song's writer Steve Harley) once told he would be called "Sebastian" in his younger years because that's what a working class boy would be called he was perceived as wanting to adopt the delicate, supposedly effeminate manners of upper class "gentlemen". So we can safely say that the chorus is about being called effeminate in a "male at work" context and the verses is about imagining what it would be like to be a bona fide Sebastian.
Great song, great revue. I've followed this band since I was a wee lad and seen them live several times (even did the MOT on his dad's car when Steve brought it in to our garage!
This is from the first album when they were just Cockney Rebel. After most of the original band buggered off it became Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel with the new band. As you go through the albums, Psychomodo, Best Years of our Lives, Timeless Flight and lastly Prima Donna you'll see the style evolve and change. He also released a few early solo albums Hobo with a Grin and The Candidate but the later Poetic Justice is superb!
As a side note when I saw them in Tunbridge Wells in 2015 they were supported by The Mona Lisa Twins who were excellent - check them out.
If I'd been asked to give a guess what sort of music I was going to hear a split-second before it began, I would never... NEVER... have come close to what actually played. Amazingly different, and to think it was a single?
I always thought this song was so over the top there had to be some element of irony to it. And if not, if this absolute bombartment of pathos is genuine, even better. A one of a kind song, either way.
this always reminded me of nightporter by japan(this came first)
Beautiful! And that was the LAST thing I expected to hear. I'm not familiar with Cockney Rebel, but the name evoked something like the Pogues to me. Not. 😄 And it was so interesting, towards the end, he's singing la-da-dee-da-dai-da something, and the form of it seemed very reminiscent of Klezmer and other Jewish music. (!?) I wonder if that was intentional or what - can anyone else hear that? This was just full of surprises.
Nice one J.P, I think 'Mad Mad Moonlight' is one you'd like for he next reaction
Few months back my uncle introduced me to this song, loved it instantly, it’s so odd😅.
I’m thinking it might be time to watch Velvet Goldmine again..
JP, the first time I sort of heard Sebastian, was watching the film Velvet Goldmine. Which is a fictional film about the glam era. The soundtrack is Cockney Rebel, Eno, Roxy Music and The Stooges amongst others. It stars Ewan McGrgor as " not" Iggy Pop, Jonathan Rhys Meyers as " not" David Bowie and Christian Bale as a fan who become a music journalist.
Oh feck. Am waiting on a call but have to listen again with phones. I remembered every laugh, swoop and dart.
I would like to recommend the song "Nothing Is Sacred" from the album Timeless Flight.
Uh - I think I have recommended this - Awesome... Thanks
I remember the BBC playing this a lot back in ‘73 but as a single it never had a chance…too long, too slow, too grandiose, too idiosyncratic (even for Glam Rock times).
Always sounded like the Artful Dodger, now grown up and giving out.
Next try Death Trip and Tumbling Down…👍
Hey JP! Great job as always. Death Trip is a masterpiece closer on that Human Menagerie album! Check it out for yourself if you get some time somewhere down the line.
I was expecting punk or new wave when I saw the title but I listened anyway since I’d never heard of the band. It was not AT ALL what I was expecting. I actually liked it and was even okay with the singing. The title should have been “Ludwig”, though. I kept thinking of the Moonlight Sonata. 🌕👍
Maybe their best. Good for late night (When you'll get to "The Wall" you'll know the inspiration)
Classic track. Heard a few really good covers of it as well... Death Trip is nearly as good on same album .
This is one of few songs that makes me to have chicken skin.
That choir!
(step by in "Beyond the Grave", by Barclay James Harvest)
Not to be confused with the Cockney Rejects!
John klemmer.
😊
Unfortunately you choose the wrong Version of this wonderful Song.
Ok..
Not really the "wrong" version...
But there's a way better version of this song.
The Live Version.
So...
Let's do this again!
You will love it 🥰
m.czcams.com/video/JGngiGS8jKQ/video.html&pp=ygUcc2ViYXN0aWFuIGxpdmUgY29ja25leSByZWJlbA%3D%3D