Hideaway (Cockney Rebel song)

"Hideaway"
Single by Cockney Rebel
from the album The Human Menagerie
B-side "Loretta's Tale"
Released 1974
Format 7"
Genre Rock
Length 3:52
Label EMI Records
Writer(s) Steve Harley
Producer(s) Neil Harrison
Cockney Rebel singles chronology
"Judy Teen"
(1974)		 "Hideaway"
(1974)		 "Psychomodo"
(1974)

"Hideaway" is a song by British rock band Cockney Rebel, fronted by Steve Harley. The song was released as the opening album track on the band's debut The Human Menagerie in 1973.[1] In 1974 it was released in Denmark as a single.[2]

Background

Though it had been a hit in Europe, the band's debut single "Sebastian" had failed to enter the UK chart. The following year of 1974 proved to be a breakthrough when "Judy Teen" entered the UK Top 5. With both singles showing success in Europe, EMI followed "Judy Teen" with the release of "Hideaway", albeit in Denmark only. Neither Harley or the band had any input regarding the release of the single.[3]

Like the entire album, "Hideaway" would have been recorded in June/July 1973 in Air Studios, London. At that time the studios were located in Oxford Street above a department store.

Release

The single was released in Denmark via EMI Records on 7" vinyl.[4] The single included the b-side "Loretta's Tale" which was written by Harley, and also taken from The Human Menagerie.[5] The release featured a black-and-white picture sleeve, which featured a photograph of the band.[6]

Later in 1976 an extended play was issued in the UK by EMI, and this 7" vinyl release contained four tracks, with one song appearing from each Cockney Rebel album. The first of the four tracks was "Hideaway", chosen to represent The Human Menagerie album. The other tracks were "Mr. Soft," "Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)" and "All Men are Hungry".[7][8]

Following the original release on The Human Menagerie album and as a single, the song has also appeared on a small number of Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel compilations. It first appeared on the 1975 compilation A Closer Look, which was released in America only.[9] It also appeared on the 1980 release The Very Best Of Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel, the 1981 release Collection, and the 1988 double-LP compilation Mr. Soft. It appeared on the CD compilations Make Me Smile - The Best Of Steve Harley And Cockney Rebel (1992), The Best of Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel (1996) and Premium Gold Collection (1996).[10] In addition the song has appeared on two various artist compilations; the 1981 Arcade release Listen to the Music,[11] and the 1991 EMI release This is Rock For Ever.[12]

A number of live versions have also been released. On disc four of the 2012 compilation Cavaliers: An Anthology 1973-1974, two live versions of the song appeared; one from an appearance on the Old Grey Whistle Test in 1974, as well as a BBC "In Concert" performance from 1974. A previously unreleased early version of the song also appeared on disc three.[13] On 24 November 2012, Harley performed live at the Birmingham Symphony Hall. The band, with the orchestra and chamber choir, made up about 50 performers together, and the band's first two albums were performed in their entirety. The live version of "Sebastian" appears on the CD album, and DVD release Birmingham (Live with Orchestra & Choir).[14][15]

On 14 April 1975, Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel performed the song as part of their set at the Hammersmith Odeon, and this concert was filmed and released as two films in cinemas; Between the Lines and Star Fighter.[16] In 2014 EMI released a definitive edition of The Best Years of Our Lives album. The second and third discs consist of tracks performed live at the Hammersmith Odeon in London, on 14 April 1975. This includes "Hideaway".[17]

Promotion

In 1974 Cockney Rebel made their first appearance on BBC via the Old Grey Whistle Test. On the show "Hideaway" was performed.[18] The song was included within the band's set-list of the time, and in recent years has been occasionally included within Harley's set-list when performing live. On YouTube, audience recorded footage exists of Harley performing the song at various venues.

Track listing

7" Single
  1. "Hideaway" - 3:52
  2. "Loretta's Tale" - 4:13

Critical reception

In the Classic Rock magazine of August 2004, Geoff Barton reviewed the album, and said "It's about time "The Human Menagerie" was recognised as a classic. It begins hesitantly with "Hideaway", but builds insidiously until the arrival of the fifth track, the immense and immortal "Sebastian". From there, there's no looking back."[19]

On the webzine Get Ready to Rock, a review of the Birmingham (Live with Orchestra & Choir) album stated "The Human Menagerie opens with the beguiling and delicate touch of "Hideaway", which could easily fit into Mark Knofler's current set, albeit without the guitar."[20]

Personnel

References

  1. ↑ http://www.discogs.com/Cockney-Rebel-The-Human-Menagerie/master/86301
  2. ↑ http://www.45cat.com/record/6c00605562
  3. ↑ http://www.45cat.com/record/6c00605562
  4. ↑ http://www.harleyfanzone.com/Bits/Singles_Index1.html
  5. ↑ http://www.discogs.com/Cockney-Rebel-Hideaway-Lorettas-Tale/release/4455343
  6. ↑ http://www.discogs.com/viewimages?release=4455343
  7. ↑ http://www.discogs.com/Steve-Harley-And-Cockney-Rebel-Hideaway/release/4591911
  8. ↑ http://www.45cat.com/record/psr392
  9. ↑ "Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel - A Closer Look (Vinyl, LP) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-04-26.
  10. ↑ http://www.discogs.com/artist/178573-Steve-Harley-amp-Cockney-Rebel?query=hideaway
  11. ↑ http://www.discogs.com/Various-Listen-To-The-Music/master/485998
  12. ↑ http://www.discogs.com/Various-This-Is-Rock-For-Ever/release/5138977
  13. ↑ http://www.discogs.com/Cockney-Rebel-Featuring-Steve-Harley-Cavaliers-An-Anthology-1973-1974/release/4079127
  14. ↑ http://www.discogs.com/Steve-Harley-Cockney-Rebel-With-Orchestra-Of-The-Swan-And-Chamber-Choir-Birmingham/release/5815874
  15. ↑ http://www.discogs.com/Steve-Harley-Cockney-Rebel-Birmingham/release/5364206
  16. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDW05CDNd60
  17. ↑ http://www.discogs.com/Steve-Harley-Cockney-Rebel-The-Best-Years-Of-Our-Lives-Definitive-Edition/release/6217080
  18. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSgws2uMv2Y
  19. ↑ http://www.harleyfanzone.com/70/Scrapbook/2004/chrm.htm
  20. ↑ http://getreadytorock.me.uk/blog/2013/09/album-review-steve-harley-cockney-rebel-birmingham-live-with-orchestra-choir/