Released: 1975
It’s never been definitively established what the optimal temperature is for revenge being served, but it’s certainly a dish that many look forward to delivering with relish. For Steve Harley and then just plain old Cockney Rebel progress towards success had been slow after forming in 1972, but two years later Judy Teen had provided them with a much sought after hit, a top ten single which was followed by Mr. Soft. The band then set off on tour to promote their second album, The Psychomodo.
All was not well in this unfamiliar paradise however. With most dates sold out and hit records, three of the group’s members – fiddler John Crocker, keyboardist Milton Reame-James and bass player Paul Jeffreys – were becoming ever more convinced that their contribution wasn’t being recognised. Harley refused to budge: they quit, leaving the singer without a band at what looked like the peak of his career. Then came the idea for a song.
Having swiftly recruited a new line up alongside original drummer Stuart Elliott, Harley let it all spill out in lyrics which addressed what he felt had been a deliberate attempt to neuter his leadership; there was even an oblique coin-related reference to Judas in ‘No matter what you say/’For only metal, what a bore.’ Here surely was one of the first ever diss tracks. It was also one of the decade’s most perfect pop songs, spruced up by co-producer Alan Parsons and embellished by a magical guitar solo that soaked up all the lyrical bitterness. Hot or cold, Harley had cooked up a gourmet helping.
The Voice Of Unreason 
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