Feature Photo: AVRO, CC BY-SA 3.0 NL <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/nl/deed.en>, via Wikimedia Commons
From the creative engine of Stockport, England, came one of the most unpredictable and inventive bands of the 1970s, 10cc. The group formed in 1972 with the unique talents of Graham Gouldman, Eric Stewart, Kevin Godley, and Lol Creme, each already steeped in the music business. Gouldman had written hits for The Yardbirds and Herman’s Hermits, while Stewart had played in The Mindbenders. Godley and Creme had a background in visual arts and experimental pop. When these four came together at Strawberry Studios, their shared vision gave birth to one of the most stylistically adventurous bands to emerge from the British art rock scene.
10cc released their self-titled debut album in 1973, which featured the UK Top 10 hit “Rubber Bullets.” It was immediately clear that this band would defy any simple categorization. Their songs seamlessly fused pop, satire, and sophisticated studio production, giving them an identity that was both playful and daring. Over the course of their career, they released eleven studio albums, including Sheet Music in 1974, The Original Soundtrack in 1975, How Dare You! in 1976, and Deceptive Bends in 1977, among others. Each record presented a wide-ranging sound palette that pushed boundaries while remaining anchored in catchy songwriting.
The band’s most iconic song remains “I’m Not in Love,” from The Original Soundtrack. The track was a sonic innovation, using layers of vocals looped on tape to create an atmospheric backdrop unlike anything else on radio at the time. It reached number one in the UK and number two in the US, cementing 10cc’s place on the global stage. Other major singles included “The Things We Do for Love,” “Art for Art’s Sake,” “Donna,” and “Dreadlock Holiday,” the latter becoming another UK chart-topper in 1978.
The original lineup split in 1976 when Godley and Creme left to pursue video direction and further musical experimentation. Stewart and Gouldman carried on as 10cc, scoring hits with Deceptive Bends and Bloody Tourists and maintaining commercial success despite the absence of their former bandmates. The band’s adaptability allowed them to navigate changing musical tides, and they continued to tour and release material into the 1980s and beyond, though later records such as Ten Out of 10 and Windows in the Jungle had more limited commercial impact.
Outside of 10cc, each member carved a distinctive path. Graham Gouldman continued to write and produce for a wide range of artists, while Eric Stewart collaborated with Paul McCartney on several albums. Godley and Creme became pioneers in the music video field, directing iconic videos for artists like Duran Duran, The Police, and Frankie Goes to Hollywood. Their contribution to visual media during the MTV boom of the 1980s was as significant as their earlier work in music.
The band never won major music awards during their peak, yet their influence and innovation have endured. Their clever wordplay, musical virtuosity, and willingness to experiment helped lay the groundwork for future artists unafraid to mix humor, irony, and technical brilliance in popular music. Over time, their albums have gained cult status, especially among musicians and producers who admire their studio mastery.
In recent years, Graham Gouldman has kept the legacy alive through touring with a reformed version of 10cc. Though the classic quartet only recorded together for a few short years, their impact was lasting. Their records remain a touchstone for those who value artful songwriting, inventive production, and boundary-pushing pop music.
Complete List Of 10cc Songs From A to Z
- 18 Carat Man of Means – 10cc – 1973
- 24 Hours – Windows In The Jungle – 1983
- 4% of Something – 10cc – 1973
- Action Man in Motown Suit – Ten Out Of 10 – 1981
- Age of Consent – MirrorMirror – 1995
- Americana Panorama – Windows In The Jungle – 1983
- The Anonymous Alcoholic – Bloody Tourists – 1978
- Art for Arts Sake – How Dare You! – 1976
- Baron Samedi – Sheet Music – 1974
- Bee in My Bonnet – 10cc – 1973
- Blackmail – The Original Soundtrack – 1975
- Blue Bird – MirrorMirror – 1995
- Brand New Day – The Original Soundtrack – 1975
- Charity Begins at Home – …Meanwhile – 1992
- City Lights – Windows In The Jungle – 1983
- Clockwork Creep – Sheet Music – 1974
- Code of Silence – MirrorMirror – 1995
- The Dean and I – 10cc – 1973
- Don’t Ask – Ten Out Of 10 – 1981
- Don’t Break the Promises – …Meanwhile – 1992
- Don’t Hang Up – How Dare You! – 1976
- Don’t Send We Back – Look Hear? – 1980
- Don’t Turn Me Away – Ten Out Of 10 – 1981
- Donna – 10cc – 1973
- Dreadlock Holiday – Bloody Tourists – 1978
- Dressed to Kill – Look Hear? – 1980
- Everything Is Not Enough – MirrorMirror – 1995
- Everything You Wanted to Know About!!! – Bloody Tourists – 1978
- Feel the Benefit – Deceptive Bends – 1977
- Fill Her Up – …Meanwhile – 1992
- The Film of My Love – The Original Soundtrack – 1975
- Flying Junk – The Original Soundtrack – 1975
- Food for Thought – Windows In The Jungle – 1983
- For You and I – Bloody Tourists – 1978
- Fresh Air for My Mama – 10cc – 1973
- From Rochdale to Ocho Rios – Bloody Tourists – 1978
- Good Morning Judge – Deceptive Bends – 1977
- Green Eyed Monster – …Meanwhile – 1992
- Grow Old with Me – MirrorMirror – 1995
- Head Room – How Dare You! – 1976
- Headline Hustler – 10cc – 1973
- Honeymoon with B Troop – Deceptive Bends – 1977
- The Hospital Song – 10cc – 1973
- Hotel – Sheet Music – 1974
- Hot Sun Rock – 10cc – 1973
- How Dare You – How Dare You! – 1976
- How’m I Ever Gonna Say Goodbye – Look Hear? – 1980
- I Bought a Flat Guitar Tutor – Deceptive Bends – 1977
- I Hate to Eat Alone – Look Hear? – 1980
- I Took You Home – Look Hear? – 1980
- I Wanna Rule the World – How Dare You! – 1976
- I’m Mandy Fly Me – How Dare You! – 1976
- I’m Not in Love – The Original Soundtrack – 1975
- I’m Not in Love (Acoustic) – MirrorMirror – 1995
- Iceberg – How Dare You! – 1976
- It Doesn’t Matter at All – Look Hear? – 1980
- Johnny, Don’t Do It – 10cc – 1973
- L.A. Inflatable – Look Hear? – 1980
- Last Night – Bloody Tourists – 1978
- A Latin Break – Deceptive Bends – 1977
- Lazy Ways – How Dare You! – 1976
- Les Nouveaux Riches – Ten Out Of 10 – 1981
- Life Is a Minestrone – The Original Soundtrack – 1975
- Life Line – Bloody Tourists – 1978
- Listen with Your Eyes – Ten Out Of 10 – 1981
- Lovers Anonymous – Look Hear? – 1980
- Lying Here with You – Ten Out Of 10 – 1981
- Margo Wants the Mustard – MirrorMirror – 1995
- Marriage Bureau Rendezvous – Deceptive Bends – 1977
- Memories – Ten Out Of 10 – 1981
- Modern Man Blues – Deceptive Bends – 1977
- The Monkey and the Onion – MirrorMirror – 1995
- Notell Hotel – Ten Out Of 10 – 1981
- Now You’re Gone – MirrorMirror – 1995
- Oh Effendi – Sheet Music – 1974
- Old Mister Time – Bloody Tourists – 1978
- Old Wild Men – Sheet Music – 1974
- One Two Five – Look Hear? – 1980
- Oomachasaooma (Feel The Love) – Windows In The Jungle – 1983
- Overdraft in Overdrive – Ten Out Of 10 – 1981
- Peace in Our Time – MirrorMirror – 1995
- People in Love – Deceptive Bends – 1977
- Ready to Go Home – MirrorMirror – 1995
- Reds in My Bed – Bloody Tourists – 1978
- Reminisce and Speculation – Deceptive Bends – 1977
- Rock ‘n’ Roll Lullaby – How Dare You! – 1976
- Rubber Bullets – 10cc – 1973
- Rubber Bullets (single version) – 10cc – 1973
- The Sacro-Iliac – Sheet Music – 1974
- Sand in My Face – 10cc – 1973
- The Second Sitting for the Last Supper – The Original Soundtrack – 1975
- Shine a Light in the Dark – …Meanwhile – 1992
- Ships Don’t Disappear in the Night (Do They?) – 10cc – 1973
- Shock on the Tube (Don’t Want Love) – Bloody Tourists – 1978
- Silly Love – Sheet Music – 1974
- Somewhere in Hollywood – Sheet Music – 1974
- Something Special – …Meanwhile – 1992
- Speed Kills – 10cc – 1973
- The Stars Didn’t Show – …Meanwhile – 1992
- Strange Lover – Look Hear? – 1980
- Survivor – Ten Out Of 10 – 1981
- Take These Chains – Bloody Tourists – 1978
- Take This Woman – MirrorMirror – 1995
- Taxi! Taxi! – Windows In The Jungle – 1983
- The Things We Do for Love – Deceptive Bends – 1977
- Tokyo – Bloody Tourists – 1978
- Une Nuit à Paris – The Original Soundtrack – 1975
- The Wall Street Shuffle – Sheet Music – 1974
- Waterfall – 10cc – 1973
- Welcome to Paradise – …Meanwhile – 1992
- Welcome to the World – Look Hear? – 1980
- Why Did I Break Your Heart – MirrorMirror – 1995
- Woman in Love – …Meanwhile – 1992
- Wonderland – …Meanwhile – 1992
- Working Girls – Windows In The Jungle – 1983
- The Worst Band in the World – Sheet Music – 1974
- Yes I Am – Windows In The Jungle – 1983
- You’ve Got a Cold – Deceptive Bends – 1977
- Yvonne’s the One – MirrorMirror – 1995
Albums
10cc (1973): 16 songs
Sheet Music (1974): 10 songs
The Original Soundtrack (1975): 8 songs
How Dare You! (1976): 9 songs
Deceptive Bends (1977): 11 songs
Bloody Tourists (1978): 12 songs
Look Hear? (1980): 11 songs
Ten Out Of 10 (1981): 10 songs
Windows In The Jungle (1983): 8 songs
…Meanwhile (1992): 10 songs
Mirror Mirror (1995): 14 songs
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