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Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)
Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel
The Best Years of Our Lives
The Best Years of Our Lives
RaitingFF
Family Friendly
Information
Released 1975
Genre Glam
Language English
Source Lego Rock Band
Available November 3, 2009
Playable in
Rock Band
Rock Band 2
Rock Band 3
Rock Band Blitz
Lego Rock Band
Difficulty
Band 1FcircleUFCirlceUFCirlceUFCirlceUFCirlce
Basic Pro
Guitar 2FcircleFcircleUFCirlceUFCirlceUFCirlce NoNo Part
Bass 2FcircleFcircleUFCirlceUFCirlceUFCirlce NoNo Part
Drums 3FcircleFcircleFcircleUFCirlceUFCirlce 3FcircleFcircleFcircleUFCirlceUFCirlce
Keys NoNo Part NoNo Part
Vocals 4FcircleFcircleFcircleFcircleUFCirlce 4FcircleFcircleFcircleFcircleUFCirlce
Details
Male singer
3-part Harmonies



"Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)" is a song by Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel which was written as a riposte when the original lineup of Cockney Rebel walked out on Steve Harley. The song tells the story of the first incarnation of the band.

When he performed the song on Top of the Pops, although the instrumental backing was mimed, Harley performed a live vocal and promptly forgot most of the second and third verses. (Thanks, Shelley - Stoke-on-Trent, England)

The acoustic, flamenco-styled guitar solo was originally a soundcheck warm-up that was captured on tape and later used when it was realized it added to the song.

In 1000 UK #1 Hits by Jon Kutner and Spencer Leigh, Steve Harley recalls the end of Cockney Rebel version 1: "We split up because they wanted to take my leadership away. They wanted to dilute it and Make Me Smile is saying 'Come back one day and I'll laugh.' It was arrogant but I knew they were wrong - they didn't understand the group like I did." In the song Steve accuses them of selling out and sings, "You spoiled the game, no matter what you say, for only metal-what a bore."

Steve adds in 1000 UK #1 Hits: "There are 120 cover versions of Make Me Smile, but only The Wedding Present have done it differently. They did a punk version and made it kick. They understood the venom in the lyrics."

This features in the 1997 film The Full Monty. (Thanks, Edward Pearce - Ashford, Kent, England, for above 4)

This song also featured prominently in the 1998 cult film Velvet Goldmine, about the rise and fall of Glam (or Glitter) Rock. The film's main character is based on David Bowie's character of Ziggy Stardust. Bowie disapproved of the film and refused to allow his music to be used, so a variety of other Glam and Glam-influenced tracks were used instead. (Thanks, Terry - NYC, NY)

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