Steve Harley admits he was being ‘b****y’ when he wrote Make Me Smile as he reveals song’s inspiration in resurfaced clip after his death aged 73

An old clip of Steve Harley discussing the inspiration behind his hit Make Me Smile has surfaced following the star’s tragic death at the age of 73.

The English singer and songwriter was best known as the frontman of the rock group Cockney Rebel.

He died at his home in Suffolk on Sunday morning after a short battle with cancer – having paused his current tour last month to undergo treatment.

As fans expressed their sadness over his sudden passing, old videos of Steve resurfaced, including one from October 2010 in which the musician talked about his motivation for writing his best-known song Make Me Smile.

Speaking to The One Show, Steve explained that he wrote the 1975 song after the original Cockney Rebel disbanded.

He recalled being “in distress” and needing an outlet for his emotions, and admitted that he was “stupid.”

Cockney Rebel was a rock band that achieved success in London in the early 1970s, whose music spanned a range of styles from pop to progressive rock.

Over the years they had five albums in the UK Albums Chart and twelve singles in the UK Singles Chart.

The original band consisted of Steve, Jean-Paul Crocker, drummer Stuart Elliott, bassist Paul Jeffreys and guitarist Nick Jones.

But in July 1974, the original line-up disbanded after the other band members approached Steve and insisted they also want to write songs for the band.

However, Steve, who was the band’s sole songwriter, argued that this was unfair, as he had hired the musicians in the first place, and explained the deal to them at the time.

The band broke up and Steve put together a new line-up later in the year, with only drummer Stuart remaining.

In 2002, Steve revealed that just days after the split, he wrote Make Me Smile, addressed to his former bandmates, feeling as if they had abandoned him.

He later added that the first verse was probably written at four in the morning, after drinking a bottle of brandy while feeling sorry for himself.

Steve opened up about writing the song and his motivations in the resurfaced interview with The One Show, calling the lyrics “a finger-pointing piece of vengeful poetry.”

‘It blows my mind how I felt about the boys breaking down a perfectly workable machine. I wrote it and said, “Look, you’re going to learn how well we’re doing here, we’re doing well, why are you doing this?”

Steve recalled: ‘Three of them came to me in a small group with various ultimatums. They wanted to write songs for the third album, and I said, “Well, you know I started the band, and I auditioned you, and I told you the deal at the time. We’re not moving the goalposts here.”

‘They knew this, and they came to me and demanded that they could write songs too, and I just said, “Then go do it.”

When the interviewer asked if he had hoped they would come back after hearing the song, he replied: ‘No, it was b****y. I was b****y and it wasn’t fun and I’m not proud of it.’

Then he grinned, then recanted, “Of course I am.”

Steve based the song on an unused previous song he had written called Laid in the Shade, which he later said was “absolutely rubbish” but felt that “the tune worked.”

He developed it to be much slower and darker and wrote new lyrics to reflect his feelings at the time.

Steve said: ‘The atmosphere was quite dark, it was a slow, moody bluesy piece. I was in need, there’s no doubt about that.

‘But out of adversity I had to talk about it, I had to write about it. I had to say these things, I had to get it off my chest.”

It comes after Steve’s death was announced on Sunday, with his daughter Greta revealing he had ‘passed away peacefully at home’.

She added: ‘We know he will be greatly missed by people around the world.’

Last month, Steve’s official social media page issued a statement: ‘Due to ongoing treatment for cancer, Steve cannot commit to any concerts in 2024.

‘Steve hopes that next year will be very different. He appreciates all your kind words and good wishes. Team SH.”

Last October, he announced the cancellation of the Steve Harley Acoustic Band’s January 2024 shows due to undergoing a medical procedure followed by a “period of recovery.”

Then, at Christmas, he sent out a message on his website saying that canceling tour dates was “heartbreaking” but that he was battling a “nasty” cancer.

He said: “2023 hasn’t exactly been an annus horribilis for me as the first half was often magical, with some great nights on stage with Barry, Oli and David. And the entire rock band in the Netherlands and Belgium, and Denmark… out there, on the road, that’s where I come alive.

“The second half, well… canceling Live dates is heartbreaking. I am aware of the stress and financial pressure this can cause you.

‘But I’m fighting a nasty cancer. My oncologist is satisfied with the effect of the treatment so far. It’s exhausting, and exhausting. But the battle has begun. And fortunately, the cursed intruder has no influence on the voice. I sing and play most nights.”

After he announced a break from his tour, his fans quickly sent him well wishes in the mail.

One wrote: ‘All the best with your treatment Steve, we hope for a full recovery.’

Another commented: ‘I hope you feel better soon and sending love to you and yours.’

A third wrote: ‘Sending positive thoughts your way. Best wishes to you and your family.’

Steve had a brief stint as a solo artist before Cockney Rebel regrouped in April 1990 following the success of Harley’s 1989 tour.

From 1999 to 2008, Steve presented the BBC 2 radio show Sounds of the 70s. Tony Blackburn has since hosted the show since 2017.

Following his death on Sunday, it was announced that fans took to social media to express their grief.

One wrote: ‘RiP….Steve Harley…another one.’

A second wrote: ‘Brilliant musician and great storyteller. Fantastic live performer and regular at Kenney Jones’ Rock ‘n’ Horsepower festivals.’

A third aptly wrote: ‘And God said, ‘Come up and see me, make me laugh.’ So he did. Rest in peace.’