Sebastian (song)
| "Sebastian" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Cockney Rebel | ||||
| from the album The Human Menagerie | ||||
| B-side | "Rock and Roll Parade" | |||
| Released | 31 August 1973 | |||
| Format | 7" | |||
| Genre | Rock | |||
| Length |
3:54 (7" version) 6:59 (album version) |
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| Label | EMI Records | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Steve Harley | |||
| Producer(s) | Neil Harrison | |||
| Cockney Rebel singles chronology | ||||
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| Alternative Cover | ||||
German cover of "Sebastian"
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"Sebastian" is a song by the British rock band Cockney Rebel, fronted by Steve Harley. It was released as the band's debut single in 1973 from their album The Human Menagerie. The song was written by Harley and produced by Neil Harrison.
Described by Harley as a "Gothic love song", "Sebastian" features a 50-plus piece orchestra and choir alongside the band, with orchestral arrangements by Andrew Powell. In June-July 1973, Cockney Rebel recorded their debut album The Human Menagerie, including the song, at Air Studios, London, after having signed a deal with EMI Records.
"Sebastian" was first performed by Harley during his days of busking in the early 1970s, before Cockney Rebel were formed in late 1972. Having trained as a journalist for three years, Harley embarked on his musical career through "floor-spotting" within London folk clubs in 1971-72. In 1972, Harley began busking in London, in subways and walkways under and in such places as Hyde Park Corner, Marble Arch, Leicester Square and Covent Garden. Speaking to the Daily Express in 2007, he recalled: "I started busking in the early 70's, which gave me a platform to experiment on the public with my songs. I had one called "Sebastian", which was six minutes of gothic poetry! I got absolutely no money."
"Sebastian" was released as the band's debut single in August 1973, preceding the album, which followed in November. Upon release, the song failed to achieve commercial success in the UK and did not enter the UK Top 50. However, in continental Europe, the song performed much better and became a big hit in various countries. It peaked at No. 2 in both Belgium and the Netherlands, and reached No. 30 in Germany. In a 2014 interview with the Sunday Express, Harley spoke of the song's European success: ""Sebastian" was a number one in most of Europe in 1974. It happened so quickly. I didn't pay many dues to be honest. That's what the New Musical Express held against me at the time."
The failure of "Sebastian" in the UK led EMI to feel that Harley had yet to record a potential hit single. In response he went away and re-worked one of his unrecorded songs called "Judy Teen", which became a UK Top 5 hit for the band in June 1974. However, prior to the release of the single, EMI decided to hold the song back at the beginning of 1974 and re-issue "Sebastian" on 25 January (originally due to be 11 January), as the third time being released as a UK single. This was in hope of it becoming a chart hit, however it still did not make a chart appearance.
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