The Last Goodbye (Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel song)

"The Last Goodbye" is a song by the British rock band Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel, released in 2006 as the only single from their 2005 studio album The Quality of Mercy.[1] It was written by Harley and ex-Cockney Rebel guitarist Jim Cregan, and produced by Harley.[2]

"The Last Goodbye"
Single by Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel
from the album The Quality of Mercy
B-side"Understand (Live)"
Released6 February 2006
GenrePop, Rock
Length3:54
LabelGott Discs
Pinnacle Records (distribution only)
Songwriter(s)Steve Harley, Jim Cregan
Producer(s)Steve Harley
Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel singles chronology
"A Friend for Life"
(2001)		 "The Last Goodbye"
(2006)		 "Faith & Virtue"
(2010)

Background

In 2005, Harley recorded a new studio album with his current touring line-up of Cockney Rebel. Released in October 2005 by Gott Discs, The Quality of Mercy was the first studio album to be released under the band's name since 1976. Chosen as the only single from the album, "The Last Goodbye" was released in February 2006, and as Harley's first single since 2001's "A Friend for Life". "The Last Goodbye" peaked at No. 186 on the UK Top 200 Singles Chart during mid-February,[3] and also reached No. 21 on the UK Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50.[4]

The song, like the entire The Quality of Mercy album, was recorded at Gemini Recording Studios in Ipswich, and was mastered by Denis Blackham at Skye Mastering.[5]

Release

"The Last Goodbye" was released by Gott Discs on 7" vinyl and CD in the UK only. Pinnacle Records handled the single's distribution.[2][6] The single's sleeve featured a close-up photograph of Harley, taken by Mick Rock. Both versions of the single featured the B-Side "Understand (Live)" - a seven-minute live recording, recorded at Blackheath Concert Hall in London during 2001.[5] "Understand" was originally recorded for the band's 1976 album Timeless Flight.[7] The live version was produced by Harley.

Promotion

No music video was filmed to promote the single. During the band's 50+ date UK and European tour following the album's release, "The Last Goodbye" was featured in the set-list. Footage of the band performing the song live has since surfaced on YouTube.[8][9] In an online diary entry dated 14 November 2005, Harley spoke of performing the song at a concert in Holland: "Last night I sang "The Last Goodbye" entirely alone, largo, slow and dignified to open the show, until Robbie entered for a solo."[10]

Critical reception

Upon release, Birmingham 101 Gig Guide reviewed The Quality of Mercy and said: "Harley's in fine voice, and this album is easily the best thing he's done in years. Co-penned by ex-Rebel Jim Cregan, the opening track "The Last Goodbye" shows his ability to pen classic, radio friendly quality pop hasn't dimmed with the years".[11] Carol Clerk of Classic Rock commented: "The Quality of Mercy is brimful of songs that are intensely personal and sometimes harrowing but, musically, very approachable. The bright up-tempos of "The Last Goodbye" and the lovely, gentle melodies that carry "Journey's End (A Father's Promise)" and "A Friend for Life" offset the deep anxieties at the heart of the lyrics."[12] John Aizelwood of Q highlighted the song as one of three "Download" pick tracks from the album.[13]

Stein Østbø of the Norwegian website VG commented that Harley "still writes beautiful, melodic songs in a safe pop-rock landscape, including the initial "The Last Goodbye"".[14] Rune Westengen of the Norwegian website RB described the song as a "more rocking, Costello-like track."[15] In a review of the band's 2008 concert at the Birmingham Town Hall, Birmingham Mail noted that the show opened with "the wonderful "The Last Goodbye"".[16]

Track listing
7" Single
  1. "The Last Goodbye" - 3:54
  2. "Understand (Live)" - 7:03
CD Single
  1. "The Last Goodbye" - 3:54
  2. "Understand (Live)" - 7:03

Chart performance
Chart (2006) Peak
position
UK Independent Singles Chart Top 50[4] 21
UK Singles Chart (The Official Charts Company)[3] 186

Personnel
The Last Goodbye
Understand (Live)
  • Steve Harley - vocals, producer
  • Robbie Gladwell - electric guitar, backing vocals
  • Barry Wickens - acoustic guitar, backing vocals
  • James Lascelles - piano
  • Lincoln Anderson - bass
  • Adam Houghton - drums
  • Vikki Beebee - percussion, backing vocals
Other
  • Asgard - representation
  • Mick Rock - cover photo
  • Mark Scarfe at Aarlsen - original sleeve design
  • CLE Print - reprographics

References
  1. "Steve Harley - The Quality Of Mercy (CD) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 9 December 2012.
  2. "Steve Harley And Cockney Rebel - The Last Goodbye / Understand (Live) - Gott Discs - UK - GOTTV741". 45cat. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
  3. "Chart Log UK: H & Claire- Hysterix". Zobbel.de. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
  4. "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50 | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
  5. "The Last Goodbye - single sleeve". Images.45cat.com. Retrieved 29 June 2013.
  6. "Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel - The Last Goodbye (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. 6 February 2006. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
  7. "Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel - Timeless Flight (Vinyl, LP, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
  8. "Steve Harley- Last Goodbye". YouTube. 5 August 1976. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
  9. "Steve Harley - The last goodbye". YouTube. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
  10. "Official Steve Harley Website UK - Steve Harley's Online Diary Archive 2005". Web.archive.org. 15 December 2006. Archived from the original on 15 December 2006. Retrieved 22 March 2018.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  11. "Official Steve Harley Website UK - "Quality of Mercy" Album Review from Birmingham 101 Gig Guide". Steveharley.com. 22 March 2006. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
  12. "The Quality Of Mercy - Classic Rock Review". Harleyfanzone.com. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
  13. http://www.harleyfanzone.com/70/Scrapbook/Reviews/Quality_Of_Mercy/Q.htm
  14. "Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel: "The Quality Of Mercy" - VG Nett". Vg.no. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
  15. "Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel: The Quality of Mercy" (in Norwegian Bokmål). Rb.no. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
  16. "Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel, Town Hall, Birmingham". Birmingham Mail. 11 June 2008. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
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