“The Best Years of Our Lives”/”Tumbling Down” was released by EMI on 12 August 1977 as the only single from Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel’s live album, Face to Face: A Live Recording (1977). The single failed to chart in the UK.
Background
Following the release of the band’s fifth studio album Love’s a Prima Donna in October 1976, the band embarked on an eight-date UK tour in December to promote it. A number of concerts were recorded on the tour, along with the band’s one-off charity concert at London Rainbow in February 1977. Harley then selected the best tracks for release on a double live album. A day before its release, the band’s split was announced. Face to Face: A Live Recording was released in July 1977 and reached at number 40 in the UK charts. To promote the album, a live single was released in August, with “The Best Years of Our Lives” chosen as the A-side, and “Tumbling Down” as the B-side. The single did not enter the UK Top 50.
Release
The single was released by EMI Records on 7-inch and 12-inch vinyl in the UK only. It was the band’s first single to be released on the 12-inch vinyl format, which itself was labelled as being limited edition. The single was also the band’s first to be released in the UK with a picture sleeve and featured the same photograph of Harley on stage on both sides of the sleeve. According to Record Mirror, the 12-inch version of the single was limited to 10,000 copies.
Critical reception
Upon its release, Sheila Prophet of Record Mirror said, “This one is live and it’s a cracker. Just listen to the way he controls the audience – amazing. It’s easily the best track on Face to Face and though I don’t know how valid it is as a single, it’s a worthwhile buy for any hard-up fans who can’t afford the fancy double album package.” John Dilley of the Harborough Mail wrote, “Good number but doubtful if it will ever go anywhere.” Ian Birch of Melody Maker stated, “Harley sings the verses over an unadorned acoustic guitar while the audience mostly handle the chorus. Harley’s vocals have never been more assured but the song stinks.” In a review of the live album, Geoff Barton of Sounds called the song “always an emotional highspot”. Tony Parsons of the NME remarked that the “imagery-charged live cut” is “the song the Fag End of Glam Rock troops used to pretend they were being butch over on the terraces”. He continued, “Hymn-like dirge turgid in the extreme, strictly for the hard-core who never got round to throwing out the Dan Dare togs.”
Track listing
7-inch single
- “The Best Years of Our Lives” – 5:00
- “Tumbling Down” – 6:34
12-inch single
- “The Best Years of Our Lives” – 5:00
- “Tumbling Down” – 6:34
Personnel
Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel
- Steve Harley – vocals
- Jo Partridge – lead guitar
- Duncan Mackay – keyboards
- George Ford – bass guitar
- Stuart Elliott – drums
- Lindsey Elliott – percussion
Additional musicians
- Tony Rivers – backing vocals
- John G. Perry – backing vocals
- Stuart Calver – backing vocals
Production
- Steve Harley – producer
- Tony Clark – engineer, co-producer
- David Jacobson – live sound
- Ken Perry – mastering
