“Tumbling Down” was recorded by Dutch singer Yvonne Keeley in 1974, with Steve Harley and Alan Parsons as the producers. It was released by EMI Records as a non-album single on 23 August 1974. The song, originally recorded by Cockney Rebel for The Psychomodo, was written by Harley.
Background
Keeley recorded “Tumbling Down” shortly after the split of the original Cockney Rebel line-up in July of that year. Keeley and Harley were already in a relationship and started working in the studio together, with Keeley recording “Tumbling Down” and another Cockney Rebel song, “Loretta’s Tale”, which was originally recorded for their 1973 debut album The Human Menagerie. The two tracks were recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London. Speaking of the single, Harley told Rock Scene in 1975: “I was quite happy with the way that one came out. I think she has one of the best white female voices I’ve ever heard.”
Scottish musician Ian Bairnson recorded the guitar part on “Tumbling Down” with a Les Paul. It was one of the guitarist’s earliest sessions and the one which had the most impact on his career. At the time, Bairnson had moved from Edinburgh to London to make it in the music business with the Scottish rock band Pilot, who had yet to gain a hit single. After being impressed by his playing on the song, Harley asked Bairnson to join Cockney Rebel, at a time when Harley was in the process of forming a new Cockney Rebel line-up. Faced with this dilemma, Bairnson ended up choosing to stay with his band, who gained their first hit with “Magic” later in November that year.
EMI rush-released Keeley’s version of “Tumbling Down” as a single on 23 August 1974 to coincide with Cockney Rebel’s appearance at the Reading Festival on 25 August. It did not make a chart appearance in the UK. Keeley would go on to provide backing vocals on future Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel albums and Harley also produced her next single, “Concrete and Clay”, which was released in June 1975.
Critical reception
Upon its release, the Eastern Evening News noted that Keeley “handles Harley’s work well” on both the A-side and B-side.
Track listing
7-inch single (UK)
- “Tumbling Down” – 4:29
- “Loretta’s Tale” – 3:44
Personnel
- Yvonne Keeley – vocals
- Ian Bairnson – guitar (“Tumbling Down”)
Production
- Steve Harley – producer (both tracks)
- Alan Parsons – producer (both tracks), arranger (“Tumbling Down”)
