Sebastian

Cockney Rebel

About Sebastian

"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.


Year:
1973
7:00
41 
#1

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Radiate simply, the candle is burning, so low for me 
Generate me limply, can't seem to place your name, cherie 
To rearrange all these thoughts in a moment is suicide 
Come to a strange place, we'll talk over old times we never smile 

Somebody called me Sebastian 
Somebody called me Sebastian 
Work out a rhyme, toss me the time, lay me, you're mine 
And we all know, oh yeah! 

Your Persian eyes sparkle; your lips, ruby blue, never speak a sound 
And you, oh so gay, with Parisian demands, you can run-around 
And your view of society screws up my mind like you'll never know 
Lead me away, come inside, see my mind in kaleidoscope 

Somebody called me Sebastian 
Somebody called me Sebastian 
Mangle my mind, love me sublime, do it in style, 
So we all know, oh yeah! 

You're not gonna run, babe, we only just begun, babe, to compromise 
Slagged in a Bowery saloon, love's a story we'll serialize 
Pale angel face; green eye-shadow, the glitter is outasight 
No courtesan could begin to decipher your beam of light 

Somebody called me Sebastian 
Somebody called me Sebastian 
Dance on my heart, laugh, swoop and dart, la-di-di-da, 
Now we all know you, yeah!

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Cockney Rebel

Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel are a British glam rock band from the early 1970s from London. Their music covers a range of styles from pop to progressive rock. Over the years they have had five albums in the UK Albums Chart and twelve singles in the UK Singles Chart. more »

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Written by: STEVE HARLEY

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


14 facts about this song

Song
"Sebastian" is a single by the British rock band Cockney Rebel, fronted by Steve Harley.
First Release
The song was first released in August 1973 and was the band's debut single.
Album
It features on their debut album "The Human Menagerie."
Chart performance
Despite not charting in the UK, where it was deemed too progressive for BBC Radio 1 airplay, the song became a major hit in Europe.
Belgium Success
In Belgium, the song was a number one hit, topping the chart for four weeks.
Distinction
"Sebastian" has been described as a mini-opera or symphony, unlike many other rock songs of its time, due to its unique orchestral arrangement and sophisticated lyrics.
Inspiration
The song's lyrics were inspired by a combination of events from Steve Harley's life, as well as the works of German poet Rainer Maria Rilke.
Musical Style
Steve Harley has described "Sebastian" as "Gothic rock."
Song Length
With a total duration of 6:58, "Sebastian" was considered very long compared to other pop singles at that time.
Orchestration
The song is noted for its huge orchestration, which was something unique for a rock band at that time.
Live Performances
"Sebastian" has remained a staple of Steve Harley's live setlist over the years, showcasing his vocal range and the song's complex composition.
Covers
The song has been covered by several artists, including famed Finnish rock band Negative in 2006.
Multi-Lingual Lyrics
Unusually for a British rock song, the lyrics of "Sebastian" include a few lines in French.
Song Interpretation
The song has been interpreted in many ways, but Steve Harley has said it is about "the great myth of life," making it one of rock music's more deeply philosophical songs.

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