About the band: 10cc are a British rock band formed in 1972. Throughout the seventies they scored hit after hit and a string of successful albums with their unique art pop style. In 1976, half of the band split off as Godley and Creme, but the others continued, and had some more successes until the end of the decade. In total they released 11 studio albums. 10CC currently have two songs in my list of about 200 best pop/rock songs of all time.
About the song: When I'm not in love from the 1975 album The original soundtrack was released in an abridged version as a single in 1975, it was an instant sensation. 10 CC had scored big hits before, with bubble gum songs like Oh Donna and Rubber bullets, and more serious music like The Wallstreet shuffle, but this was something different from anything that anyone had ever done. With its multilayered vocals (256 vocal dubs!) and lush ethereal harmonies, this love song (the title is a tongue-in-cheek misnomer) shot to the top in both UK and USA. Interesting detail: the studio receptionist chipped in for the haunting spoken fragment "Be quiet.... big boys don't cry...." Run time 6:01.
