Mr. Raffles (Man, It Was Mean)

In February 1975, Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel reached the UK number one spot with "Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)", which was released as the lead single from The Best Years of Our Lives. After the album reached the UK Top 5 in March, Harley, the band and EMI Records decided that "Mr. Raffles (Man, It Was Mean)" would be released as the album's second single. Released in May, the song peaked at No. 13 and remained in the UK Top 50 for six weeks. It had debuted at No. 40 in early June.[2]

Like the rest of The Best Years of Our Lives album, the song was either recorded at Abbey Road Studios or Air Studios, both in London, sometime in November–December 1974. It was mastered at EMI Studios.[3]

Speaking to Mojo in 2010, Harley revealed that the song's titular character refers to the fictional thief A. J. Raffles, created by author E. W. Hornung. He explained:

"Raffles was a master thief. He was a con artist too. I use his name to invoke a religious allegory, yes. We see religion and its leaders in our own ways: Sham: "Man, it was mean to be seen in the robes you wore for Lent, you must've known that it was Easter." The Devil within: "Then in Amsterdam you were perfect fun. You never let on you had a gun and then you shot that Spanish Dancer." Truthfully, I always think these references and allusions are obvious to listeners, and it feels a little pretentious to explain. It's not T.S. Eliot, I know, but I was a serious young man!"[4]

"Mr. Raffles (Man, It Was Mean)" was released by EMI Records on 7" vinyl in the UK, Belgium, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. It was released in Yugoslavia by Jugoton.[5][6] In the UK, a promotional demo/DJ copy was also issued by EMI.[7] For its release as a single, "Mr. Raffles (Man, It Was Mean)" was edited down by a minute and a half to make a three-minute version. This single version remained exclusive to the single until its release on the 2014 'Definitive Edition' of The Best Years of Our Lives.[8]

The B-Side, "Sebastian (Live)", is a live version of the 1973 Cockney Rebel song from the album The Human Menagerie. It was recorded at the Hammersmith Odeon, London, on 14 April 1975, and is over 10 minutes long. Performing alongside the band on the song was drummer Stuart Elliott's younger brother Lyndsey Elliott playing additional percussion, and guitarist Snowy White, who joined the band on The Best Years of Our Lives tour as rhythm guitarist.[9][8] The live version was produced by Harley and Parsons. The vinyl noted on the B-Side: "Live version: Increase volume to compensate for reduced level."[10] The live version featured

All releases of "Mr. Raffles (Man, It Was Mean)", except in the UK, Finland, Australia and New Zealand, came with picture sleeves, each featuring different photographs of Harley. The Belgian release was the only version of the single not to feature a photograph, using large text over a black background instead.[5]

Following its original release on The Best Years of Our Lives, and as a single, the song has since appeared on many Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel compilations, including 1975's A Closer Look,[11] 1980's The Best of Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel, 1987's Greatest Hits, 1992's Make Me Smile - The Best of Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel and 2006's The Cockney Rebel - A Steve Harley Anthology.[12]

On 5 June 1975, the band's performance of the song on the UK music show Top of the Pops was broadcast.[13] Although the audio from the performance survives, the footage was later wiped by the BBC and is presumed lost.[14]

The song has been performed live by Harley and the band on many occasions, with some live versions having been recorded and released. In April 1975, the band performed the song as part of their set at the Hammersmith Odeon, London. The concert was filmed and released as a film titled Between the Lines.[15] In 1989, the band's concert at Brighton, which included the song, was released on the VHS The Come Back, All is Forgiven Tour: Live.[16] Another version appears on the 1995 album Live at the BBC,[17] which Harley recorded during a session for Nicky Campbell in 1992.

Upon release, Record & Popswop Mirror, in a review of The Best Years of Our Lives, described the song as one that has "both poetic form and quality". The reviewer added that the song "deserves to be singled out as an absolute classic".[18] Daily Mirror commented: "A very peculiar song from Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel. Sounds from the bullring, the fairground and the South Seas cover up something very creepy indeed. A hit."[19] In the 1996 book Rock: The Rough Guide, authors Jonathan Buckley and Justin Lewis said: "The anthemic title track "The Best Years of Our Lives" and "Mr. Raffles" both found Harley at his lyrical best."[20]

In a retrospective review of the album, Donald A. Guarisco of AllMusic described the song as a "surreal yet romanticized portrait of a convention-flaunting outlaw", adding: "the odd lyrics work thanks to the phenomenal tune backing them up, which contrasts gentle verses built on piano and acoustic guitar with choruses that work in a surprising but slickly integrated reggae beat".[21] In another AllMusic review of the 1975 compilation A Closer Look, Guarisco described the song as "an impressionistic tune that layers surreal, Bob Dylanesque wordplay over a lushly produced musical backdrop that mixes keyboard-driven soft pop with reggae."[22] He also highlighted the song as an album standout by labeling it an AMG Pick Track.[22]

7" Single

1. "Mr. Raffles (Man, It Was Mean)" - 3:03
2. "Sebastian (Live Version)" - 10:49

7" Single (UK promo)

1. "Mr. Raffles (Man, It Was Mean)" - 4:33
2. "Sebastian (Live Version)" - 10:49

7" Single (Australian release)

1. "Mr. Raffles (Man, It Was Mean)" - 2:55
2. "Sebastian (Live Version)" - 10:49

Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel

• Steve Harley - vocals, guitar, producer
• Jim Cregan - guitar, backing vocals
• Duncan Mackay - keyboards
• George Ford - bass, backing vocals
• Stuart Elliott - drums

Additional personnel

• Alan Parsons - producer, mixer, engineer
• Chris Blair - mastering
• Gary Edwards - tape operator
• Peter James - tape operator

• Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics