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Godley & Creme

From Alfawiki
Godley & Creme
Company typePartnership
IndustryMusic, Music video production
Founded1977
FounderKevin Godley, Lol Creme
Headquarters
Manchester
,
United Kingdom
ProductsMusic albums, music videos

Godley & Creme were a British rock partnership originating from Manchester in 1977, formed by Kevin Godley and Lol Creme after their departure from 10cc. They produced music as a duo and became known for directing pioneering music videos, beginning with their 1979 release "An Englishman in New York". Their video direction extended to prominent acts such as Ultravox, The Police, Yes, Duran Duran, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Huey Lewis and the News, and Wang Chung. Among their notable works was the critically acclaimed 1985 video for "Cry". The duo parted ways by the late 1980s, with both continuing careers in music video production, commercials, and occasional collaborations.

Early beginnings and 10cc

Kevin Godley and Lol Creme first crossed paths in the late 1950s, playing briefly together in amateur ensembles. During the early 1960s, they became members of the white R&B band The Sabres (later known as The Magic Lanterns). Although often involved in separate groups, Godley had a stint with The Mockingbirds alongside Graham Gouldman, who later worked with them in 10cc.

In 1967, under the name 'Yellow Bellow Room Boom', they released a single on UK CBS ("Seeing Things Green" b/w "Easy Life") before officially beginning their collaborative professional journey in 1969 at Strawberry Studios near Manchester alongside Eric Stewart and Graham Gouldman. That same year, they issued "I'm Beside Myself" b/w "Animal Song" as Frabjoy & Runcible Spoon on Marmalade Records. Although an LP was planned, it was shelved due to Marmalade's financial collapse but eventually saw release in 2022 on Frabjous Days: The Secret World of Godley & Creme 1967–1969 via Grapefruit Records.

Together with Eric Stewart, they formed Hotlegs, which scored a UK #2 hit with "Neanderthal Man". After contributing to two successful albums by Neil Sedaka, the group transformed into 10cc in 1972 when Graham Gouldman joined. Over the next years, 10cc released four albums and gained international acclaim with their 1975 hit "I'm Not in Love".

Departure from 10cc and subsequent career

Following the release of 10cc's fourth album How Dare You! (1976), Godley and Creme exited to focus on developing "The Gizmo" (also known as the Gizmotron), an attachment for electric guitars that generated continuous violin-like sustains. This invention was intended as a cost-effective solution enabling their band—already equipped with a studio and versatile multi-instrumentalists—to create orchestral sounds internally without hiring session musicians.

After issuing a Gizmo demonstration single, their label (Mercury Records) backed an ambitious project that culminated in the expansive three-LP concept album Consequences (1977), featuring vocal performances by Sarah Vaughan and comedic elements from Peter Cook. Initially designed to include a broad cast of comedians, budget constraints led to focusing spoken word parts primarily around Cook. Released during punk's ascendancy, the album faced harsh critical reception.

In a 1997 interview, Godley reflected on his departure from 10cc with some regret, citing creative limitations within the band and insufficient support for side ventures that might have benefited all members. Creme also found the split personally challenging, especially since he and guitarist Eric Stewart were married to sisters.

The pair regained critical recognition through inventive albums released between the late 1970s and early 1980s—namely L (1978), Freeze Frame (1979), and Ismism (1981; issued as Snack Attack in the US). Freeze Frame included alternative radio successes such as "I Pity Inanimate Objects" and "An Englishman in New York", featuring collaborations with musicians like Roxy Music's Phil Manzanera and Andy Mackay, along with backing vocals from Paul McCartney. Later singles including "Wide Boy" and "Submarine" failed to chart.

They reached the UK Top Ten with "Under Your Thumb" (No. 3) and "Wedding Bells" (No. 7) from Ismism. Their earlier composition "The Boys in Blue" gained popularity among supporters of Manchester City football club during the 1990s.

In 1983, Birds of Prey marked a transition toward electronic music incorporating drum machines. The single "Golden Boy" from 1984 appeared on their 1985 release The History Mix Volume 1, an album co-produced by J. J. Jeczalik of Art of Noise, which remixed their catalog with disco-influenced rhythms. This album featured "Cry," their highest-charting US single reaching No.16 and No.19 in the UK, supported by a groundbreaking music video and a video cassette release.

Their final studio effort, Goodbye Blue Sky (1988), abandoned electronic instrumentation in favor of harmonicas, organs, and guitars to evoke imagery of a world facing nuclear catastrophe. Shortly thereafter, they ended their collaboration. In a 1997 interview, Creme noted that Godley's priorities had shifted, leading to their professional split. As of 2025, Godley remains out of contact with Creme but has resumed songwriting alongside 10cc bassist Graham Gouldman.

Career in Video Direction

During the early 1980s, Godley and Creme achieved significant acclaim by directing more than fifty pioneering music videos. They produced memorable visuals for a variety of artists, including Status Quo with "Something 'Bout You Baby I Like"; The Police with "Every Breath You Take", "Synchronicity II", and "Wrapped Around Your Finger"; Culture Club's "Victims"; Duran Duran's "Girls on Film" and "A View to a Kill"; Herbie Hancock's "Rockit"; Go West's "We Close Our Eyes"; the collaboration between Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush on "Don't Give Up"; Frankie Goes to Hollywood with "Two Tribes" and "The Power of Love"; Sting's "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free" and "Fields of Gold"; Toyah's "Thunder in the Mountains"; Visage's "Fade to Grey"; George Harrison's "When We Was Fab"; Lou Reed's "No Money Down"; Wang Chung's "Everybody Have Fun Tonight"; and Yes's "Leave It." Their final prominent video project was for The Beatles, directing the 1996 single "Real Love," featured on the Beatles Anthology.

Their creative innovation was also evident in their own productions, particularly with the videos for "Wide Boy" and "Cry." The 1985 video for "Cry" utilized analog cross-fading techniques to merge facial images, a pioneering approach that foreshadowed the digital morphing effects later popularized by Michael Jackson in his 1991 video, "Black or White." This method was regarded as revolutionary, although a comparable effect had been employed earlier in a segment of King Crimson's video for "Heartbeat," released three years prior.

Subsequent Developments

In 1998, Creme became a member of the experimental synth-pop ensemble Art of Noise.

Godley maintained his career in music video direction and reconnected with Gouldman in 2006 to produce new material under the name GG/06.

Both artists contributed to 10cc's reunion album ...Meanwhile, released in 1992; however, Godley has mentioned that they did not record simultaneously in the studio.

Core Members

  • Kevin Godley – drums, percussion, keyboards, programming, vocals
  • Lol Creme – keyboards, synthesizers, guitars, bass, percussion, vocals

Guest Musicians

Discography

Godley & Creme's musical catalog comprises seven studio albums, including the ambitious triple LP Consequences (1977) and the eclectic The History Mix Volume 1 (1985), which blends studio recordings, remixes, and compilation tracks. Their output also features four compilation albums, with two collections highlighting works from their previous group 10cc. Across their career, they issued sixteen singles, five of which attained notable chart success. Additionally, the pair directed eight music videos representing their collaborative efforts.

Studio albums

Year Album Chart positions
UK AUS CAN GER NED US
1977 Consequences
  • Label: Mercury/Phonogram
 52 — — — — —
1978 L
  • Label: Mercury/Polydor
 47 — — — — —
1979 Freeze Frame
  • Label: Polydor
 — 25 — — 21 —
1981 Ismism
  • Label: Polydor/Mirage
  • US title: Snack Attack
 29 77 — — 28 —
1983 Birds of Prey
  • Label: Polydor
 — — — — — —
1985 The History Mix Volume 1
  • Label: Polydor
 — — 50 — — 37
1988 Goodbye Blue Sky
  • Label: Polydor
 — — — 44 — —

Compilation albums

Year Album Chart positions Certifications
(sales thresholds)
UK NED
1979 Music from Consequences
  • Release Date: 1979
  • Label: Mercury
1987 Changing Faces – The Very Best of 10cc and Godley & Creme 
* Release Date: 1987 
* Label: Polydor
4 — 
* BPI: Platinum
1991 The Very Best of 10cc (And Godley & Creme) 
* Release Date: 1991 
* Label: Mercury/Phonogram
— 10 
* NVPI: Gold
1993 Images 
* Release Date: 1993 
* Label: Spectrum Music
— — —
2022 Frabjous Days: The Secret World of Godley & Creme 1967–1969 
* Release Date: 2022 
* Label: Grapefruit
— — —

Box sets

Title Album details
Body of Work 1978–1988 Parts of the Process: The Complete Godley & Creme
  • Release date: 28 February 2025
  • Label: Edsel


Singles

Year Title Album Chart rankings Certifications
UK AUS AUT BEL GER IRL NED US
1977 "5 O'Clock in the Morning" Consequences — — — — — — — —
1978 "Sandwiches of You" L — — — — — — — —
1979 "An Englishman in New York" Freeze Frame — 17 — 4 25 — 7 —
1980 "Submarine" "—"
"Wide Boy" "—"
1981 "Under Your Thumb" 'Ismism' 3 94 32 7 13 
* UK: Silver
"Wedding Bells" 'Ismism' 7 44 23 13 44 
* UK: Silver
1982 "Snack Attack" '—'
"Save a Mountain for Me" 'Birds of Prey'
1983 "Samson" '—'
1984 "Golden Boy" '—' 35
1985 "Cry" 'The History Mix Volume 1' 19 43 12 34 8 27 13 16
"Golden Boy" (Remix) '—'
1986 "Cry" (re-issue) '—' 66
1987 "Snack Attack (Remix)" 'Changing Faces'
1988 'A Little Piece of Heaven' 'Goodbye Blue Sky'

18

12

26

17

'10,000 Angels' 'Goodbye Blue Sky'

Collaborations

Title Year Artist Contribution
K-Scope 1978 Phil Manzanera Provided backing vocals and hi-hat on "Hot Spot" (Godley),
contributed Gizmo effects, lead and backing vocals (Creme)
Manchester 2001 801 Percussion and backing vocals

Godley & Creme music videos

  • "An Englishman in New York" (1979) (co-written with Derek Burbidge)
  • "Wide Boy" (1980)
  • "Wedding Bells" (1981)
  • "Save a Mountain for Me" (1983)
  • "Golden Boy" (1984)
  • "Cry" / "History Mix 1" (1985)
  • "A Little Piece of Heaven" (1987)
  • "10,000 Angels" (1988)

Selected music videos directed by Godley and Creme for other performers

1980:

  • Visage – "Fade to Grey"

1981:

  • Visage – "Mind of a Toy"
  • Duran Duran – "Girls on Film"
  • Status Quo – "Something 'Bout You Baby I Like"
  • Toyah – "I Want to Be Free" / "Thunder in the Mountains"

1982:

  • Asia – "Heat of the Moment" / "Only Time Will Tell"
  • Graham Parker – "Temporary Beauty"
  • Joan Armatrading – "The Weakness in Me" / "When I Get it Right"

1983:

  • 10cc – "Feel the Love"
  • Any Trouble – "Touch and Go"
  • Culture Club – "Victims"
  • David Sylvian & Ryuichi Sakamoto – "Forbidden Colours"
  • Elton John – "Kiss the Bride"
  • Herbie Hancock – "Rockit" / "Autodrive"
  • The Police – "Every Breath You Take" / "Wrapped Around Your Finger" / "Synchronicity II"
  • Yes – "Leave It"

1984:

  • Frankie Goes to Hollywood – "Two Tribes" / "Power of Love"
  • Paul Young – "Everything Must Change" (US version)

1985:

  • Artists United Against Apartheid – "Sun City" (collaborated with Jonathan Demme and Hart Perry)
  • Duran Duran – "A View to a Kill"
  • Eric Clapton – "Forever Man"
  • Go West – "We Close Our Eyes"
  • Graham Parker – "Wake Up Next to You"
  • Howard Jones – "Life in One Day"
  • INXS – "This Time" (with Peter Sinclair)
  • Sting – "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free"
  • Thompson Twins – "Don't Mess with Doctor Dream" (with Meiert Avis)

1986:

  • Huey Lewis and the News – "Hip to Be Square"
  • Jana Pope – "Don't You Hear Me Screaming"
  • Lou Reed – "No Money Down"
  • Patti LaBelle – "Oh, People"
  • Peter Gabriel & Kate Bush – "Don't Give Up"
  • Rob Jungklas – "Boystown"
  • The Police – "Don't Stand So Close to Me '86"
  • Ultravox – "All Fall Down"
  • Wang Chung – "Everybody Have Fun Tonight"

1987:

  • Go West – "I Want to Hear It from You"
  • Peter Gabriel – "Biko"

1988:

  • George Harrison – "When We Was Fab"
  • And Why Not – "Restless Days"

External links

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