Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)

"Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)" is a song recorded by Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel and released on the album The Best Years Of Our Lives. It reached number one in the UK chart in February 1975. The song has been reissued twice: a 1992 release reached Number 46; and a 1995 release reached Number 33 after being used in the Carlsberg TV advertisement. It was used as part of the soundtrack to the 1997 British comedy film The Full Monty. It has also been used in a Marks and Spencer advertisement (2006) and the soundtrack to the movie Blackball (2003).

Some people have previously commented that musically the song seems to be strongly influenced by Roxy Music; however, the Harley song possesses an irresistible hook line and quality of production rarely seen in a Bryan Ferry song. In a television interview recorded in 2002, Steve Harley described how the lyrics are vindictively directed at the former band members, whom he felt had abandoned him - a fact which eludes a majority of listeners who enjoy the apparently happy chorus.

A 30th Anniversary Remix of the song was released as a single in June 2005, taking the track to Number 55 in the UK Charts.

Duran Duran version
The song was frequently covered by Duran Duran in their concerts in the early 1980s. A recording of one of these 1983 live performances, during which Harley joined the band on stage, was used as the b-side to Duran Duran's 1984 number one single "The Reflex", although the title was reversed to "Come Up and See Me (Make Me Smile)". It also appeared on the soundtrack to the movie Threesome (1994), and as a bonus track on the double CD single for "Perfect Day", from their 1995 covers album Thank You.

The reunited Duran Duran brought the song back as a surprise encore at their May 28, 2005 homecoming gig at the Birmingham Football Ground, to the delight of the 25,000 fans in attendance. (Harley was invited to perform with them, but was unable to attend. )

Erasure version
British pop duo Erasure included the song on their cover versions album Other People's Songs. After the surprise UK top-ten success of their previous single "Solsbury Hill", Erasure charted well again when "Make Me Smile" hit number fourteen. It also climbed to number fifty-eight in Germany.

The music video sees Erasure members Vince Clarke and Andy Bell in the midst of computer-generated special effects and graphics.

CD single #1 (CDMUTE292)

 * 1) "Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)" (Dave Bascombe Edit Mix)
 * 2) "Oh L'amour" (Acoustic)
 * 3) "Walking in the Rain" (37b Remix)

CD single #2 (LCDMUTE292)

 * 1) "Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)" (Dan Frampton Radio Mix)
 * 2) "Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)" (Manhattan Clique Extended Remix)
 * 3) "When Will I See You Again" (37b Remix)

DVD single (DVDMUTE292)

 * 1) "Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)" (Dave Bascombe Mix)
 * 2) "Can't Help Falling in Love" (37b Remix)
 * 3) video: "Solsbury Hill" - directed by Vince Clarke