Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel - "(I Believe) Love's a Prima Donna" Single (1976)

Cockney Rebel
Oct 14, 1976
2 min read

Updated: Oct 17

Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel's "(I Believe) Love's a Prima Donna" b/w "Sidetrack 1" was released as a 7-inch vinyl single in the UK by EMI Records (catalog number EMI 2539) on October 15, 1976.

Taken from their 1976 album Love's a Prima Donna, a transitional period for the group after the success of The Best Years of Our Lives (1975) and amid lineup shifts. The A-side is a theatrical, vaudeville-inspired track with Harley's signature crooning vocals and orchestral swells, while the B-side "Sidetrack 1" is a short, quirky instrumental coda to the album's title track, adding a playful, experimental touch.

Cover art for "Love Is A Prima Donna" by Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel, released in Germany by EMI in 1976.

By 1976, Cockney Rebel had evolved from their glam rock roots into a more eclectic sound under Steve Harley's direction. Love's a Prima Donna (EMI EMC 3156) was Harley's attempt to blend pop, rock, and showtune influences, but it underperformed commercially, peaking at No. 41 in the UK. The single was the album's sole 45 RPM push, released amid Harley's growing focus on solo work. "Sidetrack 1" is essentially a 1:50 snippet, serving as a "sidetrack" to the album's lead single, "(I Believe) Love's a Prima Donna," which had been issued earlier in July 1976 (EMI 2505) but stalled at No. 41.

The single's artwork featured a glamorous, art deco-inspired design by photographer Mick Rock, emphasizing Harley's theatrical persona. It was pressed in the UK, with a sleeve printed by Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd. No US release occurred, limiting its international reach.

Tracklist

A-side: "(I Believe) Love's a Prima Donna" – 4:12 (Written by Steve Harley)

B-side: "Sidetrack 1" – 1:50 (Written by Steve Harley)

Both tracks are from the Love's a Prima Donna album, with the A-side being the album's opener—a sweeping ballad about unrequited love—and the B-side a brief, atmospheric interlude with piano and strings.

Chart Performance & Commercial Impact

UK Singles Chart: Peaked at No. 41 (entered October 16, 1976; 4 weeks total).

Sales: Modest; it failed to capitalize on the momentum from "Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)" (No. 1 in 1975). The single's failure contributed to the band's hiatus, with Harley pursuing solo ventures.

Critical Reception: Mixed; NME called it "overproduced whimsy," but Melody Maker praised Harley's vocal delivery. "Sidetrack 1" is often overlooked but appreciated by fans for its quirky charm. The single has since gained cult status, with reissues in compilations like The Best of Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel (EMI, 1979).