10cc – How Dare You!
Released in 1976, How Dare You! is the fourth studio album by British art-pop band 10cc and marks the final record made by the group’s classic lineup: Lol Creme, Kevin Godley, Eric Stewart, and Graham Gouldman. Known for their clever, satirical lyrics and sophisticated musicianship, 10cc delivered an album that pushed their inventive pop-rock formula into darker and more complex territory. While previous records leaned heavily on playful pastiche, How Dare You! balances biting wit with genuine emotional depth, touching on themes of divorce, betrayal, and communication breakdown.
Musically, the album showcases the band’s signature mix of intricate arrangements, lush harmonies, and genre-blurring experimentation, from the funk-infused ""Art for Art’s Sake"" to the heartbreak balladry of ""I’m Mandy Fly Me."" The title track opens the record with a typically eccentric instrumental, setting the tone for the band’s blend of humour and ambition.
Although less commercially successful than its predecessor, The Original Soundtrack, this album is often hailed by fans as one of 10cc’s most accomplished works. It captures a band at the height of its creative powers, just before internal tensions led to the split between Godley & Creme and Stewart & Gouldman.