Sonic The Hedgehog - 10cc (1998)
In 1992, Lol Creme and Kevin Godley had found themselves in the studio with the other half of what was 10cc, Eric Stewart and Graham Gouldman. The four haven't made a song together since an unused ad for makeup, and haven't been in touch with the release of “Deceptive Bends”. Yet here they all were, standing in one place, and taking time to consider what it was they wanted to record. The first to suggest a song was Eric, who had a grand chunk of songs he hadn’t touched yet. Graham was happy to try Eric’s song, and soon Kevin and Lol agreed. Previously in the 80s, Kevin and Lol had gotten together to create (what they thought was) their final studio album together; “Goodbye Blue Sky”. While still having the mindset of heavy experimentation, they were able to set it aside for their old bandmates. Sessions stayed mildly cochure for the time being, with Graham getting a few songs in, as well as Kevin and Lol adding their highly creative sound to each track. Yet by the end, tensions started to rise.
“It really started when we came to our final mixes. We started to question ‘Wait, why is he singing that?’, or ‘Who added that section?’. It’s those last minute questions that drove those sessions out, and made the album seem untouchable. I don’t think we were thinking long term enough, just kind of what fueled our egos. It’s a shame we didn’t stay together really.”
Kevin Godley, 2022
In the end, what was planned to be entitled “...Meanwhile” was shelved. Which was something new for 10cc, as Eric often trashed whatever went unused.
“Usually, usually we just tossed anything we didn't like, but this time something said to keep it. I don’t know why but I kept hoarding some of those tapes. Maybe it was to cope with losing a band I had dedicated so much time to. Maybe I was just losing my mind.”
Eric Stewart, 2020
The members of 10cc wouldn’t be involved in any music for quite some time. Until, a decade later when Kevin and Lol were approached by the media company Sega, to produce music for an animated film on their character, Sonic The Hedgehog. At first, the duo were hesitant to try anything in the studio again, let alone for something so different as an animated film, for video rental no less. Lol however theorizes this may have been what pushed the two to sign onto the idea.
“I think we were just both far too interested with the idea of an animated movie. So if we got any chance to be involved in something new, or something so fresh we were ready to take the chance. That silly little character did wonders we didn’t think possible.”
Lol Creme, 2014
As the duo began to brainstorm what could be done for the soundtrack of the film, they had planned to meet with Eric Stewart to catch up on how the past decade had been treating him. So, in this afternoon tea chat, the two had brought up the new opportunity they signed on to. With this, Eric quickly said;
“Why not make it a 10cc project?”
The duo’s ears perked up, Kevin’s eyes opened a tad wider.
“Eric, last time we did that, it didn’t end well.” Kevin said.
“I don't know if you'd really want to try it all over again.” Lol added with hesitation.
“Let’s just try, and if we start bickering again, Graham and I will get out of your hair. Come on, we have to try.” Eric said, removing his sunglasses to show his pleading eyes to add to his desperate tone.
Eric needed this, he hadn't had a big project to work on in quite some time, and this seemed to be the perfect chance to stir his creative mind again, something to get him off the ground.
Soon, Lol and Kevin agreed to the idea, calling up Graham to see if he would be available, which he was. With this, a new agreement was reached with Sega to make it into a 10cc project, with one condition. They would send over one of their own musicians to make sure the music stayed in line with the film. Mitsuhiro Tada soon received a letter of gratitude from the newly reformed 10cc, saying they were excited to see what he would add.
Once Mitsuhiro had arrived with a translator, he was welcomed with open arms by the band. Despite the language barrier, spirits were high among all involved. The song that kicked off the sessions was a song Eric had left untouched even for what was “...Meanwhile”, that being “The Green Eyed Monster”, which even Kevin and Lol happily hopped on. And so, the band began hard work at the music, with the occasional jam to ease any tension found while in the studio. Mitsuhiro proved to be quite valuable in the sessions, often offering melodic lines the group had failed to think of at the time, and providing songs the band could really dig into.
“I think Tada being there made the sessions a lot easier. Cause we had someone to really make us realize when we weren’t being mature for this project. I mean, this was our first big project since the early 80s so, we hadn’t grown accustomed to the newer styles and sounds.”
Graham Gouldman, 2020
With each member having a heavy handful of songs, the process of choosing which ones to complete and which ones to set aside was a difficult one. In the end, twelve songs were finalized to be used in the film, with any others being set aside for possible future projects. As recording reached an end, the band made a rough cut of the final songs, and listened to it alongside samples of the film the studio had sent over. As the band watched in awe, they felt they were close to capturing the energy the film had, but still had much further to go.
“It was this high octane, high energy feeling you got from the film we wanted to capture. It was just this pure adventure the film put you through that we really wanted you to feel throughout the album. We were so inspired by the art we were sent this cartoonish scifi that we had to go back and change it all. I know in the end we finally got to that, about a day before our deadline. So we probably could’ve spent more time on it. Could’ve been fashionable late.”
Eric Stewart, 2014
As the band went back to tinker, they began to pull and remove songs to the album, to see what felt better flowing into each other. At one point, the track listing was swapped with songs never planned for the soundtrack.
“We did all this, tape splicing and rearranging and moving things around to the point that we were so lost in it. We should’ve just thrown our hands up and let someone else take over. (...) But I think that was just us, being us y’know. We wouldn’t stop being crazy, we had to have that difficult element for it to really matter to us. I think that’s why it sounded so good.”
Lol Creme, 2014
Once the band had made a final version of the record, they sent it to Sega. Who, by surprise, were happy with the final work the group had done, and gave it the greenlight to be released and produced as a whole.
This time around, the band worked together to create a mix for the single to promote the soundtrack and film. The song chosen for the single would be “Welcome To Paradise”, with the b side being a Mitsuhiro Tada addition, “Genocide City”.
Single art for Promo only version of “Welcome To Paradise” single.
When fans heard the Disc Jockey say “And now, here's a new one from 10cc”, they stopped dead in their tracks, and listened closely. 10cc had been laying low during their time in the studio, and even if they were seen, they wouldn’t even reach the front page of the local paper. To fans, this was out of the blue. With ease, the single reached high on the charts. Becoming a high selling single, for 1998 nonetheless.
Once the full album art had been finished by the group, they were able to fully release it alongside the film.
Front Cover, Vinyl
“We really wanted the original artists to shine on the cover, while still giving our own little stamp. What we did really encapsulated the sound and style of the soundtrack and film.”
Graham Gouldman, 2020
“I was pretty happy with that cover. It’s simple, sure but it blended in well with what we had done before. I think it spoke for both us and Sonic.”
Eric Stewart, 2014
“We all spent so much time on that cover. I think it was a whole day before we finally had the pictures center. But we picked a character to represent each other almost, I think I was Tails.”
Lol Creme, 2014
“I really liked the design of Metal sonic. Originally we planned to put a photo of Eggman in the middle, but we couldn’t get a good screenshot of it, so we just used the four. I think the others kept saying I was a lot like Knuckles, which made me smile quite a lot.”
Kevin Godley, 2022
Back cover, Vinyl
For the release of the album, the band sat down and watched the full film, and even played through a small amount of the first game.
“I quite enjoyed it, it was a grand old time. I mean video games were quite a new thing at the time so, we were easily in awe of what was capable. (...) I somewhat wish we had been able to join in on the sound design of the film, I think we would’ve had a lot of fun with that. Or maybe we’d get lost in all the things we could do, and not what we should do.”
Kevin Godley, 2020
“The film was a lot better than I expected. We knew it had potential but we didn't expect what we got. It’s not perfect for sure, but I thought it was good. The designs and the direction of the film were quite eye-catching.”
Lol Creme, 2014
The response to the soundtrack was quite warm. With fans praising it as a triumphant return from 10cc. Critics would claim the album overstayed its welcome at times, but still delivered on a solid experience.
In the end, 10cc remained proud of the record, with Graham Gouldman keeping the main singles off the record in the setlist of modern day 10cc. Following the album, there were slight murmurs to continue 10cc with a follow-up, but nothing came from these ideas. With the band breaking apart once more to follow other passions and adventures.
“I’m glad we got together that last time. I think it was well needed between us, that type of closure. I think we needed to know if the world still needed 10cc. At that moment we delivered, and I wonder if we’ll ever need to again.”
Eric Stewart, 2014
In 2002, the album was re-released on CD, and included bonus tracks alongside a full booklet of linear notes. The bonus tracks included are mainly unreleased tracks, with single mixes of Welcome To Paradise, Something Special, Charity Begins At Home, and an unlisted version of Look-A-Like. With The included Jams becoming fan favorites, many wishing 10cc could’ve interpreted more classic Sonic songs.
10cc’s later involvement with Sonic came in the form of reusing songs from the soundtrack, as well as interviews about their thoughts on new Sonic material, and on the process of making the soundtrack.
“I think the newer stuff they're doing is really great. I haven’t played the games myself but the art is really great. I liked the one based on old story books, the knight one in particular.”
Graham Gouldman ,2023
“I like the newest ones. They go back to the story like what we worked on. The more goofy story is more to provide eye candy and great music than to give you something to chew on. (...) I believe the only console I own is a Master System, my kids play it every now and again.”
Kevin Godley, 2022
All in all, 10cc’s work on the Sonic the Hedgehog soundtrack is looked back upon in admiration, with many feeling it was a solid send off to one of the more ambitious bands of the 70s, through till the 90s.
“What we did made us happy, which is what we really needed. We needed to make each other smile again, so we could look back and smile. I’m proud of what we did, and I think we really helped out Sonic in a way. The newer games now need that interaction between the art and the story, it pushes it y'know, like the art pushes the artist.”
Lol Creme, 2014
07/07'24
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