Godley: The Art-Rock and Pop Innovators

Godley is the creative partnership of English musicians Kevin Godley and Lol Creme, best known as founding members of the art-rock band 10cc. The duo forged a distinct path as innovative music video directors and experimental recording artists after leaving the group. Their work is celebrated for pioneering the "Gizmotron" string-drive device and for crafting ambitious, sonically adventurous concept albums in the late 1970s and 1980s.

Early career

Kevin Godley and Lol Creme first collaborated in the late 1960s Manchester band The Mockingbirds, before forming the comedy and music trio Hotlegs with Eric Stewart. Hotlegs' 1970 single "Neanderthal Man" became a surprise UK number two hit. This success laid the foundation for the formation of the seminal art-pop band 10cc in 1972, where Godley and Creme were key songwriters and vocalists, contributing to massive hits like "Rubber Bullets" and "I'm Not in Love."

Breakthrough

Godley and Creme left 10cc in 1976 to pursue their artistic vision, leading to the release of their ambitious triple album Consequences in 1977. The project was built around their invented instrument, the Gizmotron, and featured actor Peter Cook. While commercially challenging, it established their reputation for fearless experimentation. Their true commercial breakthrough came with 1985's The History Mix Volume 1 and its single "Cry," which became a worldwide smash, reaching the top 20 in both the UK and US charts.

Key tracks

Cry — This 1985 hit single masterfully used the "VideoWall" effect and became a global phenomenon, defining their later pop success.

Under Your Thumb — A top ten UK hit in 1981, this track marked their first major chart success as a duo outside of 10cc.

Wedding Bells — Another sophisticated pop single from 1981, it showcased their sharp songwriting and production skills.

An Englishman in New York — Their 1980 single demonstrated their growing prowess in music video production, a field they would soon dominate.

Throughout the 1980s, Godley & Creme became equally famous as groundbreaking music video directors, creating iconic clips for acts like The Police ("Every Breath You Take"), Frankie Goes To Hollywood ("Two Tribes"), and Herbie Hancock ("Rockit"). Their directing work earned them multiple MTV Video Music Awards. They released their final studio album, Goodbye Blue Sky, in 1988 before largely focusing on their directorial careers.

Fans of Godley's intricate art-rock and polished pop craftsmanship should also explore the work of 10cc, their band of origin known for its studio sophistication. The Police share a similar blend of pop sensibility and rhythmic experimentation, especially in their later work. Peter Gabriel parallels their interest in musical innovation and conceptual video art. XTC also operated in a realm of clever, studio-centric British pop and rock during the same era.

The innovative tracks from Godley's catalog remain a staple on classic rock FM stations and specialty programs focusing on 80s alternative and art-rock. Their unique blend of studio experimentation and sharp pop songwriting ensures regular rotation on stations dedicated to deeper album cuts and musical pioneers.

You can hear the inventive music of Godley featured across various radio stations available on onairium.com. Tune in to discover their influential work, from art-rock anthems to iconic 80s pop hits, on our curated independent music radio stations.