"Art for Art's Sake" is a single by

10cc 10cc are an English rock music, rock band formed in Stockport, southeast of Manchester, in 1972. The group initially consisted of four musicians, Graham Gouldman, Eric Stewart, Kevin Godley and Lol Creme, who had written and recorded togethe ...

released in 1975. It was taken from the '' How Dare You!'' album, and, in an edited version, reached No. 5 on the UK singles chart. The title of the song derives from the fact that Graham Gouldman's father, Hymie Gouldman, often used to say "

Art for art's sake Art for art's sake—the usual English rendering of (), a French slogan from the latter half of the 19th century—is a phrase that expresses the philosophy that 'true' art is utterly independent of all social values and utilitarian functions, b ...

, money for God's sake, okay". The wordless tape-loop vocals used by the band in their ground-breaking hit "

I'm Not in Love "I'm Not in Love" is a song by British group 10cc, written by band members Eric Stewart and Graham Gouldman. It is known for its innovative and distinctive backing track, composed mostly of the band's multitrack recording, multitracked vocals. ...

" are also clearly audible in the slow sections of the song. ''

Record World ''Record World'' magazine was one of three major weekly music industry trade magazines in the United States, with ''Billboard'' and '' Cashbox''. It was founded in 1946 as ''Music Vendor''. In 1964, it was changed to ''Record World'' under the ...

'' called it "a spirited tour-de-force of vocal and production technique with an irresistible hook" and "a great sound."

Personnel

Eric Stewart Eric Michael Stewart (born 20 January 1945) is an English singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and record producer, best known as a founding member of the rock groups the Mindbenders with whom he played from 1963 to 1968, and likewise of ...

– lead vocal, grand piano, electric piano, six string bass, fuzz bass, lead guitar * Graham Gouldman – electric guitars, cow bell, tambourine, backing vocals * Lol Creme – 2nd lead vocal, electric guitars, maracas,

Moog synthesizer The Moog synthesizer ( ) is a modular synthesizer invented by the American engineer Robert Moog in 1964. Moog's company, R. A. Moog Co., produced numerous models from 1965 to 1981, and again from 2014. It was the first commercial synthesizer ...

, recorder, backing vocals *

Kevin Godley Kevin Michael Godley (born 7 October 1945) is an English singer-songwriter, drummer and music video director. He was a singer and drummer of the art rock band 10cc and later was part of collaboration duo Godley & Creme with Lol Creme. Early ...

– drums, temple blocks, backing vocals

Chart performance

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

References

10cc songs 1975 singles Songs written by Eric Stewart Songs written by Graham Gouldman Mercury Records singles 1975 songs {{1970s-single-stub