Geoffrey Arnold Beck, to give him his full name, was an early rock legend. He was known for his blues and occasionally jazzy style, and as a brilliant guitarist. He was much better known as Jeff Beck. He was also known by many more people for his big hit single.
That, of course, was “Hi Ho Silver Lining.” A huge hit in 1967 and 1972. The song was a must-play at parties and discos at those times, and for many years after. But it's not really a great example of the great man’s abilities or music. Beck came to resent the song, despite its popularity.
It seems odd that Beck released the song. It’s way out of style for the man from the Yardbirds and the Jeff Beck Group, who went on to be a legendary artist. In the end, though, it’s a simple explanation as to why Beck decided everything was groovy and put on his hippie hat.
”Hi Ho Silver Lining” brought chart success for Jeff Beck, but at a price
Pop producer Mickie Most persuaded Beck to record the song and release it as a single. Most had been working with the writers, American duo Larry Weiss and Scott English. He knew Beck was keen to sell records, and this song was much more commercial than the rest of Beck’s work.
Unusually, Beck took the lead vocals for the recording. It’s Rod Stewart on backing vocals for the single and John Paul Jones on bass; probably not one that either wants to be remembered for! A catchy tune with an upbeat pop sound and bouncy beat was captured on disc.
Beck himself admitted later that “Hi Ho Silver Lining” was a natural A side to get radio play and chart success. Even though he much preferred the B Side, “Bolero.” That was a heavier guitar-led instrumental based on Ravel’s classic and co-written with Jimmy Page.
Beck’s pink toilet seat of a tune
Most and Beck weren’t wrong. First released in 1967 and then again in 1972, the song crashed into the UK charts. It was a top twenty hit there both times. Beck, though, grew to resent the song. Mind you, that didn't take him long. He quickly decided it wouldn't feature on his debut solo album Truth in 1968. The song didn't feature on many of his set lists over the years either.
Much later on, Beck likened the song, and his link to it, to having a pink toilet seat round his neck for the rest of his life. Quite a burden to bear! That wasn't eased by a steady flow of income for the song either.
He only received recording rights for it, and they were notoriously small on late 1960s artists’ contracts. Maybe that need for record sales that led to the song being released wasn't such a good idea after all.
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