Not many musicians can call upon Britain's all-time greatest guitar players and the world's best known drummer to contribute to their side-gig solo album. But legendary singer, songwriter and keeper of the 10cc flame Graham Gouldman has made a few pioneering friends in the course of his 60 year career. Brian May, Hank Marvin, Albert Lee and Ringo Starr, among others, have all contributed to Gouldman's forthcoming 6th solo album, I Have Notes.

Gouldman's music has touched the hearts and minds of millions, over the years, but he's still a fan at heart. "When I heard what he'd done, I became quite emotional", he says of Hank Marvin's contribution, "It was quite a moment. To actually hear him playing on something I'd written was just wonderful."

The same for his former All Starr Band boss, "It's another kind of surreal moment, listening to it, because he and the Beatles are the reason I'm doing what I'm doing."

From his early 1960s songwriting hits ("Bus Stop", "For Your Love", "No Milk Today", and many others) to global success with 10cc's classics ("I'm Not in Love", "The Things We Do for Love", "Dreadlock Holiday") the enduring popularity of Graham's songs reflect his significant contributions to the history of popular music. Graham’s songwriting status was acknowledged in 2014 with his induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

"Listening to Little Richard, Buddy Holly, Eddie Cochran, The Everly Brothers, Cliff and the Shadows, and then The Beatles when you're 14, 15… it's in your blood. It affects everything you do for the rest of your life." Gouldman explains. "I left school at 17 and worked in an outfitters shop for two years. Then got the sack, which was the best thing that ever happened to me…. within six months, bang!" When The Yardbirds cut Gouldman’s song "For Your Love", in early 1965, everything changed, "It was incredible!", he adds.

For a songwriter with so many subsequent hits in his catalogue, the solo albums have been infrequent: The Graham Gouldman Thing (1968), Animalympics (1980, soundtrack), And Another Thing... (2000), Love and Work (2012) and Modesty Forbids (2020). So why another so soon?

"There's no strategy. We'd recorded "Floating in Heaven" and I started getting ideas, so why resist it? I suddenly found myself making another album". He continues, "I'm very lucky to have Graeme Pleeth as the main co-producer. He lives less than a mile from me, he's got a very good studio and he's an excellent producer."

With creative juices flowing and top-tier collaborators on-tap, Gouldman addresses the process: "People always want to know ‘how did you get the idea for that song?’ It's a thing that fascinates people and it fascinates me as well."

"Sometimes you get an idea for something, it just comes out of nowhere. Other times, once you've started writing, you're on a roll, and you've really found you're inspired, thinking of ideas, constantly picking up the guitar, and trying things. But if you wait for inspiration, it's not going to happen. Picasso said something like ‘Inspiration loves to find you at work’, I really like that." 

"There is a mystery to the whole process, where does it come from? The album cover speaks to that."

Having worked with the late Storm Thorgerson, of Hypnosis, for many 10cc covers over the years, Gouldman has continued the collaboration through Peter Curzon at StormStudios.

"The cover art works beautifully, I think", enthuses Gouldman. "You may understand it, you may not. But you know something interesting is happening. The spirit of Storm is always hanging over Peter and his collaborators. Storm lives on in the creative decisions that are made."

I Have Notes has a broad palette of musical styles and textures, reflecting the diverse nature of Gouldman’s catalogue. From the "I’m Not In Love" choral opening of literal space-ballad Floating In Heaven (with Brian May), the uplifting country stomp of We’re Alive, through the endearing romantic waltz of When You Find Love (featuring Hank Marvin), and the exuberant childish joy of Play Me, the cheeky festive swing of Christmas Affair (featuring Beth Nielsen Chapman) to the side A (vinyl fans) closer, the unashamed Beatle-inspired Couldn’t Love You More (featuring Ringo Starr).

Side B kicks off with the overtly poppy It’s Time For Me To Go, followed by the country-tinged Don’t Tell Lies. The long-lost 10cc-era confessional I’m Lazy leads into the instrumental palette cleanse of Celestial Light, followed by a return to country twang with Say You Love Me Tonight (featuring Albert Lee). The album closes with a rocking live performance of Heart Full Of Soul, featuring an all-star band - Brian May & Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal on guitar, Derek Sherinian on keyboards, Ric Fierabracci on bass and Simon Phillips on drums.

With 10cc touring the world for several months a year, in addition to his own "Heart Full of Songs" solo shows, Gouldman shows no signs of retiring any time soon.

"I like to be busy, I don't play golf. So if it's writing or performing on other peoples records, 10cc, Heart Full of Songs, it's the best thing for me to do. If I didn't love it, I wouldn't do it. I’m very lucky to be doing what I do." 

Graham Gouldman's new album I Have Notes will be released on vinyl LP, CD & digital on 5th July 2024 on British indie label Lojinx. Lead single We're Alive is out now.