During the 1980s, which he would later describe as his "wilderness years", Harley took time out from the music business while his two children were growing up. In 1980 he formed a new line-up of Cockney Rebel for a short UK tour in July, followed by a UK Christmas tour. The latter tour followed the release of the compilation "The Best of Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel" in November. During the same year Harley also co-wrote "Somebody Special" for Rod Stewart's 1980 album "Foolish Behaviour". The song was released as the album's third single in 1981, reaching No. 71 on the US Billboard Hot 100.