Songfacts®:

• "Tallyman" was written by Graham Gouldman, whom Beck knew from his days in The Yardbirds. Gouldman wrote the Beck-era Yardbirds songs "Heart Full of Soul" and "Evil Hearted You."
  
  A few years later, Gouldman formed his own band, 10cc.
• This was Jeff Beck's second single as a solo artist, following "Hi Ho Silver Lining." Both songs are unusual in that Beck sings the lead vocals. They were both left off the first Jeff Beck Group album, which featured Rod Stewart as lead singer.
• A tallyman is a guy who comes around collecting rent. This tallyman also brings items, which he sells to the family, keeping them in debt.
• "Tallyman" is a very English word, which limited this song's international appeal. It wasn't released as a single in America, except for promotional purposes.
• As he did with "Bus Stop," Gouldman's father Hymie helped out with the lyric.
• This was produced by Mickie Most, who was Beck's producer in The Yardbirds. Most also produced Beck's first two solo albums.