Bucks Fizz performed the timeless classic tune Making Your Mind Up, together with the now famous skirt ripping dance routine. This was one of the most up-tempo songs of the evening, and with only two rounds of voting to go, it was a three-way tie between Germany. the UK and Switzerland. Switzerland were yet to vote and gave eight points to the UK, but Nil Points to Germany. Despite the final jury giving Germany maximum points, Bucks Fizz won the contest.
This victory was to set them up for a career that was to be as successful as any British Eurovision winner before, or since. They went on to be one of the most popular bands of the 80s with a string of hit singles and albums.
Making Your Mind Up was a number one for the group in nine different countries and received gold disc status in four countries.. This was promptly followed by a further two top twenty hits - Piece Of The Action and One Of Those Nights - and a self-titled album which went Gold in the UK and Platinum in Australia.
After winning the contest, the group built on their success with other awards and accolades. In November 1981, they won Best Song Award at the Yamaha Song Contest (oriental Eurovision) in Tokyo with the song Another Night.
Their next single, released in November 1981, The Land Of Make Believe went Gold before Christmas of that year and went on to become one of their most popular songs, reaching Number One in three countries and winning the Amplex Golden Reel Award for one million copies sold.
In 1982, the success for Bucks Fizz continued and in April of that year the group's fourth single, My Camera Never Lies, went straight to Number One in the UK. This was followed in May by the group's second studio album, Are You Ready, which went Gold immediately. This also produced another hit, Now Those Days Are Gone, which reached number 8 in the UK charts.
1984 was to be an eventful year. Bucks Fizz toured the UK on a 7 week sell out tour.
1983 saw the release of If You Cant Stand The Heat which reached number 10 in the UK charts. This was followed by Run For Your Life. Both singles were featured on the group's third studio album, Hand Cut, which charted at number 15 in the UK.
Later that year saw the release of When We Were Young, a slightly different sound with Jay on lead vocal. London Town followed and then a Greatest Hits album which finished the year on a high.
Three more singles were released: Talking In Your Sleep, Golden Days and I Hear Talk which was a surprise club hit in America. Fate was to deal the group a devastating blow that year: whilst on tour in December there was a horrific Coach crash which resulted in the serious injury of Mike Nolan.
As Mike was on the road to recovery Bucks Fizz received yet another blow as Jay Aston decided to depart the group after a scandalous affair with the bands Manager which made front page of all the tabloids.
Auditions were held in London for a Jay Aston replacement. About 800 girls turned up to audition and finally Shelley Preston was recruited to replace Jay.
1986 saw Bucks Fizz back on top of the charts with a new look, a new record deal with Polydor and a new single called New Beginning. The single reached number 8 in the UK charts and was a great success.
A further two singles were also released this year: Love The One Your With" and Keep Each Other Warm, together with what would be their 5th studio album, Writing On The Wall.
The single Heart Of Stone was released in 1988. This would later be covered by Cher a couple of years later.
Shelley Preston decided to leave the group in 1990 to pursue solo projects and the group continued as a trio.
The group's albums are currently available on CD, as well as a recently released Best Of CD/DVD which made the top 40 in May 2007.
Twentieth Century Hero
Bucks Fizz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When them up there say it's all fine
Then break your back from nine to five
To keep your two point four alive
Well it's Hymns for a Sunday
And it's booze for a Monday
And dreamers thinking one day
It will all be taken care of
(You're a hero)
Zero, zero, zero
Rather be Valentino
Well don't run away stay here and play
Twentieth century hero
Well I know you're never influenced
By craze or fashions zoo caress
You didn't buy that car to show
The guy next door where he can go
Where your grass is the greenest
And your life saccharinest
Well your beach ain't the cleanest
It will all be taken care of
(You're a hero)
Zero, hero, zero
Cap in hand Valentino
Well I hope you know I love you so
Twentieth century hero
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah...
Twentieth century hero you
Believe what you believe is true
Opinion polls, who gives a damn
Look Errol Flynn now there's a man
With the price of the harvest
Is swept under the carpet
And the big ones fall the hardest
It will all be taken care of
(You're a hero)
Dero, Dero, Dero
Vanity Valentino
Well you're gonna be the death of me
Twentieth century hero
Hero, hero, hero
Vanity Valentino
Well you're gonna be the death of me
Twentieth century hero
Bucks Fizz's song "Twentieth Century Hero" is an ode to everyday individuals who strive and endure to keep their lives afloat amidst the chaos and political dilemmas that come with modern times. The lyrics highlight the struggles of middle-class people trying to earn a living and maintain a household while reading through the lines of political propaganda. The song recognizes the sacrifices made by these people while maintaining a sense of hope that everything will work out and that they are doing enough to make it work.
The song also emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself and not getting influenced by the latest fads or trends. It highlights the isolation that comes with being an individualist and presents it as a heroic attribute. By emphasizing that individuals should believe in what they truly believe is right and remain unaffected by societal expectations, the song shifts the focus from the external to the internal and presents individualism as heroic in its own way.
Overall, "Twentieth Century Hero" emphasizes the power of the individual and represents the struggles, frustrations, and hopes of a group of people. It presents the struggle of people caught in the midst of modern times and recognizes their efforts while encouraging them to remain true to their beliefs and hopeful about the future.
Line by Line Meaning
I know you read between the lines
You are able to understand the hidden meanings behind what is being said.
When them up there say it's all fine
When those in positions of power claim that everything is running smoothly.
Then break your back from nine to five
You work extremely hard from morning until evening.
To keep your two point four alive
To support yourself and your family with the average salary.
Well it's Hymns for a Sunday
You enjoy religious music on Sundays.
And it's booze for a Monday
You like to drink alcohol to start off the week.
And dreamers thinking one day
Idealistic people believe that things will eventually work out for the better.
It will all be taken care of
You believe that any unresolved problems will eventually resolve themselves.
(You're a hero)
You are considered to be a hero by the singer.
Zero, zero, zero
You may not have a lot of money.
Rather be Valentino
You have a desire to be stylish and fashionable like the famous actor Valentino.
Well don't run away stay here and play
The singer wants you to stay and enjoy life with them.
Twentieth century hero
The singer considers you to be a hero of the modern era.
Well I know you're never influenced
You are not easily swayed by popular fads or ideas.
By craze or fashions zoo caress
You are not interested in following trends or fashion.
You didn't buy that car to show
You did not purchase your car to try to impress your neighbors.
The guy next door where he can go
You don't care where your neighbors go or what they do.
Where your grass is the greenest
You have the best-looking lawn in the neighborhood.
And your life saccharinest
Your life is very sweet, almost too good to be true.
Well your beach ain't the cleanest
Your beach is not the cleanest, but it doesn't bother you.
(You're a hero)
You are still considered to be a hero by the singer.
Zero, hero, zero
Although you do not have a lot of money, you are still considered to be a hero.
Cap in hand Valentino
You would rather be fashionable like Valentino than for people to think you are wealthy.
Well I hope you know I love you so
The singer wants you to know that they care about you.
Twentieth century hero
The singer repeats their assertion that you are a hero of the modern era.
Believe what you believe is true
You are true to your beliefs and hold to them firmly.
Opinion polls, who gives a damn
You do not care about the results of surveys or what other people think.
Look Errol Flynn now there's a man
You admire the famous actor Errol Flynn.
With the price of the harvest
You are aware of the cost of food and other goods.
Is swept under the carpet
However, you believe that certain important issues are being ignored or overlooked.
And the big ones fall the hardest
You realize that famous or powerful people may be subjected to more criticism and scrutiny.
It will all be taken care of
Despite these concerns, you still believe that everything will eventually work out for the best.
(You're a hero)
The singer affirms once again that you are a hero in their eyes.
Dero, Dero, Dero
The singer mispronounces the word 'zero', perhaps as a form of wordplay.
Vanity Valentino
You are concerned with your appearance and fashion, like Valentino.
Well you're gonna be the death of me
The singer jokingly claims that your fashion sense will be the end of them.
Twentieth century hero
The song ends with one more reaffirmation of your heroic status in the modern era.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANDY HILL, PETER JOHN SINFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind