In 1982, Fagin had his only U.S. Billboard Hot 100 charting single, "Younger Days". It was released there on Millennium Records and peaked at No. 80. He was musical director for Jim Davidson, including his 1983 Falklands tour.
In 1983 he recorded the theme songs to Auf Wiedersehen, Pet. The single, featuring "Breaking Away" and "That's Living Alright", reached number 3 in the UK singles chart in January 1984. The single was re-released when the programme was repeated on Channel 4 in 1996. He also sang the two songs for the show's second series, "Get it Right" and "Back With the Boys Again". They were also released as a single; but performed less successfully, reaching only number 53 in 1986.
He sang the title song for the situation comedy "As Time Goes By", the 1990s BBC TV comedy series.
In 1985 he was part of The Crowd, which reached number one with the charity single "You'll Never Walk Alone" for the Bradford City disaster.
Fagin released a "best of" album in 1996.
A reworked version of "That's Living Alright" will be released on 5 June 2006 for the World Cup. "That's England Alright" is an unofficial song, since Embrace have been chosen to record the official song, "World At Your Feet".
Breaking Away
Joe Fagin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Worked off my dues,
Played all the cards down,
Theres nothing to loose
Don't want tomorrow to be like today,
Thats why I'm breaking away,
I'm not trying to run,
Not trying to hide,
Won't let tomorrow be like today,
Thats why I'm breaking away.
OO-OO Breaking away,
Got to find a better way,
Until the good times roll around, again
OO-OO Breaking away,
Got to find a better way,
Until the good times roll around, again,
Auf Wiederersehen.
Taking it easy, making each day,
Sooner or later theres something to pay,
Might as well have a laugh on the way,
We're breaking away,
OO-OO Breaking away,
Got to find a better way,
Till the good times roll around again,
OO-OO Breaking away,
Got to find a better way,
Until the good times roll around, again,
Auf Wiederersehen
Until the good times roll around, again,
Auf Wiederersehen
The lyrics of Joe Fagin's "Breaking Away" suggest a person who has exhausted all options, worked hard to pay off debts, and played all their cards, but has not found success. They feel stuck in their present situation and do not want their future to be like the monotony of their present. The singer is not running away or hiding from their problems but rather trying to find a better way to live. They do not want to lose their pride but recognize that they need to break away to find a different path to success. The chorus reinforces the idea of breaking away from the current situation and finding a better way. The singer acknowledges the struggle and the necessity of paying a price for success, but they decide to enjoy the journey with laughter and fun.
The lyrics of "Breaking Away" and its upbeat tempo resonated with many viewers of the coming-of-age film Breaking Away in 1979, catapulting the song to popularity in the United States, where it reached #33 on the Billboard charts.
Line by Line Meaning
Used all my options,
I have exhausted all possible solutions
Worked off my dues,
I have paid my debts and obligations
Played all the cards down,
I have used all my resources
Theres nothing to loose
I have nothing to risk
Don't want tomorrow to be like today,
I don't want my future to be the same as my present
Thats why I'm breaking away,
that's why I need to make a change
I'm not trying to run,
I am not attempting to run away from my problems
Not trying to hide,
I am not attempting to evade my responsibilities
What can I win if I'm losing my pride,
What do I gain by sacrificing my dignity?
Won't let tomorrow be like today,
I refuse to have a repetition of the present tomorrow
OO-OO Breaking away,
Making a drastic change,
Got to find a better way,
I have to discover a better solution
Until the good times roll around, again
I will try to survive until things get better
Taking it easy, making each day,
I am taking life one day at a time
Sooner or later theres something to pay,
The consequences of my action will catch up with me
Might as well have a laugh on the way,
It's better to find joy and laughter through the journey
Auf Wiederersehen
Goodbye
Contributed by Mackenzie R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@shnj5985
Used all my options,
Worked off my dues,
Laid all the cards down,
Theres nothing to lose,
Don't want tomorrow to be like today,
Thats why I'm breaking away.
I'm not trying to run,
Or trying to hide,
What can I win if I'm losing my pride,
Won't let tomorrow be like today,
Thats why I'm breaking away.
OO-OO Breaking away,
Got to find a better way,
Until the good times roll around, again
OO-OO Breaking away,
Got to find a better way,
Til the good times roll around, again,
Auf weidersehen.
Taking it easy, making each day,
Sooner or later theres something to pay,
Might as well have a laugh on the way,
We're breaking away,
OO-OO Breaking away,
Got to find a better way,
Till the good times roll around again,
OO-OO Breaking away,
Got to find a better way,
Until the good times roll around, again,
Auf weidersehen
Until the good times roll around, again,
Auf weidersehen
@andyjackson9313
RIP Joe Fagin. Three brilliant singles around one of the greatest British TV shows ever made. Superb cast, brilliant writing, great characters and stories. The music was a massive part of it.
@mjarbar3204
This is an example of the right actors cast in the right roles in a well written series shown at the right time, it's a combo you only see once in a while. everytime I hear this I'm a kid back in the 1980's all over again, and so glad it is still shown on TV.
@TheHairyHouseWife
Spot on I'm 30 and remember watching it in my teens with my parents loved it and still do now rewatching as we speak
@spartybrearly7221
Brilliantly written, superb chemistry with an ultra-talented cast!
@clarencebeeks2525
RIP Joe. Gutted to hear the sad news. Legend
@Munrobagger1976
Yes he was, he sang 4 of the best ever theme songs ❤
@stevemitch7244
Agreed, This song is special to many men in this world. RIP
@Itsoaks999
I'm 29 and joe fagin was my driving instructor in 2013..joe you're a legend!
@garygritter5701
That’s cool, I’d love to have him teaching me
@grandmasterknightste
I am 51 now and on various jobs since i was 16, ive worked away from home , ive worked all over England, Wales, Scotland and Europe, i have had some great times with some real nice guys , this tv show made me want to go and see it for myself