That single has been included in numerous multi-artist compilation albums and continues to receive major airplay to this day. Other hits include "Red Skies" (also known as "Red Skies (at Night)"), "Stand or Fall", "Saved by Zero", and "Are We Ourselves?". Interestingly, the group is one of the few British artists to have enjoyed significant success outside their country of origin while remaining mostly unknown in their home land, a trait which the Fixx shares with fellow new wave rockers The Outfield and Naked Eyes.
The Fixx regularly tour the U.S., they and recently celebrated a solid twenty-five years of making music together. Curnin, West-Oram, Greenall and Woods are now joined by bassist Gary Tibbs (formerly of Roxy Music, The Vibrators, Adam & The Ants). Cy Curnin can often be found on stage with a glass of wine in his right hand and an egg shaker in the left.
England's the Fixx has always been heralded as one of the most innovative and unique bands to come out of the MTV era. The group's lyrics and melodies are artistic statements of darkness and light, painting aural soundscapes that are cerebral, yet touch the heart. The Fixx's themes are complex, often introspective and thought-provoking, and yet the band's musical legacy has appealed to the masses with three No. 1 hits, five Top-5 hits, a dozen Top-10 hits, millions of albums sold worldwide, and countless sold-out tours.
The Fixx's sound is instantly recognizable. Songs like "One Thing Leads to Another" and "Red Skies (at Night)" remain staples, not just with classic rock radio stations, but on modern-rock formats that have helped break new wave-inspired acts a quarter of a century later.
It is rare for audiences to experience a band that has been together for 25 years. The Fixx were - and still are - Cy Curnin on lead vocals, guitarist Jamie West-Oram, keyboardist Rupert Greenall and drummer Adam Woods, and they bring this unique experience and perspective into the studio and on the road as the Fixx continue making innovative music.
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The band has retained their original lineup since first signing with MCA Records in 1981 and releasing their debut album, Shuttered Room, a few months later. It was the first of five MCA albums containing some of the most original and defining music of the decade. The LP produced two huge hits, "Red Skies" and "Stand Or Fall." Audiences connected with a band that had both style AND substance. The album spent an entire year on the Billboard Hot 100, earning the band their first Gold record.
In 1983, the band released Reach The Beach, their ground-breaking, double-platinum album which included the smash hits "One Thing Leads To Another" and "Saved by Zero." An extensive North American tour opening for The Police earned the Fixx critical acclaim and lifelong fans for their captivating performances.
The band continued with a string of top-selling albums. Phantoms, in 1984, included the hit song "Are We Ourselves," and in 1986, Walkabout produced the hit single "Secret Separation." Another hit on Billboard Magazine's Hot Club Play chart was "Deeper and Deeper" from the soundtrack to the Walter Hill film Streets of Fire.
In 1987 the band departed MCA for RCA Records and Calm Animals, showcased their second No. 1 rock track, "Driven Out," which became Billboard's ..4 Most Played Rock Track of the Year.
At the end of the decade, MCA released a greatest hits package titled One Thing Leads To Another, which has sold more than two million copies.
The '90s represented a turning point in music, and in the Fixx. Ink, released in 1991, showcased themes of struggle, and the song "How Much is Enough?" climbed to No. 10 on the Modern Rock chart. But other melodic and introspective ballads failed to find a place in the then-burgeoning grunge scene.
The band members spent some time apart, to raise families, pursue other interests, and to let the musical world decide where it was going. But there was never any thought of retirement. After the band's hiatus, The Ultimate Fixx Collection was released, showcasing the trademark FIXX sound - ethereal keyboards, an inventive rhythm section, passionate vocals and shattering guitar work - a sound that has produced a variety of memorable hits which remain significant today.
The band returned to the studio for CMC International Records. Elemental, released in 1998, marked a new, contemporary evolution in the group's history, blending the familiar FIXX sound with a fresh, modern feel. It showcased the band's signature rock sound with songs such as "Two Different Views" and "We Once Held Hands." With Elemental, the Fixx reclaimed their place in pop culture. Their creative energy and spirit renewed, the recording sessions yielded too many songs for just one CD, and later a second collection was released entitled Happy Landings and Lost Tracks, including "Mayfly" and "Freeman."
The wonderful acoustic 1011 Woodland, from 1999, was the other CMC release, and featured many of the band's favorite tunes, including "Woman on a Train" and "Cameras in Paris."
The group's unstoppable creative drive bore the 2003 release Want That Life on Rainman Records. Produced by their late collaborator and motivator Martin Rex, and with bassist Gary Tibbs, completing the line-up, it became The Fixx's eighth studio album and featured the haunting and thought-provoking "Touch" and "Are You Satisfied?"
It is the band's unmistakable sound and relevant, accessible songs that keep the Fixx unique among the thousands of artists that fill the airwaves. In concert, the band delivers that same sonic authenticity because they are the genuine article, the real deal. Concert-goers, whether Fixxtures (longtime fans) or those experiencing the Fixx for the first time, are thrilled by the band's dynamic stage presence and trademark sound.
Having celebrated their 25th anniversary with a DVD made by fans, and the imminent release of new songs, the band once again proves that they are constantly evolving, seeking new heights. In March of this year, the band reconvened in London with bassist Dan K. Brown, much to the delight of long-time Fixxtures.
The Fixx, with their combination of classic hits and innovative new music, continues to excite and inspire - both live and on record.
See: http://www.thefixx.com/
Camphor
The Fixx Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A cooling drought, a rare interlude
Drowning depression to admire and trust
Who can watch a man making dust to dust?
One legal dose of environment
The ballad of a playground swing
There's a lonely dog, so misunderstood
Things are so enchanting, high on life
Then, once again, the flash of pines
Beck to this breathtaking view
Where the peeks are so high, full of encouragement
And the paints of the Gods' color code
Things are so enchanting, high on life
Things are where they can't be high on life
So, I'm thinking about my favorite dream
An adventure not out of bounds
It dries my eyes to know mother earth hears
I'm invisible to blue hounds
It pleases me to have a mind on the run
When the body is fixed, tied in shoes
What expression is left to fulfill the gap?
Just a nod will suffice, where you are?
Things are so enchanting, high on life
The song "Camphor" by The Fixx is a poignant number that speaks directly to the concept of depression and anxiety. The opening line "A feeling like camphor, rushing through my tubes" is a reference to the calming properties of camphor, which is often used to treat anxiety and enhance relaxation. The band then goes on to describe the feeling of being lost in the darkness of depression, drowning in its suffocating grip. The lyrics "Drowning depression to admire and trust" speak to the strange relationship some people have with their mental illness, where it seems almost comforting to be able to depend on something so familiar.
The song also contains references to the healing power of nature. The line "One legal dose of environment" suggests that spending time outside in nature can be as impactful as taking medication. The imagery of a "lonely dog" finding comfort and companionship with a human friend also speaks to this idea of the healing power of human connections.
The repeated line "Things are so enchanting, high on life" could be seen as a form of self-affirmation or mantra for someone struggling with depression. The acknowledgement that life can be fulfilling and enjoyable is a reminder that we must actively seek out these positive experiences in order to overcome the negative cycles of our mental health.
Line by Line Meaning
A feeling like camphor, rushing through my tubes
A sensation of freshness and clarity, coursing through my veins
A cooling drought, a rare interlude
A refreshing break from the suffocating weight of life
Drowning depression to admire and trust
Overcoming overwhelming sadness to find hope and belief
Who can watch a man making dust to dust?
Who can witness the inevitability of mortality without feeling helpless?
One legal dose of environment
One beneficial experience with nature
The ballad of a playground swing
A nostalgic reflection on childhood innocence and fun
There's a lonely dog, so misunderstood
An animal that is alone and not fully comprehended
He's left his chores to become someone's friend
The dog has abandoned his duties to pursue companionship
Things are so enchanting, high on life
The world is full of wonder and excitement when one is happy and fulfilled
Then, once again, the flash of pines
Another sudden, striking reminder of nature's beauty
Beck to this breathtaking view
Returning to this stunning scenery
Where the peeks are so high, full of encouragement
Where the mountaintops inspire and motivate
And the paints of the Gods' color code
The vivid hues of the natural world
Things are so enchanting, high on life
The world is overflowing with magic and enchantment when one is happy and fulfilled
Things are where they can't be high on life
The good things in life cannot always be found or expected
So, I'm thinking about my favorite dream
Contemplating a cherished dream
An adventure not out of bounds
A possible but exciting challenge
It dries my eyes to know mother earth hears
The thought that nature is paying attention brings tears to my eyes
I'm invisible to blue hounds
I am unnoticed or overlooked by anyone who could help me
It pleases me to have a mind on the run
I enjoy the freedom of an imaginative and active mind
When the body is fixed, tied in shoes
Even when physically constrained, the mind can roam free
What expression is left to fulfill the gap?
What can I do to fill the void or satisfy my desires?
Just a nod will suffice, where you are?
Will a simple acknowledgement be enough, wherever you are?
Things are so enchanting, high on life
The world is full of wonder and excitement when one is happy and fulfilled
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Mute Song Limited
Written by: ADAM WOODS, C. CURNIN, D.K. BROWN, J. WEST-ORAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind