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.
OFFICIAL MYSPACE PRESS RELEASE: http://www.myspace.com/thefixx
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/
Sign Of The Fire
The Fixx Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of the altar stone -- I tried to warn you
But you were not alone -- you wouldn't take the call
You wear brimstone -- I tried to warm you
Always the same desire
After the tone -- they try to storm you
You are a voice alone and who dares to question
For gotten at home - how do you live with
Always the sign is fire
I'm being drawn by the heat
Always the same desire. Hot
Through the telephone -- I tried to reach you
But if you're not alone -- I know your life is torn
I see your lover's tomb -- why don't you mention
To me whenever I call -- I'll try to warm you
Always the sign is fire
I'm being drawn by the heat
Always the same desire
You're not alone
Always the sign is fire
Heart of stone
Always the sign is fire . . . (repeat)
In Sign of the Fire, The Fixx convey a sense of urgency to reach out to someone, who is portrayed as being distant and unapproachable. The lyrics suggest that the person is wearing brimstone, which can be seen as a metaphor for being surrounded by negative energy or trapped in a situation that is destructive. The singer tries to warn and warm them, perhaps from a position of concern or even love, but the person would not take the call.
The lines "Always the sign is fire, I'm being drawn by the heat, always the same desire" suggest that the singer is repeatedly drawn towards a person or situation that is hot like fire- either literally or figuratively- and that he cannot resist the pull of the heat. The repeated use of the phrase "Always the same desire" suggests that this attraction or pull is something that has happened before, and that the singer feels trapped in a cycle that he cannot break free from.
Overall, Sign of the Fire is a song that explores the tension between wanting to reach out to someone who is in need, and the difficulty of doing so when they are resistant. The imagery of fire and brimstone adds a sense of danger and destruction, and suggests a sense of urgency about the situation.
Line by Line Meaning
Heart of stone
You are unresponsive and lacking in emotion
I tried to reach you
I attempted to connect with you on an emotional level
Of the altar stone
You are fully committed to your beliefs
I tried to warn you
I attempted to advise you of potential dangers
But you were not alone
Despite my efforts, you had other influences in your life
You wouldn't take the call
You refused to listen to advice or guidance
You wear brimstone
Your beliefs are closely tied to destruction and chaos
I tried to warm you
I attempted to provide comfort and support
Always the same desire
Despite the circumstances, your desires and actions remain constant
After the tone
After leaving a message
They try to storm you
Others attempt to overwhelm and control you
You are a voice alone
You are isolated and lacking support
And who dares to question
Others are afraid to challenge or criticize you
Forgotten at home
You feel neglected and alone in your personal life
How do you live with
How do you cope with or handle
Do you wear brimstone
Is your life consumed by destruction and chaos
Give me the call
Contact me and seek my guidance
Always the sign is fire
There are always warning signs warning of danger
I'm being drawn by the heat
I am being drawn into a dangerous situation
Through the telephone
Via communication over the phone
But if you're not alone
If you have others in your life offering support
I know your life is torn
I understand that your life is difficult and filled with struggle
I see your lover's tomb
I am aware of the loss you have suffered in your personal life
Why don't you mention
Why haven't you spoken to me about
To me whenever I call
The issues and struggles you are facing every time I try to reach you
You're not alone
There are those who care for and support you
Heart of stone
Despite this, you are still unresponsive and emotionally distant
Always the sign is fire
Despite the warnings, danger is always present
You're not alone
You have people in your life who care for and support you
Heart of stone
You remain unresponsive and emotionally distant despite this support
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ALFRED AGIUS, CYRIL CURNIN, PETER GREENALL, JAMES WEST-ORAM, ADAM WOODS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@S-Theo
Heart of stone
I tried to reach you
Of the altar stone
I tried to warn you
But you were not alone
You wouldn't take the call
You wear brimstone
I tried to warm you
Always the same desire
After the tone
They try to storm you
You are a voice alone
And who dares to question
Forgotten at home
How do you live with
Do you wear brimstone
Give me the call
Always the sign is fire
I'm being drawn by the heat
Always the same desire
Through the telephone
I tried to reach you
But if you're not alone
I know your life is torn
I see your lover's tomb
Why don't you mention
To me whenever I call
I'll try to warm you
Always the sign is fire
I'm being drawn by the heat
Always the same desire
You're not alone
Always the sign is fire
Heart of stone
Always the sign is fire
You're not alone
You're not alone
Always the sign is fire
Heart of stone
Always the sign is fire
@JohnViguerie
I just love what Jamie + Rupert do in this band
@cgeorge6786
Liked the The Fixx and Talk Talk in the 80's. Anyone else here a Talk Talk fan?
@Bobsend
Talk Talk are on another level, them and Big Country are my favourite bands from the 80's
@theJOYmudgeon
Duh...yeah. I love the arc of all their albums start to finish, but my fave was always The Colour of Spring. Mark Hollis was a genius in my book.
@rayinpau.s.a.6351
I will always cherish this Band.
@xoxxobob61
Truly what is there to say about this Band?
@luker4786
Seriously...off the charts. Their music is so ominous and full of danger and it has all aged so well. They should have been much, much bigger than they were. Freaking love them !
@schuey999
Well said!
@mineshpatel2521
I agree
@billypropes6827
I agree! Maybe they are better off.