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/
The Strain
The Fixx Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The president cracks
There's no power left
In the old white shack
It's the same
New Washington
Red button
One push
It's the same
I don't think that you should take the...
Strain
Live off your nerves
You've run out of verve
Take those pills
And you'll feel no ills
It's the same
I don't think that you should take the
Strain
He can't have it all his own way
Same chance same place but wrong day
He can't have it all his own way
Same chance same place but wrong day
Oh no...
Scream at nature to steal some papers
On with the camera to get the answers
Tipping the waiter to find who that was
Leaving the night
Go undercover now
The strain
Strain
Back to back
The president cracks
There's no power left
In the old white shack
It's the same
New Washington
The Strain by The Fixx depicts a dystopian society under the control of a power-hungry and unstable leader. The lyrics "Back to back, the president cracks, there's no power left in the old white shack" suggest that the president has lost control and the government is no longer functioning. The line "red button, one push, and the whole world is gone" illustrates the possibility of nuclear war and destruction. The song warns against living on the edge and advises that one should not "take the strain" and instead, numb their senses with pills to escape reality.
Furthermore, the lyrics describe the desperation of the people under the regime. They are willing to do anything to uncover the truth, from tipping waiters to wearing cameras to capture information. The lines "Scream at nature to steal some papers, on with the camera to get the answers, tipping the waiter to find who that was" paint a picture of paranoia and fear. The song ends on a bleak note, with a repetition of "the strain" implying that the problems faced by the society are ongoing and have no immediate solution.
Line by Line Meaning
Back to back
Two people standing facing opposite directions, with their backs touching.
The president cracks
The president is under pressure and struggling.
There's no power left
There is a lack of resources or ability to control the situation.
In the old white shack
This could refer to the White House, which is frequently referred to as the 'old white house' and is where the president lives.
It's the same
The situation is similar to previous experiences.
New Washington
The current political climate in Washington D.C.
Red button
A hypothetical button that could set off a catastrophic event, referring to nuclear war.
One push
One action could have a massive impact.
And the whole world is gone
The result of using the red button would be the end of the world.
I don't think that you should take the...
The singer is advising someone not to make the same mistakes as others.
Strain
The difficulty and stress of living in the modern world.
Live off your nerves
Living in constant anxiety and tension.
You've run out of verve
Having lost energy and enthusiasm.
Take those pills
Using medication to relieve the stresses of modern life.
And you'll feel no ills
The medication will provide temporary relief from the stresses of modern life.
He can't have it all his own way
The singer is referring to someone who cannot always get what they want.
Same chance same place but wrong day
Having had the same opportunities as someone else, they missed out on success because of poor timing.
Oh no...
Expressing frustration and regret.
Scream at nature to steal some papers
The attempts to find meaning and truth in an often chaotic world can feel pointless or futile.
On with the camera to get the answers
The quest for truth or understanding continues.
Tipping the waiter to find who that was
The search for truth can involve unexpected methods, leading to uncomfortable situations.
Leaving the night
Moving away from a past experience or moment.
Go undercover now
In an attempt to find the truth or meaning, sometimes it's necessary to resort to secrecy or anonymity.
The strain
The stresses, anxieties, and difficulties of life in the modern world continue to impact the people.
Strain
The continuous challenges of the modern world continue affecting people.
Back to back
Two people standing back-to-back is a sign of alertness and readiness for danger.
The president cracks
The head of a nation is falling under the pressures of leadership.
There's no power left
The energy to continue leading the nation is gone.
In the old white shack
Again, this could be the current political seat of power, the White House.
It's the same
The situation remains the same: full of stress, danger, and uncertainty.
New Washington
The nation is beginning to enter into a new era with new leadership and a new White House.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
J R Scott
They need to play this in concert. One of their best early singles that didn't get enough exposure
Helen Fein
Thanks for posting. I didn't know about their older works. Awesome. Very underated band.
EerieGreenSkies
During the summer of 83 I listened to the B side of this album nearly every night. It's my favorite new wave band from that era (82-86) and the four albums produced between that period.
שלום אמסלם
The greatest album of the FIXX.
Snickers
I love this song so much. Such an awesome one!
Batphink 2
Excellent debut album all round!
Edward Sinchuk
I absolutely love this song
Jim Parker
Still one of my favorite songs that no one seems to know. :)
EerieGreenSkies
Take me back in a time warp back to 1982.
Brian Bollman
geez one comment for the soundtrack for the 80s?I was a ripe 11yrs young when this album dropped..it's a humdinger no doubt