Rob riffs on the second studio album from The Fixx entitled “Reach the Beach” on the charts in August 1983 (Saved By Zero / Running / Reach the Beach / One Thing Leads to Another). ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: “Old Time Rock and Roll” by Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band from the motion picture “Risky Business” STAFF PICKS: “Lawyers In Love” by Jackson Browne — Bruce. “(Keep Feeling) Fascination” by the Human League — Brian. “Red Red Wine” by UB40 — John. “Its a Mistake” by Men at Work — Rob. INSTRUMENTAL TRACK: “Love On a Real Train”- Tangerine Dream. **(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)
While The Fixx had already experienced success on the charts with their debut album in 1982, their sophomore studio album entitled Reach the Beach would be this London New Wave group's most successful effort. This album was released in May 1983, and was heading up the charts in August.
The Fixx was led by singer/songwriter Cyril Jon "Cy" Curnin on vocals. Other members of the band included Rupert Greenall on keyboards, Jamie West-Oram on guitar and Adam Woods on percussion. Bassist Alfie Agius was with the band at the start of the recording but left partway through the sessions and was replaced by Dan K. Brown would would not become a full member until their next album.
Reach the Beach would top out on the Billboard album charts at number 8, and would feature prominently in the British Invasion New Wave sound of the early 80's.
Curnin and Woods founded the band, originally calling it “Portraits.” They took the name The Fixx after guitarist West-Oram joined, and changed the spelling to The Fixx as a condition for signing with MCA Records, who was concerned about drug user implication of the name.
The Fixx continue to record and tour today, and have an album being released in 2022
Friend of the show John Lynch joins us for this album feature.
Saved By Zero
This first single released from the album was a big hit, reaching number 20 on the charts in August 1983. It is inspired by the Buddhist mantra Sunyata, and reflects the freedom in not holding on to anything - of having nothing to lose. Ironically, Toyota used the song to advertise zero percent financing on their cars.
Running
A deeper cut with a lot of energy and a heavy use of synthesizers, this track has a great new wave feel. The lyrics reflect a recurring anxious dream of running, but not being able to get away from the danger.
Reach the Beach
The title track is also a deep cut which was not released as a single. The synthesizers are prominent on this song as well. The lyrics use drifting in the ocean as a metaphor for being away from a lover and the hope of the relationship is stated as reaching the beach.
One Thing Leads to Another
The biggest hit from the album is the band's most successful single and their signature song. The tune is a critique of politicians who won't "do what they say, say what you mean." Curnin said about this song, if you're going to be a liar you need to be a good one or things will go "pear shaped" quickly.
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
Old Time Rock and Roll by Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band (from the motion picture “Risky Business”)
Tom Cruise demonstrates the proper way to dance in your underwear in this teen flick.
STAFF PICKS:
Lawyers In Love by Jackson Browne
Bruce's staff pick is the first single off Browne's seventh studio album. It peaked at number 12 and was his last top 20 hit on American pop charts to date. It's a political song, but has a dry wit about the cold war conservatism and materialism of Reagan's America.
(Keep Feeling) Fascination by the Human League
Brian features another popular new wave hit with a great bass riff. This song hit number 1 on the US dance charts and number 8 on the pop charts. “And then the conversation turned until the sun went down, and many fantasies were learned on that day.”
Red Red Wine by UB40
John Lynch brings us a reggae cover of a song originally performed by Neil Diamond in 1967. This song hit number 1 on the charts in the US, UK, and Canada, and number 2 on the Australian charts. The lyrics are about a man who can only drown his sorrows from love lost in red wine.
It's a Mistake by Men at Work
Rob's staff pick tells the story of a soldier who hits the wrong button by mistake, starting World War III. Cold war imagery made a frequent appearance in song lyrics and videos at the time.
INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:
Love On a Real Train by Tangerine Dream
We close out with a jazz instrumental from German band Tangerine Dream which appeared in "Risky Business."