The Fixx’s second album “Reach The Beach” was released on May 15, 1983, forty years ago.

It contained several hit singles: “One Thing Leads To Another” (a condemnation of dishonest politicians), “The Sign Of Fire”, and “Saved By Zero”.  Most people only know SBZ from an annoying TV ad, but the song takes its meaning from buddhism.

Even for those who aren’t buddhists (I’m not, and I suspect near all readers aren’t), I like the concept of “saved by zero”, that when things go wrong and life falls apart, you can always start over (from zero; while you’re still alive, you’re never below that point).  I’ve been feeling it recently.

A side note, in regard to Tina Turner’s death: remember the video for the song, “Better Be Good to Me”?  Cy Curnin (vocalist of The Fixx) is the man on stage with her, whom she sings to.  The guitarist in Turner’s band is Jamie West-Oram, also of The Fixx.  He played on several tracks of Turner’s “Break Every Rule”, which were produced by Rupert Hine, regular producer for The Fixx.

For me, the standout track of the album is “Liner”, a song about the Falkland Islands war.  “With colonial attitude, they took the chance for repossession…crossing swords before the dawn”.  Doesn’t that say it all about colonial and imperialist attitudes that “the west” still inflict on the world?

Liner, it was a fantasy sea cruise
It was a bet destined to lose
Across the waves, what was he thinking?

Sea shore, he had a wet foot in the sand
He was holding U.N. plans,
Across the waves. what was he thinking?

All aboard before the storm
They've never seer a place like this before

Island in a forgotten latitude
And with colonial attitude
They took the chance for repossession

Grey skies there were no palm trees in the wind
And when a saint starts hiding sins
It's all aboard whilst peace is sinking

     All aboard before the storm
     Crossing swords before the dawn
     Seen before, back in an infant's dream
     Like a rubber duck, floating in the bath

     So I sailed away on their time, Liner!
     Taking young lives in their prime, Liner!

Harbor, I saw a flag waving goodbye
I saw a soldier's baby cry
"What's it all for?", that's what I'm thinking

Inside, I must be lacking true insight
Because I always sleep at night
Across the waves whilst men are

     All aboard before the storm
     Crossing swords before the dawn
     Seen before back in an infant's dream
     Like a rubber duck, floating in the bath

     So I sailed away on their time, Liner!
     Taking young lives in their prime, Liner!
     Liner! To a distant shore

All Aboard before the storm