Heart of stone - Bucks Fizz

Bucks Fizz had a succesful decade - the Eighties - but by the end of that decade things were starting to unravel. 'Heart of stone' was the group's 20th single and their last one to chart, reaching number 50 on the UK singles chart.

It was included in their greatest hits collection The Story So Far, released shortly after the release of this single, but since the single didn't get that high up in the singles chart, other recordings never saw the light of day. After that, Bucks Fizz fragmented and at some point there were even two versions of the group. Some members are still soldiering on as 'The Fizz' right now, but the old Eighties magic is long gone.

As for 'Heart of stone', it became a hit for Cher, who recorded it for her 1989 album of the same name.

My collection: 7" single no. 7454
Found: Discogs.com, received 13 November 2024
Tracks: 'Heart of stone' / 'Here's looking at you'

Are you ready - Bucks Fizz

Bucks Fizz had a good 1981, winning the Eurovision Song Contest and having considerable success with their debut album and singles. By 1982, they had to work on maintaining that high profile. They were reasonably successful, with singles like The land of make believe and My camera never lies, although they were still regarded as a lightweight pop act.

'Are you ready' was the title of their second album. The title track was released as a single outside of the UK. The single didn't end up in the Dutch singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 5829
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, May 13, 2017
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Are you ready' / 'Now those days are gone'

Listen to the song

Keep each other warm - Bucks Fizz

Although the popularity of Bucks Fizz was slowly fading, their record company still tried everything to keep the hit machine going. 'Love the one you're with', the second single from the band's 1986 album 'Writing on the wall', had reached number 47 in the UK singles chart but the record company didn't give up.

And so, a third single, 'Keep each other warm' was released as a limited edition double single, featuring a medley of all album tracks on the second disc. It helped, but only slightly: this single made it to number 45.

My collection: 7" single no. 4906
Found: Fun Records, Berlin, received May 28, 2010
Cost: 2,8 euro
Tracks: 'Keep each other warm' / 'Give a little love' // 'Writing on the wall medley, part 1' / 'Writing on the wall medley, part 2'

When we were young - Bucks Fizz

'When we were young' was a change in direction for Bucks Fizz. The production was heavy and the song had an ominous tone, far removed from the group's usual pop sound. It was the first and only single to feature lead vocals by Jay Aston. Aston's vocals were notably different from her solo appearances on previous Bucks Fizz songs Aston herself has said that she was adopting an effected voice, similar to Hazel O'Connor. She has since stated, despite the song's success, her vocal affectation wasn't a good idea, although has rated it her favourite Bucks Fizz song, while member Cheryl Baker has commented that she never liked the song due to its downbeat tone.

This 12" single features and extended club version of the track and an extra B-side track.

My collection: 12" single no. 381
Found: unknown
Cost: unknown
Tracks: 'When we were young (extended club version)' / 'When the love has gone', 'Where the ending starts'

New beginning (Mamba Seyra) - Bucks Fizz

I bought the 7" single of Bucks Fizz's 'New beginning (Mamba Seyra)' pretty soon after its release. The 12" single followed years later, after a period in which I'd grown tired of the song and eventually started to like it again. The fact that Puck was quite interested in this track also helped, of course.

I finally bought this 12" single in 1996. It features an extended version of the track as well as two bonus tracks. The extended version is loud and full of echoes - very Eighties indeed.

My collection: 12" single no. 297
Found: Record fair, 1996
Cost: 2,5 guilders
Tracks: 'New beginning (Mamba Seyra) (extended version)' / 'In your eyes', 'I need your love'

Rules of the game - Bucks Fizz

'Rules of the game' was written by Warren Harry. The lyric centres on a woman who becomes famous and turns her back on her old friends, but when the fame ends, she finds herself desperately lonely. Cheryl Baker, who performs lead vocals on this song, has since said of her dislike for this song, stating that she finds the lyrics depressing and was unhappy with the affected way she was asked to sing.

Released in November 1983, the single proved to be one of the group's least successful singles, peaking at number 57 in the UK singles chart. The single was released to promote Bucks Fizz's first Greatest Hits album.

My collection: 7" single no. 4785
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Rules of the game' / 'When we were at war'

You and your heart so blue - Bucks Fizz

'You and your heart so blue' was released when band member Jay Aston announced she was leaving Bucks Fizz .Halfway through promoting the single, the group recruited a new female singer, Shelley Preston. More publicity went towards a TV special that was filmed in Mauritius, but remained unscreened as the production company went bankrupt midway through filming.

The single became overshadowed in all the publicity and failed to reach the UK top 40, stalling at number 43.

My collection: 7" single no. 4784
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'You and your heart so blue' / 'Now those days are gone'

New beginning (Mamba Seyra) - Bucks Fizz

'New beginning' was released in May 1986 and was considered to be a comeback single, since the band hadn't released anything in eight months. The single featured new member Shelley Preston who had replaced Jay Aston a year earlier. It was also their first release on new record label, Polydor after their five-year contract with RCA had finished.

The song was written by Mike Myers and Tony Gibber and was produced by Myers along with the group's regular producer Andy Hill. According to the group's members, the recording of the song took an unusually long time to record. As well as the group recording their vocals repeatedly, there was also a children's choir and gospel choir used on the track. The musicians in the studio also were used on distant back-up vocals. Cheryl Baker remembers one version where Hill instructed them to deliberately sing out of tune, which she found difficult.

My collection: 7" single no. 478
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'New beginning (Mamba seyra)' / 'In your eyes'

Magical - Bucks Fizz

Following the success of the rock-orientated track 'Talking in your sleep', Bucks Fizz were keen to replicate it with the release of this similar-themed song. 'Magical' was written by Meat Loaf and John Parr and originally recorded by Parr in 1985. While the track was not a hit for him in the UK, it did reach number 73 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

With the public still familiar with Bucks Fizz's clean-cut pop image, their cover of the song was not successful and 'Magical' became the group's lowest charting single. Released in September 1985, the song reached number 57 and spent only three weeks on the chart.

The single was significant in that it was the first release with new member Shelley Preston, who had joined a few months earlier, although she didn't perform on the recording. It was also the group's last release with label RCA before their move to Polydor early the following year.

My collection: 7" single no. 2759
Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 29, 1996
Cost: 20p
Tracks: 'Magical' / 'Oh Suzanne'

Talking in your sleep - Bucks Fizz

'Talking in your sleep' was written and recorded by the Romantics in 1983. It was a hit in the USA, but failed to chart in the UK.

The song was picked up in 1984 by Bucks Fizz. Their version was recorded on their fourth album 'I hear talk' and released as a single. Their version reached number 15 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3143
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 18, 1999
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Talking in your sleep' / 'Don't think you're fooling me'

London town - Bucks Fizz

Written by Andy Hill, the lyric of 'London town' tells of someone who is finding it difficult to adjust to life in a big city but is determined to stay. Lead vocals on the track were performed by member Bobby G, although he was unhappy with the way his vocals were mixed, giving them a distorted quality, claiming that he 'sounded like a munchkin'.

Released in September 1983, this was the Bucks Fizz's tenth single. It was the first of their singles not to reach the top 20 in the UK. It peaked at number 34 during a six week chart run.

My collection: 7" single no. 1667
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, June 20, 1992
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'London town' / 'Identity'

When we were young - Bucks Fizz

'When we were young' was a change in direction for Bucks Fizz. The production was heavy and the song had an ominous tone, far removed from the group's usual pop sound. It was the first and only single to feature lead vocals by Jay Aston. Aston's vocals were notably different from her solo appearances on previous Bucks Fizz songs Aston herself has said that she was adopting an effected voice, similar to Hazel O'Connor. She has since stated, despite the song's success, her vocal affectation wasn't a good idea, although has rated it her favourite Bucks Fizz song, while member Cheryl Baker has commented that she never liked the song due to its downbeat tone.

Reaching number 10 in the UK singles chart, this was to be Bucks Fizz's last top 10 hit for three years. In the Dutch Top 40, the single reached number 14 and they wouldn't have any chart hits until three years later.

My collection: 7" single no. 1088
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, October 27, 1989
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'When we were young' / 'Where the ending starts'

Run for your life - Bucks Fizz

'Run for your life' was one of the single releases from Bucks Fizz's third album 'Hand cut'. It suffers from all the hallmarks of Eighties production values: loads of synths, loads of echos and a much too busy arrangement. And still it is a nice pop song, somehow.

The song's lyric talks about feelings of paranoia and insecurity. The single eventually rose to a peak of number 14 in the UK singles chart during a 7 week chart run.

My collection: 7" single no. 3230
Found: London, November 2001
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Run for your life' / 'Shot me through the heart'

Land of make believe - Bucks Fizz

'The land of make believe' was released in November 1981 as the fourth single by Bucks Fizz, who started their career in March that year, when they won the Eurovision Song Contest. It was released in time for Christmas and a limited edition featured an extra outer sleeve (pictured above) with a Christmas wish from the band.

In the Christmas chart, the single was placed at number 5, but it went number 1 in January 1982. It was included on the group's second album 'Are you ready'.

The close of the song features a nursery rhyme narrated by Abby Kimber, who was the 11-year old daughter of an executive of RCA Records. This was an original piece, penned by Sinfield, and read: 'I've got a friend who came to tea / And no-one seems to know but me / He came today, but had to go / To visit you? You never know!'. The track is not a Christmas song, but the B-side 'Now you're gone' actually does contain a reference to Christmas.

My collection: 7" single no. 2911
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 31, 1997
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Land of make believe' / 'Now you're gone'

If you can't stand the heat - Bucks Fizz

'If you can't stand the heat' was written by Andy Hill and Ian Bairnson. The lyric of the song tell of someone who is manipulative, but when faced with her own medicine, she can't handle it, hence the song's title. The faint reggae beat on the track gives it a slight variation on the group's usually straightforward pop.

The song featured on the group's third album, 'Hand cut' (1983) and was released as a single in late 1982. It reached number 10 in the UK singles chart in January 1983.

My collection: 7" single no. 179
Found: Studio Echo, Den Haag, 1982
Cost: 5,5 guilders
Tracks: 'If you can't stand the heat' / 'Stepping out'

Piece of the action - Bucks Fizz

Bucks Fizz followed up their Eurovision-winning song 'Making your mind up' with their second single, 'Piece of the action'. The song was written by Andy Hill and included on their self-titled debut album, released later on in 1981.

The single reached number 12 in the UK singles chart. The song was covered by the Bay City Rollers in 1983 as a Japanese-only single release.

My collection: 7" single no. 938
Found: All that music, Leiden, July 7, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Piece of the action' / 'Took it to the limit'

I hear talk - Bucks Fizz

'I hear talk' was released on December 15, 1984, in the same week when Bucks Fizz were involved in a road accident: their tour bus collided with road works, careened off the road and injured members of the group as well as their entourage. The group were inactive for several months as a result.

Promotion for 'I hear talk' was minimal, although a music video had already been completed. The single reached number 34 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4265
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'I hear talk' / 'Pulling me under'

Golden days - Bucks Fizz

'Golden days' was written by Terry Britten and Sue Shifrin and originally recorded by Cliff Richard as 'The golden days are over' on his 1983 album 'Silver'. Bucks Fizz recorded their cover version on their 1984 album 'I hear talk'.

When the single was released in October 1984, just ahead of the album, it stalled at number 42 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3130
Found: July 24, 1999
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Golden days' / 'Where do I go now'

Keep each other warm - Bucks Fizz

'Keep each other warm' was released as the fifth and final single from the 1986 Bucks Fizz album 'Writing on the wall'. Despite positive reviews from the music press, the single didn't reach the UK top 40, stalling at number 45.

The B-side was 'Give a little love', which went on to become more famous as a top 20 hit by Aswad two years later. 'Keep each other warm' was later covered by Barry Manilow in 1989.

My collection: 7" single no. 4194
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Keep each other warm' / 'Give a little love'

Love the one you're with - Bucks Fizz

'Love the one you're with' was originally written and performed by Stephen Stills in 1970. It was the first single from his debut solo album 'Stephen Stills'.

Since then, the track was covered numerous times by acts such as the Isley Brothers, Tight Fit, Will Young and Dennis Rollins. This 1986 cover version by Bucks Fizz was taken from their 1986 album 'Writing on the wall'. It reached number 47 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3253
Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 20, 2000
Cost: 80p
Tracks: 'Love the one you're with' / 'Too hard'