"Stand or Fall" is a song by new wave/rock band the Fixx, released by MCA Records in the UK on 26 March 1982, followed by a US release on 5 August 1982. It was the third of four single releases from the group's debut album, Shuttered Room.
"Stand or Fall" became the group's first charting hit. In the United States, it peaked at number 76 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and number 7 on the Top Rock Tracks chart. The song also charted in Australia (No. 33), Canada (No. 37)RPM Weekly - Library and Archives Canada, October 23, 1982 and the United Kingdom (No. 54).
Themes The song embodies the Cold War themes of tension and dread, with refrains such as Stand or fall, state your peace tonight and It's the Eurotheatre (fear).
Lead singer and co-songwriter Cy Curnin said that the song was formed as a response to the debate over the Trident UK nuclear programme and talk about the possibilities of limited nuclear exchanges in Germany. The central musical motif was a gloomy figure that Curnin found on the piano. As it happened, "Stand or Fall" was one of a number of New Wave songs to address Cold War anxieties. And it has been held that the song still has relevance into the 2020s.
Allmusic considers it one of the few superior tracks from the album.
Music video The music video features Cy Curnin singing in a house, before cutting to soldiers in combat during World War II alongside a tank. It ends with Curnin leading the men and tank with a white horse (representing peace).
Charts Chart (1982–83)PeakpositionAustralia (Kent Music Report)33Canada RPM Top SinglesRPM Weekly - Library and Archives Canada, October 23, 198237UK Singles (Official Charts Company)54US Billboard Hot 100Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-2002, 2005, Record Research Inc., 76US Billboard Top Rock Tracks7US Cash Box Top 10091
References
External links