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{{Infobox song
⚫
#REDIRECT [[Run for Your Life (Bucks Fizz single)]]
| name = Run for Your Life
jhjjhhjhj
| cover = Bucks Fizz - run.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = [[Bucks Fizz (band)|Bucks Fizz]]
| album = [[Hand Cut]]
| B-side = Shot Me Through the Heart
| released = March 1983
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = [[Pop music|Pop]]
| length = 4.12
| label = [[RCA]]
| writer = [[Andy Hill (composer)|Andy Hill]], [[Ian Bairnson]]
| producer = Andy Hill
| prev_title = [[If You Can't Stand the Heat (song)|If You Can't Stand the Heat]]
| prev_year = 1982
| next_title = [[When We Were Young (Bucks Fizz song)|When We Were Young]]
| next_year = 1983
}}

'''"Run for Your Life"''' is a 1983 single by UK pop group [[Bucks Fizz (band)|Bucks Fizz]]. It was written by [[Andy Hill (composer)|Andy Hill]] and [[Ian Bairnson]] and became the group's eighth consecutive top 20 hit in the UK. It featured on the group's third album ''[[Hand Cut]]''.

== Overview ==
=== Song information ===
"Run for Your Life" was written by the group's regular songwriter [[Andy Hill (composer)|Andy Hill]] and [[Ian Bairnson]], who was a prolific session guitarist and had worked with Bucks Fizz many times.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ianbairnson.com/discography/bucksfizzhandcut/bucksfizzhandcut.htm |title= Writer/Guitarist's website with song clips |author=Ian Bairnson|accessdate=10 December 2008}}</ref> It was also produced by Hill. The song's lyrics talk about feelings of [[paranoia]] and insecurity. Lead vocals are shared by members [[Mike Nolan]] and [[Bobby G]] in the verses, while the whole group sing the [[Bridge (music)|bridge]] and chorus.

The song was the opening track on the group's third album, ''[[Hand Cut]]'', which was released the same month. The single was released on 7" vinyl and a special 10" picture disc. The B-side was "Shot Me Through the Heart", which also featured on the ''Hand Cut'' album. Around this time, the group filmed a [[BBC television]] special, ''Live at Blazers'', to promote the album and closed with this song.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.raffem.com/BucksFizz81to84.htm#run|title=Promotion on TV|author=Raffem|accessdate=30 December 2009|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20031004100955/http://www.raffem.com/BucksFizz81to84.htm#run|archivedate=4 October 2003}}</ref> They also embarked on a UK tour, comprising 25 dates during March and April, finishing with two nights at the [[Dominion Theatre]] in London.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.raffem.com/images/Bucks_Fizz/bttourschedule83.jpg|title= Bucks Fizz tour dates |author=Raffem|accessdate=30 December 2009}}</ref>

In 2008, a new extended version of this song was produced and included on the group's album, [[The Lost Masters (Bucks Fizz album)#The Lost Masters 2 - The Final Cut|''The Lost Masters 2 - The Final Cut'']].

=== Promotional video ===
The [[music video|promotional video]] for the song is set at an old [[manor house]] where an old man (presumably the caretaker) appears and then vanishes out of sight. An owl also appears throughout the video. Bucks Fizz arrive in a car (driven by Aston) and then enter the house to find it deserted. On opening a door, they find themselves in a white void, where their clothes change from everyday wear to orange and black leather outfits. During these sequences they perform the song and dance routine to the camera. They later flee the house with the suggestion it is haunted.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bucksfizzearlyyears.co.uk/runforlife.htm|title="Run for Your Life" video shots|author=Bucks Fizz the Early Years|accessdate=5 February 2009|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120225324/http://www.bucksfizzearlyyears.co.uk/runforlife.htm|archivedate=20 November 2008}}</ref>

=== Reception ===
Critical reception for the song was, as always, mixed. ''[[NME]]'' gave the single a particularly good review, complimenting the production among other things.<ref>''NME magazine'', "Run for Your Life" single review, March 1983</ref> ''[[Record Mirror]]'', however, said that it was not an original sound for the group and seemed to be a copy of earlier hit "[[My Camera Never Lies]]". The same magazine complimented the group the same month though when reviewing "[[I'm Never Giving Up]]" by [[Sweet Dreams (1980s band)|Sweet Dreams]] by saying "at least Bucks Fizz now make exceedingly good music".<ref>''Record Mirror'', "Run for Your Life", "I'm Never Giving Up" single reviews, March 1983</ref> ''[[Smash Hits]]'' criticised the song for being too cluttered.<ref>''Smash Hits'', ''Hand Cut'' review, March 1983</ref>

"Run for Your Life" became a hit in the UK, entering the chart on 12 March 1983. It was the highest new entry of the week at No.31.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/|title= Official Charts Company, 12 March 1983 |author=Official Charts|accessdate=30 December 2009}}</ref> It rose to No.21 the following week, and then to its peak of No.14 on 26 March. The song then dropped down the chart, remaining there for a total of seven weeks. It was the group's eighth consecutive top 20 hit.<ref name=UK>{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/Something%20Special |title= Run for Your Life Official Charts Company |author=Official Charts|accessdate=11 November 2008}}</ref> In Ireland, the song peaked even higher, reaching the top 10 at No.8.<ref name=Ire>{{cite web |url=http://www.irishcharts.ie/search/placement|title= Irish chart details - search Bucks Fizz |author=Irishcharts.ie|accessdate=30 December 2009}}</ref> No chart positions for other countries are available.

== Track listing ==
7" and 10" Vinyl
⚫
# "Run for Your Life" (4.12)
# "Shot Me Through the Heart" (4.25)

== Chart positions ==
{|class="wikitable"
!Country
!Peak<br />position
|-
|UK<ref name="UK"/>
|align="center"|14
|-
|Ireland<ref name="Ire"/>
|align="center"|8
|-
|}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Bucks Fizz}}

[[Category:1983 singles]]
[[Category:Bucks Fizz songs]]
[[Category:Songs written by Andy Hill (composer)]]
[[Category:Songs written by Ian Bairnson]]
[[Category:1983 songs]]
[[Category:RCA Records singles]]

Latest revision as of 06:18, 13 October 2021

"Run for Your Life"
Single by Bucks Fizz
from the album Hand Cut
B-side"Shot Me Through the Heart"
ReleasedMarch 1983
GenrePop
Length4.12
LabelRCA
Songwriter(s)Andy Hill, Ian Bairnson
Producer(s)Andy Hill
Bucks Fizz singles chronology
"If You Can't Stand the Heat"
(1982) 		"Run for Your Life"
(1983) 		"When We Were Young"
(1983)

"Run for Your Life" is a 1983 single by UK pop group Bucks Fizz. It was written by Andy Hill and Ian Bairnson and became the group's eighth consecutive top 20 hit in the UK. It featured on the group's third album Hand Cut.

Overview

[edit]

Song information

[edit]

"Run for Your Life" was written by the group's regular songwriter Andy Hill and Ian Bairnson, who was a prolific session guitarist and had worked with Bucks Fizz many times.[1] It was also produced by Hill. The song's lyrics talk about feelings of paranoia and insecurity. Lead vocals are shared by members Mike Nolan and Bobby G in the verses, while the whole group sing the bridge and chorus.

The song was the opening track on the group's third album, Hand Cut, which was released the same month. The single was released on 7" vinyl and a special 10" picture disc. The B-side was "Shot Me Through the Heart", which also featured on the Hand Cut album. Around this time, the group filmed a BBC television special, Live at Blazers, to promote the album and closed with this song.[2] They also embarked on a UK tour, comprising 25 dates during March and April, finishing with two nights at the Dominion Theatre in London.[3]

In 2008, a new extended version of this song was produced and included on the group's album, The Lost Masters 2 - The Final Cut.

Promotional video

[edit]

The promotional video for the song is set at an old manor house where an old man (presumably the caretaker) appears and then vanishes out of sight. An owl also appears throughout the video. Bucks Fizz arrive in a car (driven by Aston) and then enter the house to find it deserted. On opening a door, they find themselves in a white void, where their clothes change from everyday wear to orange and black leather outfits. During these sequences they perform the song and dance routine to the camera. They later flee the house with the suggestion it is haunted.[4]

Reception

[edit]

Critical reception for the song was, as always, mixed. NME gave the single a particularly good review, complimenting the production among other things.[5] Record Mirror, however, said that it was not an original sound for the group and seemed to be a copy of earlier hit "My Camera Never Lies". The same magazine complimented the group the same month though when reviewing "I'm Never Giving Up" by Sweet Dreams by saying "at least Bucks Fizz now make exceedingly good music".[6] Smash Hits criticised the song for being too cluttered.[7]

"Run for Your Life" became a hit in the UK, entering the chart on 12 March 1983. It was the highest new entry of the week at No.31.[8] It rose to No.21 the following week, and then to its peak of No.14 on 26 March. The song then dropped down the chart, remaining there for a total of seven weeks. It was the group's eighth consecutive top 20 hit.[9] In Ireland, the song peaked even higher, reaching the top 10 at No.8.[10] No chart positions for other countries are available.

Track listing

[edit]

7" and 10" Vinyl

  1. "Run for Your Life" (4.12)
  2. "Shot Me Through the Heart" (4.25)

Chart positions

[edit]
Country Peak
position
UK[9] 14
Ireland[10] 8

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Ian Bairnson. "Writer/Guitarist's website with song clips". Retrieved 10 December 2008.
  2. ^ Raffem. "Promotion on TV". Archived from the original on 4 October 2003. Retrieved 30 December 2009.
  3. ^ Raffem. "Bucks Fizz tour dates". Retrieved 30 December 2009.
  4. ^ Bucks Fizz the Early Years. ""Run for Your Life" video shots". Archived from the original on 20 November 2008. Retrieved 5 February 2009.
  5. ^ NME magazine, "Run for Your Life" single review, March 1983
  6. ^ Record Mirror, "Run for Your Life", "I'm Never Giving Up" single reviews, March 1983
  7. ^ Smash Hits, Hand Cut review, March 1983
  8. ^ Official Charts. "Official Charts Company, 12 March 1983". Retrieved 30 December 2009.
  9. ^ a b Official Charts. "Run for Your Life Official Charts Company". Retrieved 11 November 2008.
  10. ^ a b Irishcharts.ie. "Irish chart details - search Bucks Fizz". Retrieved 30 December 2009.
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