"Sunshine in the Shade" by The Fixx

Song#:  2126
Date:  11/17/1984
Debut:  87
Peak:  69
Weeks:  5
Genre:  Rock, New Wave



Pop Bits:  The band's LP Phantoms got off to a good start with the #1 Rock hit "Are We Ourselves?" (#15 Pop). This next single just couldn't do much out of the gate and it faltered at #38 Rock while only spending a few weeks on the Pop chart. Despite not having a significant second hit, the album performed well and would be a gold seller. It would be their last album to achieve that feat.

ReduxReview:  This song is not out of line with other singles from the band. It's just not quite as catchy as the others. As usual, Rupert Hine's production is terrific and I like the urgency of the tune, especially in the keyboard breaks. However, it just doesn't have that special kick needed to rise above all the other new wave/rock tunes on the chart.

ReduxRating:  6/10

Trivia:  The distinctive cover for Phantoms was done by artist George Underwood. Underwood actually started out as a musician. He and one of his classmates, Davy Jones (soon to be David Bowie) started a band called George and the Dragons. However, the band ended up splitting due to Underwood and Bowie having a fight over a girl. During the fight, Underwood punched Bowie in the eye. Underwood was wearing a ring at the time and it ended up damaging Bowie's eye, which later made it look as though he had two different colored eyes. Underwood and Bowie patched things up and remained friends. Underwood left music and went into graphic design. Later on, he would design album covers for his old friend Bowie. These included ones for Ziggy Stardust and Hunky Dory. Underwood would do three covers for The Fixx, which included Reach the Beach, Phantoms, and Calm Animals.

_________________________________________________________________________________