The most rock-radio acceptable of the new-wave acts (with the possible exception of the Cars and the Police), the Fixx were always unfairly slammed as a producer’s band, the mere playthings of Rupert Hine, who buffed their angular, jagged sound to an airwaves-friendly sheen. I never quite understood how this was considered an insult — why should the Fixx feel slighted because they found a great producer who knew what to do with them? Isn’t that the point of a producer?
By 1984 the partnership had borne two gold albums, one platinum album, three Top 40 hits, and a few AOR staples. In fact the Fixx and Hine were producing material at such a quick clip that one of their better songs ended up as a cut on the Streets of Fire soundtrack (which was discussed here) as well as the B-side on Phantoms’s first single, “Are We Ourselves?”
“Deeper and Deeper” was an oddity on that 1984 film’s soundtrack alongside overwrought Jim Steinman productions and Dan Hartman’s schlocky “I Can Dream About You.” A sinister mix of snakelike synths, discordant guitar, and less-goofy-than-usual lyrics from vocalist Cy Curnin, the original version (download) was too long to be a hit, but it still garnered plenty of AOR and club airplay. It also became a staple of the band’s live show.
“Deeper and Deeper” got enough love to be included in a few of the Fixx’s greatest-hits compilations over the years, including my favorite, the nearly complete Ultimate Collection. They continue to tour, and the song is still part of every set. I’m sort of bummed that I won’t get to see them during my trip to Hawaii in late July — they hit our 50th state for three shows in August, according to their website.
“Deeper and Deeper” peaked at #3 on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart and at #47 on the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart in 1984.
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It wasn’t their best album. It wasn’t even much like what people consider their best album. Yet the mighty Canadian power trio Rush found themselves on Atlantic Records with a producer known mostly for working with The Fixx and Tina Turner. It was in many ways a fresh start and, true to the band’s nature, they made the most of it.
