If You Can't Stand The Heat (Bucks Fizz single)
Encyclopedia
"If You Can't Stand the Heat" is a single by UK pop group Bucks Fizz
. It was released in November 1982 and became the group's fifth top 10 single in the UK. The song was written by Andy Hill
and guitarist Ian Bairnson
. It was also produced by Hill.
and Ian Bairnson
and produced by Hill, the song became the group's fifth top 10 single (and seventh consecutive top 20 hit), eventually peaking at No.10 in January 1983. It was certified silver by the BPI
for sales of over 250,000 in the UK.
The lyrics of the song tell of someone who is manipulative, but when faced with her own medicine, can't handle it, hence the song's title. The song was a change for the group in that it was their first single where the two female members took the lead vocals on the track - according to the group, this was done due to requests from fans. It has also been noted that the faint reggae beat on the track gives it a slight variation on the group's usually straightforward pop. The song received a positive review from Record Mirror
magazine, which complimented the song's production values, calling it “Another truly staggering pseudo-dramatic epic”.
The Promotional Video depicts a day in the life of Bucks Fizz, beginning with member Jay Aston
oversleeping and then joining the rest of the group for rehearsals, press interviews and culminating in a live performance. The live performance was specially shot for the video at the Shaftesbury Theatre
in London, the audience being made up of fan-club members. The video also features their manager Jill Shirley, tour manager Tony McGrogan and fan-club organiser, Gay Purle.
The song featured on the group's third album, Hand Cut
, released in 1983, while an extended 12" remix was released in tandem with the 7". The B-side of the single, "Stepping Out" was written and produced by the group themselves. The single came in two different picture sleeves - both with the same photographs, but with different coloured backgrounds - yellow and orange.
An alternate mix of the song appeared on the group's 2005 compilation The Ultimate Anthology
.
12" Vinyl
Bucks Fizz (band)
Bucks Fizz are an English pop group who achieved success in the 1980s, most notably for winning the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Making Your Mind Up". The group was formed in January 1981 specifically for the contest and comprised four vocalists: Bobby G, Cheryl Baker, Mike Nolan and...
. It was released in November 1982 and became the group's fifth top 10 single in the UK. The song was written by Andy Hill
Andy Hill (composer)
Andy Hill is a British music producer and songwriter who scored many hits during the 1980s and 90s...
and guitarist Ian Bairnson
Ian Bairnson
Ian Bairnson is a Scottish musician, famous for being one of the core members of The Alan Parsons Project. He is a multi-instrumentalist, who has played saxophone and keyboards, although he is best known as a guitarist...
. It was also produced by Hill.
Background
Written by Andy HillAndy Hill (composer)
Andy Hill is a British music producer and songwriter who scored many hits during the 1980s and 90s...
and Ian Bairnson
Ian Bairnson
Ian Bairnson is a Scottish musician, famous for being one of the core members of The Alan Parsons Project. He is a multi-instrumentalist, who has played saxophone and keyboards, although he is best known as a guitarist...
and produced by Hill, the song became the group's fifth top 10 single (and seventh consecutive top 20 hit), eventually peaking at No.10 in January 1983. It was certified silver by the BPI
British Phonographic Industry
The British Phonographic Industry is the British record industry's trade association.-Structure:Its membership comprises hundreds of music companies including all four "major" record companies , associate members such as manufacturers and distributors, and hundreds of independent music companies...
for sales of over 250,000 in the UK.
The lyrics of the song tell of someone who is manipulative, but when faced with her own medicine, can't handle it, hence the song's title. The song was a change for the group in that it was their first single where the two female members took the lead vocals on the track - according to the group, this was done due to requests from fans. It has also been noted that the faint reggae beat on the track gives it a slight variation on the group's usually straightforward pop. The song received a positive review from Record Mirror
Record Mirror
Record Mirror was a British weekly pop music newspaper, founded by Isadore Green and featured, news articles, interviews, record charts, record reviews, concert reviews, letters from readers and photographs. The paper became respected by both mainstream pop music fans and serious record collectors...
magazine, which complimented the song's production values, calling it “Another truly staggering pseudo-dramatic epic”.
The Promotional Video depicts a day in the life of Bucks Fizz, beginning with member Jay Aston
Jay Aston
Jay Hilda Aston is a singer, dancer, and occasional songwriter who was formerly with the British pop group, Bucks Fizz. She was the youngest member of the group's original line-up, being just 19 at the Eurovision Song Contest....
oversleeping and then joining the rest of the group for rehearsals, press interviews and culminating in a live performance. The live performance was specially shot for the video at the Shaftesbury Theatre
Shaftesbury Theatre
The Shaftesbury Theatre is a West End Theatre, located on Shaftesbury Avenue, in the London Borough of Camden.-History:The theatre was designed for the brothers Walter and Frederick Melville by Bertie Crewe and opened on 26 December 1911 with a production of The Three Musketeers, as the New...
in London, the audience being made up of fan-club members. The video also features their manager Jill Shirley, tour manager Tony McGrogan and fan-club organiser, Gay Purle.
The song featured on the group's third album, Hand Cut
Hand Cut
Hand Cut is the third studio album by pop group Bucks Fizz. It was released in 1983 and features the UK top 20 hits, "If You Can't Stand the Heat" and "Run for Your Life".- Overview :Hand Cut was the third album released by Bucks Fizz...
, released in 1983, while an extended 12" remix was released in tandem with the 7". The B-side of the single, "Stepping Out" was written and produced by the group themselves. The single came in two different picture sleeves - both with the same photographs, but with different coloured backgrounds - yellow and orange.
An alternate mix of the song appeared on the group's 2005 compilation The Ultimate Anthology
The Ultimate Anthology
The Ultimate Anthology is a compilation album by pop group Bucks Fizz.Released in 2005, this album was significant in that it was the first release that contained all of Bucks Fizz's 20 hit singles together on one disc...
.
Track listing
7" Vinyl- "If You Can't Stand the Heat" (Andy Hill /Ian Bairnson) (3.35)
- "Stepping Out" (Bucks Fizz) (3.28)
12" Vinyl
- "If You Can't Stand the Heat" (extended) (5.39)
- "Stepping Out" (3.28)
Chart positions
| Country | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK | 10 |
| Ireland | 10 |
| The Netherlands | 41 |
| Germany | 75 |
| Australia | 93 |