Red Skies

Not to be confused with Red Sky at Morning (disambiguation), Red sky at night (disambiguation), or Red Skies (TV series).

"Red Skies" is a song by new wave/rock band the Fixx. Released in 1982, it was the third single from the group's debut album, Shuttered Room. It reached number 13 on Billboard's Album Rock Tracks but peaked at number one on Billboard's Bubbling Under the Hot 100 chart in early 1983.

"Red Skies"
Single by the Fixx
from the album Shuttered Room
B-side	"Is It by Instinct" (7" single); "Sinking Island" (Special Extended Dance Mix) (12" single)
Released	11 June 1982 (UK) 20 January 1983 (US)
Genre	New wave[1] synth-pop[1]
Length	3:30 (7" single edit); 4:20 (12" Full Length Version)
Label	MCA
Songwriter(s)	Cy Curnin, Jamie West-Oram, Adam Woods, Rupert Greenall, Charlie Barrett
Producer(s)	Rupert Hine
The Fixx singles chronology
"Stand or Fall" (1982) "Red Skies" (1982) "Saved by Zero" (1983)
Music video
"Red Skies" on YouTube

The song also charted in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. It was later re-recorded for the band's 1987 album, React.

Composition and recording

The song appeared on the Fixx's 1982 album Shuttered Room. The lyrics of "Red Skies" warn of an imminent nuclear holocaust.^[2][3]

Release and reception

Cash Box called it "a sailor's and dancer’s delight," praising the "haunting and dreamy synthesizer effects," steady beat" and "powerful vocals."^[4]

"Red Skies" peaked at number 13 on the U.S. Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, number 44 in the Netherlands and number 57 in the UK.^[5][6][7] Winda Benedetti of The Spokesman-Review said it was one "of the more cutting-edge pop [songs] of the time."^[8] Mark Spinn of the Orange County Register called it "the best of the band's moodier material."^[9] Bill Locey of the Los Angeles Times complimented the song's "memorable chorus".^[3] The Fixx performed the song on Saturday Night Live on February 18, 1984.^[10]

Re-recording

According to drummer Adam Woods, MCA Records requested that the band re-record the song for their 1987 React album. "Nobody at MCA was really interested in the new things we wanted to do," Woods said. "They told us to re-do 'Red Skies,' and we gave in. We figured, 'All right, we'll give them exactly what they want, and it will bomb.' And sure enough, it did."^[11]

Track listing

7-inch vinyl

1. "Red Skies" – 3:30
2. "Is It by Instinct" – 4:10

12-inch vinyl

1. "Red Skies" (Full Length [album] Version) – 4:19
2. "Sinking Island" (Special Extended Dance Mix) – 4:35

Chart performance

Chart (1982–83)	Peak position
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[5]	44
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[6]	57
US Billboard Bubbling Under the Hot 100[7]	101
US Billboard Top Tracks[7]	13

References

1. Weisbard, Eric; Marks, Craig, eds. (1995). "Just Can't Get Enough: New Wave Hits". Spin Alternative Record Guide. New York: Vintage Books. pp. 204–206. ISBN 0-679-75574-8.
2. Weisbard, Eric (1995). Spin Alternative Record Guide. New York: Vintage Books. ISBN 978-0-679-75574-6.
3. Locey, Bill (1991-05-23). "Fixx Kixx: If rock 'n' roll hasn't passed you by, and Big Issues appeal to you, check out this stylish British band". Los Angeles Times. p. J-6.
4. "Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. February 5, 1983. p. 8. Retrieved 2022-07-17.
5. "Dutch Top 40 - 'Red Skies'". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 2012-01-12.
6. "The Official Charts Company - The Fixx - "Red Skies"". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2012-01-12.
7. Whitburn, Joel (2008). Joel Whitburn Presents Rock Tracks (1981-2008). Menomonee Falls, Wis.: Record Research. p. 93. ISBN 978-0-89820-174-1.
8. Benedetti, Winda (1998-07-24). "With New Songs and Vintage Hits, The Fixx Has Made Leap From '80s". The Spokesman-Review. p. Weekend-2.
9. Spinn, Mark (1991-06-03). "Fixx successfully tinkers with a more streamlined style at Coach House". Orange County Register. p. F03.
10. Cader, Michael (1995). Saturday Night Live: The First Twenty Years. Boston: Mariner Books. ISBN 978-0-395-75284-5.
11. Britt, Bruce (1989-01-20). "The Fixx, No Longer in a Fix, Enjoys the 'Calm'". Los Angeles Daily News. p. L27.