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The Fixx — Less Cities More Moving People
Album: Phantoms
Avg rating:
6.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2252









Released: 1984
Length: 3:40
Plays (last 30 days): 4
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Another home falls by the wayside
A few old cushions stuffed with pride
A hand is shaking from the rubble
This is spirit still alive

A servant bares his occupation
Breaks his back just growing old
Never mind his views were taken
Just saw by the rules of old

Less cities, more moving people
Rushing out with pride
Less cities, more moving people
These hands that once were tied

A church bell rang for the occasion
The average man learns what's in store
Now he sees where life was taken
Fighting heat, but growing cold

Less cities, more moving people
Rushing out with pride
Less cities, more moving people
Hands that once were tied

Is this what we call education?
Just watch the wheel of time revolve
But why is this not what I'm thinking?
It's just one mind and the unknown

Less cities, more moving people
Rushing out with pride
Less cities, more moving people
Who just forgot their lives

Less cities, more moving people
Rushing out with pride
Less cities, more moving people
Who just forgot their lives
Comments (188)add comment
One of my favorite band descriptions ever.  At least the last paragrpah.
Posted 4 hours ago by jas1776    [ Reply ]
 SmackDaddy wrote:

Prophetic this is not. Truth is: Bigger Cities, More People Moving In. That's the actual future.


More Heatwaves, More People Moving North.
Posted 3 weeks ago by Jakethemuss    [ Reply ]
Underrated and one of the few 80s bands that have aged well!
Posted 1 month ago by argexpat    [ Reply ]
 petersteward wrote:

It's fewer cities NOT less. Words fail me. 



I can't keep them straight and besides, songs are basically poems and they can break all the rules!
Posted 1 month ago by PamHoffman    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:
If Sir Paul could sing, "the world in which we live in" in "Live and Let Die"...it's all good.

That would change the meter though.


Posted 3 months ago by roland_michelman    [ Reply ]
All the grammar nerds in the comments
Posted 5 months ago by damonlazer    [ Reply ]
Bumping this up to an 8 based on the great bio
Posted 5 months ago by gfalkner    [ Reply ]
A bit of a Joe Strummer vibe. I like it- curious that I didn’t know this band from back then. 
Posted 9 months ago by Sweet_Virginia    [ Reply ]
 1jerry wrote:



Yes, Mr Gogh, can I call you Van?  Your lines should have gone this direction, and your color is not correct here.


Or you could take 2 seconds to spot when someone is being flippant. 
Posted 11 months ago by Alastair    [ Reply ]
is nobody going to mention Jethro Tull? 

Posted 1 year ago by Braindrinker    [ Reply ]
Super underrated band! 
Posted 1 year ago by argexpat    [ Reply ]
Always loved the Fixx, an under-rated 80s band that still puts out good music 40 years later. 
Posted 1 year ago by Marlowe    [ Reply ]
 bluematrix wrote:


Bad Spellers of the world... UNTIE!


if life keeps handing you melons, you may be dyslexic
Posted 1 year ago by glenwardo    [ Reply ]
Since I was never a big fan of The Fixx, I'd never heard this song before.  I have to say, I like this one quite a bit and may have to reevaluate my opinion of the band.
Posted 2 years ago by Pound33    [ Reply ]
just saw them November 10th small club fort Lauderdale called the culture room man these guys are good they still sound the same, give a listen to the album they put out last year good stuff
Posted 2 years ago by neotrogg    [ Reply ]
Always useful when this song rotates through, I can use the final verse as a hearing test. ;-)

I was never very familiar with this group prior to hearing them on RP, and this song and vocal delivery has always reminded me of Paul Young, which isn't a bad thing.
Posted 2 years ago by christopherwoods    [ Reply ]
Beautiful segue from Bach's toccata in D minor to this song, also in D minor.  
Posted 2 years ago by theirongiant    [ Reply ]
 roadie wrote:


I write copy occasionally at my job. Used the line 'More planning, less miracles'.  In the context of the spot, it was perfect. 

Naturally, some goof emailed me to inform me of my egregious English.
Upvote for 'egregious'!! :)

Posted 3 years ago by IvanTheMediocre    [ Reply ]
 SmackDaddy wrote:

Prophetic this is not. Truth is: Bigger Cities, More People Moving In. That's the actual future.

Hmm - 'Mortal Engines' as a rejoinder?

Posted 3 years ago by IvanTheMediocre    [ Reply ]
how about oingo boingo after this one?
Posted 3 years ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
Prophetic this is not. Truth is: Bigger Cities, More People Moving In. That's the actual future.
Posted 3 years ago by SmackDaddy    [ Reply ]
 kazoo wrote:



Then don't use them.


Haha... perfect.... 
Posted 3 years ago by billjacky    [ Reply ]
 MilidelEubanks wrote:


When rock and roll worries about correct grammar, the genre will be truly dead. Do you think Keith can't get ANY satisfaction?



I write copy occasionally at my job. Used the line 'More planning, less miracles'.  In the context of the spot, it was perfect. 

Naturally, some goof emailed me to inform me of my egregious English.
Posted 3 years ago by roadie    [ Reply ]
Tusk!
Posted 3 years ago by CCSandman    [ Reply ]
 petersteward wrote:

It's fewer cities NOT less. Words fail me. 



When rock and roll worries about correct grammar, the genre will be truly dead. Do you think Keith can't get ANY satisfaction?

Posted 3 years ago by MilidelEubanks    [ Reply ]
1982-1984, what a great era.  Lots of that melancholic space rock sound -- Flock of Seagulls, Aldo Nova, Flock of Seagulls, Planet P Project, Zebra, Strange Advance, post-Cars Gary Numan, etc.  I remember back then late in the evening you could really get into a nice zone with this genre of music.
Posted 3 years ago by timmus    [ Reply ]
 Ryan_Boru wrote:

The Fixx is on tour now (2022) and I've heard great things!



Saw them pre-pan and they were great! 
Posted 3 years ago by DeviceNotFound    [ Reply ]
Good tune! I never heard it before.  Thanx RP!
Posted 4 years ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
The Fixx is on tour now (2022) and I've heard great things!
Posted 4 years ago by Ryan_Boru    [ Reply ]
 Alastair wrote:

That should, of course, be "Fewer cities".

Still love The Fixx though 




Yes, Mr Gogh, can I call you Van?  Your lines should have gone this direction, and your color is not correct here.
Posted 4 years ago by 1jerry    [ Reply ]
 Jelani wrote:

Creative people unite and ignore the word nerds!


Bad Spellers of the world... UNTIE!
Posted 4 years ago by bluematrix    [ Reply ]
 petersteward wrote:

It's fewer cities NOT less. Words fail me. 



If words fail you then you're in no position to criticise. Anyway, bad grammar is more funny, and artistic. Maybe you should just go back to mainstream music where they're ever so careful to select the correct grammar.  I bet you're the life of dinner parties when you start correcting everyone.
Posted 4 years ago by Silvervanman    [ Reply ]
 mbolch30307 wrote:


I just change "less" to "fewer" in my head when I sing it loudly. Also, "I" for "me" (or vice versa), because songwriters frequently get that one wrong, too.  WORD NERDS UNITE!!



Creative people unite and ignore the word nerds!
Posted 4 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
My first instinctive reaction is "blech" but they grow on you... like a mold or mildew...
Posted 4 years ago by DocSeagullRedux    [ Reply ]
 tinypriest wrote:

"Less" bad grammar and "fewer" incidents of "I" instead of "me"! More WORD NERDS, "you're" correct; "your" point of view is "good". "Well" done!



The reason lyricist use "i" is not because they don't know grammar. It's because it's easier to hit the high notes.
Posted 5 years ago by itsme_bygolly    [ Reply ]
 petersteward wrote:

It's fewer cities NOT less. Words fail me. 




Then don't use them.
Posted 5 years ago by kazoo    [ Reply ]
 mbolch30307 wrote:


I just change "less" to "fewer" in my head when I sing it loudly. Also, "I" for "me" (or vice versa), because songwriters frequently get that one wrong, too.  WORD NERDS UNITE!!

"Less" bad grammar and "fewer" incidents of "I" instead of "me"! More WORD NERDS, "you're" correct; "your" point of view is "good". "Well" done!
Posted 5 years ago by tinypriest    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:


That would change the meter though.
 

I just change "less" to "fewer" in my head when I sing it loudly. Also, "I" for "me" (or vice versa), because songwriters frequently get that one wrong, too.  WORD NERDS UNITE!!
Posted 5 years ago by mbolch30307    [ Reply ]
So apt now in times of Corona - less cities.....
Posted 5 years ago by Kafuepilot    [ Reply ]
All of these prophetic songs hidden by poppy electronica that no one has paid much attention to. Cy Curnin new what was going down.
Posted 5 years ago by meatmike    [ Reply ]
 photolew wrote:


Gezellig!!!
YES IT DID........ {#Bananajam}{#Bananajam}{#Bananajam}{#Bananajam}{#Bananajam}{#Bananajam}{#Bananajam}
 

Posted 5 years ago by JoepKoperdraat    [ Reply ]
Posted 5 years ago by spiritfla    [ Reply ]
 naturalinferior wrote:
Pazzat wrote:
Thank you. I was worried that I was the only pedant on here. 'Fewer' would still scan, so it must have been ignorance on their part. I refuse to go to supermarket express checkouts that are for 'Six items or less' on the same grounds; and I would never eat something that claimed to have 'less fat and less calories' in it. Maybe pedantry can go to far...
I realize that you're probably just being silly, but: If strict rules of grammar were applied to poetry or lyrics, the result would be...well pedantic and boring. Music is more about emotion, less about minute formal details. (As far as the supermarket goes, that's just plain neurotic.)
 
B*llshit. Poetry doesn't break rules of grammar, only of structure. And so it's "fewer", not "less", in this case, even if you decide to call it poetry.


Posted 5 years ago by tinypriest    [ Reply ]
 cely wrote:
This is a stealth conservative message.  
 
How so?
Posted 5 years ago by TLynneHenry    [ Reply ]
One of the most underrated bands of the 80s, and one of the few whose music is still listenable.
Posted 5 years ago by argexpat    [ Reply ]
This is a stealth conservative message.  
Posted 6 years ago by cely    [ Reply ]
Is this city still alive?
File:20190616154621!Echo Park Lake with Downtown Los Angeles Skyline.jpg
Posted 6 years ago by jahgirl8    [ Reply ]
They are a really good band to turn up LOUD on a nice stereo system.  Their songs "ring" through a tweeter and thump the bass too.
Posted 6 years ago by lannydevaney    [ Reply ]
 cmactavish wrote:
I think The Fixx were way underrated in their day.  Brilliant song writing 
 
And very tight performance. I loved seeing them live and dancing the whole show. They're upbeat.

Posted 6 years ago by jahgirl8    [ Reply ]
 petersteward wrote:
It's fewer cities NOT less. Words fail me. 
 Okay Stannis

Posted 6 years ago by exjunkie    [ Reply ]
I think The Fixx were way underrated in their day.  Brilliant song writing 
Posted 7 years ago by cmactavish    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:


That would change the meter though.
 

Exactly. Artistic Freedom, I guess?
Posted 7 years ago by 123heyaho!    [ Reply ]
 petersteward wrote:
It's fewer cities NOT less. Words fail me. 
 

That would change the meter though.
Posted 7 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
It's fewer cities NOT less. Words fail me. 
Posted 7 years ago by petersteward    [ Reply ]
Always think this is Oingo Boingo with an new vocalist...
Posted 7 years ago by midigitguy    [ Reply ]
 grogg wrote:
Really hit the spot today.

8 -> 9
 


YES IT DID........ {#Bananajam}{#Bananajam}{#Bananajam}{#Bananajam}{#Bananajam}{#Bananajam}{#Bananajam}
Posted 8 years ago by photolew    [ Reply ]
Really hit the spot today.

8 -> 9
Posted 8 years ago by grogg    [ Reply ]
The Fixx is touring this year, playing the entire Reach the Beach album for its 35th anniversary.
Posted 8 years ago by dejapete    [ Reply ]
Line-up
Posted 8 years ago by boltonblue242    [ Reply ]
these guys were/ are  great   they had a bunch great songs   built for the future  saved by zero  red skies how much is enough < when your soul is empty >  and this one that deserves better then 6.6 so to balance it out i'm giving it a 9  peace
Posted 8 years ago by stevenstarr    [ Reply ]
Reminds me of Tusk beat/sound.
Posted 8 years ago by kevrey    [ Reply ]
 maryte wrote:
Looking forward to seeing them perform at a lovely small venue in Austin next month!

 
Hi there....I was at 3Ten too!   Great to see original band still intact...
Posted 8 years ago by CyrusPaul    [ Reply ]
 maryte wrote:
Looking forward to seeing them perform at a lovely small venue in Austin next month!

 
Same here, but mine is in Poughkeepsie NY!


Posted 8 years ago by passsion8    [ Reply ]
Looking forward to seeing them perform at a lovely small venue in Austin next month!
Posted 9 years ago by maryte    [ Reply ]
 rpdevotee wrote:
Saw The Fixx a few months back at a small club in my town with about 50 people.  Amazing show.  Cy really entertained beyond just singing.  The band had a lot of character and played really well.  These guys are still out there...if you have the chance check them out! 

 
I highly recommend their recent release "Beautiful Friction". Very current sound yet still maintaining their character. Strong songwriting and great playing. Cy still excellent.


Posted 9 years ago by Peace_tode    [ Reply ]
I like the fast Ritthem of The song
Posted 9 years ago by Streamingaudio    [ Reply ]
Terrific sound...
Posted 9 years ago by Bert7    [ Reply ]
Saw The Fixx a few months back at a small club in my town with about 50 people.  Amazing show.  Cy really entertained beyond just singing.  The band had a lot of character and played really well.  These guys are still out there...if you have the chance check them out! 
Posted 9 years ago by rpdevotee    [ Reply ]
Definitive a 10!
Posted 9 years ago by anschmel    [ Reply ]
A 10 as no 12 available {#Dancingbanana}
Posted 9 years ago by Prius    [ Reply ]
Amazing sound on the new Beta Player; Congrats and Thanks, RP! This is one hell of a song; apropos and way ahead of its time
Posted 9 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
 jhorton wrote:
For some reason, I rolled up a hundred dollar bill while listening to this song.....

 
{#Roflol}
Posted 10 years ago by skyguy    [ Reply ]
Nine, if only for the nostalgia.
Posted 10 years ago by shakylegs    [ Reply ]
For some reason, I rolled up a hundred dollar bill while listening to this song.....
Posted 10 years ago by jhorton    [ Reply ]
Fewer. And for that reason it's a 1
Posted 10 years ago by MrsTom    [ Reply ]
One of the best bands of the '80s. And still going strong in the 21st century!
Posted 10 years ago by agkagk    [ Reply ]
{#Dancingbanana}
Posted 10 years ago by Prius    [ Reply ]
I can easly see this as a Police's song.
Posted 10 years ago by dgrfpp    [ Reply ]
Unlike most Fixx music, this song has held up extraordinarily well. Didn't see that coming.
Posted 10 years ago by pfreet    [ Reply ]
That should, of course, be "Fewer cities".

Still love The Fixx though 
Posted 10 years ago by Alastair    [ Reply ]
 Baketown wrote:

When I hear this song I think of the old People Movers ride at Disneyland,  lol !



 
YES! That's exactly the image that comes to mind, but the one at Disney World:).
Posted 11 years ago by trissi    [ Reply ]
Oh yeah, more from the Fixx, Bill.
Posted 11 years ago by BobbyCat    [ Reply ]
Oh Bill you are too clever.....the last song certainly reminded me of this band....we are often on the exact same wave length!
( last song was Perry Farrell — Song Yet To Be Sung)
Nice segue.
Posted 12 years ago by jules44    [ Reply ]
Such a nice song, good memories, good beat, simple yet effective.

And their name is somewhat similar to The Cure............ ;-)
Posted 12 years ago by AndyFarang    [ Reply ]

When I hear this song I think of the old People Movers ride at Disneyland,  lol !


Posted 13 years ago by Baketown    [ Reply ]
 FrankMc wrote:
The grammarian in me laments that they didn't say "Fewer Cities More Moving People." Great song but a regrettable new addition to a handful of really good songs I have trouble listening to because of grammatical issues.

 
Agreed! My number one pet peeve...{#Naughty}
Posted 13 years ago by stephw    [ Reply ]
that's uncanny...the similarities between this and Farrell's Song Yet To Be Sung
Posted 13 years ago by black321    [ Reply ]
Oingo Boing-ish—of its time. Still, very, very good. Great band.
Posted 13 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
 dejapete wrote:
The B side of "Less Cities" was "Deeper and Deeper", a way more listenable song. It's faster, with a good rock beat. You should play that one instead. Better yet. Play a track from the new Fixx album, Beautiful Friction. It's incredibly good.
 
Beautiful Friction is an amazing effort from The Fixx.  Very surprised it hasn't shown up on RP yet?
Posted 13 years ago by maccafixx    [ Reply ]
The B side of "Less Cities" was "Deeper and Deeper", a way more listenable song. It's faster, with a good rock beat. You should play that one instead. Better yet. Play a track from the new Fixx album, Beautiful Friction. It's incredibly good.
Posted 13 years ago by dejapete    [ Reply ]
My thoughts exactly!  It joins the ranks of songs that should have been:

"Daddy doesn't live in that New York City anymore"
"If you love someone, set him or her free"
"I cannot obtain any satisfaction"


 FrankMc wrote:
The grammarian in me laments that they didn't say "Fewer Cities More Moving People." Great song but a regrettable new addition to a handful of really good songs I have trouble listening to because of grammatical issues.
 


Posted 13 years ago by Shaken_Bake    [ Reply ]
I agree with the sentiment of this tune. Lyrics speak rather loudly. Too bad the tune is a bit clumsy.
Posted 14 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
 Jive wrote:
I was thinking of this song as I was listening to the Perry Farrell number that preceded it.
 
Now you have to wonder if you were thinking of this song because the two are related in some deep and fundamental way, or you have just heard this song after that one on the playlist several times before and stored that in your subconscious.  I often find that I know the next song without realizing it.
Posted 14 years ago by ch83575    [ Reply ]
The grammarian in me laments that they didn't say "Fewer Cities More Moving People." Great song but a regrettable new addition to a handful of really good songs I have trouble listening to because of grammatical issues.
Posted 14 years ago by FrankMc    [ Reply ]
 tomfchzboi wrote:
I love the whole Phantoms album! Thanks Bill for playing! Feel free to play more stuff from the Fixx!

 
I agree with that!  The Fixx was one of my Top Ten favorite bands in the 80's - love them - seen them 2x in concert and met the guys after one of the shows.

Posted 15 years ago by socalhol    [ Reply ]
Whoa, serious flashback to high school.  Driving around in my stepmother's enormous Pontiac.  Yes, I was that dork rock loser kid..

{#Dancingbanana}
Posted 15 years ago by fergie348    [ Reply ]
 smackiepipe wrote:
Lay that tinny-metalic production blame at Rubert Hine's feet. A lot of his 80s stuff had that shrill high end.
 
Maybe, but Rubert Hine was an amazing producer/arranger.

Posted 15 years ago by htowncoog    [ Reply ]
{#Bananajam}
Posted 15 years ago by spiritfla    [ Reply ]
Seems to have a little Oingo Boingo  'Dead Man's Party'  to it

Posted 15 years ago by DD rabbi_phil    [ Reply ]
I had this album as a kid and I always wondered: Is that a nipple on the cover? A pale Hershey's Kiss? A dollop of peach yogurt? What IS that? Oh yeah, I loved this band — still do. Their music always seemed darker than the usual '80s stuff.
Posted 15 years ago by gvan    [ Reply ]
I was thinking of this song as I was listening to the Perry Farrell number that preceded it.

Posted 15 years ago by Jive    [ Reply ]
Lay that tinny-metalic production blame at Rubert Hine's feet. A lot of his 80s stuff had that shrill high end.
Posted 15 years ago by smackiepipe    [ Reply ]
 ziakut wrote:
I like this tune...but it doesn't hold it's age too well. It's kinda disjointed. Not arranged particularly well in my opinion.  Never really liked their production either. 
 
Agreed. I liked this band at the time. I went to see them live in the mid-eighties, but their stuff just hasn't withstood the test of time.

Posted 15 years ago by pauleywalnuts    [ Reply ]
I like this tune...but it doesn't hold it's age too well. It's kinda disjointed. Not arranged particularly well in my opinion.  Never really liked their production either. 
Posted 15 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
I love the whole Phantoms album! Thanks Bill for playing! Feel free to play more stuff from the Fixx!

Posted 15 years ago by tomfchzboi    [ Reply ]
Excellent blast from my past.
Posted 16 years ago by smackiepipe    [ Reply ]
What a great song to follow Tusk! Bill, keep on showing us the light! {#Sunny}

Posted 16 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
Reach the, er...Beach. It was..a good...er, nevermind. {#Headache}
Posted 16 years ago by crockydile    [ Reply ]
 CaptTofu wrote:
 I loved this song, and have never heard it played on the radio, ever. Until Radio Paradise.
 
Me too. I was a big Fixx fan. Reach the Beach!!


Posted 16 years ago by crockydile    [ Reply ]
I love this Album. I have the cassette in my basement in a box that I bought back in the 80s in high school. I loved this song, and have never heard it played on the radio, ever. Until Radio Paradise.
Posted 16 years ago by CaptTofu    [ Reply ]
 LastChance wrote:

I agree! More Fixx!

 
Me, too! Reach the Beach!! {#Dancingbanana_2}
Posted 16 years ago by crockydile    [ Reply ]
 Cruzan wrote:
Brilliant Mix from the end of TUSK to the beginning of this..........
I got it.
Well done.

Keep up the good work!

{#Drummer}
 
Couldn't agree more thought I was at the club the way those two melded togther...   {#Notworthy}
Posted 17 years ago by Vandy005    [ Reply ]
btw,
how about adding RED SKIES to the playlist?

Posted 17 years ago by Cruzan    [ Reply ]
Brilliant Mix from the end of TUSK to the beginning of this..........
I got it.
Well done.

btw, this weekend I met friend of a friend who lives in Dallas and has a small record company. he is an RP listener too

Keep up the good work!

{#Drummer}
Posted 17 years ago by Cruzan    [ Reply ]
A nice segue from this would be Peter Schilling's Major Tom.

Chicka, chicka, bomp, chicka, chicka, bomp ...

Posted 17 years ago by keller1    [ Reply ]
 htowncoog wrote:

Yes please, more of The Fixx!

 
I agree! More Fixx!

Posted 17 years ago by LastChance    [ Reply ]
 JoBo wrote:
Bill:  Nice segue from Fleetwood Mac - Tusk!!  The Fixx has been a favorite of mine from way back when.  May we hear more Fixx?
 
Yes please, more of The Fixx!

Posted 17 years ago by htowncoog    [ Reply ]
Bill:  Nice segue from Fleetwood Mac - Tusk!!  The Fixx has been a favorite of mine from way back when.  May we hear more Fixx?
Posted 17 years ago by JoBo    [ Reply ]
I always liked this tune...groovy..
Posted 17 years ago by spiritfla    [ Reply ]