Between Two Fires (album)


Between Two Fires is the third solo album by the English singer Paul Young. Released in October 1986, it reached #4 on the UK Album Chart, and #77 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 200 album chart. The album has been certified Platinum by the British Phonographic Industry.
Three singles were taken from the album; "Wonderland", "Some People", and "Why Does a Man Have to Be Strong", though none of these made the UK Top 20 unlike Young's previous singles. "Wonderland", written by Betsy Cook who also provided backing vocals on the album, reached #24 in the UK. "Some People" reached #56 in the UK and #65 in the U.S., while "Why Does a Man have to be Strong" reached #63 in the UK. After the numerous covers contained in the previous two works, Between Two Fires contained many more self-penned compositions, and Young actually co-produced, co-wrote and co-arranged most of the tracks.

Extract from Rolling Stone album review

"Through the first few listens, the album seems muted and reticent, a bashful mishmash of pop riffs and references. But after those initial plays, Between Two Fires takes on remarkable colours, as if its ten tracks were strips of film coming to life in a photographer's darkroom. The record finally reveals itself to be a detailed portrait of the problems human beings have with sharing things – whether it's a whole planet or just a queen-size bed."

Track listing

All tracks composed by Paul Young and Ian Kewley; except where indicated.
  1. "Some People" 4:43
  2. "Wonderland" 4:58
  3. "War Games" 4:18
  4. "In the Long Run" 4:19
  5. "Wasting My Time" 5:18
  6. "Prisoner of Conscience" 4:22
  7. "Why Does a Man Have to Be Strong?" 4:21
  8. "A Certain Passion" 4:12
  9. "Between Two Fires" 3:48
  10. "Wedding Day" 4:56
Note: some CD releases contained the extra track "Steps To Go" 5:12

Singles taken from the album