FIGHT FOR OURSELVES - SPANDAU BALLET

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Fight For Ourselves - SPANDAU BALLET

Spandau Ballet’s “Fight For Ourselves,” released in July 1986 as the lead single from their fifth album Through the Barricades, marks a pivotal moment in the band’s evolution, shifting from their New Romantic roots toward a bolder, stadium-rock sound. Written by guitarist Gary Kemp, the song emerged during a period of reinvention following their 1985 tour with The Power Station, which aimed to bolster their rock credibility in the U.S. Kemp crafted the track with producer Gary Langan at Musicland Studios in Munich, intending to capture the raw energy of their live performances.

Unlike the soulful polish of True or Parade, “Fight For Ourselves” leans into muscular guitar riffs and Tony Hadley’s soaring vocals, reflecting Kemp’s desire to bridge the gap between their studio finesse and stage dynamism. Lyrically, it’s a call to resilience, though less specific than the album’s later title track, leaving room for personal interpretation.

On the Billboard charts, “Fight For Ourselves” struggled to replicate the band’s earlier U.S. successes like “True” (No. 4) or “Gold” (No. 29). It failed to crack the Hot 100, a disappointment compounded by external factors in the UK, where it peaked at No. 15—their first lead single not to reach the Top 10. A dispute between Our Price Records and Sony led to the chain refusing to stock CBS singles, likely denting its domestic sales. However, the song found a warmer reception overseas, hitting the Top 10 in Italy and the Netherlands, suggesting its anthemic quality resonated more strongly in Europe. The U.S. market, still tethered to the softer image of “True,” proved harder to crack, a challenge Kemp had anticipated after noting audiences’ narrow perception of the band.

The song’s live incarnation at London’s O2 Arena during the 2009 Reformation Tour—documented in Spandau Ballet: The Reformation Tour 2009 - Live at the O2—showcases its full potential. Filmed across sold-out shows that drew 100,000 fans, the performance pulses with the energy Kemp sought in its creation. Hadley’s commanding voice, weathered yet powerful, anchors the track, while Steve Norman’s saxophone adds a nostalgic flourish, echoing their ‘80s heyday. The band—rounded out by Martin Kemp on bass, John Keeble on drums, and Gary Kemp on guitar—delivers a tight, spirited rendition, with the O2 crowd’s fervor amplifying the song’s defiant spirit. The DVD extras, including “Spandau: The Return,” highlight the reunion’s triumph, proving the song’s enduring appeal two decades later.

“Fight For Ourselves” encapsulates Spandau Ballet’s mid-‘80s crossroads: a bid to redefine their sound that stumbled commercially in the U.S. but thrived in pockets of Europe and, later, on stage. The O2 performance reveals what the studio version hinted at—a song built for communal catharsis, its rough edges smoothed by time and reunion. It’s not their most iconic hit, but it’s a testament to their adaptability, a fight they didn’t fully win on the charts but reclaimed triumphantly live.