Blaze of Glory, is the band’s answer to criticism for being outspoken. It’s a personal song, written for ourselves and . . . certain famous musician friends of ours. But it’s really for anybody with the guts to take a stand for what they believe – Mike Peters doing a track by track guide to Declaration – Boston Rock Magazine 1984
When asked if Bon Jovi’s recording of a song named “Blaze Of Glory” made The Alarm upset: Actually it did piss us off a little bit, but we couldn’t get too upset about it or it just would have been sour grapes! – Nigel Twist 1997 via Internet
The Blaze of Glory lyric was written in response to the damming criticism U2 (and Bono in particular), were receiving from the British press. Around 1983, U2 used to play a track called Surrender and perform to a backdrop of white flags. The press were suspicious of U2’s motives and certain journalists were trying to create a U2 backlash. I thought it was very hypocritical, as a lot of journalists used to love U2 when they were starting out – Mike Peters, Alarm 2000 collection liner notes
Video link – Surrender performed at Red Rocks, Colorado, USA 1983 with those white flags.
The Alarm were due to open for U2 on this night but due to the rain this did not occur.
One of the few classic Alarm songs created from the songwriting partnership between Dave Sharp, Mike Peters and Eddie MacDonald. The worn-torn imagery of the song is a analogy for staying true to your beliefs through diversity and struggle. This was The Alarm’s most powerful song, and became the cornerstone of the band’s live set throughout their entire car . The song’s imagery of battle kept it from becoming a single. The band was conscious of the UK press who had misinterpreted “Marching On” and “Sixty Eight Guns” as calls for revolution, and they didn’t want to make things worse by releasing a song with a stronger message. The last song that The Alarm ever played, at Brixton Academy, June 30th, 1991 – Steve Fulton
Declaration Album recording details
Running length 6:05
Written by Macdonald / Peters / Sharp
Musician & Credits
Mike Peters – Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Harmonica
Dave Sharp – Acoustic & Electric Guitar, Backing Vocals
Eddie Macdonald – Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals
Nigel Twist – Drums, Percussion & backing vocals
Ian “The Rockin’ Rev” Kewley – Hammond Organ
Alan Shacklock – Piano, Banjo
Arthur Fairlie – Trumpet
Recorded at Good Earth Studios, Soho, London W1D, England between 18th and 29th July 1983
Mixed at Studio Three, Abbey Road Studios, London NW8, England on 1st August 1983
Produced & mixed by Alan Shacklock
Engineered by Chris Porter
Alternative studio recording releases ~ Acoustic ~ Remastered
1996 – Acoustic recording details
Running length: 2:55
Musicians & Credits
Mike Peters – Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Harmonica
Recorded at Dreamland Recording Studio, Woodstock, New York, USA
Produced by Michael Peters
Recorded by Joe Brigande
2000 – The Alarm – The Alarm 2000 Collection Box Set : Declaration Remastered release
Running length : tbc
Musician & Credits
Mike Peters – Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Harmonica
Dave Sharp – Acoustic & Electric Guitar, Backing Vocals
Eddie Macdonald – Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals
Nigel Twist – Drums, Percussion & backing vocals
Ian “The Rockin’ Rev” Kewley – Hammond Organ
Alan Shacklock – Piano, Banjo
Arthur Fairlie – Trumpet
Remastered from the 1983 original recording by Mike Peters
Remastering Engineered by Gary Butler @ RTS Liverpool in 2000
Album appearances and discography for studio versions
All the following are Worldwide releases except where stated
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(V) 
13th February 1984 : The Alarm – Declaration
Released in the UK on vinyl IRSA 7044, cassette IRSC 7044, CD IRS CDA 7044 by IRS Records
Declaration was released on vinyl, cassette and CD in USA, Canada, Japan, Australia. Vinyl only South Korea, New Zealand, Israel, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Europe. Cassette only Netherlands
Original 1983 recording
28th October 1997 – Mike Peters – Acoustic Works 1981-1986 – Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C004. (CD) 1995 Fort Apache Recording
2000 – The Alarm – Eponymous (1981-1983) – Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C010. (Part of the Alarm 2000 collection box set Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C018) (Long Version)
2000 – The Alarm – Declaration (1984-1985) – Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C011 (CD). Appearing as part of the Alarm 2000 collection box set and then later as an individual disc. 1983 recorded version remastered.
Single appearances and discography for studio versions
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UK Releases :
18th February 1985 : 7″ Vinyl – Absolute Reality
Track listing : Absolute Reality / Blaze of Glory
IRS Records catalogue number ALARM 1
18th February 1985 : 12″ Vinyl – Absolute Reality
Track listing : Absolute Reality / Blaze of Glory (extended version)
IRS Records catalogue number ALARM 12
18th February 1985 : 7″ Vinyl Gate-fold Double Pack – Absolute Reality
Track listing : Absolute Reality / Blaze of Glory / Room At The Top / Reason 36
IRS Records catalogue number ALARM D1
Europe Releases :
February 1985 : 7″ Vinyl – Absolute Reality
Track listing : Absolute Reality / Blaze of Glory
IRS Records catalogue number A-6084
February 1985 : 12″ Vinyl maxi-Single – Absolute Reality
Track listing : Absolute Reality / Reason 36 / Blaze of Glory (extended version) / Room At The Top
IRS Records catalogue number A 12.6084
Australia Release :
1985 : 7″ Vinyl – Absolute Reality
Track listing : Absolute Reality / Blaze of Glory
IRS Records catalogue number ES 1046
Officially released live recordings – Audio
All the following are Worldwide releases on Twenty First Century Recording Company
(Except where stated)
27th September 1983. Recorded live at Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Band Line up : Mike Peters, Dave Sharp, Eddie Macdonald and Nigel Twist
Running length 5:49 (1999 release), 5:32 (2000 release), 5:40 (2003 release)
Released on CD in 1999 as The Alarm Live on the King Biscuit Flower Hour. On King Biscuit Flower Hour Records, UK catalogue number KBFHCD028, USA catalogue number 70710-88049-2, Spain in 2000 catalogue number CELCD 027.
Released on CD in 2002 as The Alarm Blaze of Glory. Europe on Disky, catalogue number SI 794172
Released on DVD-Audio in 2003 as The Alarm From The Front Row ….. Live! USA on Silverline, catalogue number 288157-9
13th December 1983. Recorded live at The Paradise, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Running length 6:00
Band Line up : Mike Peters, Dave Sharp, Eddie Macdonald and Nigel Twist
Released on CD in 2003 as The Alarm The Sound & The Fury Live 1981 to 1991. Shakedown records, catalogue number SHAKEBX112Z (UK, Export)
Released on CD in 2008 as The Alarm Absolute Reality The Great American Music Company, catalogue number CD-GA-702 (USA)
Released on CD in 2014 as The Alarm When The Storm Broke. Secret records, catalogue number SECDD098 (UK)
14th February 1984. Recorded live at Hammersmith Palais, London, England.
Band Line up : Mike Peters, Dave Sharp, Eddie Macdonald and Nigel Twist.
Running length 5:38
Released on CD in 2002 as The Alarm Record Collectors Club Vol II – Hammersmith 1984. Catalogue number ARCC002
26th April 1988. Recorded Live at The Wang Centre For The Performing Arts, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Band Line up : Mike Peters, Dave Sharp, Eddie Macdonald, Nigel Twist and Mark Taylor
Running length 5:24 1988 Electric Folklore, 5:33 Curtain Call 5:02 Electric Folklore remastered
Released on Vinyl LP, Cassette, CD in 1988 as The Alarm Electric Folklore Live on IRS Records, vinyl MIRM 5001, cassette MIRMC 5001, CD DMIRM 5001 (UK Release)
Electric Folklore Live was also released on vinyl, cassette and CD in USA, Canada, Europe. Cassette only Philippines, Indonesia. CD only Japan.
Released on CD in 1988 as The Alarm Curtain Call (promotional compilation) on IRS Records, catalogue number Poppy-1
Released on CD in 2000 as The Alarm Electric Folklore [Live] [1987-1988], catalogue number 21C014 (CD). Appearing as part of the Alarm 2000 collection box set and then later as an individual disc. 1988 recorded version remastered.
15th January 2000. Recorded at The Gathering 8, The North Wales Conference Centre, Llandudno, Wales. Running Length 3:44
Band Line up : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Craig Adams, Steve Grantley.
The Gathering was billed as Mike Peters and New Electric Band.
4th December 2000. Recorded at The Garage, Glasgow, Scotland.
5th December 2000. Recorded at University, Newcastle, England. Running Length 6:26
7th December 2000. Recorded at The Cockpit, Leeds, England. Running Length 4:36
8th December 2000. Recorded at Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton, England.
9th December 2000. Recorded at The Lomax, Liverpool, England. Running Length 4:30
13th December 2000. Recorded at Rock City, Nottingham, England.
15th December 2000. Recorded at Shepherds Bush Empire (W12), London, England.
Running Length 6:37
Also released in USA on Beyond and Japan on Imperial Records in 2001, reissued in UK, Europe Australia & New Zealand on Select Records and USA on Beyond in 2005 as The Alarm – Greatest Hits Live
16th December 2000. Recorded at University, Cardiff, Wales. Running Length 5:00
17th December 2000. Recorded at University, Manchester, England.
Band line up for December shows were : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Richard Llewellyn, Steve Grantley. The UK December dates were part of the tour to promote The Alarm 2000 collection and were billed as The Alarm MM.
6th February 2001. Recorded at Logo, Hamburg, Germany
10th February 2001. Recorded at Colos-Saal, Aschaffenburg, Germany
Running Length 3:48
12th April 2001. Recorded at T.T. The Bear’s Place, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
13th April 2001. Recorded at The Vanderbilt, Plainview, New York, USA
(Band Line up : tbc for the Feb and April dates)
1st February 2003. Recorded at The Garage, Glasgow, Scotland Running Length 5:22
6th February 2003. Recorded at Masque Theatre, Liverpool, England
Running Length 9:59 a combination of Blaze Of Glory and The Clash’s Complete Control
Band Line up for February gigs : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Craig Adams, Steve Grantley and Mark Taylor
23rd August 2003. Recorded at William Aston Hall, NEWI, Wrexham, Wales
Running Length 4:20. Mike Peters Solo acoustic
Released in 2003 on Alarmstock Volume 4 – The New Wave Songs Are Rising
24th August 2003. Recorded at William Aston Hall, NEWI, Wrexham, Wales
Running Length 5:02. Mike Peters with Bruce Watson acoustic
Released in 2003 on Alarmstock Volume 8 – Rock And Roll International
3rd November 2003. Recorded at The Knitting Factory, New York, USA
5th November 2003. Recorded at The Middle East, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
10th November 2003. Recorded at The Knitting Factory (East), New York, USA
Running Length 5:55
12th November 2003. Recorded at The Middle East, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
17th November 2003. Recorded at The Knitting Factory (East), New York, USA
Running Length 5:319
19th November 2003. Recorded at The Middle East, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
20th November 2003. Recorded at Elbo Room, Chicago, Illinois, USA Running Length 4:41
21st November 2003. Recorded at The Knitting Factory (West), Los Angeles, USA
Running Length 5:07
(Band Line up : tbc for November dates)
26th February 2004. Recorded at Municipal Arts Centre, Pontypridd, Wales
Running Length 4:23
7th March 2004. Recorded at The Garage, Glasgow, Scotland
Running Length 4:14
Band line up for February/March : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Craig Adams, Steve Grantley
28th August 2004. Recorded at William Aston Hall, NEWI, Wrexham, Wales
Running Length 5:05. Mike Peters and Bruce Watson acoustic
Released in 2004 on Alarmstock 2 Volume 4 – Rock And Roll International Part 2
6th August 2005. Recorded at Abbey Road Studios, London NW8, England
Running Length 5:06. Mike Peters Solo acoustic
Released in 2005 on Alarmstock III London – Set 1 – Declaration [Take This Song Of Freedom]
13th August 2005. Recorded at Electric Lady Studio A, New York, USA.
Running Length 3:41 Mike Peters Solo acoustic.
Released in 2005 on Alarmstock III New York – Set 4 – Flowers In The Dressing Room
20th August 2005. Recorded at Capitol Records Studio A, Los Angeles, California, USA
Running Length 4:36 Mike Peters Solo acoustic.
Released in 2005 on Alarmstock III Los Angeles Set 4 – Spirit of ’86 Revisited
Officially released live recordings – Video / DVD
All the following are Worldwide releases on Twenty First Century Recording Company
(Except where stated)
Lyrics ~ Declaration Album
It’s funny how they shoot you down
When your hands are held up high
And you open up your heart and soul
But that’s not enough for most.
I remember this much
There is nothing
You shouldn’t speak of
If you got something to say
And there is no one
To be scared of
Just get them out of the way
Going out in a blaze of glory
My heart is open wide
You can take anything that you want from me
There is nothing left to hide
Going out in a blaze of glory
My hands are held up high
I’m learning how to hit back
I’m learning how to fight
The law of the jungle says
You look after yourself
But I remember this much
I love as I’ve been loved myself.
Don’t forget what I told you now
When the question keeps on coming
And it’s how much more can you take
When they’ve ripped your clothes to pieces
Shouldn’t you be gone by now
But you keep on
Going out in a blaze of glory
Setting your sights for the sky.
They can offer you anything at all
But your dreams must not be sold.
Going out in a blaze of glory
No price is high enough
I’m fighting back with feeling
I’m fighting back with love
When the nails are biting into your hands
And the cross is heavy on your heart
Now is the time to really make a stand
My hands are held up high
(Going out) in a blaze of glory
(Going out) in a blaze of glory
(Going out) in a blaze of glory
Going out in a blaze of glory
My heart is open wide (wide)
You can take anything that you want from me
But you cannot take my soul
Going out in a blaze of glory
My hands are held up high (high)
I’m learning how to hit back
Yes I’m learning how to fight
Going out in a blaze of glory
Going out with my heart wide open
Going out with my hands held high
Going out in a blaze of glory
Going out in a blaze of glory
Going out in a blaze of glory
Going out in a blaze of glory
(repeat)
Fighting back with love
(Going out in a blaze of glory)
Fighting back with love
(Going out in a blaze of glory)
No price is high enough
To take my soul, to take my soul
(Going out in a blaze of glory)
To take my soul
(Going out in a blaze of glory)
(Going out in a blaze of glory)
(Going out in a blaze of glory)
(Going out in a blaze of glory)
It’s funny how they shoot you down
(Going out in a blaze of glory)
When your hands are held up high
(Going out in a blaze of glory)
(Going out in a blaze of glory)
(Going out in a blaze of glory)
(Going out in a blaze of glory)
(Going out in a blaze of glory)
Hey
Going Down Going Down
Hey hey
Keep on going with my hands held high
Nah nah Nah nah la la la la nah nah nah la la
Alternative lyrics ~1996 Acoustic Works
It’s funny how they shoot you down
When your hands are held up high
And you open up your heart and soul
But that’s not enough for most.
I remember this much
There is nothing
You shouldn’t speak of
If you got something to say
And there’s no one
To be scared of
Just get them out of the way
Going out in a blaze of glory
My heart is open wide
You can take anything that you want from me
There’s nothing left to hide
Going out in a blaze of glory
My hands are held up high
I’m learning how to hit back
I’m learning how to fight
The law of the jungle says
You look after yourself
Now I remember this much
I love as I’ve been loved myself.
Don’t forget what I told you now
When the question keeps on coming
And it’s how much more can you take
When they’ve ripped your clothes to pieces
Shouldn’t you be gone by now
But you keep on
Going out in a blaze of glory
Setting your sights for the sky.
They can offer you anything at all
Your dreams must not be sold
Going out in a blaze of glory
No price is high enough
I’m fighting back with feeling
I’m fighting back with love
When the nails are biting into your hands
And the cross is heavy on your heart
Now’s the time to really make a stand
My hands are held up high
Audio & Visual sources
(Page updated 17/07/2022)