Knife Edge was first released on the Strength album on 21st October 1985.
This recording of the song was also released as a 7″ and 12″ single on 26th April 1986.
In 1984 a demo was recorded at E-Zee Hire Studio, London. This featured different lyrics and longer than final version. Recorded 29th-30th November 1984: E-Zee Hire Studios, London. Demo tape sessions recorded by live sound engineer Nigel Luby. The band sent these tapes to America in December 1984 to legendary US record producer Jimmy Iovine who agreed to record the band in January 1985. The album was going to be titled “Absolute Reality” and a tour was booked to coincide with its projected release. Unfortunately, Iovine never came to Britain to record with The Alarm, Iovine claimed an illness in his family prevented him from travelling. However, it didn’t stop him recording “Once Upon A Time” for Simple Minds. Rumour has it that The Alarm were gazumped by Simple Minds who secured Iovine’s services for a larger advance payment.
For me, the strongest song on “Strength” is “Knife Edge” because that was really one of the biggest tasks the group had: to achieve that song on vinyl. To me, when we play that song it has the biggest feel in the whole set. – Nigel Twist, Strength Tour Program 1985
Strength Album version released 21st October 1985.
Running length : 5:06
7″ single Knife Edge single, edited version, released 26th April 1986.
Running length : 3:55
12″ single Knife Edge single version released 26th April 1986.
Running length : 5:05
Written By: Macdonald/Peters
Musicians & Credits
Mike Peters – Lead Vocals
Dave Sharp – Electric Guitar, Backing Vocals
Eddie Macdonald – Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Nigel Twist – Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals
Recorded at Roundhouse Studios, London NW1, England between 25th March and 4th April 1985.
Mixed at Battery Studio 4, Willesden, London NW10, England between 5th and 23rd August 1985.
Produced by Mike Howlett.
Engineered by Nigel Luby.
Alternative studio recording releases – 1984/1985 Demo, Acoustic, Remastered, New Recording
29th to 30th November 1984 – Demo recorded at E-Zee Hire Studios, London, England
Running length : 5:42
Musicians & Credits
Mike Peters – Lead Vocals
Dave Sharp – Electric Guitar, Backing Vocals
Eddie Macdonald – Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Nigel Twist – Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals
Released on 12th November 2001 on CD as The Alarm – Alt-Strength
Recorded at E-Zee Hire Studios London, England by Nigel Luby
10th April 1985 – Rough mix, demo recorded at Roundhouse Studio, London, England
Running length : 5:08
Musicians & Credits
Mike Peters – Lead Vocals
Dave Sharp – Electric Guitar, Backing Vocals
Eddie Macdonald – Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Nigel Twist – Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals
Released on 12th November 2001 on CD as The Alarm – Alt-Strength
Recorded at Roundhouse Studio, Camden, London NW1, England
Recording by Mike Howlett and Nigel Luby
1997 – Mike Peters – Acoustic Works 1981-1986
Running length : 3:41
Musicians & Credits
Mike Peters – Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Harmonica
Recorded in 1997 by Gethyn Evans at Mountain & Sea Studios, Wales
Produced by Michael Peters
2000 – The Alarm – The Alarm 2000 Collection Box Set : Strength [Remastered]
Running length : 5:10
Musicians & Credits
Mike Peters – Lead Vocals
Dave Sharp – Electric Guitar, Backing Vocals
Eddie Macdonald – Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Nigel Twist – Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals
Remastered from the 1985 original recording by Mike Peters
Remastering Engineered by Gary Butler @ RTS Liverpool in 2000
2015 – The Alarm – Strength [Reimagined]
Running length : 5:04
Musicians & Credits
Mike Peters – Lead Vocals, Acoustic, Baritone & Electric Guitar
Steve “Smiley” Barnard – Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals
Jules Jones Peters – Backing Vocals
Steve Allen Jones – Backing Vocals
Acquire Choir under musical director Dawny Ward, conductor Leslie Church Ward – Backing vocals
Recorded at Real World Studios, England, Bethel Chapel Studios, Wales.
Additional recording at Sonic Hills, Sunshine Corner Studios England and Community First, Wales
Mixed & Mastered by Mark Warden
Engineered by Mark Warden at Bethel Chapel Studios, Patrick Philips at Real World Studios.
Produced by Mike Peters, Mark Warden and Smiley.
Executive Production by Jimmy Iovine.
2019 – The Alarm – Strength [1985-1986] [Remastered] {Disc 1]
Running length : 5:20
Musicians & Credits
Mike Peters – Lead Vocals
Dave Sharp – Electric Guitar, Backing Vocals
Eddie Macdonald – Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Nigel Twist – Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals
Remastered from the 1985 original recording by Pete Maher
Remastering supervised by Mike Peters
2019 – The Alarm – Strength [1985-1986] [Remastered] {Disc 2]
Running length : 5:09
Musicians & Credits
Mike Peters – Lead Vocals
Dave Sharp – Electric Guitar, Backing Vocals
Eddie Macdonald – Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Nigel Twist – Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals
Remastered from the 1985 originalRoundhouse demo recording by Pete Maher
Remastering supervised by Mike Peters
Album appearances and discography of studio recordings
All the following are Worldwide releases except where stated
21st October 1985 – The Alarm – Strength – IRS Records MIRF1004 (Vinyl), MIRC1004 (Cassette), IRS DMIRL1004 (CD). (UK Release) Original 1985 recording
Declaration was also released on vinyl, cassette and CD in USA, Canada, Europe. Vinyl and CD in Australia, Japan. Vinyl only New Zealand, Israel, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Brazil. Cassette only France, Netherlands.
28th October 1997 – Mike Peters – Acoustic Works 1981-1986 – Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C004 (CD). 1997 Mountain & Sea, Wales Recording
2000 – The Alarm – Strength (1985-1986) – Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C012 (CD). Appearing as part of the Alarm 2000 collection box set and then later as an individual disc. 1985 recorded version remastered.
12th November 2001 – The Alarm – Alt-Strength Disc 1. Twenty First Century Recording Company, no catalogue number (CD). 1984 E-Zee Hire Studios Electric demo version.
12th November 2001 – The Alarm – Alt-Strength Disc 2. Twenty First Century Recording Company, no catalogue number. 1985 Rough mix, Roundhouse Studio session.
2002 – The Alarm – Close – Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21CS002. (CD). 1985 recorded single version remastered
2002 – Mike Peters – Acoustic Alarm Standards – Conspiracy Music – Catalogue Number CM0014 (USA only release) (CD) 1997 Mountain & Sea, Wales Acoustic Recording.
2012 – The Alarm – Two classic albums: Strength / Eye of the Hurricane – EMI GOLD, no catalogue number (CD). 1985 recorded version.
2015 – The Alarm – Strength – Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C070 (CD). Reimagined new recording version.
2019 – The Alarm – Strength (1985-1986) – Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue numbers LP 21C105LP (Double Vinyl) 21C105CD (Double CD). 1985 recorded version remastered.
2019 – The Alarm – Strength (1985-1986) – Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue numbers LP 21C105LP (Double Vinyl) 21C105CD (Double CD). 1985 demo recorded version remastered.
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Single and EP appearances and discography
UK Releases :
26th April 1986 – 7″ Vinyl Gatefold sleeve – Knife Edge / (b Side) – Caroline Isenberg IRS Records, catalogue number IRM112
26th April 1986 – 7″ Vinyl shaped picture disc – Knife Edge / (b Side) – Caroline Isenberg IRS Records, catalogue number IRM112
26th April 1986 – 12” Vinyl – Knife Edge / Howling Wind (Radio Session) / (b Side) – Caroline Isenberg / Unbreak The Promise (Radio Session) IRS Records, catalogue number IRMT112
8th February 1988 – 7″ Vinyl – Presence of Love : Celtic Side – Presence of Love / Folklore Side – Knife Edge (live at The Vic Theatre, Chicago, Illinois. USA 15th December 1987) IRS Records, catalogue number IRM155
8th February 1988 – 7″ Vinyl Picture disc – Presence of Love : Celtic Side – Presence of Love / Folklore Side – Knife Edge (live at The Vic Theatre, Chicago, Illinois. USA 15th December 1987) IRS Records, catalogue number IRMP155
8th February 1988 – 12″ Vinyl – Presence of Love : Celtic Side – Presence of Love / Knife Edge (live at The Vic Theatre, Chicago, Illinois. USA 15th December 1987) / Folklore Side – Strength (live at The Vic Theatre, Chicago, Illinois. USA 15th December 1987) IRS Records, catalogue number IRMT155
8th February 1988 – 12″ Vinyl with Tour Poster – Presence of Love : Celtic Side – Presence of Love / Knife Edge (live at The Vic Theatre, Chicago, Illinois. USA 15th December 1987) / Folklore Side – This Train Is Bound For Glory (live at The Vic Theatre, Chicago, Illinois. USA 15th December 1987) / Dawn Chorus (live at The Vic Theatre, Chicago, Illinois. USA 15th December 1987) IRS Records, catalogue number IRMX155
8th February 1988 – CD Single – Presence of Love : Presence of Love / Knife Edge (live at The Vic Theatre, Chicago, Illinois. USA 15th December 1987) / Rain In The Summertime [Through The Haze Mix] IRS Records, catalogue number DIRM155
Netherlands Release :
April 1986 – 7″ Vinyl – Knife Edge / (b Side) – Caroline Isenberg IRS Records, catalogue number IILSA 6991
April 1986 – 12” Vinyl – Knife Edge / Howling Wind (Radio Session) / (b Side) – Caroline Isenberg / Unbreak The Promise (Radio Session) IRS Records, catalogue number ILSA 12.6991
Europe Release :
February 1988 – 12″ Vinyl Maxi Single – Presence of Love : Celtic Side – Presence of Love / Knife Edge (live at The Vic Theatre, Chicago, Illinois. USA 15th December 1987) / Folklore Side – his Train Is Bound For Glory (live at The Vic Theatre, Chicago, Illinois. USA 15th December 1987) / Dawn Chorus (live at The Vic Theatre, Chicago, Illinois. USA 15th December 1987) / Strength (live at The Vic Theatre, Chicago, Illinois. USA 15th December 1987) IRS Records, catalogue number ILS 651325 6
Germany Release :
February 1988 – CD Single – Presence of Love : Celtic Side – Presence of Love / Knife Edge (live at The Vic Theatre, Chicago, Illinois. USA 15th December 1987) / Folklore Side – his Train Is Bound For Glory (live at The Vic Theatre, Chicago, Illinois. USA 15th December 1987) / Dawn Chorus (live at The Vic Theatre, Chicago, Illinois. USA 15th December 1987) IRS Records, catalogue number ILS 651325 2
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Officially released live recordings – Audio
All are Worldwide Releases on Twenty First Century Recording Company
(Except where stated)
17th October 1985. Recorded live at The Marquee Club, Wardour Street, London W1F, England
Band Line up : Mike Peters, Dave Sharp, Eddie Macdonald and Nigel Twist
Running length 5:08
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 2014 as The Alarm When The Storm Broke. Secret records, catalogue number SECDD098 (UK)
9th November 1985. Recorded live at Orpheum Theatre, Boston, Massachusetts. USA
Running length 4:55
Band Line up : Mike Peters, Dave Sharp, Eddie Macdonald and Nigel Twist
Released on Double Vinyl album 13th April 2019 as The Alarm – Strength Live’ 85. Catalogue number 21C107LP
12th April 1986. Recorded live at University of California (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
Band Line up : Mike Peters, Dave Sharp, Eddie Macdonald and Nigel Twist
Released on CD/DVD package in 2007 as The Alarm Spirit of 86 as remastered audio on CD. Catalogue number 21C DVD011
15th December 1987. Recorded live at The Vic Theatre, Chicago, Illinois. USA
Running length 4:55
Band Line up : Mike Peters, Dave Sharp, Eddie Macdonald, Nigel Twist and Mark Taylor.
Released by The Alarm as the B’side of the Presence of Love 7″ single, catalogue number IRM155 (UK), 12″ single catalogue number IRMX155 (UK), CD single, catalogue number DIRM155 (UK), The single was also released in the USA, Canada, Europe, Germany in February 1988.
Released on CD in 2000 as The Alarm Electric Folklore [Live] 1987-1988. Catalogue number 21C014
15th January 2000. Recorded at The Gathering 8, The North Wales Conference Centre, Llandudno, Wales. Running Length 4:21
Band Line up : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Craig Adams, Steve Grantley. 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 4:50
7th December 2000. Recorded at The Cockpit, Leeds, England. Running Length 4:33
8th December 2000. Recorded at Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton, England.
9th December 2000. Recorded at The Lomax, Liverpool, England. Running Length 4:35
13th December 2000. Recorded at Rock City, Nottingham, England.
15th December 2000. Recorded at Shepherds Bush Empire. London W12, England.
Running Length 4:31
16th December 2000. Recorded at University, Cardiff, Wales. Running Length 4:20
17th December 2000. Recorded at University, Manchester, England.
The band line up for all of the December live shows were : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Richard Llewellyn, Steve Grantley as The Alarm MM promoting The Alarm 2000 collection.
13th January 2001. Recorded at The Gathering 7, The North Wales Conference Centre, Llandudno, Wales
Running Length 4:24
Band line-up : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Richard Llewellyn and Steve Grantley.
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
6th February 2001. Recorded at Logo, Hamburg, Germany.
10th February 2001. Recorded at Colos-Saal, Aschaffenburg, Germany. Running Length 4:22
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) As The Alarm MMI
1st February 2003. Recorded at The Garage, Glasgow, Scotland. Running Length 4:44
6th February 2003. Recorded at Masque Theatre, Liverpool, England.
7th February 2003. Recorded at The Mean Fiddler, Harlesden, London NW10, England. Running Length 4:39
(Band Line up : tbc for the Feb dates) As The Alarm MMIII
23rd August 2003. Recorded at William Aston Hall, NEWI, as the Wrexham, Wales.
Running Length 4:15. Mike Peters Solo acoustic.
Released as Alarmstock 1 volume 4 – The New Wave Songs Are Rising
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 6:27
19th November 2003. Recorded at The Middle East, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
20th November 2003. Recorded at Elbo Room, Chicago, USA. Running Length 4:31
21st November 2003. Recorded at The Knitting Factory (West), Los Angeles, California, USA. Running Length 4:50
(Band Line up : tbc for the November dates) As The Alarm MMIII
26th February 2004. Recorded at Municipal Arts Centre, Pontypridd, Wales. Running length 4:26
7th March 2004. Recorded at The Garage, Glasgow, Scotland. Running length 4:08
(Band Line up : tbc for the November dates) As The Alarm MMIV
28th August 2003. Recorded at William Aston Hall, NEWI, as the Wrexham, Wales.
Running Length 5:12. Mike Peters Solo acoustic.
Released as Alarmstock 1 volume 2 – Is A Working Man Born To Live And Then Die
6th August 2005. Recorded at Abbey Road Studios, London NW8, England.
Running Length 5:13. Mike Peters Solo acoustic.
Released in 2005 on Alarmstock III vol 1 – London Set 4 – Eight Thousand Went Down
13th August 2005. Recorded at Electric Lady Studio A, New York, USA
Running Length 9:17 Mike Peters Solo acoustic.
Released in 2005 on Alarmstock III vol 3 – New York Set 3 – Strength [Love and Hope]
20th August 2005. Recorded at Capitol Records Studio A, Los Angeles, California, USA.
Running Length 6:44 Mike Peters Solo acoustic.
Released in 2005 on Alarmstock III Los Angeles Set 4 – Spirit of ’86 Revisited
28th January 2012. Recorded at The Gathering 20, Pontins Prestatyn Sands Holiday Park, Prestatyn, Wales
Running length : 6:34
Band line-up : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Craig Adams, Steve “Smiley” Barnard, Mark Taylor and Steve Norman
Released in 2012 – The Alarm – The Music Must And Shall Be Preserved (audio disc), catalogue number 21CDVD016
1st February 2014. Recorded at The Gathering 22, Venue Cymru, Llandudno, Wales
Running length : 4:37
Band line-up : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Craig Adams, Steve “Smiley” Barnard and Mark Taylor
Released in 2014 – The Alarm – No Barriers The Gathering 2014, catalogue number 21CDVD018 (CD/DVD)
Officially released live recordings – Video/DVD
All are Worldwide Releases on Twenty First Century Recording Company
(Except where stated)
12th April 1986. Recorded live at University of California (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
Band Line up : Mike Peters, Dave Sharp, Eddie Macdonald and Nigel Twist
Released on CD/DVD package in 2007 as The Alarm Spirit of 86. Catalogue number 21C DVD011
15th December 2000. Recorded at Shepherds Bush Empire, London W12, England.
Released on DVD in 2002 – The Alarm MM – Greatest Hits Live Catalogue number 21CDVD001
Band line up : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Richard Llewellyn, Steve Grantley.
13th January 2001. Recorded at The Gathering 9, The North Wales Conference Centre, Llandudno, Wales.
Band line-up : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Richard Llewellyn and Steve Grantley.
Released on DVD in 2005 – The Alarm – The Gathering History Catalogue number 21CDVD003
9th June 2001. Recorded at The Town Hall, Rhyl, Wales.
Mike Peters Solo acoustic.
Released in 2001 on DVD The Story Of The Alarm (20th Anniversary) (Cat. No. 21CDVD002)
25th January 2003. Recorded at The Gathering 11, The North Wales Conference Centre, Llandudno, Wales
Band line up : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Craig Adams, Steve Grantley and Mark Taylor
Released on DVD in 2005 – The Alarm – The Gathering History Catalogue number 21CDVD003
24th January 2004. Recorded at The Gathering 12, The North Wales Conference Centre, Llandudno, Wales
Band line up : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Craig Adams, Steve Grantley and Mark Taylor
Released on DVD in 2005 – The Alarm – The Gathering History Catalogue number 21CDVD003
1st March 2004. Recorded at Scala, Kings Cross, London N1, England
Released in 2005 on CD/DVD Live In The Poppy Fields, on Snapper Records SMASDVD026
Band line up for March : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Richard Llewellyn, Steve Grantley.
8th November 2004. Recorded at at The Marquee, London WC2E, England
Band line-up : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Craig Adams, Steve Grantley
Released in 2006 on DVD Rock And Roll Circus (Live At The Marquee), catalogue number 21CDVD005
27th January 2007. Recorded at The Gathering 15, The North Wales Conference Centre, Llandudno, Wales
Band line up : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Craig Adams and Steve Grantley
Released on DVD in 2007 – The Alarm – Live At The Gathering 2007 Premium Rock & Roll Catalogue number 21CDVD010
26th January 2008. Recorded at The Gathering 16, The North Wales Conference Centre, Llandudno, Wales
Band line-up : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Craig Adams and Steve Grantley
Released in 2008 – The Alarm – Tactical Response – Live at The Gathering 2008, catalogue number 21CDVD012 (CD/DVD)
28th January 2012. Recorded at The Gathering 20, Pontins Prestatyn Sands, Holiday Park, Prestatyn, Wales.
Band line-up : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Craig Adams, Steve “Smiley” Barnard, Mark Taylor and Steve Norman.
Released in 2012 – The Alarm – The Music Must And Shall Be Preserved (Cat. No. 21CDVD016)
1st February 2014. Recorded at The Gathering 22, Venue Cymru, Llandudno, Wales.
Band line-up : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Craig Adams, Steve “Smiley” Barnard and Mark Taylor.
Released in 2014 on DVD – The Alarm – No Barriers Act 2 Gathering 2014, catalogue number 21CDVD018
31st January 2015. Recorded at The Gathering 23, Venue Cymru, Llandudno, Wales.
Band line-up : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Craig Adams, Steve “Smiley” Barnard and Mark Taylor.
Released in 2015 on DVD – The Alarm – Hands Held High – Saturday Concert Act 1, catalogue number 21CDVD018
2nd May 2015. Recorded at The Globe, Cardiff, Wales
Mike Peters solo acoustic set
Released on CD on 7th December 2015 – Mike Peters presents The Alarm – Live At The Globe 2015 – Strength Set, catalogue number 21CDVD019
Lyrics – Strength Album
Memories come flooding back, the bitter pain of disappointment
Of once of having love but now I only feel loss
I’m living on a Knife Edge
At the end of the line
I’m taking all the hard sell
I’m looking for a lifeline
When you ain’t got no-one in this world, it makes you feel useless
It gives you nothing to live for nothing to die for
I’m burning up, such a long way from home
I’ve got it all to give and no-one to give it to
That’s why I’m looking for you, for someone to whom I can prove
That I’m not through, I’m alive and I need love too
I’m living on a Knife Edge, at the end of the line
I’m taking all the hard sell, looking for a lifeline
I’m looking for you now
And the doors of love seem closed
No matter how hard I try to kick them down
It seems to all add up in my mind
Just going round and around and around
I’m fired up, ’cause there’s nothing I can do to change things
I’ve just got to sit back and wait for my chance to come
That’s why I’m looking for you, for someone to whom I can prove
That I’m not through, I’m alive and that’s the truth
I’m living on a Knife Edge, at the end of the line
I’m taking all the hard sell, looking for a lifeline
I’m looking for you now
Memories come flooding back, the bitter pain of disappointment
Of once of having love but now I only feel loss
There’s a pointlessness about it all
I’ve got to force that to the back of my mind
The important thing now is just, I’ve got to survive
I’m living on a Knife Edge
Alternative Lyrics – 1984 E-Zee Hire Demo Version
Petrol fumes, littered street and the beauty of unemployment
The writings on the walls of empty houses
Going to waste
I’m living on a knife edge
On the breadline
Taking all the hard sell
Looking for a life line
When you ain’t got nothing in this world
It makes you feel useless
It gives you nothing to live for
Nothing to die oh no no
And I’m burning up burning up burning up
I got nowhere to go
I’ve got it all to give
And no-one to give it to
That’s why I’m looking for you
For someone to whom I can prove
That I ain’t through
I’m alive and that’s the truth
I’m living on a knife edge
On the breadline
I’m taking all the hard sell
I’m looking for a life line
On the knife edge
There’s only one way out
(Hey now)
And society’s doors get slammed in my face
‘Cause I ain’t got what they want
I ain’t got enough of this or that
I ain’t got no qualifications
And I’m fired up, fired up, fired up
And I can’t do nothing to change it
I just gotta sit back and wait for my chance to come
That’s why I’m looking for you
For someone to whom I can prove
That I ain’t through
Oh I’m alive and that’s the truth
I’m living on a knife edge
On the breadline
I’m taking all the hard sell
I’m looking for a life line
On the knife edge
There’s only one way out
Petrol fumes, littered streets, with the beauty of unemployment
The writings on the walls of empty houses
Going to waste
There’s cracks in the pavement
There’s cracks in society
Cracks in that’s cracking up
I don’t know about you
But all I’m trying to do is survive
I’m, I’m, I’m living on a knife edge
On the breadline
Taking all the hard sell
Looking for a life line
I’m on a knife edge
I’m living on a knife edge
I’m on the breadline
I’m taking all the hard sell
Looking for a life line
On the knife edge
Oh no, there’s only one way out
There’s only one way out
Memories come flooding back
The bitter pain of disappointment
Of once of having love but now
I only feel loss
There’s a pointlessness about it all
I’ve gotta force that to the back of my mind
Ah the important thing now
Is just I’ve gotta survive
I’m living on a knife edge
I’m on the edge of the line
I’m taking all the hard sell
I’m looking for a life line I’m living on a knife edge
I’m living at the end of a line
I’m taking taking all the hard sell
Just looking for the life line
I’m living on a knife edge
I’m looking for you now
Alternative Lyrics – 1997 Acoustic Works
When you ain’t got no-one in this world, it makes you feel useless
It gives you nothing to live for nothing to die for
No no no
I’m burning up, burning up, burning up
Such a long way from home
I’ve got it all to give and no-one to give it to
That’s why I’m looking for you, oh someone to whom I can prove
That I’m not through
No no no
I’m alive and that’s the truth
I’m living on a Knife Edge, oh oh oh
At the end of the line
I’m taking on the hard sell, oh oh oh
I’m looking for a lifeline
On a knife Edge
Oh no I’m looking for you now
And the doors of love seem closed
No matter how hard I try to kick them down
It seems to all add up in my mind
Just going round and around and around
I’m fired up, fired up, fired up,
It seems like there’s nothing I can do to change things
I’ve just got to sit back and wait for my chance to come
That’s why I’m looking for you,
For someone to whom I can prove
That I’m not through,
No no no
I’m alive and that’s the truth
I’m living on a Knife Edge, oh oh oh
On the end of the line
I’m taking on the hard sell, oh oh oh
I’m looking for a lifeline
On a knife edge
Oh no I’m looking for you now
Memories come flooding back, the bitter pain of disappointment
Of once of having love but now I only feel loss
I’m living on a Knife Edge,
At the end of the line
Taking on a hard sell
I’m looking for a lifeline
I’m living on a Knife Edge, oh oh oh
On the end of the line
I’m taking on a hard sell, oh oh oh
I’m looking for a lifeline
On a knife Edge
Oh no I’m looking for you now
Lyrics – Strength Reimagined 2015
When you ain’t got no-one in this world, it makes you feel useless
It gives you nothing to live for nothing to die for
No no no
I’m burning up, burning up burning up such a long way from home
I’ve got it all to give and no-one to give it to
That’s why I’m looking for you, for someone to whom I can prove
That I’m not through,
No no no no
I’m alive and I need love too
I’m living on a Knife Edge, at the end of the line
I’m taking all the hard sell, looking for a lifeline
I’m living on a Knife Edge
Oh no
There’s only one way out
There’s only one way out
And the doors of love seem closed
No matter how hard I try to kick them down
It seems to all add up in my mind
Just going round and around and around
I’m fired up, fired up, fired up
Seems like there’s nothing I can do to change things
Just got to sit back and wait for my chance to come
That’s why I’m looking for you
For someone to whom I can prove
That I’m not through
No no no no
I’m living on a Knife Edge
Oh no
There’s only one way out
Memories come flooding back, the bitter pain of disappointment
Of once of having love but now I only feel loss
I’m living on a Knife Edge
On the end of the line
Taking on the hard sell
That’s why I’m looking for you, for someone to whom I can prove
That I’m not through,
No no no no
I’m alive and that’s the truth
I’m living on a Knife Edge
On the end of the line
I’m taking on the hard sell
Just looking for a life line
I’m living on a Knife Edge
Oh no
There’s only one way out
Audio & Visual sources
Video Link – Knife Edge, Interview Whistle Test, Llandudno 20th April 1985 (aired 1st June 1985)
Audio Link – The Alarm Knife Edge live from Orpheum Theatre, Boston, Massachusetts. USA 9th November 1985.
Video Link – The Alarm Knife Edge [Demo] (Official Music Video) [2019 Remaster]
(Page updated 13/06/2021)