Marching On is a single released by The Alarm in the UK only on 7″ vinyl on 22nd October 1982. The single included 2 additional tracks Across The Border and Lie Of The Land
Steve Tannett had booked us into Matrix Studios in London for August 17th, to cut three tracks with the now established Alarm line-up, featuring Eddie Macdonald on bass guitar. Ian Wilson and Steve had both agreed that Marching On should be our debut single for IRS records and that it was going to be released on their subsidiary imprint Illegal Records. The sessions worked out well although we did have to get Steve to come along and produce. His mate Harry Murlowski, the photographer and Sniffin’ Glue fanzine co-founder, was running riot in the control room while we tried to get a sound out of our electrically dishevelled acoustic guitars when Steve arrived with a real high-end rented acoustic guitar and saved the day. Steve also encouraged us to broaden our sound, so we had a female keyboard player Angie Knox come in to add some Hammond organ and also Mark Feltham of Nine Below Zero to lay down some professional harmonica to Across The Border and Lie of The Land. I was still only capable of playing a few bars on the harmonica but seeing Mark play made me determined to get better with the instrument so that I could play harmonica on any subsequent Alarm recordings. – Mike Peters 2024
The artwork for the sleeve was the first appearance of the iconic poppy artwork which was created by Robert Olsen who was the brother of Sarah Olsen who worked with Ian Wilson at Wasted Talent.
Ian Wilson brought a graphic artist Robert to see us play in London with a view to creating a record sleeve for Marching On single. Robert went away with the lyrics to our songs in his mind. He was particularly struck by the war-like titles of some of our songs, Marching On, 68 Guns, Third Light etc and came back to us a few days later with the artwork for an exploding red poppy. It was later used in some shape or form on every record sleeve we ever produced, was taken to heart by our fans all over the world, and became the centre-piece of many of our stage productions and videos – Mike Peters, Alarm 2000 collection liner notes on the 1982 recording
Marching On is a song written by Mike Peters and Eddie Macdonald which was recorded on 17th August 1982 at Matrix Studios, London, England with Mike Peters on lead vocals and acoustic guitar; Dave Sharp on acoustic guitar and backing vocals; Eddie Macdonald on bass guitar and backing vocals; Nigel Twist on drums, percussion and backing vocals and Angie Knox on Hammond organ.
The song was produced by Aricentus (Steve Tannett and Harry Murlowski) and Ian Wilson, being engineered by Jess Sutcliffe. 
Click on image for original single version of Marching On hosted on the official The Alarm Youtube channel
Across The Border is a song written by Dave Sharp originally first performed as Screamin’ Demons, the project Dave was working on after Seventeen ended and was joined by Nigel Twist and Gaz Top for. The Alarm version was recorded on 17th August 1982 at Matrix Studios, London, England with Dave Sharp on lead vocals and electric guitar; Mike Peters on bass guitar and backing vocals; Eddie Macdonald on electric guitar and backing vocals; Nigel Twist on drums and backing vocals and Mark Feltham (of Nine Below Zero) on harmonica
The song was produced by Aricentus (Steve Tannett and Harry Murlowski) and Ian Wilson, being engineered by Jess Sutcliffe. 
Click on image for original single version of Across The Border hosted on the official The Alarm Youtube channel
Lie Of The Land is a song written by Mike Peters and Eddie Macdonald which was recorded on 17th August 1982 at Matrix Studios, London, England with Mike Peters on lead vocals and acoustic guitar; Dave Sharp on acoustic guitar and backing vocals; Eddie Macdonald on bass guitar and backing vocals; Nigel Twist on drums and backing vocals and Mark Feltham (of Nine Below Zero) on harmonica
The song was produced by Aricentus (Steve Tannett and Harry Murlowski) and Ian Wilson, being engineered by Jess Sutcliffe. 
Click on image for original single version of Lie Of The Land hosted on the official The Alarm Youtube channel
Reviews
Spirited first [sic] effort from a young band generating much favourable comment on the live circuit, a band who use vigorously punched acoustic guitars to very good effect. If this was a Jam record, it would probably go to number one. Mind you, it would also be better produced – David Hepworth, Smash Hits, October 1982
The second strong pop single from the ALARM. Their main claim to fame lies in an inventive, jangling guitar sound, though decent hooks and an unprepossessing organ also add distinction. Not up to the best ’60s standards, but much better than the TEARDROP EXPLODES and their ilk – Jeff Bale, Maxim RockNRoll #5 March/April 1983
Discography
Marching On was released in the following format
UK Release
22nd October 1982 : 7″ Vinyl – Marching On
Track listing : Marching On / Across the Border / Lie Of The Land
Released by Illegal Records, catalogue number ILS032
(Page updated 01/04/2026)