One Step Closer To Home first appeared on the Eye Of The Hurricane album released on 9th November 1987. All the songs on Eye of the Hurricane had a suffix after the title to indicate where they were written or the location the idea of the song came from, in this case it was One Step Closer To Home [Armorique].
Running length: 4:36
Written By: Twist/Sharp
Musicians
Dave Sharp – Lead vocals & acoustic guitar
Mike Peters – Electric guitar
Eddie Macdonald – Bass guitar & backing vocals
Nigel Twist – Drums & backing vocals
Chris Stainton – Piano & Hammond organ
Backing track recorded 4th June 1987 at Great Linford Manor Studios, Milton Keynes, England.
Produced by John Porter. Engineered Tony Platt. Mixed by David Leonard
Alternative studio recording releases
1984 – Demo recording details – Electric version
Released as The Alarm – Alt-Strength
Running length: 4:11
Musicians
Dave Sharp – Lead vocals & acoustic guitar
Mike Peters – Electric guitar
Eddie Macdonald – Bass guitar
Nigel Twist – Drums
Recorded 29th & 30th November 1984 at E-Zee Hire Studios, London W14, England.
Recorded by live sound engineer Nigel Luby.
1985 – Demo recording details – Recorded live in the studio unreleased take.
Released as The Alarm – Alt-Strength
Running length: 4:33
Musicians
Dave Sharp – Lead vocals & acoustic guitar
Mike Peters – Electric guitar
Eddie Macdonald – Bass guitar
Nigel Twist – Drums
Recorded live in the studio June to July 1985 at Marcus Studios, London W2, England.
2000 – The Alarm – The Alarm 2000 Collection Box Set : Strength [1985-1986] [Remastered]
Running length: 4:28
Musicians
Dave Sharp – Lead vocals & acoustic guitar
Mike Peters – Electric guitar
Eddie Macdonald – Bass guitar
Nigel Twist – Drums
Recorded and mixed at Marcus Studios, London W2, England between 6th June and 4th August 1985.
Produced by Mike Howlett. Engineered by Nigel Luby.
Remastered from the 1985 rough mix from the backing tracks sessions recording by Mike Peters
Remastering Engineered by Gary Butler @ RTS Liverpool in 2000
2000 – The Alarm – The Alarm 2000 Collection Box Set : Eye Of The Hurricane [1987-1988] [Remastered]
Running length: 4:48
Musicians
Dave Sharp – Lead vocals & acoustic guitar
Mike Peters – Electric guitar
Eddie Macdonald – Bass guitar & backing vocals
Nigel Twist – Drums & backing vocals
Chris Stainton Piano & Hammond organ
Remastered from the 1987 John Porter Mix recording by Mike Peters
Remastering Engineered by Gary Butler @ RTS Liverpool in 2000
2002 – Dave Sharp – The Summer Of Love 2002, Part 1
Running length: 4:04
Musicians
Dave Sharp – Vocals, acoustic guitar
Recorded May 2002 at Witchwood Studios, Ashton-under-Lyne, England.
2019 – Mike Peters presents The Alarm – Stream {Hurricane of Change} – Downstream disc
Running length: 4.15 plus 0:15 intro narration
Musicians
Mike Peters – 1st Voice, electric, acoustic guitars, harmonica and narration
Smiley – 2nd Voice, drums, percussion, tambourine
Jules Jones Peters – 3rd Voice, piano
George Williams – 4th Voice, bass guitar, piano, synths
Recorded at Sain Studios, Wales 8th – 12th February 2019
Recorded and engineered by George Williams
Assistant recording engineer Aled Hughes
Demonstration tape engineer Mark Warden.
Album appearances and discography for studio recordings
All the following are Worldwide releases except where stated
9th November 1987 – The Alarm – Eye Of The Hurricane – IRS Records vinyl MIRG 1023, cassette MIRGC 1023 , CD DMIRG 1023 (UK Release). Original 1987 recording
Declaration was also released on vinyl, cassette and CD in USA, Canada, Europe and Spain. Vinyl and cassette in Australia. Vinyl and CD in Japan. Vinyl only Greece, Netherlands and Brazil. Cassette only Taiwan.
13th April 1998 – The Alarm And Mike Peters – The Best Of The Alarm And Mike Peters. Released in the UK & Europe on EMI, catalogue number 7243 4 93751 2 3 (CD). Original 1987 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 rough mix remastered.
2000 – The Alarm – Eye Of The Hurricane [1987-1988] – Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C013 (CD). Appearing as part of the Alarm 2000 collection box set and then later as an individual disc. 1987 recorded John Porter mix remastered.
2000 – The Alarm – The Alarm 2000 collection sampler Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C018 (CD). 1985 recorded rough mix remastered edit version.
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 Live studio version recorded at Marcus Studios, London
1st July 2002 – Dave Sharp – The Summer Of Love 2002, Part 1. catalogue number Love001 (CD) 2002 recording. 2002 Acoustic recording.
2006 – The Alarm – The Best Of The Alarm. Released in Europe, USA & Canada on Capitol Records, catalogue number 09463-57607-2-9 (CD). Original 1987 recording.
2012 – The Alarm – Two classic albums: Strength / Eye of the Hurricane – EMI GOLD, no catalogue number (CD). 1985 recorded version.
2019 – Mike Peters presents The Alarm – Stream {Hurricane of Change} – Downstream disc – Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C112 (CD). 2019 recording.
Officially released live recordings – Audio
All are Worldwide Releases on Twenty First Century Recording Company
(Except where stated)
14th February 1984. Recorded live at Hammersmith Palais, London W6, England
Running length 4:07
Band Line up : Mike Peters, Dave Sharp, Eddie Macdonald and Nigel Twist
Released on CD in 2002 as The Alarm Record Collectors Club Vol II – Hammersmith 1984. Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number ARCC002
15th December 1987. Recorded Live at The Vic Theatre, Chicago, Illinois, USA
Running length 5:31
Band Line up : Mike Peters, Dave Sharp, Eddie Macdonald, Nigel Twist and Mark Taylor
Released on CD in 2000 as The Alarm – Electric Folklore [Live] (1987-1988), catalogue number 21C014. Appearing as part of the Alarm 2000 collection box set and then later as an individual disc. Remaster of an unreleased track.
15th January 2000. Recorded at The Gathering 8, The North Wales Conference Centre, Llandudno, Wales.
Running Length 5:10
Band Line up : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Craig Adams, Steve Grantley
The Gathering was billed as Mike Peters and New Electric Band.
30th September 2000. Recorded at King Tuts Wah Wah Hut, Glasgow – Dave Sharp & The Hard Travellers. Running Length 5:10.
Band Line Up : Dave Sharp,
Released on One Step Closer To God´s Country (CD) (Bootleg CD recorded with Dave’s permission & sold via Scotland Calling website.)
4th December 2000. Recorded at The Garage, Glasgow, Scotland.
5th December 2000. Recorded at University, Newcastle, England. Running Length 4:43
7th December 2000. Recorded at The Cockpit, Leeds, England. Running Length 4:25
8th December 2000. Recorded at Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton, England.
9th December 2000. Recorded at The Lomax, Liverpool, England. Running Length 4:19
13th December 2000. Recorded at Rock City, Nottingham, England.
15th December 2000. Recorded at Shepherds Bush Empire, London W12, England.
Running Length 4:54
Also released on CD in USA on Beyond (398 578 223-2 / BEY 78223) and Japan on Imperial Records (TECI-24086) in 2001, reissued in UK, and Europe on Eagle Records (EAMCD301) Australia & New Zealand (CDR0795) and USA (ER 20057-2) as The Alarm – Greatest Hits Live
16th December 2000. Recorded at University, Cardiff, Wales. Running Length 4:51
17th December 2000. Recorded at University, Manchester, England.
Band line up December shows : 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. The CD releases of the December dates were called Live In ……..
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)
The CD releases of the February and April dates were called Live At ……..
23rd August 2003. Recorded at William Aston Hall, NEWI, Wrexham, Wales
Running Length 3:57. Mike Peters Solo acoustic
Released in 2003 on Alarmstock Volume 4 – The New Wave Songs Are Rising
10th November 2003. Recorded at The Knitting Factory (East), New York, USA
Running Length 4:40
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 4:28
19th November 2003. Recorded at The Middle East, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
20th November 2003. Recorded at Elbo Room, Chicago, Illinois, USA Running Length 4:38
(Band Line up : tbc for the November dates)
The CD releases of the November dates were called Live At ……..
7th March 2004. Recorded at The Garage, Glasgow, Scotland
Running Length 4:42 – performed as a mash up of One Step Closer To Home & Strength
Band line up : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Craig Adams, Steve Grantley
Released on CD as Live at The Garage, Glasgow, 7 March 2004
29th August 2004. Recorded at William Aston Hall, NEWI, Wrexham, Wales
Running Length 5:24. Mike Peters Solo acoustic
Released in 2004 on Alarmstock 2 Volume 8 – The Peace Train
6th August 2005. Recorded at Abbey Road Studios, London NW8, England
Running Length 4:53. Mike Peters Solo acoustic
Released in 2005 on Alarmstock III London Set 3 – A Fuse Has Been Lit In The House
13th August 2005. Recorded at Electric Lady Studio A, New York, USA
Running Length 3:32 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 4:39 Mike Peters Solo acoustic.
Released in 2005 on Alarmstock III Los Angeles Set 3 – Like Sniffin’ Roses
28th February 2009. Recorded at Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff, Wales
Running Length 3:58 Mike Peters Solo acoustic
Released on CD in 2009 Mike Peters of The Alarm Live Acoustic Catalogue number 21C049
22nd October 2010. Record at King Tuts Wah Wah Hut, Glasgow, Scotland
Running Length 4:10. Mike Peters Solo acoustic
Released on CD in 2010 Mike Peters // The Alarm – Direct Acoustic MMX live in Glasgow, catalogue number 21C054
29th January 2011. Recorded at The Gathering 19, Pontins Prestatyn Sands Holiday Park, Prestatyn, Wales Running length : 4:40
Band Line Up : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Craig Adams and Steve Grantley
Released in 2011 on CD/DVD – The Alarm – Live At The Gathering 2011 (audio disc), catalogue number 21CDVD015
28th October 2011. Record at Academy, Manchester, England
Running Length 4:413. Mike Peters Solo acoustic
Released on CD in 2012 as Mike Peters of the Alarm – 30th Anniversary Acoustic Alarm Tour 1981-2011, catalogue number 21C059
5th April 2014. Recorded at The Deaf Institute, Manchester, England
Released via a download code only as part of The Dressing Room Session.
10th October 2015. Recorded at Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff, Wales
Band line-up : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Steve “Smiley” Barnard, Robin tbc, The Welsh Pops Symphony Orchestra conducted by John Quirk, Acquire Choir under the Musical Director Leslie Churchill Ward.
Released on DVD in 2016 – Mike Peters & The Alarm – Poppies Falling From The Sky (audio disc), catalogue number 21CDVD020
Officially released live recordings – Video/DVD
All the following are Worldwide releases on Twenty First Century Recording Company
(Except where stated)
15th December 2000. Recorded at Shepherds Bush Empire, London W12, England.
Running Length 4:54.
Band line-up : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Richard Llewellyn, Steve Grantley
Released in 2002 on DVD Greatest Hits Live (Shepherds Bush Empire), catalogue number 21CDVD001
13th January 2001. Recorded at The Gathering 9, The Town Hall, Rhyl, Wales
Band line-up
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), catalogue number 21CDVD002
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
28th January 2006. Recorded at The Gathering 14, The North Wales Conference Centre, Llandudno, Wales
Mike Peters solo acoustic set
Released on DVD in 2006 – The Alarm – Live At The Gathering 2006, catalogue number 21CDVD007
26th January 2008. Recorded at The Gathering 14, Venue Cymru, Llandudno, Wales
Band line-up :
Released on DVD in 2008 – The Alarm – Live At The Gathering 2008 Tactical Response, catalogue number 21CDVD012
29th January 2011. Recorded at The Gathering 19, Pontins Prestatyn Sands Holiday Park, Wales.
Band line-up: Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Craig Adams and Steve Grantley
Released on DVD in 2011 – The Alarm – Live At The Gathering 2011, catalogue number 21CDVD015
5th April 2014. Recorded at The Deaf Institute, Manchester, England
Running length : 3.32 + 43 second intro Mike Peters acoustic
Released in 2014 on DVD – Declaration – Live From The Deaf Institute, catalogue number 21CDVD017
2nd May 2015. Recorded at The Globe, Cardif, Wales
Mike Peters solo acoustic set
Released on DVD in 2015 – Mike Peters – Strength – Live At The Globe 2015 – Majority set, catalogue number 21CDVD019
10th October 2015. Recorded at Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff, Wales
Band line-up : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Steve “Smiley” Barnard, Robin tbc, The Welsh Pops Symphony Orchestra conducted by John Quirk, Acquire Choir under the Musical Director Leslie Churchill Ward.
Released on DVD in 2016 – Mike Peters & The Alarm – Poppies Falling From The Sky, catalogue number 21CDVD020
Radio Sessions, TV Appearances, Podcasts and online Multi-media
15th October 1983 – Kid Jensen Session – Recorded for the BBC Radio One
First transmitted on 15th November 1983. Running length 3:19
Performed by Mike Peters, Dave Sharp, Eddie Macdonald, Nigel Twist
Released on CD in 2008 as The Alarm – Radio Sessions 1983-1991 BBC on Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C045
Lyrics
Back in ’75, when the kid was on the line
He left no pain, ’cause there was none
He would bend in the wind takin’ anything
Like sniffin’ roses and it was alright
Until he fell and cut his hand
He just could not understand
He ran away, blame pretense for defence, or plain innocence
Said it was alright, the harder it fights
I’m one step closer to home
The deeper it bites
I’m one step closer to home
And you can tie my hands, or whip my back
I can’t give in, ’til the sky turns black
I may get lost
I’m one step closer to home
Oh yeah he ran, hitch rides travelled light
Left his bags behind, said he’d lost them
He said, that’s OK, i’ll get money and a smile from place to place
And they don’t mind
I’ve had the heads of businessmen
And I just give them right back again
I got no need for device, disguise, or for their compromise
Said it’s alright, the tougher it gets
I’m one step closer to home
The more that I sweat
I’m one step closer to home
And you can tie my hands or whip my back
I can’t give in, ’til the sky turns black
I may get lost
I’m one step closer to home
There ain’t no need for this at all
Surely you could help me out
Say, I know a lot of people just like you
Plenty to live for and nothing to lose
So tear it all down
Smash it all
Break it all down and then just
Build it up
And the tougher it gets
And the more that I sweat
And the harder it fights
And the deeper it bites
I’m one step closer to home
And the harder it fights
I’m one step closer to home
And you can tie my hands or whip my back
I can’t give in ’til the sky turns black
I may get lost
I’m one step closer to home
Alternative Lyrics – 1985 Marcus Studios rough mix
One two three four…
One two three four…
Back in ’75, when the kid was on the line
He left no pain, ’cause there was none
He would bend in the wind takin’ anything
Like sniffin’ roses and it was alright
Until he fell and cut his hand
He just could not understand
He ran away, blame pretense for defence, or plain innocence
Said it was alright, the harder it fights
I’m one step closer to home
The deeper it bites
I’m one step closer to home
And you can tie my hands, or whip my back
I can’t give in, ’til the sky turns black
I may get lost
I’m one step closer to home
Oh yeah he ran, hitch rides travelled light
Left his bags behind, said he’d lost them
But he said, that’s OK, I’ll get money and a smile from place to place
And they don’t mind
I’ve had the heads of businessmen
And I just give them right back again
I got no need for device, disguise, or for their compromise
So that’s all right, the tougher it gets
I’m one step closer to home
The more that I sweat
I’m one step closer to home
And you can tie my hands, or whip my back
I can’t give in, ’til the sky turns black
I may get lost
I’m one step closer to home
There ain’t no need for this at all, at all
Surely you can help me out
Say, I know a lot of people just like you
Plenty to live for and nothing to lose
So, tear it all down, smash it all up
Break it all down and then just
Build it up
Build it up
Build it up
Ah Build it up
Ah build it up
Ah build it up
Build it up
Build it up
Build it up
Build it up
And the tougher it gets
And the more that I sweat
And the harder it fights
And the deeper it bites
I’m one step closer to home
The more that it fights
I’m one step closer to home
You can tie my hands, or whip my back
I can’t give in
‘Til the sky turns black
I may get lost
I’m one step closer to home