“One Thing Leads to Another” is a new wave hit by the English band The Fixx, released in 1983 as the lead single from their second album, Reach the Beach. The track was written by Cy Curnin, Adam Woods, Jamie West-Oram, and Rupert Greenall, and produced by Rupert Hine.
Background and Themes The song’s lyrics, penned by vocalist Cy Curnin, critique political dishonesty and the escalating consequences of deception, inspired by a real-life political scandal in England. Curnin described the theme as a warning that liars must remember their statements or “the whole thing’s going to get pear shaped.” Musically, the track blends post-punk angularity with accessible new wave structures, driven by a distinctive syncopated guitar riff and propulsive rhythm section.
Commercial Success and Legacy Released in the US on August 18, 1983, the song became the band’s only Top 10 hit on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 4. It also reached number 1 in Canada and number 2 on the US Mainstream Rock chart. Heavy rotation of its MTV music video, which featured abstract visuals and narrative elements of media manipulation, significantly boosted its visibility and contributed to Reach the Beach achieving platinum status in the United States. Despite modest success in the UK (peaking at #86), the song remains the band’s most recognized track internationally.
[Verse 1]
The deception with tact
Just what are you trying to say?
You got a blank face, which irritates
Communicate, pull out your party piece
You see dimensions in two
State your case with black or white
But when one little cross leads to shots, grit your teeth
You run for cover, so discreet
[Chorus]
Why don’t they do what they say? Say what you mean
Oh, baby, one thing leads to another
You told me something wrong, I know I listened too long
But then one thing leads to another
[Verse 2]
The impression that you sell
Passes in and out like a scent
But the long face that you see
Comes from living close to your fears
If this is up, then I’m up
But you’re running out of sight
You’ve seen your name on the walls
And when one little bump leads to shock, miss a beat
You run for cover in this heat
[Chorus]
Why don’t they do what they say, say what they mean?
One thing leads to another
You told me something wrong, I know I listened too long
But then one thing leads to another, yeah, yeah, yeah
[Bridge]
One thing (One, one thing) leads to another
[Verse 3]
But it’s easy to believe
Somebody’s been lying to me
But when the wrong word goes in the right ear
I know you’ve been lying to me
It’s getting rough, off the cuff, I’ve got to say enough’s enough
Bigger, the harder he falls
But when the wrong antidote is like a bulge in the throat
You run for cover in the heat
[Chorus]
Why don’t they do what they say, say what they mean?
One thing leads to another
You told me something wrong, I know I listened too long
But then one thing leads to another, yeah, yeah
[Outro]
One thing (One, one thing) leads to another (One thing) (Another)
One thing (One, one thing) leads to another (One thing) (Another)
One thing (One, one thing) leads to another (One thing) (Another)
One thing leads to another
One thing (One, one thing) leads to another (One thing) (Another)
One thing (One, one thing) leads to another (One thing) (Another)
One thing (One, one thing) leads to another (One thing) (Another)
One thing leads to another
One thing (One, one thing)
