FM – Only The Strong Survive (Goldsworthy/Jupp/Overland/Barnett) b/w Little Bit Of Love (Rodgers/Fraser/Kossoff/Kirke) & Primitive Touch (Overland)
1992
This self-penned tune from FM’s third major label album followed a cover version of Marvin Gaye’s I Heard It Through The Grapevine – the single which was expected to take FM to the next level.
In fact the song wasn’t a hit and the record on which it appeared, Takin’ It To The Streets appeared to lack the commercial appeal of predecessors Indiscreet and Tough It Out. Which is a shame as this track was one of several superb tracks penned by one of Britain’s best-loved melodic rock acts. The good news is that FM are back and back with a bang. New album Metropolis is released at the end of the month and we can report that singer/songwriter Steve Overland still possesses a fine set of pipes.
Twenty years ago he was whisked away to the US and launched into a songwriting partnership with hitmaker Desmond Child. And prior to that it looked like nothing could stop FM as the band backed up two brilliant records with touring spots alongside the likes of Tina Turner, Meat Loaf, Foreigner and, ultimately, with Bon Jovi on the massive Slippery When Wet tour.
But frequent label changes and the departure of Overland’s brother, Chris, affected the band’s momentum and while they continued to release fantastic tunes like Only The Strong Survive the band’s fan base did not. Here’s hoping 2010 will mark a long overdue revival.