"There's Too Many Irons in the Fire" is the second single by the English rock band

Cardiacs Cardiacs are an English Rock music, rock band formed in Kingston upon Thames by Tim Smith (Cardiacs), Tim Smith (guitar and lead vocals) and his brother Jim Smith (bassist), Jim (bass, backing vocals) in 1977 under the name Cardiac Arrest. One ...

, released on 12 August 1987.

Critical reception

In the week of its release, ''There's Too Many Irons in the Fire'' was awarded "Single of the Week" in '' Sounds'' magazine. Reviewer Andy Hurt noted the band's apparent desire to rework 1970s influences for the 1980s, and commented that they were "well qualified for the task, being formed just after the eruption of punk, and representing the marriage between

Van Der Graaf Generator Van der Graaf Generator are an English progressive rock band, formed in 1967 in Manchester by singer-songwriters Peter Hammill and Judge Smith, Chris Judge Smith. They were the first act signed by Charisma Records. They did not experience much ...

and the Albertos." He went on to praise the band, asserting that "Cardiacs can write, Cardiacs can play, and by God Cardiacs can perform. The public are way ahead of the press in recognising this... Clever rock music that is not patronising and which has a sturdy backbone. Pretty damn fantastic actually."Review of ''There's Too Many Irons in the Fire'' by Andy Hurt
in '' Sounds'' magazine, September 1987 (copy of text hosted on Cardiacs homepage)

Availability and reissuing

''There's Too Many Irons in the Fire'' has been deleted. All of the tracks on the single were later re-issued as part of the '' Songs for Ships and Irons'' compilation (originally released in 1991 and reissued on CD in 1995).

Track listing

All tracks are written by Tim Smith. :A1. "There's Too Many Irons in the Fire" – 3:17 :A2. "All Spectacular" – 2:35 :B. "Loosefish Scapegrace" – 7:46

Personnel

* Roger Tebbutt and Nick – recording, studio time * Mike Tate – artwork
*

Tim Quy Timothy Graham Quy ( ; 14 August 19612 February 2023) was a British musician, best known as the percussionist for the rock band Cardiacs from 1981 to 1990. Initially the band's sound engineer, Quy first gigged as reserve bass player in 1980 and j ...

– percussion, marimba, synthesizer * Tim Smith – lead voice, guitar * Jim Smith – bass guitar, singing * Sarah Smith – saxophone, singing *

William D. Drake William Derek Drake (born 7 February 1962) is an English musician, keyboardist, pianist, composer and singer-songwriter. He is best known as a former member of the Cult following, cult English rock band Cardiacs, whom he played with for nine yea ...

– keyboards, singing * Dominic Luckman – drums
* The Consultant and Mark Swanky Tosser Walmesley – management * Miss Swift – wisdom and guidance * Dominic Parker – head roady * Matthew Cutts – stage *

Mark Cawthra Mark Andrew Cawthra (born 28 April 1961) is a British musician of the project Redbus Noface and formerly of Cardiacs. Biography Mark Andrew Cawthra was born on 28 April 1961 in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, England. Cawthra's first serious ...

– live sound engineer * Mike Cooper – lighting * Colvin Mayers – lighting * Bill Hiles – shop girl

References

{{Authority control 1987 songs 1987 singles Cardiacs songs Songs written by Tim Smith (Cardiacs)