Working With Fire And Steel (Possible Pop Songs Volume Two)

Overview
Working with Fire and Steel – Possible Pop Songs Volume Two is the second studio album by China Crisis, released October 31, 1983 on Virgin Records. It followed Difficult Shapes & Passive Rhythms and features the smash single Wishful Thinking, which gave the band their first UK top-10 hit.

Recording History
The album was recorded at Amazon Studios in Liverpool and completed at The Manor Studio, Oxfordshire, during 1983. It was produced by Mike Howlett, with the core lineup augmented by bass guitarist Gazza Johnson, oboe/sax player Steve Levy and drummer Kevin Wilkinson, contributing a warmer, less synthetic texture than the debut. Emulator technology was introduced to the sessions by Howlett, complemented by brass, woodwind and string embellishments. The emphasis on orchestration and session musicians marks a notable step in their studio approach.

Chart Performance & Recognition
The album spent 16 weeks on the UK Albums Chart, peaking at No. 20 in February 1984. Singles included Tragedy and Mystery (May 1983) peaking at No. 46, the title track Working with Fire and Steel (October 1983) at No. 48, Wishful Thinking (December 1983) reaching No. 9, and Hanna Hanna (March 1984) at No. 44. The record earned UK Gold certification. Critical reception was positive, with Smash Hits giving it 7/10 and Billboard noting its refined, subtler instrumental approach.

Cultural Impact & Legacy
The release helped consolidate China Crisis’s shift toward sophisticated pop textures, blending electronic elements with brass and woodwinds. Wishful Thinking remains their signature hit and has inspired covers and interpretations, including cover versions noted on WhoSampled. Today the album is regarded as a high-water mark of early-80s UK synth-pop, celebrated for its craft and melodic reach.