It Bites, formed in Cumbria, England in 1982, are a British progressive pop and rock band known for their unique fusion of intricate musicianship with accessible, radio-friendly melodies. Fronted by singer and guitarist Francis Dunnery, alongside John Beck, Dick Nolan, and Bob Dalton, the group achieved mainstream success in the mid-1980s with their breakout hit ‘Calling All The Heroes’ from the album The Big Lad In The Windmill (1986).
Their music stood out for blending progressive rock’s technical flair with the polished sheen of ’80s pop, appealing to both casual listeners and devoted prog audiences. Although their initial run ended in the early 1990s, It Bites developed a lasting reputation as adventurous songwriters, with their work continuing to influence fans of melodic and progressive rock alike.
It Bites’ 1986 single ‘Calling All The Heroes’ is a vibrant slice of ’80s pop-rock that perfectly captured the band’s knack for mixing catchy hooks with progressive flair. Taken from their debut album The Big Lad In The Windmill, the song became their biggest hit, reaching the UK Top 10 and introducing a wide audience to Francis Dunnery’s soaring vocals and the band’s polished musicianship. With its upbeat chorus and anthemic energy, ‘Calling All The Heroes’ quickly became a fan favorite and remains a defining track in It Bites’ catalogue, celebrated for its blend of accessibility and artistry.
The song peaked at No. 06 in the UK charts on 23rd August 1986.
| A-Side | Calling All The Heroes (4:00) (Francis Dunnery, John Beck, Richard Nolan, Robert Dalton) Produced By Alan Shacklock |
| B-Side | Strange But True (3:59) (Francis Dunnery, John Beck, Richard Nolan, Robert Dalton) Produced By Alan Shacklock, It Bites |
| Genre | Electronic, Rock, Prog. Rock |
| Release Date | June 1986 |
| Label | VIRGIN RECORDS |
| Catalogue Number | VS 872 |
| Date Of UK Top 40 Entry | 2nd August 1986 |
| Highest Chart Position | No. 06 |
| Weeks In UK Top 40 | 07 |
| UK Top 40 Chart Run [7 Weeks] – 2nd August 1986 – 13th September 1986 |
| 36-17-10-[6]-13-18-28 |
Officially Released Versions
Calling All The Heroes [Single Version] [4:02]
Calling All The Heroes [Full Length Version] [5:33]
Versions On Spotify
If you have an active Spotify account you will be able to play the complete versions of the songs below. If you don’t have an account, you will only be able to hear a 30-second sample.
Lyrics
We left you in pastures rarely seen
(Holding out the fortress for a while)
Everyone knew why the calm had been
(Keeping friends among you saves a fight)
In the dead of the night there was movement and shadows
Attacking the women and taking the gold
The men were away and no one could hear them
They still cry today when the story is told
High on a mountain, out searching for gold
Men have had warning of scriptures foretold
Turn around and fight for freedom
You can hear the people screaming
Calling all the heroes
Shooting up the town boys
Call all the heroes
Calling all the heroes
They’re burning up the town boys
Calling you
Men returned to find their home destroyed
(People rushing round with scars of war)
Babies crying… the aged wounded mourned
(Calling out for someone to hear their prayers)
Five miles away were the thieves and the bandits
Laughing and joking and sickly and crude
They didn’t know that the men had come back home
They didn’t know they were being pursued
High on a mountain the men looked below
Cooked up a plan that would outwit their foe
They scrambled down the mountain shooting
Reclaimed all the bandits looted
Calling all the heroes
Shooting up the town boys
Call all the heroes
Calling all the heroes
They’re burning up the town boys
Calling you
Da!
Calling all the heroes
Shooting up the town boys
Call all the heroes
Calling all the heroes
Shooting up the town boys
Call all the heroes
Calling all the heroes
They’re burning up the town boys
Calling all the heroes
Calling all the heroes
Shooting up the town boys
Call all the heroes
Calling all the heroes
They’re burning up the town boys
Call all the heroes
Written By Francis Dunnery / John Robert Beck / Richard Nolan / Robert Dalton
