<P> The single was released in November 1981 and became a top 10 hit in December, being placed at No. 5 for the Christmas chart . The following week it was placed at No. 2, behind The Human League's "Don't You Want Me", before finally taking over at No. 1 in January . It remained there for two weeks, before falling out of the charts after 16 weeks - the group's longest run on the UK singles chart . The song became the group's biggest - selling single in the UK, outselling their Eurovision winner "Making Your Mind Up", to finish as the 41st biggest - seller of the 1980s . It also reached No. 1 in the Netherlands, Belgium and Ireland, while in Germany it also became their biggest selling single . The song was the group's debut single release in the US, but didn't achieve chart success there . </P> <P> Critical reaction to the song was favourable with Record Mirror stating: "Prejudices and preconceptions aside, it's an excellent record and a worthy successor to' Don't You Want Me' at the top ." "The Land of Make Believe" remains a firm fan favourite and reviews in the press at the time were positive with Smash Hits calling the song "sheer genius" and more recently Q Magazine labelling the song "not half bad" and "an 80s classic". Members Bobby G and Cheryl Baker have both named it as the best of their own songs . It seems that "The Land of Make Believe" also earned them a grudging respect within music circles, as Baker recalls confronting Bob Geldof who had publicly "slagged off" the band, with him then admitting to her that he actually really liked "The Land of Make Believe". The Human League's Philip Oakey contemporarily declared his admiration for Bucks Fizz in general, while OMD's Andy McCluskey said that he thought it was "an absolutely wonderful song with a great melody". </P> <P> "The Land of Make Believe" was many times used as the closing number of Bucks Fizz's concerts . During their 1984 tour a lighting effect to simulate falling snow was used to signify the festive feel of the song due to its Christmas - time release . The song was later included on the group's second album, Are You Ready and was later released in a remixed form in 1991 as a bootleg single . A similar version of this was included on a compilation album released in 2005, while a more recent remix of the song was featured on the group's 2008 album, The Lost Masters 2 - The Final Cut . The B - Side of the single was a ballad, "Now You're Gone" featuring lead vocals by Cheryl Baker . The song features the chorus line; "It doesn't feel like Christmas now you're gone" and remains the only festive - themed song recorded by the group . An alternate ending to this song was featured as a hidden track on The Lost Masters 2 - The Final Cut . </P> <P> 7" single </P>

In the land of make believe that don't believe in me