Songfacts®:

• "The Fear Never Leaves You" is a song that digs deep into the murky waters of human emotion - particularly that ever-lingering, gnawing anxiety that never quite loosens its grip.
• The song was inspired by the haunting experiences of soldiers during the Falklands War, an event that, while often overshadowed by more prominent conflicts, left many deeply scarred. Richard Thompson, who admits to being something of a "war buff," found himself moved by the ordeals these soldiers went through.
  
  "I saw something very moving about the Falklands War which I don't really think about as even being particularly confrontational, but a lot of those guys were really traumatized by their experiences," he told Uncut magazine. "That inspired the song. I'm often sympathetic to those soldiers experience – screw the generals and their politicians, but soldiers, they go through hell."
• Thompson wrote and produced the track himself. It has a stark, almost eerie sound, which Thompson achieved by running his guitar straight through the mixing console, creating a pure yet strange tone punctuated by an unusual reverb.
• The song finds its place on Thompson's 19th solo album, Ship To Shore. The album's title nods to his British heritage inspired by a manuscript about a trawler fisherman from Cornwall. The fisherman's reliance on ship-to-shore radio as a lifeline during perilous times struck a chord with Thompson, who likened his own musical journey to that of a fisherman sending messages to shore.
  
  "Sometimes as a musician, you feel as if you're not a part of normal society, he mused to Paste magazine. "You feel as if you're out at sea in a boat sending messages to shore, like a fisherman, only the songs are your means of communication."
• The Falklands War was a 10-week conflict in 1982 between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands, resulting in a British victory but significant loss of life on both sides. It has inspired several songs across different genres, reflecting a range of perspectives on the conflict. Here are a few notable examples:
  
  1983 "Shipbuilding" by Elvis Costello. This song explores the irony and tragedy of shipbuilding during the war. It talks about how the demand for ships provided work to shipbuilders in the UK, even as these ships were destined for conflict. It's a reflection on the human cost of war and the economic implications for those at home.
  
  1983 "How Does It Feel To Be The Mother Of 1,000 Dead" by Crass. This anarcho-punk cut is a scathing critique of then-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and her role in the Falklands War. Crass was known for their anti-establishment views; the track questions the motives behind the conflict and highlights the human cost of war.
  
  1985 "Brothers In Arms" by Dire Straits. Written by Mark Knopfler, it addresses the themes of camaraderie, loss, and the futility of war. The song's melancholy tone and poignant lyrics capture the emotional weight of the conflict.
  
  1985 "Broken Heroes" by Saxon. An anti-war heavy metal song from their album Innocence Is No Excuse, this explores the psychological impact of war on soldiers, focusing on the emotional and physical scars left behind. It also references earlier conflicts, including World War I and The Vietnam War.
  
  1998 "Como Estais Amigos" by Iron Maiden. This track, from the album Virtual XI, reflects on the aftermath of the Falklands War. The title, which translates to "How Are You, Friends?" in Spanish, suggests a message of reconciliation and the desire for peace between former enemies. The song is more introspective and somber compared to Iron Maiden's typical style, emphasizing the tragic costs of war.