Tony Hadley performed the song as part of his three-song set in the final of ITV reality show Reborn in the USA in 2003, which saw him win the public vote against Michelle Gayle.
Accepting his award for Outstanding Song Collection at the 2012 Ivor Novello Awards, songwriter Gary Kemp singled the song out as a particular favorite of his, stating: "'Through the Barricades' is one I'm really close to".
UK Singles Chart peak position 6, 1986.