First time hearing Murray Head “ONE NIGHT IN BANGKOK” Reaction | Asia and BJ

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  • Опубліковано 5 січ 2025

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  • @SG-js2qn
    @SG-js2qn 2 роки тому +129

    This song is from a musical, which is why it sounds like it is narrating a scene. As others have mentioned, the musical is about a top level chess tournament in Bangkok, Thailand.
    The lyrics contrast the worldly and spiritual aspects of Thailand with the hyper-brainy competition of the chess game. "I get my kicks ABOVE the waistline, sunshine." :)

    • @scottNNJ
      @scottNNJ 2 роки тому +10

      And “The queens we use would not excite you”

  • @UseByDate-Expired
    @UseByDate-Expired 2 роки тому +145

    A hit record about a chess match between a Soviet and American .. this song was written by the guys from the group ABBA Benny Andersson, and Björn Ulvaeus

    • @jamescurfman3284
      @jamescurfman3284 2 роки тому +6

      And delivered very well here by Murray Head. I wonder how much hell Murray caught for being a White rapper... This has been one of my favorite pieces for a very long time. :)

    • @alanmike6883
      @alanmike6883 2 роки тому +5

      And the song I know him so well 😉👍

    • @jeannieschmidt2217
      @jeannieschmidt2217 2 роки тому +6

      I had no idea it was written by Benny - but listening to it now - it does have a very strong Abba vibe to it. Very cool.

    • @sadeaton
      @sadeaton 2 роки тому +8

      Could be the only song about Chess in existence.

    • @mrwomby5007
      @mrwomby5007 2 роки тому +3

      Tim Rice also co-wrote the lyrics.

  • @metalmark1214
    @metalmark1214 2 роки тому +71

    The song tells of the meeting of two great chess players, one Soviet and one American, in Bangkok, which is the capital of Thailand. Chess is a musical production that uses a US-USSR chess rivalry as a metaphor for the Cold War, but this song just contains double-entendres about the game of Chess compared to the Bangkok nightlife. The example often used is "I would invite you, but the queens we use would not excite you.
    Chess was a musical that premiered in London's West End. This song was written for the 1984 concept album, which was recorded well ahead of the production. The album was very successful considering it was for a musical. The album charted in the Top 10 in the UK, #47 in the US, and #1 in Sweden
    Source - Songfacts

  • @jacqueline4514
    @jacqueline4514 2 роки тому +35

    I’m in High School again!!! Loved how this pop song successfully put an Asian flavor to the thump thump thump pattern. This was such a FUN song, always loved the line “I get my kicks above the waistline, Sunshine” 😊

    • @bumperu
      @bumperu 2 роки тому +3

      The "kicks" line is my fave.

  • @nicholasmaude6906
    @nicholasmaude6906 2 роки тому +9

    "One Night in Bankock" is an excellent mid-80s classic and it has a great beat to dance to.

  • @jimsnyder6187
    @jimsnyder6187 7 місяців тому +1

    Asia - "How you know dat?" BJ - "I watched da movie." LMAO

  • @barbb721
    @barbb721 2 роки тому +12

    We literally had every style of music in the 80s. MTV was everything as a teen and the videos set the trends. I'm grateful to have grown up in the 70s and 80s.

  • @firedoc5
    @firedoc5 2 роки тому +14

    When this came out, I was in high school. No one believed me when I told them it was referring to the game of chess of which the World Championship was taking place in Bangkok, among a lot of other things on how it is there. The unusual funky beat and the semi-narrative lyrics is what really made it stand out.

  • @EMT259631
    @EMT259631 2 роки тому +15

    It's comparing the game of chess to the Bangkok night life. This was also on the Chess soundtrack.

  • @marningritaguy
    @marningritaguy 2 роки тому +28

    Murray head was on the "Brown Album" studio version of "Jesus Christ Superstar" as Judas. His brother, Anthony portrayed the role of Rupert Giles in the TV show "Buffy the Vampire Slayer". He was her mentor.

    • @newmoon766
      @newmoon766 2 роки тому +1

      Interesting bit of trivia. Talent runs in the family.

    • @caseybhargraves3696
      @caseybhargraves3696 2 роки тому

      I think he sand Simons part… not Judas.

    • @markdenio4537
      @markdenio4537 Рік тому

      I forgot Murray and Anthony were brothers. Anthony also kills it in Repo! The Genetic Opera.

  • @vingzal
    @vingzal Рік тому +2

    This song was released in Spring 1984

  • @c.s.m.k5737
    @c.s.m.k5737 10 місяців тому +3

    Growing up in the 80s I heard every type of music. What an awesome decade of music.

  • @donrobbie1461
    @donrobbie1461 2 роки тому +1

    Guys the key thing about this song is it was written for theatre ( the production of “Chess”) By the way bankok has a reputation for sex clubs prostitution vice and the like!

  • @happymethehappyone8300
    @happymethehappyone8300 2 роки тому +13

    When Released,, People Had No Idea What Kind Of Music It Was,, They Only Knew They Loved It,, Desmond Dekker & The Aces "Israelites"...1 Of The Early Fathers Of Ska Music..R.I.P.🙏❤

  • @gustonzimasheen
    @gustonzimasheen Рік тому +1

    5:38: I don't know if you've seen the music vid for this, but it does show 2 kick boxers. Fits very well with the song.

  • @3DJapan
    @3DJapan 2 роки тому +27

    Bangkok is known for a lot of hard stuff going down. Prostitution, drugs, rampant crime like mugging tourists, however it can also be a really good time.

  • @wendyorr4931
    @wendyorr4931 2 роки тому +21

    This was a story put to music about the battle between Bobby Fischer, the brilliant American chess genius and Boris Spassky the efficient machine like Russian chess grandmaster.

    • @newmoon766
      @newmoon766 2 роки тому +3

      As I recall, Fischer went on to become something of a world class weirdo.

    • @robbob5302
      @robbob5302 2 роки тому +2

      Except that match was played in Reykjavik Iceland.

    • @newmoon766
      @newmoon766 2 роки тому +2

      @@robbob5302 Kind of like setting Hamlet in Edwardian England. There was a dark, circus-like atmosphere as I recall. "One endless day in Reykjavik" doesn't have the same punch, does it? 🙂

  • @emanuellawton7942
    @emanuellawton7942 5 місяців тому +1

    From Wikipedia: " "One Night in Bangkok" is a song from the concept album and subsequent musical Chess by Tim Rice, Benny Andersson, and Björn Ulvaeus. English actor and singer Murray Head raps the verses, while the chorus is sung by Anders Glenmark, a Swedish singer, songwriter, and producer." Actor and singer Murray Head also appeared on stage in the hit musical "Jesus Christ Superstar" that by Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice. Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus were members of the Swedish pop band ABBA.

  • @BobbyRagnar
    @BobbyRagnar 2 роки тому +4

    From Chess, a musical written by Benny and Bjorn from ABBA, contrasting the "cerebral" pleasures of chess versus what else was available (below the waistline, Sunshine)

  • @notanotherenigma7759
    @notanotherenigma7759 2 роки тому +8

    Love the music to this. The marching beat of the song is relentless, but the flutes give it a totally different feel. There was a musical introduction that was cut from this video, very Thai. Oh, and they mention Siam, that is Thailand's old name.

  • @user-pe9gz8si8k
    @user-pe9gz8si8k 2 роки тому +6

    I love this song!! Very danceable

  • @thaitim007
    @thaitim007 2 роки тому +1

    Bangkok in the 1980s was a very wild place. Just after the vietnam war decades. The city was opium, sex and slave trade and this was just before AIDS hit. I was there in the 90s and 00s. There were still bars run by Vnam Vets in soi cowboy. The golden mile was still alive. Ruthless mafia too.

  • @surlechapeau
    @surlechapeau 2 роки тому +13

    Asia & BJ, he had a hit "Superstar" (with the Trinidad singers) from the 1970 rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar.
    “One Night…” is from 1984 and is essentially the song he is known for.

  • @kenklein4783
    @kenklein4783 2 роки тому +11

    I love the double entendre in the line ‘some are set up in the Somerset Maugham suite’ brilliant!

    • @sandragray4598
      @sandragray4598 2 роки тому +1

      I see the word play and I know Somerset was a writer though I've read nothing by him that I recall. What's the double entendre here? Did he write risque stuff?

    • @kenklein4783
      @kenklein4783 2 роки тому

      @@sandragray4598 I guess double entendre is not quite correct, your phrase 'word play' is more apt. I have tried to read one of his books and found it dreadfully boring, but maybe I'll try again.

  • @johnnielson4341
    @johnnielson4341 2 роки тому +4

    The song is about the world chess tournament, that's why he makes the comments about his queen (chess queen)

  • @KSDVLmom
    @KSDVLmom 2 роки тому +1

    For some reason this and the song ELECTRIC AVENUE, by Eddie Grant remind me the most of being a kid in the 80s

  • @timh1237
    @timh1237 2 роки тому +1

    Murray Head played Judas on the original Jesus Christ Superstar(the version where Ian Gillan from Deep Purple plays Jesus).

  • @Eowyn187
    @Eowyn187 2 роки тому +6

    Oh this song so cool.
    Best flute since Jethro Tull.

  • @sandragray4598
    @sandragray4598 2 роки тому +6

    Watching the official video may add a little bit of context to the song. It's very theatrical too. I love this song a lot. It was different in the 80s and it's different now. It still holds its own too.

  • @bryanCJC2105
    @bryanCJC2105 2 роки тому +15

    Yeah it's 1985 and this is kind of weird song but it was very catchy and thus, very popular for a while. By the end of the year, it was pretty much gone. It didn't have a lot of staying power. As for what it's about, nobody cared enough about what it was about. When you're at a club, you're not going to try to figure out what a song is saying, you're just going to dance, smoke, drink, or try to hook up. The chorus was fun and it was catchy. That's all that really mattered.

  • @johnchrysostomon6284
    @johnchrysostomon6284 2 роки тому +1

    His brother played the caretaker/librarian in the Buffy tv series

  • @chrisa4695
    @chrisa4695 2 роки тому +1

    Asia, you’re so polite calling it different. There were two versions. A female did the other. I saw streets like that but did not go into the clubs. I think the song was from a movie or play.

  • @mayorjimmy
    @mayorjimmy 2 роки тому +1

    When I was in Pattaya there was a gogo bar I was at, this song would play like every half hour. It was pretty funny actually.

  • @hackapump
    @hackapump 2 роки тому +2

    This musical (Chess) was written by Bjorn and Benny from ABBA - their first project after quitting the band.

  • @jackasswhiskyandpintobeans9344
    @jackasswhiskyandpintobeans9344 2 роки тому +1

    1:31 Sommerset Maugham wrote "Razors Edge."

  • @TED1980
    @TED1980 Рік тому +1

    It’s a mix of 80’s, theatre, rap, pop, and just awesomeness……timeless

  • @wadstur8429
    @wadstur8429 2 роки тому +14

    All I knew was that it was probably about a chess tournament in Bangkok and it was weird and I loved it! I’m so happy that I lived during the 80’s😊

    • @AsiaandBJ
      @AsiaandBJ  2 роки тому +2

      Glad you enjoyed it!

  • @slainteron4027
    @slainteron4027 2 роки тому +1

    Makes a hard man humble. YES IT DOES

  • @williampatience9524
    @williampatience9524 2 роки тому +1

    BJ had a vacation brochure and plane tickets. He was going to see a different Asia!

  • @rumbledumpthumpershaker6735
    @rumbledumpthumpershaker6735 2 роки тому +1

    It alllllllllllll goes on in Bangkok.

  • @annieh5479
    @annieh5479 2 роки тому +5

    The show was, Chess. This was written by the same people who did ABBA. About a big chess tournament with the top players in the world.

  • @jeanstrickland2445
    @jeanstrickland2445 2 роки тому +9

    I haven’t heard this in a while it’s got a great beat !

  • @leemcclements8889
    @leemcclements8889 2 роки тому +2

    This song came out when I was in my 20's...I listen to songs now and analyze them more....always liked this one!

  • @flbphotography2239
    @flbphotography2239 2 роки тому +1

    lol This song is a double entendre, a metaphor where he is in Thailand concentrating on a chess tournament but other guys over with him are focused on sex tourism.

  • @MarkTitus420
    @MarkTitus420 2 роки тому +1

    Big time hit from the early 80's mostly played at the time on New Wave/Alternative stations but then became a Pop radio hit and you heard it even at clubs.

  • @ReneChewbaka
    @ReneChewbaka Рік тому +1

    They used this song a lot for fashion model runway shows..you can really hear that Abba back beat...

  • @karengarrow5579
    @karengarrow5579 5 місяців тому +1

    This song was written by Benni and Bjorn from ABBA for the musical chess a Andrew Lloyd Webber production in the 80s this musical still appears in west end theatre London and broadway New York

  • @MARKB3946
    @MARKB3946 2 роки тому +3

    I'm glad others explained what this song is talking about. I didn't have to go look it up..Lol

  • @davidjones6616
    @davidjones6616 11 місяців тому +1

    What goes on in Bangkok stays in Bangkok but his is just pure foot tapping fun

  • @mariacavanaugh1010
    @mariacavanaugh1010 2 роки тому +6

    The entire soundtrack from the Broadway play "Chess" is amazing. 😎

  • @Uatu-the-Watcher
    @Uatu-the-Watcher 2 роки тому +1

    Yes. What you’re picking up on is the environment of Bangkok. But the protagonist is describing people gathered there for a chess competition and how Bangkok isn’t the ideal scene for “chess intellectuals”.

  • @malcolmbrown7683
    @malcolmbrown7683 2 роки тому

    This was from the musical 'Chess' written by Bjorn and Benny from ABBA together with Tim Rice.

  • @Cheers_Mcgee
    @Cheers_Mcgee 2 роки тому +2

    This song is one of the best training songs for pushing yourself!

  • @ordoveritas
    @ordoveritas Рік тому +1

    I can promise you that 97% of people in Sweden have no clue what this song is about, but they love it.

  • @recoil53
    @recoil53 2 роки тому +5

    To add context:
    Thailand is known for spectacular archeological sites like Ankor Wat as well as sex tourism. The "queens we use would not excite you" refers to the queens in chess vs transexual hookers.
    This was written towards the end of the old war, which is why it's about a Soviet vs American chess player. So "one city is very much like another" because they are only in cities to compete. They don't get to see the place. So they are playing chess in a city full of sex tourists.
    During the Cold War, each side thought it was important to win in any contest, no matter how irrelevant. They thought it showed their way of life was better.
    The martial art BJ is thinking of is "Thai Kick Boxing", although they are known for muay thai and silat. On that note, the "Ong Bok" and "The Protector" are Thai martial arts movies worth watching.

    • @v.j.3029
      @v.j.3029 2 роки тому +1

      I remember on my last trip to Thailand, I was eating at a restaurant in Krabi and when we finished our meal and left, they had set up a full blown boxing ring stage outside on the other side of the street, in front of the river. It was so cool, you just have to expect the unexpected in Thailand.
      They had kick boxing matches with fighters in all age ranges and also female fights. It was pretty interesting to see very very young kids fighting in the ring. Quite a memorable show, plus it was free.

    • @medmon3476
      @medmon3476 2 роки тому

      Just to let you know that Angkor Wat is in Cambodia - they even have an image of it on their national flag. Thailand has a lot of temples but not that one😯 ❕

    • @recoil53
      @recoil53 2 роки тому +2

      @@medmon3476 You're right, they have Wat Arun.
      And a huge number of temples, some of which were in martial arts movies.

  • @happymethehappyone8300
    @happymethehappyone8300 2 роки тому +15

    A MUST HEAR Classic,, After The Fire
    "Der Kommissar"...Nuff Said.

  • @rogermcginnis2765
    @rogermcginnis2765 2 роки тому +2

    The song is contrasting a World Chess tournament compared to the normal nightlife Bangkok is known for.

  • @alantattersall3190
    @alantattersall3190 2 роки тому

    Murray Head was also the vocalist for Stomu Yamashta on Raindog. A superb album.

  • @ericsmith6615
    @ericsmith6615 2 роки тому +5

    Wife here...Ms Asia...I 've always thought this was about getting the full effects of the city as well..The devil reference is on point...Imagine my shock learning it was about the game of chess!!!

    • @3DJapan
      @3DJapan 2 роки тому +3

      Not just the game of chess, but a chess tournament in Bangkok.

    • @scottlaughlin9897
      @scottlaughlin9897 2 роки тому

      You both know it’s also a Metaphor as well right? I mean it’s played in gay clubs for a reason!

    • @ericsmith6615
      @ericsmith6615 2 роки тому

      @@scottlaughlin9897 Honesrly., My first impression was the song being gay..With lyrics such as.., I get my kicks above the waistline..Thanks for the clarification because I wasn't 100 percent sure it was about the gay lifestyle..Now I know

  • @henrikl1394
    @henrikl1394 Рік тому

    If You been in Bangkok You will understand what he is singing about. Is so spot on. Bangkok is a crazy city.

  • @Kausion
    @Kausion 2 роки тому +1

    I had this one in mind for a request but personally only like the chorus lol great reaction though but umma have to re-request the song i chose that lost to this one yall will know it right away its been sampled multiple times lol

  • @danv9872
    @danv9872 2 роки тому

    I love this song and the whole musical. Favourite being I know him so well, closely followed by the argument

  • @tammyfinnemore
    @tammyfinnemore 2 роки тому +2

    I love ths song, so many double meanings, although is actually about a chess tournament

  • @ronparsons8786
    @ronparsons8786 2 роки тому

    Fun song from a really clever and popular musical from the '80s.
    Plus it's got this line, I get my kicks above the waistline sunshine LOL

  • @lrsrosebud
    @lrsrosebud 2 роки тому +2

    Haven’t heard this in ages!!! Thank you for this!

  • @labratamber
    @labratamber 2 роки тому

    Murry is the brother of the actor Anthony Head, who played Giles in Buffy the vampire slayer

  • @TechItOut
    @TechItOut 2 роки тому +1

    Not sure if you realise but the background singers are ABBA. See "ABBA-Chess - One Night In Bangkok"

  • @MichaelPayne1374
    @MichaelPayne1374 2 роки тому

    The musical Chess spawned not only "one night in bangkok" but also a number 1 ballad here in the UK "i know him so well" written by benny & Bjorn from Abba & time rice in 1984 i get the feeling it was meant for the girls in Abba but they split up & the song is in Chess, performed by Elaine Paige & Barbara Dickson, great song great vocals, i think Asia will love it, but also Elaine Paige singing "Memory" in Cats the musical is fantastic too it's a must do reaction, it's timeless & iconic & the vocal of a generation in musical theatre standards , i know how Asia loves her great female vocals, well Elaine Paige & Barbara Dickson can deliver, you won't be disappointed.

  • @jbs256
    @jbs256 Рік тому

    Others have filled you in on the basics. I’ll relate a personal experience. A deli in Los Angeles liked to use Broadway play posters as decorations in the restaurant. One poster way up in the corner near the roof was the poster for Chess. I figured the person who selected it to go up on the wall and me were just a very few of the people who knew WTF that poster was. This song always started rattling in my head, pun intended, and I always enjoyed entertaining myself while I had my pastrami sandwich. That poster remained until it went out of business, sadly. It was a fave. The song grows on you give it another listen one day. BB know how to write catchy tunes.

  • @sandymcneill7698
    @sandymcneill7698 2 роки тому +17

    "One Night In Bangkok" was the only song i liked off of Murray Head's album.

  • @sharkmedia5969
    @sharkmedia5969 2 роки тому +2

    You need the version with the intro music!

  • @nebidiaswift5200
    @nebidiaswift5200 2 роки тому +1

    I first heard this song from hangover part 2 and Mike Tyson doing it was way more hype that said cool song

  • @davidbordonaro1631
    @davidbordonaro1631 2 роки тому +1

    This is one of those that once you hear it its in your head .

  • @YesThatNeal
    @YesThatNeal 2 роки тому

    The song is composed by my favorite two B's, Benny and Bjorn from ABBA.

  • @davehess1019
    @davehess1019 8 місяців тому +2

    80's

  • @ArlynMeylan-jo7hq
    @ArlynMeylan-jo7hq Рік тому

    It flows well the beginning throws you off 😊

  • @sebastienichtertz8879
    @sebastienichtertz8879 2 роки тому

    what a great artist! He wrote so many beautiful songs...have a look on his album " say it ain't so"

  • @krisa990
    @krisa990 2 роки тому

    Hahha..that was funny when Asia put her eyes on BJ asking, "how do you know that " ;) haha.. Trust me,most people know what Bangkok is mostly known for. Like it or not. Concerning the movie BJ is talking about its called Kickboxer and its from 1989,with Jean Claude Van Damme in the main character,going to Thailand with his brother to compete in martial art contest.

  • @twalrus1
    @twalrus1 2 роки тому

    BJ, every time she asks you "How you know?"
    Tell her, "You ain't the only one with a tv."

  • @francesthompson593
    @francesthompson593 2 роки тому

    It’s from the Musical CHESS, Murray Head also took as Jesus in the Stage production of Jesus Christ Superstar.

  • @christopherrobertson8098
    @christopherrobertson8098 2 роки тому

    Murray head is english and has an actor brother called anthony who used to be a principal cast member of joss Whedon's buffy the vampire slayer tv series , playing Giles the slayer watcher and trainer

  • @teresabunting6364
    @teresabunting6364 2 роки тому +1

    Love this song I got it on my playlist!!

  • @MasterJohnMoss
    @MasterJohnMoss 2 роки тому +1

    Overdue!!!! THE 80's banger!!!

  • @Tony-mh3dm
    @Tony-mh3dm Місяць тому

    Just got back after 3 months.
    This song is right on . Lol !

  • @someoldatheist6712
    @someoldatheist6712 Рік тому

    The 80s were just different! this song was a huge hit when it came out.

  • @Hi-kq1vi
    @Hi-kq1vi 2 роки тому

    Murray Head is a famous UK actor-both theatre & television, generally better known for that than his music. His younger brother is Anthony Head, who played Giles in Buffy The Vampire Slayer. He had one of the best songs of the 1970's with Say It Ain't So Joe & he also did Superstar from Jesus Christ Superstar.
    This was his biggest hit though-from the stage musical Chess in the mid 1980's, it had another huge hit I Know Him So Well by Elaine Page & Barbara Dickson. Abba worked with Tim Rice to write the music & lyrics.

  • @robbob5302
    @robbob5302 2 роки тому

    I was in high school in the mid 80s. And I had decided to take up chess as a hobby. Studying. Going to tournaments. etc.
    This had me feeling a little self-conscious though, I might end up type cast.
    Then Murray Head comes out with this song, and all my fears evaporated!

  • @ronaldgines171
    @ronaldgines171 2 роки тому

    Confucius say " Man who walks sideways going to... BANGKOK "............. I DON"T CARE IF IT IS AN OLD JOKE,...I still like it.

  • @grifone2800
    @grifone2800 2 роки тому +1

    If you’ve watch ‘The Hangover part.2’
    You’ll see Iron Mike Tyson perform an hilarious rendition of this song, just before the movie ends😂

  • @akbarthedon218
    @akbarthedon218 Рік тому

    The Jean-Claude movie I think you're referring 2, is "BloodSport". And that was shot in Hong Kong.

  • @jopay142
    @jopay142 2 роки тому

    "Say it ain't so Joe" was another great song by Murray Head

  • @3DJapan
    @3DJapan 2 роки тому +1

    I think the movie you're referring to is Bloodsport.

  • @brianhums5056
    @brianhums5056 2 роки тому

    Asia "How you know that" 🤣

  • @happymethehappyone8300
    @happymethehappyone8300 2 роки тому +1

    Speaking Of Hitting Different,, Timbuk 3 "Life Is Hard" (Official Music Video A MUST!!)

  • @FromG2eminor
    @FromG2eminor 2 роки тому

    Every song in this musical "Chess" is awesome!

  • @quintondees4501
    @quintondees4501 2 роки тому

    This was a fun song back in the day, (we thought it was weird too)🤣🤣🤣 but it's still fun, yeah it was the eighties

  • @lexyabby278
    @lexyabby278 2 роки тому

    I'm so glad you found this one! I loved it but forgot it until now

  • @johnwilson5743
    @johnwilson5743 2 роки тому

    LOL. Yeah, a different type of song. Written by the two guys from ABBA, Bjorn and Benny. Cheers.

  • @chrisa4695
    @chrisa4695 2 роки тому

    This was big in the eighties. As it aged I thought it was corny. But I started playing it again when I got ready to go to Bangkok a few years ago.

  • @AndICanTalk2
    @AndICanTalk2 2 роки тому

    Oh and the movie you are thinking of is either Blood Sport, or Kickboxer. Both from the early/mid 80s. Both great fun. If you are looking for movie's to react to... lol