This is what happens when the 20th centuries greatest song writing duo... get sick of writing pop music, and realize they have more money then they will ever need. Benny and Bjorn as appreciated as they are, its not enough.
The amount of information he communicates in the first verse alone is simply amazing and all while setting into a complete variation of musical combinations
I was a young man in 84 when I heard this. I thought this song was so bizarre yet enticing and enchanting. You couldn't help but like it. Some 40 years later and it still transports me back to those carefree days.
I played this song today when I was on a train that was entering Bangkok at night time. Third class, fully packed, no A/C, hot as fck, city lights outside and this playing on the headphones. It was something else.
As a lover of overly narrow superlatives, I believe this is the best comment ever made by a guy names Rudy on a video sharing platform about a video from a musical about Chess.
This song always puts a big smile on my face. This song pops in my head from time to time, and its hard to get out. This is such a classic. I'm so very grateful to have grown up in the 80's. I love the 80's. Thank you.
@@williamkarbala5718 At the time this was written, that particular part of Thai culture wasn't very well known - the sex industry was, but not the "lady boy" thing. Fairly sure it wasn't intentional, but knowing the writers they'd probably be fairly progressive about it.
It's written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus from ABBA. With that in mind you can hear some similarities to the late ABBA's Disco Sound. But I agree with you in that point that scandinavians often come up with catchy but in a special way "strange" music, starting with Griegs "Mornining Mood" or "In The Hall of the Mountain King" up to Europe and a-ha. You'll always ask yourself "Why did no one come up with that idea earlier? Now that I hear it it's so simple ..."
Are you familiar with this song's source? This is from Chess, a musical that was successful on both the West End and Broadway, as well as world tours. The musical is about the cold war between the USA and the USSR through the lens of chess, and is very heavy handed in using chess and chess tournaments as an analogy for how both superpowers pulled global politics into their games. Murray Head played Trumper, who was loosely based on American chess legend Bobby Fischer. His Russian opponent was loosely based (extremely loosely) on Anatoly Karpov, one of the greatest chessmasters in all of human history. Many of Trumper's songs have a flippant American rock star vibe while most of Anatoly's songs are dramatic with classical sophistication. So "One Night in Bangkok" stands out in the musical, as well as on the radio. By the way, Murray Head is in character in this music video. Trumper honestly believes he is intellectually superior to everyone and can't be bothered with banal pursuits such as tourism or sex, hence his dry, sardonic, and condescending tone. He stood out in the chess world because his second was a woman. When asked about it in press conferences, he clearly couldn't be bothered with something as trivial (to him) as gender, when it is the mind that matters. Too bad such a sentiment came from a character who is absolutely insufferable in almost every way. I think the woman featured so prominently in this video represents his second. In the musical, she is Hungarian, but Thai matches the tone of the song for the music video.
@@jimgoodreau1245 Listening to this song and 79!!!! Dude, enjoy the trip with the young blood! With love from Greece. Daaaaamn time, sooo faaaaast....Could swear it was '84 a few blinks ago!
and video as well... girl makes bad chess move to make guy think he is the brains in control with a "mate in 1" and then smiles as he is getting suckered in. Real life he might wake up to find he was drugged and robbed after an "angel" slides up next to him and leads him on the night before.
Again: Fantastic bass playing by Rutger Gunnarsson, ABBA's bass player. This guy was one of the most important ingredients of the ABBA sound. He deserves a lot of credit.
One of my main influences as a bassist, he had a way of bouncing around a song while still making sure to underline the harmony. Knowing Me Knowing You is a fine example of how he wanders out a bit, but not too far that you never lose the bottom end. A fabulous player.
That has got to be THE hardest collection of sonics ever arranged. The vocals, the tasty bass, the synths. The engineer is an absolute demon with the chorus mix. They hit a supernatural vibe with this one, beautiful! The clip as well, this is art.
@@jeremevr6 Its such a unique track, even just on the Chess album. Iv spun the vinyl a few times. Nothing like it on the rest of the album. It got a spooky vibe to me because i personally know (knew) people who have gone missing in this city.
@@MyCatInABox I agree, it almost starts to not make sense if you replay it in your head too many times.🤦♂️ Can be a wicked little ear worm if your brain forgets the sudden key changes!
This is a very unusual song. Almost everything is not even sang, just reciting instead. Also the words and twists from one flow to the next are very unusual. Truly unique song
This song was written by the guys from ABBA, yes exactly the same guys who wrote Dancing Queen, The Winner Takes It All, Mamma Mia and all their other hits
It's also from a musical. It did decently well on the West End, but the original Broadway production in 1988 flopped pretty hard despite the cast being fabulous. It's still a cult favorite among musical fans.
Eulnglidis curbani Deus o nosso Deus a qual nós carregamos a nossa A genética qual ele nos deu ele é um Deus resolvido ele é um Deus objetivo ele é um Deus que prospera sobre a nossa vida então para você crescer e fazer um legado dê o primeiro passo mas deu um primeiro passo firme mas de um primeiro passo para se reconhecer como homem ou como mulher deu o primeiro passo para poder seguir uma vida plena e cheia de bênçãos e vitórias não seja egoísta com seu próximo mas ame a teu próximo não dê coisas ruins a seu próximo mas de um melhor que você puder então o nosso Deus ele é assim ele dá o melhor de si e dá o melhor para todos
This Song is SO clever on many levels.. The instrumental intro that grabs you in tight.. The delicate and intricately placed backing Vocals.. The wonderfully woven lyrics with metaphors that seem to tell two or three stories in one.. Massive chorus.. But what is left to say about the genius of Bjorn and Benny ??..
Not sure if it is still the case now, but at that time, neither Benny nor Bjorn knew how to read music. When they were performing as Abba, Agnetha was the only one who could read music. With all the music they created, that's next level genius.
I can remember dancing across the crosswalk in downtown Salem listening to this song. I was 23 . I just couldn't help it. I am 62 and I can't help it now! What a GREAT song! So much fun. Sean's wife
66 also. I remember a lot of good and a lot of junk music from the 80's, but this piece was weird and captivating and has aged brilliantly. You can credit Bennie and Ulvaeus from ABBA who co-wrote this with Tim Rice. Murray played Judas in the original Jesus Christ Superstar soundtrack, written by Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber.
@@adleraufhohenflug3032 a song about chess is still just a song. just go play chess, no need to point out that a song about chess isn't actually displaying.. chess skills..
Yep I was saying I was a freshman in HS in 1980. It was fantastic time 80’s. Omg the fun we had. I wish my son could have experienced it. We were social, met friends, went out. Clubs later on in the city.
@@dobber213 I remember being a kid in the 80s and my parents saying that same thing about the 60s..."you poor kids will never know how cool it really was". I guess whatever decade you grew up in will be that way. But I absolutely agree ...the 80s were totally awesome.
Heard this today on a radio station in NW Montana. Characteristic sound, not a song I ever paid much attention to before. Today, I dug into the internet, find out about it.
Like #MrRoboto!!! They could try, but you CAN'T make a song like this ANYMORE. It would NEVER be the same. I made my mom sit outside our apartment bldg parking lot, in the car, w volume up as HIGH as she would let it put at ... JUST so I could listen to the whole song!! Had not heard for such a long time! The 80s rocked and this song was one of the BEST!! This and #OneNightInBangkok , #PuttinOnTheRitz
I'm in Bangkok right now and I can't get this song out of my head. Tomorrow I'll go and see the Reclining Buddha.... This song doesn't get old. But Benny and Björn from Abba have always written timeless music.
ma soeur qui est a bangkok m'a envoyé une vidéo d'une rue animée en pleine nuit et j'ai pensé direct a cette chanson que j'écoutais dans les années 80.j'avais 15 ans.
One Night In Bangkok, Rock Me Amadeus, Puttin' On The Ritz, Mr. Roboto, Wang Chung (Everybody Have Fun tonight), Walk The Dinosaur, I Eat Cannibals, Centipede - we loved a good odd song back in the 80's!
Ahhh the 80s and synthesizers... This song and "Puttin on the Ritz" are some of my favorite. New Order, Information Society, Depeche Mode,...those were the days 😄.
I like this song as a kid in the 80s, although understood less than 50% of the lyrics. For example, had no idea it was about chess until today 😮I do like/remember the duality/contradictions like "devil walking next to me" / "angel sliding next to me" , and "a little fresh, a little history" etc.
@@H2Obsession "Some are set up in the Somerset Maugham suite". And by the way its "a little flesh, a little history". It was years after I first heard the song that I knew about Thailand's reputation for the sex trade, and knew more about what the lyrics meant.
lyrics: Bangkok, Oriental setting And the city don't know that the city is getting The creme de la creme of the chess world In a show with everything but Yul Brynner Time flies doesn't seem a minute Since the Tirolean spa had the chess boys in it All change don't you know that when you Play at this level there's no ordinary venue It's Iceland or the Philippines or Hastings or Or this place! One night in Bangkok and the world's your oyster The bars are temples but the pearls ain't free You'll find a god in every golden cloister And if you're lucky then the god's a she I can feel an angel sliding up to me One town's very like another When your head's down over your pieces, brother It's a drag, it's a bore, it's really such a pity To be looking at the board, not looking at the city Whaddya mean? Ya seen one crowded, polluted, stinking town Tea, girls, warm, sweet Some are set up in the Somerset Maugham suite Get thai'd, you're talking to a tourist Whose every move's among the purest I get my kicks above the waistline, sunshine One night in Bangkok makes a hard man humble Not much between despair and ecstasy One night in Bangkok and the tough guys tumble Can't be too careful with your company I can feel the devil walking next to me Siam's gonna be the witness To the ultimate test of cerebral fitness This grips me more than would a Muddy old river or reclining Buddha And thank God I'm only watching the game controlling it I don't see you guys rating The kind of mate I'm contemplating I'd let you watch, I would invite you But the queens we use would not excite you So you better go back to your bars, your temples Your massage parlours One night in Bangkok and the world's your oyster The bars are temples but the pearls ain't free You'll find a god in every golden cloister A little flesh, a little history I can feel an angel sliding up to me One night in Bangkok makes a hard man humble Not much between despair and ecstasy One night in Bangkok and the tough guys tumble Can't be too careful with your company I can feel the devil walking next to me
I love all the in-jokes written into this song. Like: "The show with everything but Yul Brynner" which is a dig at the fact that, in Thailand, you're not supposed to mention the film 'The King and I," which starred Yul Brynner!!! LOL! The Thai royal family don't approve of the film and it's still banned in Thailand today! Another of my favourite lines is "some are set up in the Somerset Maugham Suite." Very clever word play here. 👏 👌
@@MrAliquam Dear MrAliquam, yes, I would be happy to. Somerset Maugham was an English writer whose brilliant novels and short stories are set mostly in Asian countries. Maugham lived, I think (although I don't know the exact dates of his birth and death, but if you google him you can find out, but I will get back to you about this) during the late 19th to the mid 20th centuries and he travelled widely throughout Asia, staying in some well-known hotels, such as Raffles Hotel in Singapore, which must was a great favourite of his, and they have a Somerset Maugham Suite! (I visit Raffles Hotel every time I go to Singapore, not to stay in as it's so expensive, but to go to the Raffles bar, have a Singapore Sling (the yummiest cocktail ever invented!) and soak up the atmosphere of such a historic hotel. Raffles was occupied by the Japanese Army during WWII and, of course, our man S. Maugham loved it!He also stayed in Siam - the old name of Thailand and there would be a hotel there with a Somerset Maugham Suite! There would be a few I imagine scattered throughout Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong and Singapore. Both Maugham and his writing came to embody the whole idea of the "exotic and erotic east!" So the line in the song: "Some are set up in the Somerset Maugham Suite" is both a play on words, and a reference to the world of top chess players who are given the Somerset Maugham Suite to stay in, at very posh hotels.
Actually I can't think to a more 80ish musical videoclip than this, from its iconic and typical synth-built wall of sound to the hairstyle and fashion dress of the dancers and their choreography.
I was coming home after a trip to Los Angeles and still had 100 miles to go and decided to stop in San Francisco in 1987 and walk around the little shops and then I forgot which street I parked my car. Then it got dark and scary. I finally found my car.
His vocals are unique. One of a kind really. But those background singers, bass and horn section are just as impressive. This song was a flat out cut. One of the best white boy jams of the 80s. "One town's very like another, when your heads down over your pieces, brother."
This song, and Mexican Radio, were the first 2 rock / pop songs I ever liked as a kid.. I can still listen to this multiple times in a row and not be tired of it
This is the most elusive song of the 80’s. In France it was broadcast very late at night, and while I remember loving it at first listening, I found it impossible to get a hold of afterwards. And since I had no idea who sang it or what the name of the song was, I couldn’t get it in any other shape. I had to wait for the age of Napster and later UA-cam to rediscover it proper…
One reason the song is so elusive is because the album is so elusive. It was recorded by the original cast, but the production company threw a fit saying it was 'unauthorized to be sold', as I recall, but only after a bunch of the tapes had already been put on the market. I'm glad it's available now. Somewhere.
Yeah I’ve noticed that the videos for many 80’s one hit wonders usually have the highest view counts on UA-cam. Probably because the masses didn’t buy the albums and only listened to the hits on the radio.
When this came out, to me, it was one of those cool elusive songs that rarely got played where I lived. Back when the only way you would hear it was on the radio, and if the DJ didn't say who it was, you were lost. I never did find it on my own, but I sang a few words of it to my brother in law once, when we were talking about music we liked and he said he didn't know it. A year or so later he found it, bought it, and gave the album to me! Unreal! And a cool album jacket too ! Yeah...
I remember when this song charted. The DJs would sometimes talk about what it was and who performed it (especially during the intro of the song, which was annoying but very common in those days), and sometimes they wouldn't.
I'm guessing One Night in Krungthepmahanakhon Amonrattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilokphop Noppharatratchathaniburirom Udomratchaniwetmahasathan Amonphimanawatansathit Sakkathattiyawitsanukamprasit wasn't as catchy a title.
I’m on a flight from Tokyo to Bangkok arriving at 9pm ready for literally one night in Bangkok. Listening to this song with a beer to get prepped. Wish me Luck! It will be a wild night! 😀
Verse 1] Bangkok, Oriental setting The city don't know what the city is getting The crème de la crème of the chess world In a show with everything but Yul Brynner Time flies, doesn't seem a minute Since the Tyrolean Spa had the chess boards in it All change, don't you know that when you Play at this level, there's no ordinary venue? It's Iceland, or the Philippines, or Hastings, or Or this place Kaliii “Area Codes” (Live... [Chorus] One night in Bangkok and the world's your oyster The bars are temples, but the pearls ain't free You'll find a god in every golden cloister And if you're lucky, then the god's a she I can feel an angel sliding up to me [Verse 2] One town's very like another When your head's down over your pieces, brother It's a drag, it's a bore, it's really such a pity To be looking at the board, not looking at the city What do ya mean? You've seen one crowded, polluted, stinking town Tea girls, warm and sweet (Warm, sweet) Some are set up in the Somerset Maugham suite Get Thai'd! You're talking to a tourist Whose every move's among the purest I get my kicks above the waistline, sunshine [Chorus] One night in Bangkok makes the hard man humble Not much between despair and ecstasy One night in Bangkok and the tough guys tumble Can't be too careful with your company I can feel the devil walkin' next to me [Verse 3] Siam's gonna be the witness To the ultimate test of cerebral fitness This grips me more than would a muddy old river Or reclining Buddha And thank God I'm only watching the game, controlling it I don't see you guys rating the kind of mate I'm contemplating I'd let you watch, I would invite you But the queens we use would not excite you So you'd better go back to your bars Your temples, your massage parlours [Chorus] One night in Bangkok and the world's your oyster The bars are temples, but the pearls ain't free You'll find a god in every golden cloister A little flesh, a little history I can feel an angel sliding up to me One night in Bangkok makes the hard man humble Not much between despair and ecstasy One night in Bangkok and the tough guys tumble Can't be too careful with your company I can feel the devil walkin' next to me
ABBA 's music has a bit of an exotic sound...it shows up here shining through in an 80's set as some of Benny and Bjorn's most creative tunes beyond the group....Love all of their work!
LYRICS: Bangkok, oriental setting And the city don't know that the city is getting The creme de la creme of the chess world In a show with everything but Yul Brynner Time flies, doesn't seem a minute Since the Tirolean spa had the chess boys in it All change, don't you know That when you play at this level there's no ordinary venue It's Iceland or the Philippines or Hastings Or, or this place One night in Bangkok and the world's your oyster The bars are temples but the pearls ain't free You'll find a God in every golden cloister And if you're lucky then the God's a she I can feel an angel sliding up to me One town's very like another When your head's down over your pieces, brother (It's a drag, it's a bore, it's really such a pity) (To be looking at the board, not looking at the city) What d'ya mean You seen one crowded, polluted, stinking town (Tea, girls, warm and sweet, sweet) (Some are set up in the Somerset Maugham suite) Get Thai'd! You're talking to a tourist Whose every move's among the purest I get my kicks above the waistline, sunshine One night in Bangkok makes a hard man humble Not much between despair and ecstasy One night in Bangkok and the tough guys tumble Can't be too careful with your company I can feel the devil walking next to me Siam's gonna be the witness To the ultimate test of cerebral fitness This grips me more than would A muddy old river or reclining Buddha Thank God I'm only watching the game, controlling it I don't see you guys rating The kind of mate I'm contemplating I'd let you watch, I would invite you But the queens we use would not excite you So you better go back to your bars, your temples Your massage parlors One night in Bangkok and the world's your oyster The bars are temples but the pearls ain't free You'll find a God in every golden cloister A little flesh, a little history I can feel an angel sliding up to me One night in Bangkok makes a hard man humble Not much between despair and ecstasy One night in Bangkok and the tough guys tumble Can't be too careful with your company I can feel the devil walking next to me
I agree with Anthony Maas, thank you for posting the lyrics, I've been loving this song since day one on MTV, the chorus is awesome and better than the singer himself, that's just my 2 cents 😂🤣
It's unbelievable the amount of memories, energy, sensations, emotions this song holds for me. And the words are so powerful too, they sound like you could create a whole novel or film simply based on the text and atmosphere. I have to thank my dad for making me hear it, a very long time ago
This is so '80s, combining the best elements of punk, rap, techno and new wave into one of the quintessential dance ditties of the decade. Andersson, Ulvaeus and Rice really transitioned well from the mellifluous mellow of the age of ABBA to the hard edge of the eighties. Thanks for posting!
Now wait for that one guy that wants to tell you this is supposedly not rap because he talks and doesn't rap even though that is the exact definition of rapping...
It’s not just that it sounds terrific, but it’s so utterly weird that it is impossible to label. You know something is a creative masterpiece, when you don’t seem to tire of it......ever. Oddly, there always seems something more to discover.
love the Schach or chess stuff in the video, my grandpa played chess, if deep blue the computer ever existed, + Bodyworlds sometimes does chess or Schach, too
I can't believe I just discovered this song yesterday when it showed up in my feed. I listen to a lot of 80s music but somehow this evaded me all these years. I've listened to this on repeat constantly since yesterday and I'm befuddled at how unique it is. A song about a chess player obsessed with his game traveling through Bangkok, (I know it's from a musical but still) and he's "arguing" with the chorus every other line, them singing about how amazing the city is and him basically like screw this dump I'm just here for my chess tournament. I could go on about how much story/character/lore is in this 3 minute song. Even not knowing anything about the musical besides a quick google search I've learned so much about the character and his situation and personality. With so many songs about being in a relationship or being rejected or partying in clubs, saying this is a breath of fresh air is a masssive understatement. What an underrated piece of art.
A meentioned, its from a musical, literally called "Chess" by Björn Ulvaeus & Benny Andersson (aka the male half of ABBA). It's a cold war allegory about a US - Soviet chess tournament taking place in (you guessed it) Bangkok.
Yes, this is a project of men from ABBA (they are shown here on the back vocals sporadically). ABBA had already disbanded by this time. ua-cam.com/video/TaD1BuigS3g/v-deo.html
Listening to this song brings me back to the mid 80's walking around the streets of Bangkok and Pattaya City while serving as a corpsman with the Marines. Good Times!
@@triciajohansen7124 *Sailor. Corpsmen are Navy, but can be attached to Marine Corps units. The Marine Corps, meanwhile, are Marines, not soldiers. The only branch with soldiers are Army.
As somebody who was a teen in the 80s, there was plenty of crap on the radio. EVERY ERA, when it comes to music, has classics. There's also plenty of drek. It's harder to find because of the death of radio, but there's still great music being created.
Used to listen to Murray for a long time. Never in my wildest dreams would i get this song on the radio today, and it was so weird how i never heard it before, even though i recognized the voice. Couldn't believe it was Murray! This guy was pure genius. Love this song now.
Move it back between 6-15 years and you'll see when music was at some of its most inventive, listen to almost everything up to the 60's it's all very similar with a few notable masterpieces that stand out, and then the 60's happens and you see an explosion of arts, a new psychedelic renaissance that created the sounds that shifted into the techno themed 80's definitely a unique decade but when it comes to sheer originality just listen thru the beatles discography in order so see the shift in musical style and willingness to break the norm, the 80's seems like the start of a shift back into more organized music again, 90's were a product, musicians famous for being famous, and musicians who broke through the scene bc they saw it was bullshit, enter punk, essentially just mad artists that wanted to express themselves without the limitation that society fell back into post psychedelic renaissance, and then we turned into the last 20 years of overproduced poppy easy to consume fake music, and now you can see almost a second renaissance, not entirely fueled by psychedelia, although pretty greatly influenced, but also fueled by the fact that people want real music again, the years to come are going to be amazing musically, when my generation is old I feel we're going to look back musically at out generation like the people of the 60's and 70's did, with nothing but nostalgia and love because it's genuine, maybe I'm wrong but people seem to get more and more tired of the radio, and record label releases and more into real music that draws real emotions and it's cool to be living through this shift in periods musically
@@Cammmmm24 He also wrote a piece called "Water Walk". It's bizarre...I thought I was watching a monty python skit for a second, but no. the dude took himself absolutely seriously.
That’s a neat memory. Where did you live back then if you don’t mind my asking? I used to shop at Kroger in Houston, that’s why I ask. :) Thanks for sharing, take care ✌️
@Nicole PBJ It was some dark things in the lyrics that was kept away from the ordinary turists there, but if you dealt into that things a new world opened. But as he said, be careful. It was a really shithole back then.
@@No-tm4wy just did the same, too :D But I stumbled over the video by accident. I have the original CDs, but did not listen to them for over 10 years. And now I am in Bangkok. My queen just went home, and yes she is a goddess and she is a she.
@@dr.davidenglish778 Just reading up a bit on the song I find it's a song off a concept album and a subsequent movie entitled "Chess." There's much innuendo in the wording, one must read the lyrics to better grasp the real message of this single video.
This song was so different than anything I'd ever heard on the radio. Aside from Jethro Tull and Men At Work's, A Land Down Under...one of the only pop/rock songs you'll ever hear with a flute part in it! Seems like the first time I heard it was after soccer practice around 1984 as a kid. REO Speedwagon was also big at this time and Starship's "We Built This City".
1984 -- Epic, ultra, stellar year for tunes (and soccer practice, and bein' a kid!). More awesome-per-cubic-inch than nearly any other year of the 1980's. Keep rockin'. ❤🔥
They played this song on the radio today, and I think it's the first time I've ever heard it. What an absolute banger.
Same thing here I haven’t heard this since I was a kid. My mother had their album lol
This is what happens when the 20th centuries greatest song writing duo... get sick of writing pop music, and realize they have more money then they will ever need. Benny and Bjorn as appreciated as they are, its not enough.
I heard it at kohls today
Listening September 2024
Welcome to 1984
The queens we use would not excite you. What a great line.
Gender Illusions...
We get our kicks above the waistline sunshine
Thai ladyboys are hotter than Western females … 😂🥳😘
Is he calling someone gay?
So you’d better go back to your bars, your temples, your massage parlors… 😍
"I'd let you watch, I would invite you,
But the Queens we use would not excite you."
Classic.
I get my kicks above the waistline, sunshine. Burn.
"Queens"
I wonder what kind of queens he's talking about
*cough cough* I think I know *cough cough*
@@Janika-xj2bvThe Deadly Queens of Chess of course
You better go back to your bars, temples. Your massage parlors
The amount of information he communicates in the first verse alone is simply amazing and all while setting into a complete variation of musical combinations
I was a young man in 84 when I heard this. I thought this song was so bizarre yet enticing and enchanting. You couldn't help but like it. Some 40 years later and it still transports me back to those carefree days.
Your words hit me. Born in 1978, I am glad to live through the magical and fun 80s and the laid back and cool 90s.
I was in kindergarten for the second time!😅😅
A crazy painful time machine!
I agree.
Oh, thank you, that's such a comfort?
I played this song today when I was on a train that was entering Bangkok at night time. Third class, fully packed, no A/C, hot as fck, city lights outside and this playing on the headphones. It was something else.
I love playing music in context!
Why weren't you carrying a boombox?
@@donavonzerbest9530 next time for sure
@@donavonzerbest9530because it's not 1991?
@@SchwarzeWitwe2 it's still the 80s in my head!
Hands down, the greatest song ever written about playing chess in Thailand.
🤣🤣🤣🤣
😂😂😂
As a lover of overly narrow superlatives, I believe this is the best comment ever made by a guy names Rudy on a video sharing platform about a video from a musical about Chess.
Ah but what about..... No you're right!
:)
This song always puts a big smile on my face. This song pops in my head from time to time, and its hard to get out. This is such a classic. I'm so very grateful to have grown up in the 80's. I love the 80's. Thank you.
I still admire how great this choir sounds. Male and female voices harmonize perfectly.
Hypnotic
Anders Glenmark, part of the group Gemini with his sister
Considering this song refrences Thai lady boys im wondering if this wasn’t intentional
@@williamkarbala5718 You bet. Many people, unfortunately, immediately think of this when they hear Bangkok mentioned.
@@williamkarbala5718 At the time this was written, that particular part of Thai culture wasn't very well known - the sex industry was, but not the "lady boy" thing. Fairly sure it wasn't intentional, but knowing the writers they'd probably be fairly progressive about it.
"I get my kicks above the waistline, sunshine."
So many great lines in this.
Yes! This song is great. Been coming back to it a lot lately
Wth does that even mean?
@@trillmexicanz He enjoys mental rather than sexual pleasure
@@trillmexicanz tell me when they answer
@@trillmexicanz basically he's more of a boobs and face kind of guy instead of an ass and legs guy
One of those unique songs that no other sounds like.
It's written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus from ABBA. With that in mind you can hear some similarities to the late ABBA's Disco Sound. But I agree with you in that point that scandinavians often come up with catchy but in a special way "strange" music, starting with Griegs "Mornining Mood" or "In The Hall of the Mountain King" up to Europe and a-ha. You'll always ask yourself "Why did no one come up with that idea earlier? Now that I hear it it's so simple ..."
Are you familiar with this song's source? This is from Chess, a musical that was successful on both the West End and Broadway, as well as world tours. The musical is about the cold war between the USA and the USSR through the lens of chess, and is very heavy handed in using chess and chess tournaments as an analogy for how both superpowers pulled global politics into their games. Murray Head played Trumper, who was loosely based on American chess legend Bobby Fischer. His Russian opponent was loosely based (extremely loosely) on Anatoly Karpov, one of the greatest chessmasters in all of human history. Many of Trumper's songs have a flippant American rock star vibe while most of Anatoly's songs are dramatic with classical sophistication. So "One Night in Bangkok" stands out in the musical, as well as on the radio. By the way, Murray Head is in character in this music video. Trumper honestly believes he is intellectually superior to everyone and can't be bothered with banal pursuits such as tourism or sex, hence his dry, sardonic, and condescending tone. He stood out in the chess world because his second was a woman. When asked about it in press conferences, he clearly couldn't be bothered with something as trivial (to him) as gender, when it is the mind that matters. Too bad such a sentiment came from a character who is absolutely insufferable in almost every way. I think the woman featured so prominently in this video represents his second. In the musical, she is Hungarian, but Thai matches the tone of the song for the music video.
@@f.herumusu8341 Excellent points! I don't know why I didn't notice that before.
Robbie Williams adpoted a similar style to this with his song 'Rock DJ'
@@1974cfjl :D
im 63 years old and still love this brilliant track, it was far ahead of its time
I am 79 and am planning a trip in September, with my 22year old grandson!
The play was that way too!
@@jimgoodreau1245 Listening to this song and 79!!!! Dude, enjoy the trip with the young blood! With love from Greece. Daaaaamn time, sooo faaaaast....Could swear it was '84 a few blinks ago!
I'm 65! This our time real music!
we are more younger then generation Z
This song was banned in Thailand back in the day, the lyrics to this song was the reason. I still love it.
Indeed it was in 1985. They don't like bad publicity.
I'm old enough to remember that. Ha ha
Yeah, it's the biggest problem when you live in a country that outlaw's freedom of speech.
and video as well... girl makes bad chess move to make guy think he is the brains in control with a "mate in 1" and then smiles as he is getting suckered in. Real life he might wake up to find he was drugged and robbed after an "angel" slides up next to him and leads him on the night before.
there was nothing bad said
Again: Fantastic bass playing by Rutger Gunnarsson, ABBA's bass player. This guy was one of the most important ingredients of the ABBA sound. He deserves a lot of credit.
i knew it sounded familiar, but i wasn't sure why
Ooohhh! I always thought this sound was reminiscent of gimmee! gimmee! gimmee!
One of my main influences as a bassist, he had a way of bouncing around a song while still making sure to underline the harmony. Knowing Me Knowing You is a fine example of how he wanders out a bit, but not too far that you never lose the bottom end. A fabulous player.
@@MrTuneslol SAME. I almost wanna try making a mashup of the two
@@reinegade I think it would turn out great! I'd love to hear it
Murray Head's delivery is so SNARKY. It's perfect. Has been for 40 years.
The line "I get my kicks above the waistline" and then he throws in that "sunshine", hurts my feelings.
"... I would invite you... But the queens we use would not excite you!"
excuse me my untoward comment but... his voice is really hot and the delivery makes it even better
😊😊@@spankynater4242
0:39 exactly
Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Anderson, Tim Rice, Murray Head, thank you for this song!
Wow how time flies by 1984-2024 this song is officially 40years of pure memories listening to this .😊
It stills slaps. I love that song
@@fredjutras5510 Most definitely Sir !
"Time flies, doesn't seem a minute
since the Tirolean spa had the chess boys in it."
0:40-0:53 yep
@@fredjutras55100:39-1:04 me too.
As a Child of the 80's, this song is PRICELESS ... and the video is as much a treasure!
This music video is epic.
I live for that flute solo in the middle.
this song ages so well, still fresh 4 decades later! truly unique.
Yeah I only just heard it (over 40 here) and I love it!
Truly unique , I couldn't see and hear something like this in my history science and my whole life.
It still playes on the radio, because is so good
This statement will live on till 2030.. to be revisited, I'll set a timer for 6.5 years.
Amen. Turn it up
7-4-24 I believe it was 1984 when this 😎 cool song was released. Still stuck in the 1980S 40 years later 🎯 🎶 moving forward
That has got to be THE hardest collection of sonics ever arranged. The vocals, the tasty bass, the synths. The engineer is an absolute demon with the chorus mix. They hit a supernatural vibe with this one, beautiful! The clip as well, this is art.
Totally agree...the key changes are crazy
Benny & Bjorn from ABBA-dude. This was their vision. This was after ABBA split.
@@jeremevr6 Its such a unique track, even just on the Chess album. Iv spun the vinyl a few times. Nothing like it on the rest of the album. It got a spooky vibe to me because i personally know (knew) people who have gone missing in this city.
@@MyCatInABox I agree, it almost starts to not make sense if you replay it in your head too many times.🤦♂️ Can be a wicked little ear worm if your brain forgets the sudden key changes!
@@jeremevr6 I love ABBA. Even at 63 years old. I don't know about you, but I would love to hear this song with Agnetta and Frida singing.
This is a very unusual song. Almost everything is not even sang, just reciting instead. Also the words and twists from one flow to the next are very unusual. Truly unique song
Kind of like "19" by Paul Hardcastle
This song was written by the guys from ABBA, yes exactly the same guys who wrote Dancing Queen, The Winner Takes It All, Mamma Mia and all their other hits
The lyrics are by Tim Rice (Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Lion King)...he is one of the most clever lyricists ever. Brilliant really.
@@JF-sh2sm I know! ABBA guys are great!😊
It's also from a musical. It did decently well on the West End, but the original Broadway production in 1988 flopped pretty hard despite the cast being fabulous. It's still a cult favorite among musical fans.
I’m listening to this master piece, in Bangkok!! 2024!
I was in Bangcock once, and I listened to this while I got my cockbanged.
Hello from Pattaya 🫰
I am Rayong doing the same thing. This tune has Bangkok / Thailand stop on.
June 8 2024!!! Blessed to grow up in the 80s!!! Best Era ever!
9 juin 2024. Entièrement d'accord avec vous. C'est vraiment la meilleure période tant sur le plan musical que télévisé.
I agree 💯
It's sad to see how music has down graded. But we still have the classics
I wish we could go back!
Eulnglidis curbani
Deus o nosso Deus a qual nós carregamos a nossa A genética qual ele nos deu ele é um Deus resolvido ele é um Deus objetivo ele é um Deus que prospera sobre a nossa vida então para você crescer e fazer um legado dê o primeiro passo mas deu um primeiro passo firme mas de um primeiro passo para se reconhecer como homem ou como mulher deu o primeiro passo para poder seguir uma vida plena e cheia de bênçãos e vitórias não seja egoísta com seu próximo mas ame a teu próximo não dê coisas ruins a seu próximo mas de um melhor que você puder então o nosso Deus ele é assim ele dá o melhor de si e dá o melhor para todos
This Song is SO clever on many levels.. The instrumental intro that grabs you in tight.. The delicate and intricately placed backing Vocals.. The wonderfully woven lyrics with metaphors that seem to tell two or three stories in one.. Massive chorus.. But what is left to say about the genius of Bjorn and Benny ??..
Not sure if it is still the case now, but at that time, neither Benny nor Bjorn knew how to read music. When they were performing as Abba, Agnetha was the only one who could read music. With all the music they created, that's next level genius.
Dont sleep on Tim Rice
"The Queens we use would not excite you." His delivery of that line alone is perfect!
I always thought he said "the queen's wheels would not excite you" I was always like "huh?"
Same
GO BACK TO YOUR BARS, TEMPLES, MESSAGE PARLORS....
😂😂😂😂😂😅😅😅😅😅😆😆😆😆😆😏😏😏😏😏😩😩😩😩😩🤦🤦🤦🤦🤦🙁🙁🙁🙁🙁
As a child, I didn’t know of the “girly men” and it took until university to get what queens do excite people in Bangkok.
Cats man. Cat men. My God was not a she either !!!!
I can remember dancing across the crosswalk in downtown Salem listening to this song. I was 23 . I just couldn't help it. I am 62 and I can't help it now! What a GREAT song! So much fun. Sean's wife
Tbh there is NO song that feels the same way as this one. Absolute unique vibes!
Could not agree more! Vibe is the word. Enchanting big city magic vibes.
@@hanspersson2015 yes, indeed. I fell absolutely in love with Bangkok.
Dankeschön an die Jungs von ABBA.....SWEDEN..MUSIK.......Genies🙂😇😊😊😊
@RECITE-GOD-HEAL-ME-EACH-SECOND ROFLMAO
Yes very
I'm 66 years old....the 80's kicked serious music a$$!!!
66 also. I remember a lot of good and a lot of junk music from the 80's, but this piece was weird and captivating and has aged brilliantly. You can credit Bennie and Ulvaeus from ABBA who co-wrote this with Tim Rice. Murray played Judas in the original Jesus Christ Superstar soundtrack, written by Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Absolutely right! I'm 65!
Especially because of Tom Petty and Aerosmith. (Yeah, I’m older, a youth of the 60s and 70s).
51. 80s were a sh!t decade, but the muuuuuusic 🪄 ✨️
It's all I want to listen to. God Bless Sirius XM channel 33 - First Wave!!! hahaha
The people who love this song , are the coolest people ever
Really? In the video they show they don't have any chess skills. And this Is cool?
@@adleraufhohenflug3032 a song about chess is still just a song. just go play chess, no need to point out that a song about chess isn't actually displaying.. chess skills..
Yes we are.
ty. me and my buddy jammed to this song while flashing motorists,we were 13 at the time
My late brother got me hooked on this song ❤
I didn't even realize all this time that this song was made by Benny and Bjorn the guys from ABBA!!! Incredible!
Listened to this song since the 80's and never saw the video. Even after 40 years, it did not disappoint. Mr. Head has himself a true hit, here.
I have to admit the UA-cam algorithm isn't useless after all. Thanks for the wonderful memory.
You're the only thing that's useless
@@sallyjoanWhat do you mean!?
yes. it's a wonderful memory of the good old days. (daze)
now if they could provide a **proper forum** like arstechnica , it would a lot easier to find where you had posted stuff!
1:33 me too
Absolutely unique 80s magic
Nothing else sounds like this
Fantastic!!
Yep I was saying I was a freshman in HS in 1980. It was fantastic time 80’s. Omg the fun we had. I wish my son could have experienced it. We were social, met friends, went out. Clubs later on in the city.
Wirbel Probleme irgendeiner Art?
Sin dudad los 80 s
Saludos cordiales desde Ecuador
@@dobber213 I remember being a kid in the 80s and my parents saying that same thing about the 60s..."you poor kids will never know how cool it really was". I guess whatever decade you grew up in will be that way.
But I absolutely agree ...the 80s were totally awesome.
Just another classic from the 20th century that the 21st century will never match.
got any more? love this?
HELL YEAH
Nah we got a few from the 2000's that are better but you'll never hear them on the radio 🙁
Pretty Reckless
*Haven't heard this in probably 20 years. Memories memories memories for this 55 year old man... from the 80's.*
Get a shave and you won't look so freakin old :)
What a decade!
57, I hear you, brother.
Im getting old. I too get memories of some stuff, already a few decades ago before you know it. Damn
Heard this today on a radio station in NW Montana. Characteristic sound, not a song I ever paid much attention to before. Today, I dug into the internet, find out about it.
Crazy to think this is almost 40 years old. I drop in on this now and again and it still doesn’t age.
Like #MrRoboto!!! They could try, but you CAN'T make a song like this ANYMORE. It would NEVER be the same. I made my mom sit outside our apartment bldg parking lot, in the car, w volume up as HIGH as she would let it put at ... JUST so I could listen to the whole song!! Had not heard for such a long time! The 80s rocked and this song was one of the BEST!! This and #OneNightInBangkok , #PuttinOnTheRitz
It’s definitely held up. So funny! So 80s!
The music has held up, but the color gamut for video has improved drastically. It looks like an 'eighties episode of Dr. Who... or a soap opera.
this is coming from a 15 year old, this is much better than shit today
I was in I think jr high when this came out . Loved if then n now 😊
I'm in Bangkok right now and I can't get this song out of my head.
Tomorrow I'll go and see the Reclining Buddha.... This song doesn't get old. But Benny and Björn from Abba have always written timeless music.
Hope you're having a great time! I was just thinking about this song at work the other day... :)
@@Boxermom0317yes,I had a very good time in Bangkok. Tbh the Reclining Buddha grips me much more than a chess board....
@@fritzh.8553 To each their own... :)
HAHA WAY COOL THANKYOU HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS 😃😃😃😃😃👈👈👈👈👈👈👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾
ma soeur qui est a bangkok m'a envoyé une vidéo d'une rue animée en pleine nuit et j'ai pensé direct a cette chanson que j'écoutais dans les années 80.j'avais 15 ans.
One Night In Bangkok, Rock Me Amadeus, Puttin' On The Ritz, Mr. Roboto, Wang Chung (Everybody Have Fun tonight), Walk The Dinosaur, I Eat Cannibals, Centipede - we loved a good odd song back in the 80's!
Add to that the song " The Safety Dance by Men without Hats "
@@nickyleighton3766 Yes - another favorite!
Ahhh the 80s and synthesizers...
This song and "Puttin on the Ritz" are some of my favorite.
New Order, Information Society, Depeche Mode,...those were the days 😄.
All that you listed my favorites too 😉 54 in Virginia 🇺🇲 ... Miss the 80's
Putin on the ritz by taco is next on the playlist
I was trying to remember the song that mentions Gary Cooper and that's it thanks
“I get my kicks above the waistline, sunshine.” Always loved that line.
I'd argue it's literally one of the best lines ever written in music history! :D
Best line in the song .. I think lol
Me too
Same
And yet, it's not true for anybody lol
I’ve always been a lyrics guy, so this song has always been special to me. Love the double entendres.
I'm sure he gets a kick around the waist line in Bangkok but nonetheless he says he don't
I like this song as a kid in the 80s, although understood less than 50% of the lyrics. For example, had no idea it was about chess until today 😮I do like/remember the duality/contradictions like "devil walking next to me" / "angel sliding next to me" , and "a little fresh, a little history" etc.
Especially the lyric "And if you're lucky if the God's a She"
@@H2Obsession "Some are set up in the Somerset Maugham suite". And by the way its "a little flesh, a little history". It was years after I first heard the song that I knew about Thailand's reputation for the sex trade, and knew more about what the lyrics meant.
I understood the song was about chess as a kid. Then about 5 years ago I heard it again and was like…. Yeah not so much. lol
Love the song though.
Currently in Bangkok and listening to this 🇹🇭
The benefit of having a 50 year old father is he has good taste in music.
19 years old and this song is crazy good.
lyrics:
Bangkok, Oriental setting
And the city don't know that the city is getting
The creme de la creme of the chess world
In a show with everything but Yul Brynner
Time flies doesn't seem a minute
Since the Tirolean spa had the chess boys in it
All change don't you know that when you
Play at this level there's no ordinary venue
It's Iceland or the Philippines or Hastings or
Or this place!
One night in Bangkok and the world's your oyster
The bars are temples but the pearls ain't free
You'll find a god in every golden cloister
And if you're lucky then the god's a she
I can feel an angel sliding up to me
One town's very like another
When your head's down over your pieces, brother
It's a drag, it's a bore, it's really such a pity
To be looking at the board, not looking at the city
Whaddya mean?
Ya seen one crowded, polluted, stinking town
Tea, girls, warm, sweet
Some are set up in the Somerset Maugham suite
Get thai'd, you're talking to a tourist
Whose every move's among the purest
I get my kicks above the waistline, sunshine
One night in Bangkok makes a hard man humble
Not much between despair and ecstasy
One night in Bangkok and the tough guys tumble
Can't be too careful with your company
I can feel the devil walking next to me
Siam's gonna be the witness
To the ultimate test of cerebral fitness
This grips me more than would a
Muddy old river or reclining Buddha
And thank God I'm only watching the game controlling it
I don't see you guys rating
The kind of mate I'm contemplating
I'd let you watch, I would invite you
But the queens we use would not excite you
So you better go back to your bars, your temples
Your massage parlours
One night in Bangkok and the world's your oyster
The bars are temples but the pearls ain't free
You'll find a god in every golden cloister
A little flesh, a little history
I can feel an angel sliding up to me
One night in Bangkok makes a hard man humble
Not much between despair and ecstasy
One night in Bangkok and the tough guys tumble
Can't be too careful with your company
I can feel the devil walking next to me
U r th best
Global cabal. Elite?
Those are the most racist lyrics ever
Thank you for that!
@@kangaroofuno It is a double entendre about sexuality. Going to a Thai bar with ladyboys. "The queens we use would not exicte you." Etc.
I love all the in-jokes written into this song. Like: "The show with everything but Yul Brynner" which is a dig at the fact that, in Thailand, you're not supposed to mention the film 'The King and I," which starred Yul Brynner!!! LOL! The Thai royal family don't approve of the film and it's still banned in Thailand today! Another of my favourite lines is "some are set up in the Somerset Maugham Suite." Very clever word play here. 👏 👌
so many things i didnt know when i bought the 45 single in 1985
"some are set up in the Somerset Maugham Suite." - could you explain this one as well? Don't get this at all.
@@MrAliquam Dear MrAliquam, yes, I would be happy to. Somerset Maugham was an English writer whose brilliant novels and short stories are set mostly in Asian countries. Maugham lived, I think (although I don't know the exact dates of his birth and death, but if you google him you can find out, but I will get back to you about this) during the late 19th to the mid 20th centuries and he travelled widely throughout Asia, staying in some well-known hotels, such as Raffles Hotel in Singapore, which must was a great favourite of his, and they have a Somerset Maugham Suite! (I visit Raffles Hotel every time I go to Singapore, not to stay in as it's so expensive, but to go to the Raffles bar, have a Singapore Sling (the yummiest cocktail ever invented!) and soak up the atmosphere of such a historic hotel. Raffles was occupied by the Japanese Army during WWII and, of course, our man S. Maugham loved it!He also stayed in Siam - the old name of Thailand and there would be a hotel there with a Somerset Maugham Suite! There would be a few I imagine scattered throughout Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong and Singapore. Both Maugham and his writing came to embody the whole idea of the "exotic and erotic east!" So the line in the song: "Some are set up in the Somerset Maugham Suite" is both a play on words, and a reference to the world of top chess players who are given the Somerset Maugham Suite to stay in, at very posh hotels.
@@amandajones6481
Your response is the kind of thing I look for in the comments. Very interesting.
@@AJAXKID123 Thank you for your kind reply to my comment.
굿❤ㆍ따봉좋아요😂🎉너무멋져요 😊힐링이되겠어요 😂😂🎉🎉따봉좋아요 ⚘️⚘️🥰🙏👍
I love the tongue-in-cheek lyrics...
"I get my kicks above the waistline, sunshine..."
Florian Laur "and if you're lucky.. then the gods a she"
"The ultimate test of cerebral fitness"
I get my sunshine above the kicks, waistline...
Every time I hear this song I’m transported back to the early 80s doing laps at our local skate rink. So.much.nostalgia.
Actually I can't think to a more 80ish musical videoclip than this, from its iconic and typical synth-built wall of sound to the hairstyle and fashion dress of the dancers and their choreography.
Yeah pure 80’s
Omg yes!! I lived on the roller rink in the 80's.
"Brass in Pocket" does that for me.
한국에서도 80년에 롤러장이 유행이었는데 어느나라에 사셨나요??
Africa, Down Under, and this.
The perfect trinity.
DaksLife 1 One night down under in Africa
Why are you forgetting Big in Japan? :D
What about nederwiet?
I know you guys aren't rating the Vegemite sandwich *I'm* contemplating
Ironically those songs came out in the 1980s
"Or...or this place." 😂 I don't know why but that cracks me up.
I got lost in Bangkok one night in '92, but made it back to my friends without incident, thankfully. That song gained a very visceral meaning for me!
I was coming home after a trip to Los Angeles and still had 100 miles to go and decided to stop in San Francisco in 1987 and walk around the little shops and then I forgot which street I parked my car. Then it got dark and scary. I finally found my car.
You've only been to Bangkok when you got lost.
I was a bit late lost in 2013, but still no smartphone or modern technology with me
Oh the times you guys must’ve had. Can i buy some dope?
Did you eat marshmallows
@@citruss5737 literally just watched the movie lol
His vocals are unique. One of a kind really. But those background singers, bass and horn section are just as impressive. This song was a flat out cut. One of the best white boy jams of the 80s. "One town's very like another, when your heads down over your pieces, brother."
Head has to hold back a little here because he's saving it up for "Pity the Child".
I love the voice of chorus singer Anders Glenmark ❤
This song, and Mexican Radio, were the first 2 rock / pop songs I ever liked as a kid..
I can still listen to this multiple times in a row and not be tired of it
If you know Mexican Radio, you are an awesome person.. I dont make the rulez
Yoooooooooo this looks like the perfect time for a good day of drinking coffee with a cup and some tea
This song has been stuck in my head all day
This is the most elusive song of the 80’s. In France it was broadcast very late at night, and while I remember loving it at first listening, I found it impossible to get a hold of afterwards. And since I had no idea who sang it or what the name of the song was, I couldn’t get it in any other shape. I had to wait for the age of Napster and later UA-cam to rediscover it proper…
Song written by the men from ABBA !!!!👌👌👌🤫🤫
Yeah, same here. And I can't stand Abba!
One reason the song is so elusive is because the album is so elusive. It was recorded by the original cast, but the production company threw a fit saying it was 'unauthorized to be sold', as I recall, but only after a bunch of the tapes had already been put on the market. I'm glad it's available now. Somewhere.
Yeah I’ve noticed that the videos for many 80’s one hit wonders usually have the highest view counts on UA-cam. Probably because the masses didn’t buy the albums and only listened to the hits on the radio.
In Germany Radio Thuringen plays it every fkn day. Overplayed here.
Pure Genius.
Brilliant song. Brilliant music. Brilliant lyrics.
Wow, what a line.
Ultimate test of cerebral fitness.
This song is timeless!
My ten year old son loves this song, lol! I played it for him one night and it blew his mind just like it did to me back in ‘85
That’s awesome
I played 80's music for all my kids growing up, they still love the songs when they hear them
Thank you!! I thought I was the only one. We are awesome parents!
You must have a WONDERFUL SON if he loves this song at his age!!!!
This made me smile.
I remember when I was in Bangkok in March 2024 and heard this song on Khaosan Road. AWESOME
Me to😂
This song really showcases the talent and versatility of the ABBA boys in composing original music
When this came out, to me, it was one of those cool elusive songs that rarely got played where I lived. Back when the only way you would hear it was on the radio, and if the DJ didn't say who it was, you were lost. I never did find it on my own, but I sang a few words of it to my brother in law once, when we were talking about music we liked and he said he didn't know it. A year or so later he found it, bought it, and gave the album to me! Unreal! And a cool album jacket too ! Yeah...
It got plenty of play on MTV and VH1.
I remember when this song charted. The DJs would sometimes talk about what it was and who performed it (especially during the intro of the song, which was annoying but very common in those days), and sometimes they wouldn't.
I'm guessing One Night in Krungthepmahanakhon Amonrattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilokphop Noppharatratchathaniburirom Udomratchaniwetmahasathan Amonphimanawatansathit Sakkathattiyawitsanukamprasit wasn't as catchy a title.
Probably not - it would've taken the entire song just to pronounce that!
good one, lol.
Ohhhhhh YISUSSSSS
Or Reykjavik didnt sound so hot
@@keithhanley7796 There is really such a song! haha
ua-cam.com/video/6z_IAJzl4EY/v-deo.html
Vocal started at 0:55
I’m on a flight from Tokyo to Bangkok arriving at 9pm ready for literally one night in Bangkok. Listening to this song with a beer to get prepped. Wish me Luck! It will be a wild night! 😀
Verse 1]
Bangkok, Oriental setting
The city don't know what the city is getting
The crème de la crème of the chess world
In a show with everything but Yul Brynner
Time flies, doesn't seem a minute
Since the Tyrolean Spa had the chess boards in it
All change, don't you know that when you
Play at this level, there's no ordinary venue?
It's Iceland, or the Philippines, or Hastings, or
Or this place
Kaliii “Area Codes” (Live...
[Chorus]
One night in Bangkok and the world's your oyster
The bars are temples, but the pearls ain't free
You'll find a god in every golden cloister
And if you're lucky, then the god's a she
I can feel an angel sliding up to me
[Verse 2]
One town's very like another
When your head's down over your pieces, brother
It's a drag, it's a bore, it's really such a pity
To be looking at the board, not looking at the city
What do ya mean?
You've seen one crowded, polluted, stinking town
Tea girls, warm and sweet (Warm, sweet)
Some are set up in the Somerset Maugham suite
Get Thai'd! You're talking to a tourist
Whose every move's among the purest
I get my kicks above the waistline, sunshine
[Chorus]
One night in Bangkok makes the hard man humble
Not much between despair and ecstasy
One night in Bangkok and the tough guys tumble
Can't be too careful with your company
I can feel the devil walkin' next to me
[Verse 3]
Siam's gonna be the witness
To the ultimate test of cerebral fitness
This grips me more than would a muddy old river
Or reclining Buddha
And thank God I'm only watching the game, controlling it
I don't see you guys rating the kind of mate I'm contemplating
I'd let you watch, I would invite you
But the queens we use would not excite you
So you'd better go back to your bars
Your temples, your massage parlours
[Chorus]
One night in Bangkok and the world's your oyster
The bars are temples, but the pearls ain't free
You'll find a god in every golden cloister
A little flesh, a little history
I can feel an angel sliding up to me
One night in Bangkok makes the hard man humble
Not much between despair and ecstasy
One night in Bangkok and the tough guys tumble
Can't be too careful with your company
I can feel the devil walkin' next to me
These lyrics prove the songs about "lady boys". 😅
@nolies9071 Yes it is......
Thanks...
ABBA 's music has a bit of an exotic sound...it shows up here shining through in an 80's set as some of Benny and Bjorn's most creative tunes beyond the group....Love all of their work!
LYRICS:
Bangkok, oriental setting
And the city don't know that the city is getting
The creme de la creme of the chess world
In a show with everything but Yul Brynner
Time flies, doesn't seem a minute
Since the Tirolean spa had the chess boys in it
All change, don't you know
That when you play at this level there's no ordinary venue
It's Iceland or the Philippines or Hastings
Or, or this place
One night in Bangkok and the world's your oyster
The bars are temples but the pearls ain't free
You'll find a God in every golden cloister
And if you're lucky then the God's a she
I can feel an angel sliding up to me
One town's very like another
When your head's down over your pieces, brother
(It's a drag, it's a bore, it's really such a pity)
(To be looking at the board, not looking at the city)
What d'ya mean
You seen one crowded, polluted, stinking town
(Tea, girls, warm and sweet, sweet)
(Some are set up in the Somerset Maugham suite)
Get Thai'd! You're talking to a tourist
Whose every move's among the purest
I get my kicks above the waistline, sunshine
One night in Bangkok makes a hard man humble
Not much between despair and ecstasy
One night in Bangkok and the tough guys tumble
Can't be too careful with your company
I can feel the devil walking next to me
Siam's gonna be the witness
To the ultimate test of cerebral fitness
This grips me more than would
A muddy old river or reclining Buddha
Thank God I'm only watching the game, controlling it
I don't see you guys rating
The kind of mate I'm contemplating
I'd let you watch, I would invite you
But the queens we use would not excite you
So you better go back to your bars, your temples
Your massage parlors
One night in Bangkok and the world's your oyster
The bars are temples but the pearls ain't free
You'll find a God in every golden cloister
A little flesh, a little history
I can feel an angel sliding up to me
One night in Bangkok makes a hard man humble
Not much between despair and ecstasy
One night in Bangkok and the tough guys tumble
Can't be too careful with your company
I can feel the devil walking next to me
I remember this song when it was first aired - loved the flute, and not until now in 2020 am I now aware of the lyrics. Thanks for posting!
Thank you very much for the lyrics
Thanks bro
Bravo!
I agree with Anthony Maas, thank you for posting the lyrics, I've been loving this song since day one on MTV, the chorus is awesome and better than the singer himself, that's just my 2 cents 😂🤣
Wow...remembering what it was like when there was no one screaming "CULTURAL APPROPRIATION" about EVERYTHING!! This is pure gold!!
Pepperidge Farm remembers
It's unbelievable the amount of memories, energy, sensations, emotions this song holds for me. And the words are so powerful too, they sound like you could create a whole novel or film simply based on the text and atmosphere. I have to thank my dad for making me hear it, a very long time ago
They did! It's a musical.
This is so '80s, combining the best elements of punk, rap, techno and new wave into one of the quintessential dance ditties of the decade. Andersson, Ulvaeus and Rice really transitioned well from the mellifluous mellow of the age of ABBA to the hard edge of the eighties. Thanks for posting!
yeah it is very old but it is still catchy. I think if it were produced recently it would still be a hit.
Now wait for that one guy that wants to tell you this is supposedly not rap because he talks and doesn't rap even though that is the exact definition of rapping...
Punk? I'm not hearin' it. Maybe you have a different idea of punk than I do...
@Piper Black he he he
@@wingmanmedia6536 it would probably be banned again if it came in this modern time
Such an oddly specific vibe I can’t describe it ❤
One of the most creative songs ever.
N1 Mondial!!!!!
It’s not just that it sounds terrific, but it’s so utterly weird that it is impossible to label.
You know something is a creative masterpiece, when you don’t seem to tire of it......ever. Oddly, there always seems something more to discover.
the kommode was given back to Russia end of the ninties?
love the Schach or chess stuff in the video, my grandpa played chess, if deep blue the computer ever existed, + Bodyworlds sometimes does chess or Schach, too
Also has a rap aspect
Its like the song e=mc2 in the way that its unique, also an 80s great
All the choruses on the song were sung by Anders Glenmark, a Swedish popstar and musical theatre performance. Murray Head only ‘spoke’ the verses..
Very sophisticated sound, I remember dancing on this song. Brilliant composition by the ABBA men.
This is pure 1980's music and this is a super magnificent Murray Head song!!
This is a true masterpiece! Always will be.
I woke up today and started singing this song and I have no idea why. I needed to hear it again 35 years later.
I heard this tune in July 1985 in Tallinn, Estonia. And these sounds also spin in my head often.)))
Interesting. That just happened to me
I'm here for the same reason lol think l need to go visit lve always wondered will l crumble since the 80s
I know why it came to my head today though. I read Daily Mail today, 09.02.20 - the case in Thailand..
That is rocking
I can't believe I just discovered this song yesterday when it showed up in my feed. I listen to a lot of 80s music but somehow this evaded me all these years. I've listened to this on repeat constantly since yesterday and I'm befuddled at how unique it is. A song about a chess player obsessed with his game traveling through Bangkok, (I know it's from a musical but still) and he's "arguing" with the chorus every other line, them singing about how amazing the city is and him basically like screw this dump I'm just here for my chess tournament. I could go on about how much story/character/lore is in this 3 minute song. Even not knowing anything about the musical besides a quick google search I've learned so much about the character and his situation and personality.
With so many songs about being in a relationship or being rejected or partying in clubs, saying this is a breath of fresh air is a masssive understatement. What an underrated piece of art.
This song is part of an opera. Listen to the whole thing. It's wonderful.
A meentioned, its from a musical, literally called "Chess" by Björn Ulvaeus & Benny Andersson (aka the male half of ABBA). It's a cold war allegory about a US - Soviet chess tournament taking place in (you guessed it) Bangkok.
This was from a time when music was an art...
Yes, this is a project of men from ABBA (they are shown here on the back vocals sporadically). ABBA had already disbanded by this time. ua-cam.com/video/TaD1BuigS3g/v-deo.html
Imagine if you heard this on the radio for the first time when you were 15. I am still afraid of going to Thailand: I don't want to be disappointed.
Listening to this song brings me back to the mid 80's walking around the streets of Bangkok and Pattaya City while serving as a corpsman with the Marines. Good Times!
Zekers,good times and the best music times
Semper Fi, soldier, thanks for serving our nation!!!🇺🇲😎❤
@@triciajohansen7124 *Sailor. Corpsmen are Navy, but can be attached to Marine Corps units. The Marine Corps, meanwhile, are Marines, not soldiers.
The only branch with soldiers are Army.
@@lordsnivyofnottingham2948 I still say thank you for the service, regardless of which branch.
if only we could go back to the amazing 80s
As somebody who was a teen in the 80s, there was plenty of crap on the radio.
EVERY ERA, when it comes to music, has classics. There's also plenty of drek.
It's harder to find because of the death of radio, but there's still great music being created.
Surpresa, todos vamos voltar 😊😊
I Wish it was possible! :)
No woke back then!
The best is close.❤
Used to listen to Murray for a long time. Never in my wildest dreams would i get this song on the radio today, and it was so weird how i never heard it before, even though i recognized the voice. Couldn't believe it was Murray! This guy was pure genius. Love this song now.
i learned about it cause it came on the radio recently in my dad car lol
In Radio Wien (Radio Vienna) it is actually not so rare to be played
It's on the radio all the time...
I still think the 80's is the best decade for music, it had the most originality and inventions.
I don't know, dude...the romantic period was pretty ground breaking
Move it back between 6-15 years and you'll see when music was at some of its most inventive, listen to almost everything up to the 60's it's all very similar with a few notable masterpieces that stand out, and then the 60's happens and you see an explosion of arts, a new psychedelic renaissance that created the sounds that shifted into the techno themed 80's definitely a unique decade but when it comes to sheer originality just listen thru the beatles discography in order so see the shift in musical style and willingness to break the norm, the 80's seems like the start of a shift back into more organized music again, 90's were a product, musicians famous for being famous, and musicians who broke through the scene bc they saw it was bullshit, enter punk, essentially just mad artists that wanted to express themselves without the limitation that society fell back into post psychedelic renaissance, and then we turned into the last 20 years of overproduced poppy easy to consume fake music, and now you can see almost a second renaissance, not entirely fueled by psychedelia, although pretty greatly influenced, but also fueled by the fact that people want real music again, the years to come are going to be amazing musically, when my generation is old I feel we're going to look back musically at out generation like the people of the 60's and 70's did, with nothing but nostalgia and love because it's genuine, maybe I'm wrong but people seem to get more and more tired of the radio, and record label releases and more into real music that draws real emotions and it's cool to be living through this shift in periods musically
Ever heard John Cage's music?
The dude that played nothing on a piano for like 5 mins right?
@@Cammmmm24 He also wrote a piece called "Water Walk". It's bizarre...I thought I was watching a monty python skit for a second, but no. the dude took himself absolutely seriously.
This song was so ahead of it’s time!!!! I’m honored to have been a teen in the 80s…best decade of music!!!
Loved the groove and probably the older versions of 'spoken word' ...so cool
who is this thai girl?
"If you're lucky, the God's a SHE".
Yeah way ahead of its time.
Точно!!! Поздрав од Македонија!!! ♥️🇲🇰♥️
The 60s and 70s were both better decades of music imho. :D
I'll be listening to this song in Bangkok soon 🔥
The music of the 1980s had it all, energy, humour and originality, many genres, much talent and songs you'll remember forever. Thumbs up if you agree?
there’s no comparison.evertbody knows.
@@johndean4727 exactly
1984
I wanna get into more music like this! have any recommendations?
@@Squeakwee e=mc2 by Big audio dynamite. Great southern land by Icehouse. Amadeus by Falco
Had this as one of my favorite songs on my cassette tape playlist that I would play in my Walkman as I stocked groceries at Krogers back in the 80's.
While wearing parachute pants?
@@doughesson I actually couldn't touch that...left them to Hammer wannabes.
That’s a neat memory. Where did you live back then if you don’t mind my asking? I used to shop at Kroger in Houston, that’s why I ask. :) Thanks for sharing, take care ✌️
@@Emiliapocalypse Born and raised in Charleston S.C. and most of the Krogers are gone now. Take Care
@@troycurrie7784 we have lots of Kroger stores in MI. I can’t stand when people call it “Kroger’s”…I thought that was a MI thing!
The fact that even today no other song sounds like this is crazy
Masterpiece at all.i m an Italian s guy... borned in 76'! and i was looking for that song from months❤❤❤❤
I never realised why I loved this song so much until I found out the music was written by Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Anderson from ABBA.
Yea they know how to make a catchy song lol
Super info 🎉
“I get my kicks above the waistline Sunshine,” is still one one fav song lyrics.....😂😂😂
Mine too...😆🤣😂
Explicitly for that which get their kicks under the waistline 😂
I believe he's referring to the Muay Thai boxers.
@Nicole PBJ It was some dark things in the lyrics that was kept away from the ordinary turists there, but if you dealt into that things a new world opened. But as he said, be careful. It was a really shithole back then.
I got my kicks below the waist line sunshine moi Thai 1985 bar maid Pattaya
In 1986, I spent one night in Bangkok, listening to One Night in Bangkok...
Did you get your kicks above the waistline, sunshine.
@@spankynater4242 mostly! The rest is NSFW.
Doing the same thing right now in 2024. Sitting on top of Mahanakhon Tower, waiting for sunset and listening..
1:44 that’s awesome 👏🏻
@@No-tm4wy just did the same, too :D But I stumbled over the video by accident. I have the original CDs, but did not listen to them for over 10 years. And now I am in Bangkok. My queen just went home, and yes she is a goddess and she is a she.
I'm at my grandma's house rn and I heard this on the radio, I fell in love with this song🤩
This is one of my favorite songs ever. A quirky and fun 80s vibe, I love it.
A smart and sexy song,yes quirky indeed 😉😊
The amount of effort and energy in the making this song is a masterpiece
One of the most original intros ever, switching genre instandly and flawlessly.
Utter rubbish. How TF old are you, eleven?
I have to agree. It is pretty original, and I'm in my 40s.
I dunno. I've watched a few videos based around Bangkok and that's all they did...hint, it was not a game of chess.
I agree. The intro is very beautifully done, though so different from the actual song itself.
@@dr.davidenglish778 Just reading up a bit on the song I find it's a song off a concept album and a subsequent movie entitled "Chess." There's much innuendo in the wording, one must read the lyrics to better grasp the real message of this single video.
This is such a unique song and vibe and I love it.
This song was so different than anything I'd ever heard on the radio. Aside from Jethro Tull and Men At Work's, A Land Down Under...one of the only pop/rock songs you'll ever hear with a flute part in it! Seems like the first time I heard it was after soccer practice around 1984 as a kid. REO Speedwagon was also big at this time and Starship's "We Built This City".
1984 -- Epic, ultra, stellar year for tunes (and soccer practice, and bein' a kid!). More awesome-per-cubic-inch than nearly any other year of the 1980's. Keep rockin'. ❤🔥
An 80s song that somehow transcends the decade.
Yes!
I'm Listening too ❤❤❤
Nostalgic
a god in every golden oyster....?
It's about the cold war, how the hell does it transcend the decade? It's quintessentially about the 80s. For pity's sake.
Anyone is 2024 listening?!!
me
Yes
Yes yes
Hell yeah!
Me.
Reminds me of another so g by Joe Jackson titled "Stepping Out." The 80's were awesome...glad I was there man!
this song was pure genius in the 80s. still sounds like no other in 2020!
*SO TRUE I LOVE IT*
It is a song from a musical.
@@WingStorm Same here. It still sounds as fresh just as it did 36 years ago
back this anyday
Thank God