A beautiful ballad, but a bit of a unrepresentative starting place…much more known for dance floor bangers like “Relax”, “Two Tribes” or the title track “Welcome to the Pleasuredome”….this album took over dance floors and MTV in 1984
That’s true. This song has a much bigger impact in the context of their general work. After „Relax“ and „Two Tribes“, this one was such a complete change of direction. It stands out on a fast and dance-oriented album, but the drama and bombastic sphere is all there
Please don't stop here, this is atypical of the band. They were absolutely huge in the UK and put Liverpool back on the musical map. Listen to Rage Hard or Welcome To The Pleasuredome to appreciate their energy. Two Tribes was at number 1 for nine weeks. Relax reached number 1 despite being banned by the BBC from getting airplay.
Possibly a controversial opinion, but Frankie had in my opinion the best, most impactful first three singles of any pop band - Relax (sex, got banned), Two Tribes (war, violence, got banned) and then this...a total curveball ballad about love. Summing up the human existence in three classic pop tracks. Plus Trevor Horn is a genius and the production is therefore impeccable.
Their initial track courted some controversy with BBC Radio one who quickly figured out what it could be alluding too. The track was Relax, and it was sort of blocked from airplay after it became moderately successful. The consequence of Relax being blocked by the BBC was that everyone rushed out and bought it. It hit the no.1 spot in the UK. Their second no.1, Two Tribes was even more impactful given the nature of the lyrics. The Power of love also hit no.1 but I think it may have been a Christmas no.1 as it was out at the beginning of December. This was their only balad.
Yeah, it hit number 1 in December. It wasn't written about Christmas but directors Godley and Creme made a Nativity themed video to accompany it. It was knocked off the top spot after one week by Band Aid's 'Do They Know It's Christmas' (which also featured a short spoken message from Holly Johnson on its b-side).
FGTH were THE biggest thing in the UK throughout '84 and propelled Trevor Horn to the next level as a producer. His use of the Fairlight CMI synth was considered groundbreaking as the time, although not so much on this track - more typical were their big production dance numbers Relax, Two Tribes and Welcome to the Pleasure Dome.
The second single 'Two Tribes' from the same album would have been a great intro to the band, produced by Trevor Horn it was such an energetic song powered along by Mark O'Toole's driving bassline.
Just a beautiful Yuletide ballad that forty years later still hits the right spots. Much more famous for the songs "Relax" and "Two Tribes" that if you haven't heard before, you certainly need to!
Às others are saying, don't give up on this band without hearing 'Relax' and 'Two tribes'. Big big hits, and the song you have just listened to was the chill out song both in the context of those singles and the album itself.
As others have said, you needed to be in the UK in the mid 80s to know the impact of this song - following on from the energy and controversy of their first hit, 'Relax'. Holly Johnson has a great voice, always good to hear him again.
FGTH is one of the staple bands of the 80s, very unique ....Relax, Welcome to the pleasure dome, Rage hard, Two tribes, Happy Hi, Born to run (Bruce Springsteen), War, and more.....very good band.
The chronology of the three number ones and their accompanying videos was amusing, after the sado masochistic Relax and the geopolitical Two Tribes which outraged the media, they undercut everyone with this take on the Nativity. Having said all that, the best track is probably the title track of the album, Welcome To The Pleasuredome.
Hi Justin. Dave from Beyond The Sea. FGTH were huge for a year or so in the mid 80s. Their sound has Trevor Horn's stamp all over it, as did most acts on his ZTT record label. My favourites from that stable are The Art of Noise (recommended track Close To The Edit) and the German band Propaganda - others have recommended their song Dr Mabuse. Fun fact - in 1984/5, there were three different songs called The Power Of Love in the charts - the other two being by Huey Lewis and The News, and Jennifer Rush.
I love to hear a reaction that's honest. So many react to a track knowing their audience want to hear affirmation. Give how you feel, that's the beauty of what you do. PLUS listen to relax or Two Tribes as a very different Frankie feel
To be honest: Producer Trevor Horn was the man behind this succes. And the video plus song were released around Christmas, appealing and referring to the birth of Jesus, if I remember well. In that way it became a Chrismas carol. In 1981, Horn became a full-time producer, working on successful songs and albums for acts including, ABC, Malcolm McLaren, Yes. A very versatile producer.
Hi JP, in the "Welcome to the Pleasure Dome" song there is Steve Howe on guitar... Are you sure that you have never heard "Relax!" ? Ciao from Venezia!
Such an atypical place to start! This shouldn't be anyone's first FGTH track. Not that I don't love it, but it's not Two Tribes, Relax or Welcome TTPD.
First, finally someone making a true honest reaction video. Second, im a graphic designer, music video/contemporary art nerd, and just yesterday i watched two of their videos; relax and two tribes, and i was blown away, i just couldnt believe this guys would have dared to make and then publish a visual work like that at that time, i searched more for their music and what i found was amazing, yes it is synth pop, but they had something else, a daring, lucidity and badassnes that is impossible to find in music of that era, or even today, you wont find, not in a million years, any artist, even today, making something like Two tribes, theres nodody out there saying something or confronting politics the way this guys did in 1984 (the Regan years). This guys are dark, they belong to the streets, you can really sense that when you get to know more of their music and the roads their lifes took right before they became famous. They know about the darkest side of the gay late night leather culture and the power of love in its purest way, the extremes. Unfortunately, William Holly Johnson got Aids but was fortunate enough to be alive by the time a therapy was in its early years. Now, with context made clear, the song that youve heard, though i totally understand you were not in the mood for that, in essence, works as a final calm after the storm. Its kind of like, the street guy, heavy on drugs, coming home at 4 am, having played all the most dangerous games, wondering if a new danger is running through his blood now, lying drunk looking at the stars through the window, thats the man singing about the power of love, that redeemed the song from being just another "love" song.
Thanks for the honest reaction JP. I think everything you said about context and how you're feeeling impacting how a song hits is really fair. The Power of Love is a beautiful song but it's far from being my favourite Frankie song - it's always felt a bit self indulgent to me and as others have said isn't really a great gateway to their music. They're best known for 'Relax' which was their first monster hit and that was followed up by 'Two Tribes'. Both are bangers and hit completely differently from The Power of Love. I'd recommend trying out both of them - Relax first, then Two Tribes. (Also from Holly Johnson's solo work, try Love Train). Thanks again for the trip down honesty lane, I appreciate it!
This was produced by Trevor Horn who was briefly in Yes…. Who wanted to hire Keith Emerson who said no…. Instead Keith joined up with Greg Lake who was in King Crimson where he jammed with Robert Fripp…. Fripp worked on numerous Brian Eno records including Before and After Science which features his stand out compositions Here He Comes and Backwater. What did I win?
JP I can understand your reaction to this. This track is atypical of their output, the majority of their stuff is dance orientated, the whole album is well worth listening to, the tracks which most people know are: "Relax", "Two Tribes", "Welcome to The Pleasuredome". Some bits of trivia, the 'B' side of this track was a cover of Gerry and The Pacemakers' 'Ferry Cross the Mersey' which was the band who originally had three consecutive numbers ones, both of these bands are from Liverpool in England, the U.K. When this was in the U.K. charts there were two other songs with the same title as this, by Huey Lewis and The News, and Jennifer Rush.
While it came out around Christmas time, it’s not really a Christmas song because the music video shows the birth of Jesus Christ. Frankie Goes To Hollywood were a popular band between 1983-86. Their biggest song ‘Relax’ is an 80s classic.
Please do the full title track, such an amazing production by Trevor Horn. And if you haven’t done already then do consider Grace Jones’ Slave To The Rhythm also Trevor Horn production.
Produced by our Buggles / Yes buddy Trevor Horn. There is even along jammy dance song on the album that I guess Steve Howe owed him a favor because he plays on it. There were some big hits from this album. I didn’t remember this one being a hit.
Frankie never took themselves seriously and that includes this song, Holly Johnson said it was meant to be a parody of the power ballads at the time. The lyrics are purposely shallow and childish (Hooded Claw is a villain from an old kids cartoon) and the strings just make it over the top bombastic.
Hey Just... it seems so strange to me that you haven't heard anything from this group. Surely his song Relax sounds familiar to you, as it was and continues to be one of the most brutal hits in music that has been made to date. Still a super like for your sincerity.
Listen JP..... This album was produced by Trevor Horn!!! Yes, "Power Of Love" is fine, but record one is a masterpiece!! record two is fine, a bunch of fine bits. Tidal track "Pleasure Dome" Steve Howle, on guitar!!! And some of the funkiest music to come out of the early mid 1980's
Some trivia , Holly Johnson, the singer of this band also recorded a track with vangelis . Of which you also reviewed some albums of . The track is called Europa
I'm sure many others in the comments will say something similar: this ballad was untypical of their output, which was mostly bombastic, over the top, electronic dance music. It was released as a Christmas single, if I remember correctly.
Holly Johnson charted with some of his solo stuff, Americanos and Love Train. The release of his solo album was delayed by a lawsuit with ZTT records who FGTH were signed to.
'Welcome to the Pleasuredome' is a concept album and should be listened to in it's entirety. There's a lot of creativity and different moods. As we know a lot of music can be a slow burner and take time to get one's proper attention.
I always appreciate your honesty. It's 1 AM here, I've never even heard of Frankie Goes To Hollywood, I'm moving the laundry to the dryer, and I was impressed. I can see how it could go bonk in another mood, another time, but it didn't. That was some soul-searing balladeering! And Trevor Horn, that gets my attention! I had assumed this was some obscure thing, and by the title I expected something campy to be honest. I was very surprised at what I was hearing, and in learning how successful it had been. I am now curious about the rest of it, and how similar-different it is. I can't help you with that, but I'll peek at the comments below, and probably learn more. To be sure, there are other things I'd be more excited to see you cover, but I would also welcome at least another sample of Frankie, if someone here suggests another really good but contrasting track.
Funny to hear that you have never heard of "FGTH". This is the one that is feat. Steve Howe on accoustic Guitar. It is said, that this is mainly a Trevor Horn solo album, as he replaced everything but the voice of the singer, who's name is not Frankie, btw. All I have got from this band is a 2-CD-Sampler of the 12" mixes of the songs. But yeah, maybe you should react to "Relax", which is very powerful. Cheers!
@mostraivos Before your question I was quite sure. Now I read that he only played on the title track. On the other hand, when you listen to the track it still could be SH on acc. guitar, maybe just not credited. I'm pretty sure that I have read somewhere that Trevor Horn replaced all the musicians with the exception of the lead singer.
Such a gorgeous song, a much-loved Christmas radio staple every year, even though it's not overtly Christmassy at all. I saw Holly Johnson sing this live with a small string and brass section at a charity benefit concert in Union Chapel in 2012. Absolute goosebumps. That man sure can sing. (Paul Weller, Gaz Coombes of Supergrass and Tim Burgess of The Charlatans were also on the bill, so it was a really special night). The band scored three UK number ones with their first three singles (culminating in this track) - a feat not matched since another Liverpool band Gerry and the Pacemakers in 1963! It's not at all representative of their sound though. With producer Trevor Horn at the controls, they produced two pulsating dancefloor classics in 'Relax' and 'Two Tribes' which held the number one spot in the UK for months in 1984. I'd really recommend you listen to those. 'Relax' was a top 10 hit in the US, so you may already know it. The rest of the album is much more in that mode.
@@Owlstretchingtime78 Ah, put it down to my tired brain after working on the PC all day! Thanks, I've corrected it above. Tim was very good anyway, wore a very festive Christmas jumper on stage. Watching Gaz Coombes sing 'Caught By The Fuzz' in a church with a string quartet and a Christmas jumper was also very surreal!
@@gaiaeternal5131 Godley and Creme, ex 10cc turned filmmakers, directed the video and gave it a Nativity theme, so it's had a strong Christmas association ever since.
Honesty is what reaction is all about. Let me tell You something. I was born in 1973, and when this song came, it was THE song to dance with the cutest girl with at the dance. That is our memory, and that's why we like it. But hearing it now? Nah, giving me nothing. Exept the memories of the girls though. Preciate the honesty and understand it.
You are coming closer to my ongoing recommendation of „The Art of Noise“, Albums like „Who‘s afraid of the Art of Noise?“ or „Daft“…. You are at the great label ZTT (Zang Tumb Tuum), the Producer Team Trevor Horn and Paul Morley. Bands on this label - Art of Noise, Frankie goes to Hollywood, Grace Jones and Propaganda.
"Relax" was their big hit in 1984 and I agree that the power of love is not the most interesting song of the album. There is only 1 song imho that merrits to be remembered and it's "Welcome To The Pleasuredome". Personnaly this album is linked with my first year at University with a friend who had a CD player in 1985 (very expensive at that time). He would always demonstrate how awesome CD was compared to the vinyl crap with this album especially with "Welcome To The Pleasuredome". He would increase the volume to max and demonstrate that there was no noise backgroujnd. Good times. I bought my CD player then in 1988 at my military base during my 1 year service in Germany (France still had the draft at that time and bases in Germany) where we could buy electronic stuff without VAT. My CD player (a Pioneer PD-Z74T double player) still works flawless after 35 years.
Totally unsurprised by your response to this and appreciate your honesty on it. When you mentioned it was your first time hearing FGtH I thought, ok, this is going to be interesting as a first taste. As people here have probably mentioned, they were a dance club band (not 100% sure they’re a band in the traditional sense of the word - I think there was a scandal about who actually played on some/all of the songs of some/all albums). Regardless, they hit the charts big with the shock song Relax!, which was a mega dance track as well being confronting for many people since it was obviously steeped in a very hedonistic sex-heavy way (and the subject matter and video were outrageous for MTV). My personal favourite was the follow-up bombastic Two Tribes, a dance club belter that attacked the stupidity of the Cold War nuclear arms race. Both those songs established FGtH as a very visible front to the growing gay-pride community. They were unapologetically themselves (as they should be), and the songs went wild on the charts. The singer never had a great voice in terms of tone, but he was distinctive. When it comes to The Power Of Love, it’s better to have gotten used to them in their initial style. From there it’s easier to rationalise the way this ballad sits. From another band and producer this might have become a stratospheric love ballad. It’s unashamedly vulnerable and tender yet strong, extremely emotional in its lyrics. It’s been thoughtfully arranged, but it’s held back by being a FGtH song. But knowing what their previous tracks are like, it’s a fantastic showing of greater depth to them.
@@JustJP Only if you feel like it, of course. Two Tribes and Relax! are worth a listen/watch of the videos, if only because they were definitely a major icon in the 80s. In fact, there was a short time when a line of white t-shirt and sleeveless Ts came out with large bold writing on them and one of the most prominent versions said “FRANKIE SAY RELAX”, so they were a pop culture milestone in that era (CHOOSE LIFE) was another design. George Michael wore one the the smash hit video for Wake Me Up Before You Go Go.
What I know of this band (their hits), is that they are a very dynamic band, with great dance tracks, with political and sexual themes too. This track is a ballad; the only one I know of them
Welcome To The Pleasure Dome is a great (2LP) album. Sort of tells a story, but in a theatrical production type of way. The production of the whole album is slightly over the top but the end result works well as an album. Their live shows touring this album were super well received as well. The band Frankie Goes To Hollywood, apparently named after an article in the fifties about Frank Sinatra, is an eighties band from Liverpool. Their follow-up album did not do as well and after awhile they sort of faded from view. And yes you should consider doing a full album listen asap.
Justin yes you need context Relax. welcome to the pleasure dome and Two tribes were sensational massive hits establishing the Trevor horn sound that ruled. The next 3 years
The only Frankie song I'm familiar is their dance music, like "Relax", which has a disco beat. That being said, this song has a more laid back love serenade style, which is a welcome relief from the usual commercial material. I was expecting something more commercial, like Huey Lewis' "The Power of Love" from 1986's Back To The Future.
It gets points from me for the Sylvester Sneekly reference, the production is great, as is the melody, but I was never fully convinced by the vocal. Still the only Frankie track I will listen to.
This is not their usual fayre, they were a bangin EDM/Club band. Tracks like 'Welcome to the Pleasuredome' were floor fillers in their day. I used to be off my face on E and gurnin like a Yorkshire farmer at the time so it's hard to know how the tracks would've sounded otherwise but in a club, loud. it worked.
FGTH achieved fame when their single 'Relax' got banned - which of course led to it becoming #1.... Another band from the same era - Propaganda - under the same label - ZTT - try Dr Mabuse....
Yes, PROPAGANDA. JP must do Propaganda, the whole album (the second album is also good but so different it's as if it was from another band, 1st album German Industrial, 2nd album British Pop-ballads)
I don't know if I can like or dislike a song based on the time of day or my mood, etc. If it's a good song, then that's what it is. I just may not want to hear it at any particular time. Feel the same about other icons like Stairway to Heaven, Bohemian Rhapsody, The Other Side of Life. You get the picture. But always watching you! 5 ⭐️'s!
It's not very indicative of their other stuff which is probably why it's the only FGTH song I like. But it's definitely a mood, and if you're not in it, you're not in it.
FGtH--I assume you are going to listen to the album Welcome to the Pleasuredome. Btw, did you know that there were two different versions of the album? A song or two substitution. Wikipedia doesn't even mention that. I owned both, but good luck on that.
As so many have said, they're an enjoyable band, but this track is highly unrepresentative of them. It was a big Christmas hit, and probably works best in that context. Their earlier hit "Relax" is far more representative, except that with that track, the album version is a slight remix; the original single version that made the band famous is perhaps the most authentic version to go with. Also, I should warn that its lyrics earned it a BBC ban at the time (all versions) although they later backed down; those lyrics don't exactly need any analysis. Meanwhile, I would strongly recommend the full album version of "Welcome To The Pleasuredome" which is the full first side of the album (including an ambient intro and some other linkage usually listed as one or two separate tracks, but it's really all just one). And then there's "Two Tribes"... again the album version is a remix, and on this one, my recommendation would be the full original "twelve inch" version (aka the "Annihilation" mix), which really brings out what the track is about, in a good way. That all said, if you feel like doing the entire album, I'd certainly tune in for that.
Frankie Goes To Hollywood had a 1 huge album and year, 1984. The album sold more than a million in the UK and was huge all over the world. This one was the third of three number 1's off the album the other two Relax, and Two Tribes were huge hits all over the world. This is the only ballad really the others are more dance oriented.
Like their other hit single "Relax" which I quickly found boring, I have never been fond of "The Power of Love" and I must say that overall I prefer their second album, the underrated Liverpool from 1986 which I find more compact (which is understandable since the latter was a single album with less filler). On Welcome to the Pleasuredome I recommend above all the title track preceded by its short introductory piece "The World Is My Oyster" as well as "Two Tribes", otherwise I would rather recommend their album Liverpool.
It’s an “okay” song, a bit out of place on the album, considering the main hits as mentioned. If I recall correctly, they scored four #1s of this album in the UK, the first time since the Beatles. “Relax” is the big one, which comes with its own story and crazy music video(s)… it’s fun watching reactors review this video, their jaws hitting the floor. I’m sure you’ll recognize the track when you get to it.
The song title had me ready for Huey Lewis and the News. Being thrown off was not a good beginning for appreciating this song. I couldn't warm up to it.
I agree with everything you have said JP though unfortunately I do know their stuff. You couldn't escape FGTH in 1984 blaring from car sound systems and through the wall from your neighbour and on every music oriented programme on telly. I can't stand the weedy voice and the overblown production. Holly Johnson had previously played bass with a punk band called Big In Japan - most of the people in the band went on to greater sucess including amongst others Budgie later with the Banshees, Bill Drummond of the KLF and Ian Broudie of the Lightning Seeds.
It's all been said, but this was the wrong starting point for FGTH for you... it was their third single and third number 1, making them only the 2nd act ever to achieve that feat after Gerry & The Pacemakers in the 1960s... that gave them the clout to make their debut album a double, and it's brilliant, especially the groundbreaking Trevor Horn production. This is a great end to the album, but you really need to hear Relax & Two Tribes (both HUGE HUGE HUGE hits) for proper context...
It's a fine song. It's definitely the weakest of the three mega hits called "The Power of Love" but it's OK. It's just a shame that Holly Johnson, who sings wonderfully well in the first half, suddenly goes completely flat in the second...
@@JustJP I’m not wrong though am I Justin! I like the song myself, always did, but I totally get the point about his voice not fitting the tone of the song, that never bothered me though. Don’t give up on them, “Relax” and “Two Tribes” are completely different and the vocals are more of a match. Those were massive hits in the UK in 1984
A beautiful ballad, but a bit of a unrepresentative starting place…much more known for dance floor bangers like “Relax”, “Two Tribes” or the title track “Welcome to the Pleasuredome”….this album took over dance floors and MTV in 1984
That’s true. This song has a much bigger impact in the context of their general work. After „Relax“ and „Two Tribes“, this one was such a complete change of direction. It stands out on a fast and dance-oriented album, but the drama and bombastic sphere is all there
Agree, Trevor Horns mellow moment with Frankie. Have the 12 inch with a Christmas message intro and the DJ ban of relax...the song itself is magic
Agree, Trevor Horns mellow moment with Frankie. Have the 12 inch with a Christmas message intro and the DJ ban of relax...the song itself is magic
Absolutely beautiful song! Makes the hairs on the back of my neck stick up 40 years later! Listen to Relax and Two Tribes .
Please don't stop here, this is atypical of the band. They were absolutely huge in the UK and put Liverpool back on the musical map. Listen to Rage Hard or Welcome To The Pleasuredome to appreciate their energy. Two Tribes was at number 1 for nine weeks. Relax reached number 1 despite being banned by the BBC from getting airplay.
Bloody englismen !!! The best in pop music, rock&roll since 60 years. Thanks from a bloody frenchman !!!❤❤❤❤❤
Possibly a controversial opinion, but Frankie had in my opinion the best, most impactful first three singles of any pop band - Relax (sex, got banned), Two Tribes (war, violence, got banned) and then this...a total curveball ballad about love. Summing up the human existence in three classic pop tracks. Plus Trevor Horn is a genius and the production is therefore impeccable.
Holly Johnson's vocals... this time we do go sublime.
One of the big, big ballads of the 80‘s. A fantastic song from a great album. Gives me chills every time.
Their initial track courted some controversy with BBC Radio one who quickly figured out what it could be alluding too. The track was Relax, and it was sort of blocked from airplay after it became moderately successful. The consequence of Relax being blocked by the BBC was that everyone rushed out and bought it. It hit the no.1 spot in the UK. Their second no.1, Two Tribes was even more impactful given the nature of the lyrics. The Power of love also hit no.1 but I think it may have been a Christmas no.1 as it was out at the beginning of December. This was their only balad.
Yeah, it hit number 1 in December. It wasn't written about Christmas but directors Godley and Creme made a Nativity themed video to accompany it. It was knocked off the top spot after one week by Band Aid's 'Do They Know It's Christmas' (which also featured a short spoken message from Holly Johnson on its b-side).
FGTH were THE biggest thing in the UK throughout '84 and propelled Trevor Horn to the next level as a producer. His use of the Fairlight CMI synth was considered groundbreaking as the time, although not so much on this track - more typical were their big production dance numbers Relax, Two Tribes and Welcome to the Pleasure Dome.
The second single 'Two Tribes' from the same album would have been a great intro to the band, produced by Trevor Horn it was such an energetic song powered along by Mark O'Toole's driving bassline.
you really need to listen to their big hit "Relax". It was one of the best songs of the 80's.
One of the most beautiful ballads I know
Just a beautiful Yuletide ballad that forty years later still hits the right spots. Much more famous for the songs "Relax" and "Two Tribes" that if you haven't heard before, you certainly need to!
Às others are saying, don't give up on this band without hearing 'Relax' and 'Two tribes'. Big big hits, and the song you have just listened to was the chill out song both in the context of those singles and the album itself.
As others have said, you needed to be in the UK in the mid 80s to know the impact of this song - following on from the energy and controversy of their first hit, 'Relax'. Holly Johnson has a great voice, always good to hear him again.
Dear Justin, on Franchise Avenue, I'll tell you only one thing : go to the main entrance of this monument and... Welcome to the Pleasure Dome, man !
There's a brilliant cover version of (Bruce Springsteen's) 'Born to Run' on this album, Incredible Bass!
FGTH is one of the staple bands of the 80s, very unique ....Relax, Welcome to the pleasure dome, Rage hard, Two tribes, Happy Hi, Born to run (Bruce Springsteen), War, and more.....very good band.
The chronology of the three number ones and their accompanying videos was amusing, after the sado masochistic Relax and the geopolitical Two Tribes which outraged the media, they undercut everyone with this take on the Nativity. Having said all that, the best track is probably the title track of the album, Welcome To The Pleasuredome.
Yes, definitely the title track. The full 13-minute version, without a doubt.
Hi Justin. Dave from Beyond The Sea. FGTH were huge for a year or so in the mid 80s. Their sound has Trevor Horn's stamp all over it, as did most acts on his ZTT record label. My favourites from that stable are The Art of Noise (recommended track Close To The Edit) and the German band Propaganda - others have recommended their song Dr Mabuse. Fun fact - in 1984/5, there were three different songs called The Power Of Love in the charts - the other two being by Huey Lewis and The News, and Jennifer Rush.
Indeed, I was also to point out that Trevor Horn had a huge role in the bands sound, Horn had worked with Yes, and he had great sonic instincts.
Were they all in the UK charts at the same time?
Don't think so, Chris. That would be too weird!@@chrisbradley1192
I love to hear a reaction that's honest. So many react to a track knowing their audience want to hear affirmation. Give how you feel, that's the beauty of what you do. PLUS listen to relax or Two Tribes as a very different Frankie feel
To be honest: Producer Trevor Horn was the man behind this succes. And the video plus song were released around Christmas, appealing and referring to the birth of Jesus, if I remember well. In that way it became a Chrismas carol. In 1981, Horn became a full-time producer, working on successful songs and albums for acts including, ABC, Malcolm McLaren, Yes. A very versatile producer.
Hi JP, in the "Welcome to the Pleasure Dome" song there is Steve Howe on guitar...
Are you sure that you have never heard "Relax!" ?
Ciao from Venezia!
The Annihilation mix of Two Tribes is by far what I recommend the most. The Power of Love is a ballad, doing as best a ballad can.
Such an atypical place to start! This shouldn't be anyone's first FGTH track. Not that I don't love it, but it's not Two Tribes, Relax or Welcome TTPD.
The whole Album is a pleasure.
First, finally someone making a true honest reaction video. Second, im a graphic designer, music video/contemporary art nerd, and just yesterday i watched two of their videos; relax and two tribes, and i was blown away, i just couldnt believe this guys would have dared to make and then publish a visual work like that at that time, i searched more for their music and what i found was amazing, yes it is synth pop, but they had something else, a daring, lucidity and badassnes that is impossible to find in music of that era, or even today, you wont find, not in a million years, any artist, even today, making something like Two tribes, theres nodody out there saying something or confronting politics the way this guys did in 1984 (the Regan years). This guys are dark, they belong to the streets, you can really sense that when you get to know more of their music and the roads their lifes took right before they became famous. They know about the darkest side of the gay late night leather culture and the power of love in its purest way, the extremes. Unfortunately, William Holly Johnson got Aids but was fortunate enough to be alive by the time a therapy was in its early years. Now, with context made clear, the song that youve heard, though i totally understand you were not in the mood for that, in essence, works as a final calm after the storm. Its kind of like, the street guy, heavy on drugs, coming home at 4 am, having played all the most dangerous games, wondering if a new danger is running through his blood now, lying drunk looking at the stars through the window, thats the man singing about the power of love, that redeemed the song from being just another "love" song.
Thanks for the honest reaction JP. I think everything you said about context and how you're feeeling impacting how a song hits is really fair. The Power of Love is a beautiful song but it's far from being my favourite Frankie song - it's always felt a bit self indulgent to me and as others have said isn't really a great gateway to their music. They're best known for 'Relax' which was their first monster hit and that was followed up by 'Two Tribes'. Both are bangers and hit completely differently from The Power of Love. I'd recommend trying out both of them - Relax first, then Two Tribes. (Also from Holly Johnson's solo work, try Love Train). Thanks again for the trip down honesty lane, I appreciate it!
This was produced by Trevor Horn who was briefly in Yes…. Who wanted to hire Keith Emerson who said no…. Instead Keith joined up with Greg Lake who was in King Crimson where he jammed with Robert Fripp…. Fripp worked on numerous Brian Eno records including Before and After Science which features his stand out compositions Here He Comes and Backwater.
What did I win?
Two words: "Two Tribes."
JP I can understand your reaction to this. This track is atypical of their output, the majority of their stuff is dance orientated, the whole album is well worth listening to, the tracks which most people know are: "Relax", "Two Tribes", "Welcome to The Pleasuredome". Some bits of trivia, the 'B' side of this track was a cover of Gerry and The Pacemakers' 'Ferry Cross the Mersey' which was the band who originally had three consecutive numbers ones, both of these bands are from Liverpool in England, the U.K. When this was in the U.K. charts there were two other songs with the same title as this, by Huey Lewis and The News, and Jennifer Rush.
I've always liked this song since it was released. Just so packed full of emotion. Beautiful song.
While it came out around Christmas time, it’s not really a Christmas song because the music video shows the birth of Jesus Christ. Frankie Goes To Hollywood were a popular band between 1983-86. Their biggest song ‘Relax’ is an 80s classic.
Please do the full title track, such an amazing production by Trevor Horn. And if you haven’t done already then do consider Grace Jones’ Slave To The Rhythm also Trevor Horn production.
Produced by our Buggles / Yes buddy Trevor Horn. There is even along jammy dance song on the album that I guess Steve Howe owed him a favor because he plays on it. There were some big hits from this album. I didn’t remember this one being a hit.
Their version of Born to Run is excellent!!!
Frankie never took themselves seriously and that includes this song, Holly Johnson said it was meant to be a parody of the power ballads at the time. The lyrics are purposely shallow and childish (Hooded Claw is a villain from an old kids cartoon) and the strings just make it over the top bombastic.
Hey Just... it seems so strange to me that you haven't heard anything from this group. Surely his song Relax sounds familiar to you, as it was and continues to be one of the most brutal hits in music that has been made to date. Still a super like for your sincerity.
"Relax" and "Two Tribes" Justin (The Videos)... I can't believe you've never heard/watched those songs, also "Welcome To The Pleasuredome"" is great.
Holly Johnson - *what* a voice. Try Two Tribes next, that's more atypical of their oeuvre.
Listen JP..... This album was produced by Trevor Horn!!! Yes, "Power Of Love" is fine, but record one is a masterpiece!! record two is fine, a bunch of fine bits. Tidal track "Pleasure Dome" Steve Howle, on guitar!!! And some of the funkiest music to come out of the early mid 1980's
Some trivia , Holly Johnson, the singer of this band also recorded a track with vangelis . Of which you also reviewed some albums of . The track is called Europa
I'm sure many others in the comments will say something similar: this ballad was untypical of their output, which was mostly bombastic, over the top, electronic dance music. It was released as a Christmas single, if I remember correctly.
Frankie is a very controversial band full of bad boys and banned tracks. "In Xanadu did Kublai Khan a stately pleasure-dome erect"... M-hmmm.
Listen to the first side of their first album in the dark, then be awestruck that this was recorded 40 years ago.
This track is liker the 'chill' at the end of a long album...
They were better know for more Disco/dance music
Holly Johnson charted with some of his solo stuff, Americanos and Love Train. The release of his solo album was delayed by a lawsuit with ZTT records who FGTH were signed to.
I teach an aerobics class, this is one of my go-to songs for the stretching at the end.
Ooo nice!🤸♂️
You should listen to "Relax" and "Two Tribes". I think this one did so well because it was atypical of the band.
I'll likely give em a listen :)
Although it isn’t a song for the Christmas season but the video was and as such you really hear it a lot round that time of the year.
'Welcome to the Pleasuredome' is a concept album and should be listened to in it's entirety. There's a lot of creativity and different moods. As we know a lot of music can be a slow burner and take time to get one's proper attention.
I just discovered this song last year and love love love it! BTW, I have never seen your site before but I love your smile!
Thank you so much Alice! You have the same name as my aunt :)
Yep... Relax or Two Tribes next, please.
GREAT review! So perceptive! But do come back for 'Two Tribes' or 'Relax' to see how right you are!
Ty Richard! Will do
Perhaps not so typical of the rest of the album but still my favourite Frankie track. The whole thing is the classic Horn, Dudley, Jeczalik sound.
Oh, those names! I still play Art Of Noise albums very regularly and love everything they did.
One of the best "Christmas" songs.
I always appreciate your honesty. It's 1 AM here, I've never even heard of Frankie Goes To Hollywood, I'm moving the laundry to the dryer, and I was impressed. I can see how it could go bonk in another mood, another time, but it didn't. That was some soul-searing balladeering! And Trevor Horn, that gets my attention! I had assumed this was some obscure thing, and by the title I expected something campy to be honest. I was very surprised at what I was hearing, and in learning how successful it had been. I am now curious about the rest of it, and how similar-different it is. I can't help you with that, but I'll peek at the comments below, and probably learn more. To be sure, there are other things I'd be more excited to see you cover, but I would also welcome at least another sample of Frankie, if someone here suggests another really good but contrasting track.
Funny to hear that you have never heard of "FGTH". This is the one that is feat. Steve Howe on accoustic Guitar. It is said, that this is mainly a Trevor Horn solo album, as he replaced everything but the voice of the singer, who's name is not Frankie, btw. All I have got from this band is a 2-CD-Sampler of the 12" mixes of the songs. But yeah, maybe you should react to "Relax", which is very powerful. Cheers!
Steve Howe? Really?
@mostraivos Before your question I was quite sure. Now I read that he only played on the title track. On the other hand, when you listen to the track it still could be SH on acc. guitar, maybe just not credited. I'm pretty sure that I have read somewhere that Trevor Horn replaced all the musicians with the exception of the lead singer.
My favourite song from FGTH is 'Warriors of the Wasteland'. It has a brilliant video too!
Il video ufficiale della canzone merita di essere guardato
Such a gorgeous song, a much-loved Christmas radio staple every year, even though it's not overtly Christmassy at all. I saw Holly Johnson sing this live with a small string and brass section at a charity benefit concert in Union Chapel in 2012. Absolute goosebumps. That man sure can sing. (Paul Weller, Gaz Coombes of Supergrass and Tim Burgess of The Charlatans were also on the bill, so it was a really special night). The band scored three UK number ones with their first three singles (culminating in this track) - a feat not matched since another Liverpool band Gerry and the Pacemakers in 1963! It's not at all representative of their sound though. With producer Trevor Horn at the controls, they produced two pulsating dancefloor classics in 'Relax' and 'Two Tribes' which held the number one spot in the UK for months in 1984. I'd really recommend you listen to those. 'Relax' was a top 10 hit in the US, so you may already know it. The rest of the album is much more in that mode.
Tim Burgess is the front man with The Charlatans!
I agree the song isn't Christmassy, but I remember the video being about the Nativity.
@@Owlstretchingtime78 Ah, put it down to my tired brain after working on the PC all day! Thanks, I've corrected it above. Tim was very good anyway, wore a very festive Christmas jumper on stage. Watching Gaz Coombes sing 'Caught By The Fuzz' in a church with a string quartet and a Christmas jumper was also very surreal!
@@jeremyb5640 👍
@@gaiaeternal5131 Godley and Creme, ex 10cc turned filmmakers, directed the video and gave it a Nativity theme, so it's had a strong Christmas association ever since.
Honesty is what reaction is all about. Let me tell You something. I was born in 1973, and when this song came, it was THE song to dance with the cutest girl with at the dance. That is our memory, and that's why we like it. But hearing it now? Nah, giving me nothing. Exept the memories of the girls though. Preciate the honesty and understand it.
Ty tobbex, sounds like a good memory
I suppose you had to be there. Rolled out every December for Christmas
You are coming closer to my ongoing recommendation of „The Art of Noise“, Albums like „Who‘s afraid of the Art of Noise?“ or „Daft“…. You are at the great label ZTT (Zang Tumb Tuum), the Producer Team Trevor Horn and Paul Morley. Bands on this label - Art of Noise, Frankie goes to Hollywood, Grace Jones and Propaganda.
"Relax" was their big hit in 1984 and I agree that the power of love is not the most interesting song of the album. There is only 1 song imho that merrits to be remembered and it's "Welcome To The Pleasuredome".
Personnaly this album is linked with my first year at University with a friend who had a CD player in 1985 (very expensive at that time). He would always demonstrate how awesome CD was compared to the vinyl crap with this album especially with "Welcome To The Pleasuredome". He would increase the volume to max and demonstrate that there was no noise backgroujnd. Good times. I bought my CD player then in 1988 at my military base during my 1 year service in Germany (France still had the draft at that time and bases in Germany) where we could buy electronic stuff without VAT. My CD player (a Pioneer PD-Z74T double player) still works flawless after 35 years.
Totally unsurprised by your response to this and appreciate your honesty on it.
When you mentioned it was your first time hearing FGtH I thought, ok, this is going to be interesting as a first taste.
As people here have probably mentioned, they were a dance club band (not 100% sure they’re a band in the traditional sense of the word - I think there was a scandal about who actually played on some/all of the songs of some/all albums). Regardless, they hit the charts big with the shock song Relax!, which was a mega dance track as well being confronting for many people since it was obviously steeped in a very hedonistic sex-heavy way (and the subject matter and video were outrageous for MTV). My personal favourite was the follow-up bombastic Two Tribes, a dance club belter that attacked the stupidity of the Cold War nuclear arms race.
Both those songs established FGtH as a very visible front to the growing gay-pride community. They were unapologetically themselves (as they should be), and the songs went wild on the charts.
The singer never had a great voice in terms of tone, but he was distinctive.
When it comes to The Power Of Love, it’s better to have gotten used to them in their initial style. From there it’s easier to rationalise the way this ballad sits. From another band and producer this might have become a stratospheric love ballad. It’s unashamedly vulnerable and tender yet strong, extremely emotional in its lyrics. It’s been thoughtfully arranged, but it’s held back by being a FGtH song.
But knowing what their previous tracks are like, it’s a fantastic showing of greater depth to them.
Appreciate that Sean; I'll give em another go
@@JustJP
Only if you feel like it, of course.
Two Tribes and Relax! are worth a listen/watch of the videos, if only because they were definitely a major icon in the 80s.
In fact, there was a short time when a line of white t-shirt and sleeveless Ts came out with large bold writing on them and one of the most prominent versions said “FRANKIE SAY RELAX”, so they were a pop culture milestone in that era (CHOOSE LIFE) was another design. George Michael wore one the the smash hit video for Wake Me Up Before You Go Go.
I never liked FGTH... until they came out with this. It's a masterpiece! A beautiful song. :0)
What I know of this band (their hits), is that they are a very dynamic band, with great dance tracks, with political and sexual themes too. This track is a ballad; the only one I know of them
Welcome To The Pleasure Dome is a great (2LP) album. Sort of tells a story, but in a theatrical production type of way. The production of the whole album is slightly over the top but the end result works well as an album. Their live shows touring this album were super well received as well. The band Frankie Goes To Hollywood, apparently named after an article in the fifties about Frank Sinatra, is an eighties band from Liverpool. Their follow-up album did not do as well and after awhile they sort of faded from view. And yes you should consider doing a full album listen asap.
Justin yes you need context Relax. welcome to the pleasure dome and Two tribes were sensational massive hits establishing the Trevor horn sound that ruled. The next 3 years
The only Frankie song I'm familiar is their dance music, like "Relax", which has a disco beat. That being said, this song has a more laid back love serenade style, which is a welcome relief from the usual commercial material. I was expecting something more commercial, like Huey Lewis' "The Power of Love" from 1986's Back To The Future.
It gets points from me for the Sylvester Sneekly reference, the production is great, as is the melody, but I was never fully convinced by the vocal. Still the only Frankie track I will listen to.
Olá, Justin, Eduardo here.😊
Not for competition (in art there's no such thing) but... Good music coming from Europe eighties pop, isn't it?
This is not their usual fayre, they were a bangin EDM/Club band. Tracks like 'Welcome to the Pleasuredome' were floor fillers in their day. I used to be off my face on E and gurnin like a Yorkshire farmer at the time so it's hard to know how the tracks would've sounded otherwise but in a club, loud. it worked.
This song is sublime❤
FGTH achieved fame when their single 'Relax' got banned - which of course led to it becoming #1....
Another band from the same era - Propaganda - under the same label - ZTT - try Dr Mabuse....
It could be NSFW if you're concerned about that - I'll say no more
Yes, PROPAGANDA. JP must do Propaganda, the whole album (the second album is also good but so different it's as if it was from another band, 1st album German Industrial, 2nd album British Pop-ballads)
Dr Mabuse gets my vote too.
I don't know if I can like or dislike a song based on the time of day or my mood, etc. If it's a good song, then that's what it is.
I just may not want to hear it at any particular time.
Feel the same about other icons like Stairway to Heaven, Bohemian Rhapsody, The Other Side of Life. You get the picture.
But always watching you!
5 ⭐️'s!
Instant classic if you ask me, and even if you don't :)
It's not very indicative of their other stuff which is probably why it's the only FGTH song I like. But it's definitely a mood, and if you're not in it, you're not in it.
FGtH--I assume you are going to listen to the album Welcome to the Pleasuredome. Btw, did you know that there were two different versions of the album? A song or two substitution. Wikipedia doesn't even mention that. I owned both, but good luck on that.
As so many have said, they're an enjoyable band, but this track is highly unrepresentative of them. It was a big Christmas hit, and probably works best in that context. Their earlier hit "Relax" is far more representative, except that with that track, the album version is a slight remix; the original single version that made the band famous is perhaps the most authentic version to go with. Also, I should warn that its lyrics earned it a BBC ban at the time (all versions) although they later backed down; those lyrics don't exactly need any analysis. Meanwhile, I would strongly recommend the full album version of "Welcome To The Pleasuredome" which is the full first side of the album (including an ambient intro and some other linkage usually listed as one or two separate tracks, but it's really all just one). And then there's "Two Tribes"... again the album version is a remix, and on this one, my recommendation would be the full original "twelve inch" version (aka the "Annihilation" mix), which really brings out what the track is about, in a good way. That all said, if you feel like doing the entire album, I'd certainly tune in for that.
Frankie Goes To Hollywood had a 1 huge album and year, 1984. The album sold more than a million in the UK and was huge all over the world. This one was the third of three number 1's off the album the other two Relax, and Two Tribes were huge hits all over the world. This is the only ballad really the others are more dance oriented.
It's an odd album, my friend is a huge FGTH fan but he says Liverpool is much better album.
@@6581punk ...and I agree with your friend! Liverpool, although criticized by some, is for me much more consistent and successful overall.
Like their other hit single "Relax" which I quickly found boring, I have never been fond of "The Power of Love" and I must say that overall I prefer their second album, the underrated Liverpool from 1986 which I find more compact (which is understandable since the latter was a single album with less filler). On Welcome to the Pleasuredome I recommend above all the title track preceded by its short introductory piece "The World Is My Oyster" as well as "Two Tribes", otherwise I would rather recommend their album Liverpool.
God bless Anne Dudley ❤
I have never read anything I could ever get more behind than what you wrote there. She is one of my heroes.
It’s an “okay” song, a bit out of place on the album, considering the main hits as mentioned. If I recall correctly, they scored four #1s of this album in the UK, the first time since the Beatles. “Relax” is the big one, which comes with its own story and crazy music video(s)… it’s fun watching reactors review this video, their jaws hitting the floor. I’m sure you’ll recognize the track when you get to it.
A great Christmas song
Not sure why this was released as a single. It's never been my favorite from the album. Relax, 2 Tribes and the title track are awesome.
The song title had me ready for Huey Lewis and the News. Being thrown off was not a good beginning for appreciating this song. I couldn't warm up to it.
Not the ideal intro to them, always thought of this as a Xmas song. Go with 2 tribes and their covers of born to run and war.
No idea what track listing you just read but the whole of side one is the title track with 5 mins of bollocks before the track starts!
Two tribes another great song of there’s.
I agree with everything you have said JP though unfortunately I do know their stuff. You couldn't escape FGTH in 1984 blaring from car sound systems and through the wall from your neighbour and on every music oriented programme on telly. I can't stand the weedy voice and the overblown production. Holly Johnson had previously played bass with a punk band called Big In Japan - most of the people in the band went on to greater sucess including amongst others Budgie later with the Banshees, Bill Drummond of the KLF and Ian Broudie of the Lightning Seeds.
Propaganda is another group from that period you shoujld try.
Excellent
Just a great ballad...
It's all been said, but this was the wrong starting point for FGTH for you... it was their third single and third number 1, making them only the 2nd act ever to achieve that feat after Gerry & The Pacemakers in the 1960s... that gave them the clout to make their debut album a double, and it's brilliant, especially the groundbreaking Trevor Horn production. This is a great end to the album, but you really need to hear Relax & Two Tribes (both HUGE HUGE HUGE hits) for proper context...
It's a fine song. It's definitely the weakest of the three mega hits called "The Power of Love" but it's OK.
It's just a shame that Holly Johnson, who sings wonderfully well in the first half, suddenly goes completely flat in the second...
Christmas Song.
Whenever a reactor says “ok” in that high pitched tone during a reaction, that’s a dead giveaway that they don’t really rate the song
😅
@@JustJP I’m not wrong though am I Justin! I like the song myself, always did, but I totally get the point about his voice not fitting the tone of the song, that never bothered me though. Don’t give up on them, “Relax” and “Two Tribes” are completely different and the vocals are more of a match. Those were massive hits in the UK in 1984
Uncharacteristicaly FGTH .. Beyond beautiful though