Frankie Goes to Hollywood- Relax REACTION & REVIEW

[@stephenpesta1550]

Kids all over were wearing “FRANKIE SAYS RELAX” tshirts everywhere for a good year after this came out! This was a VERY BIG Pop culture song.

[@josephthomas3912]

Another Trevor Horn masterpiece is Pet Shop Boys' "LEFT TO MY OWN DEVICES" from the album "Introspective". The boys had always wanted to combine classical music with dance music. So Trevor brought in a 40 piece orchestra and proceeded to deliver a track that is quite unlike anything else. Trevor has been playing bass since he was 16 -which you can hear him take the lead on in "CLOSE TO THE EDIT" by Art Of Noise.

[@Owlstretchingtime78]

Their first three singles equals three number ones. Wicked production from Trevor Horn resulted in three bona fida classics. Great time to be alive!

[@pobstrel]

Trevor Horn wanted them to record Slave To The Rhythm as a third single but FGTH didn't think it suited them so Grace Jones was given it instead!

[@terrykemp1876]

and the fourth hit Number 2!

[@davidchaplain6748]

Banger. Some songs just take me right back to the 80's. "2 Tribes" and "Welcome to the Pleasuredome" are also great.

[@joeyblowey123456]

WttPD is such a great song. Best one on the album

[@courtneywallace871]

Is that what they’re really talking about? Yes. Yes it is. 🤣

[@brucedillinger9448]

Why I never! At least not today. 😂

[@courtneywallace871]

@@brucedillinger9448 🤣

[@vinsgraphics]

It’s always fun watching reactors to this song, ESPECIALLY the music video! 😂

[@Niecy70]

I feel like this would be a much different video had he been playing the official video of the song😂

[@joebloggs396]

The original video takes attention away from the great music.

[@neil73]

This was the second single I ever bought, back in Feb 1984. The third was Two Tribes. Brilliant production by Trevor Horn that still sounds fresh today, 40 years later

[@piershollott339]

FGTH were a fantastic overlap between the greatness of Trevor Horn and the greatness of *everyone* who emerged from Big in Japan, which featured Holly Johnson, as well as Budgie, Bill Drummond, and Ian Broudie

[@torstenjohann9204]

The 12" of "Rage Hard" is the best maxi single ever made.

[@nomisnestral6956]

I really like your hot take.

[@DerBomster]

Frankie‘s 12“ were always worth listening to - Warriors of the Wasteland (both versions), Welcome to the Pleasuredome with the spoken intro. I do think that Power of Love is not the best song to start listening to FgtH - it worked best at the time as a surprise and counterpoint to people who had experienced their first few singles.

[@timt9625]

Gotta say this song sounds way better with headphones, rather than on radio. Can hear the Trevor Horn production better.

[@alancheatley4378]

Got to listen to Two Tribes 12" version, most played when we were at school 😁

[@MrSinnerBOFH]

This song was FIRE! Such a massive success on all dance floors, the t-shirt “Frankie Says” was the one to have. What a summer it was! Yeah, the 80’s were fun.

[@torstenjohann9204]

Another great Trevor Horn production from that particular time is the album "A Secret Wish" by the german band "Propaganda". Definitely one of the best synth pop albums of the 1980s. I recommend the songs "Dream within a dream" (it's NOT an APP cover), "Frozen Faces", "P-Machinery" and, of course, "Dr. Mabuse" (take the 10 minute version from the 2010 re-release).

[@richardgoddard37]

Trevor was too busy to produce Propaganda, and gave it to Steve Lipson who did a magnificent job.

[@franckb8279]

I was hooked at the time, being adolescent when it came out. So much fun and energy. Danced so many times on it. Only realized later the meaning of the song. I was so naïve and ignorant at that time about other kind of sexuality than heterosexuality. Awesome music.

[@joebloggs396]

The meaning is mainly about being a great dance song.

[@Nidels]

I already knew you were going to like this topic hehehe. I really liked Glass Beams - Rattlesnake. Those light Arabic touches in their harmonies give the song a very fresh air. Maybe some voices could have been added to enrich it more but it's very good. Those sporadic appearances of the Indian sitar are a delight.

[@delorangeade]

This record made Frankie the most notorious band since the Sex Pistols. If you can remember their fairly disheveled performance on The Tube a while earlier you will know how much Trevor Horn brought to the table here. It really marked the ascent of the superstar producer as auteur for the 1980's.

[@nomisnestral6956]

The Tube version is wicke d - Paula and Jools and some dirty bass.

[@user-vn1zb9ov8d]

Yup I remember the video and you're absolutely right, Trev had a go at it and voila, dance music as we now understand it. Genius and really nice bloke too.

[@albedo0point39]

Genius production from Trevor Horn!

[@robertjannush4403]

This particular Song was featured in the movie Body Double and there is at least one or two other video versions of this song as well.

[@spawn4582]

Oh yes, I remember this song, it's been on my personal playlist for a long time, Holly Johnson is a wonderful vocalist and musician! RELAX! 😄😄😄

[@davidpeters44]

Featured in the Brian DePalma film "Body Double" which I highly recommend.

[@yannuku123]

Suggestive lyrics. That was the clue. You hear what you want to hear.

[@Niecy70]

FRANKIE SAY RELAX!!😂

[@mrkitewine7700]

By a strange coincidence I was listening to my 2 Tribes 12” (annihilation mix) earlier today. 2 tribes is my favourite of theirs, but there are so many mixes and versions to choose from.

[@bjw0515]

You got it right! Dance floor track for sure. This was the song when I was a senior in high school. Thanks for all your reactions and have a great new year!

[@joannesmith7042]

Absolutely my g outage 80s band… it was the beginning of what they called the wall of sound… this was a master piece from the producer Trevor Horn and his production team experimenting with electronic sounds… they did not write the song but they created all the tracks to build up the sound …. Absolutely extraordinary… ..just like the 5th beatle…

[@Dannyboy.]

One of the two greatest songs of the 80's with Eurythmics' Sweet dreams (are made of this).

[@SpaceCattttt]

The naughtiest song you've reacted to thus far, Justin.

[@jimtatro6550]

There is a great 80s movie from Brian De Palma called Body Double that incorporates this song in a very interesting way.

[@vieella389]

One of my favorite concerts ever. Oakland, CA...1985 or 86. I was in my mid-20s...5-10 yrs older than most of the audience. Astounding performance!

[@alexchristianmusic]

I literally was just listening to this album today, having no idea you would post this today 😄

[@jerkedevries]

I’m glad to have come to listen to this review. Great song

[@brucedillinger9448]

I'm glad you came too. 😂

[@terryroxburgh3276]

The track that launched a million T-Shirts! Glass Beams - Rattlesnake 7/10 personally.

[@TimvanderLeeuw]

Wow, Glass Beams, "Rattlesnake", wow, I really loved that track! More than I had ever expected! And those masks, wow, I love the alienating effect they give when watching the video. But the music is great on its own without watching. Wow, really love it. Thanks for sharing that!

[@O_Towne_Bear]

Big club song back in the day.

[@user-vn1zb9ov8d]

Banging Tune!!!!! When they were singing 'Relax' they weren't talking about dancing. And in my personal history, I stopped listening to pop-music after this. Thank God rave music turned up otherwise I'd still be stuck in the 70's.

[@manhattenman6075]

This was a huge hit in the UK in 1983. According to my dad Everyone was singing it and their second number 1 ‘Two Tribes’ different times then… an 80s classic!

[@Owlstretchingtime78]

A couple of points. It entered the lower reaches of the charts in November '83, but didn't crack it open until early 84.

[@freudsigmund72]

of course with Two tribes, watching the music video for a first listen is mandatory

[@joebloggs396]

The 6th best selling single of all time in the UK (Two Tribes, also very recommended, is at 30th). Though you say it's very 80s when this came out it felt very different from other things in the charts. A good analysis of the production from some of those involved kzbin.info/www/bejne/poKsnYSenaaIqZYsi=kymg2qITXGcenQXB

[@gaiaeternal5131]

Hi JP. DP from UK. Yes, could be about anything; maybe I'm just Dreaming In Metaphors! Great vocals by Holly Johnson, but as you say Trevor Horn is all over the sound, and he brought in his own musicians, including Yes buddy Steve Howe on the title track of the album. Another great 80s Horn produced act is the brilliant, soulful singer Seal. My song ref Dreaming In Metaphors is from the Seal II album. Really enjoyed the Rattlesnakes track - guitar instrumental with a terrific vibe - and I like the masks too. Australian band?

[@viceroyzh]

"Maximum Joy" and "Do you know the way to San Jose" and "For heaven's sake" and "Is anybody out there" are among my favourites by them.

[@pentagrammaton6793]

Ya never heard this? This defines the term "80s pop"

[@pentagrammaton6793]

@@jtenazsaying nothing, lol

[@mrnaughtycat]

Have you reacted to there other songs welcome to the pleasure dome and two tubes are my faves

[@joelscottarnold3262]

This song is still the proverbial BUSINESS almost 40 years later!! If you have a chance check out the original video release- not the one they played on MTV. I still find it rather shocking and couldn’t imagine seeing it in the 80’s. There’s also a video featuring the band taken from the Brian De Palma film “Body Double” where it was the soundtrack in a suggestive ( porno )film featuring Melanie Griffin. I actually have the original artwork on the 12” sleeve, and it was VERY sexually provocative for the time.

[@mickr1448]

As a punk rocker I was supposed to hate this new wave stuff, this particular song I loved but never admitted it, looking back Frankie were pretty awesome

[@hotflesh66]

Both the original video is scandalous and the Body Double Version is quite HOT too!

[@Manageode]

The live version from a concert that is a tribute concert to Trevor Horn, is excellent fun. Holly Johnson didnt want to do it so they held auditions for a vocalist. That video about that step is a fun build-up, to then watching the concert version of the show.

[@markferrett700]

FGH.....we're an incredible "rock band".....check out their "Liverpool" album to hear what I mean!!!

[@jimtatro6550]

Many fun times were had in the club when this played 😂

[@jeffcappelletti1986]

The bass is a Fairlight C.M.I. IIx. Drums are a Linn Drum drum machine. J.J. from The Art Of Noise programmed and played the Fairlight. Only the vocals are real. Everything else was done by synthesizers and samplers

[@whitneyjacobs7874]

Also check out the band's reunion concert in 2004 as part of a Trevor Horn-produced artist festival. Holly Johnson was unwilling to participate and was replaced by Ryan Malloy, who turned in an epic performance of singing and showmanship. There is also a video of the trials of various singers that led to Malloy's selection.

[@davidbradley3254]

Just checked out GLASS BEAMS. One word WOW.

[@groovytribemedia9231]

I have never heard any of Glass Beams work before, but I'm glad you recommended that track. It sounds just like the title suggests. Pull up a picture of a Rattlesnake and listen to the song at the same time. (LOL).

[@Eduardo-Ferreira1982]

Justin in his eighties!! (at home)

[@kenl2091]

This is all about the production as anyone who has heard the basic (very basic) original version will testify. (The video didn't hurt either) Same goes for the follow-up 'Two Tribes' where Trevor Horn was allowed to take a nursery rhyme track and turn it into a soundtrack for the apocalypse. At this remove, it does sound very eighties, but the best of the eighties before everyone got fed up with the Fairlight, slap bass and orchestral stabs.

[@arthurkettle3010]

Nah - Horn's production is outstanding but the original isn't a million miles away from the finished article - Horn had a good foundation to build on...

[@johnlawler8617]

The biggest selling track in Britain in the 80's...Amazing sound effects.

[@derekhowes1810]

Check out the version from Brian de Palma's body double film

[@callistoboy2348]

Excellent film

[@Scatherfirst]

HUge impact in its day, in regards its production and dance mixiness. Try Warriors of the Wasteland from their followup LP to hear Frankie get rocky and heavy. So Julian Cope, when's that happening?

[@nomisnestral6956]

Relax is to I Feel Love what This Charming Man is to any Bowie song, really.

[@williamschrom1584]

A big sweet "O"

[@aldo34]

Banger - thank you!

[@JustJP]

Ty Aldo!

[@brucer2152]

This song was banned on BBC radio

[@devonvergiels5185]

Video says it all . . .

[@ono1dij]

Relax!!! Incredible and unfogettable hit, one of the most controversial video clips in history (they had to do another version because of that), but the song, the production of Trevor Horn, and the album "Welcome To The Pleasuredome" are gold... Oh, an thanks 4 the recomendation, Glass Beams great discovery!!!

[@6581punk]

Wow, another classic. My friend is a massive FGTH fan. I played a computer game based on the band around 1986 but never really bought any of their music until recently.

[@AndyKing1963]

Great production by Stephen Lipson with some superb synth playing by Andy Richards

[@aldo34]

Really nice breakdown of this track with Stephen on the 'Produce Like a Pro' KZbin channel

[@bjwnashe5589]

Three a.m. bathhouse amyl nitrate vibe goes mainstream.

[@heathcornbeef]

Happy new year brother from Aotearoa New Zealand

[@jono.pom-downunder]

You really need to watch the official video to get the full experience. Unless you're easily offended by sexuality like many American's

[@ignatzmuskrat3000]

Steve Howe played guitar on this track. Horn needed a solid go to guy. Who knew?

[@Reuben.Aotearoa]

Melbourne based band with weird outfits making tripped out jams about Rattlesnakes… where have I heard this before? Actually: Amyl and the Sniffers. Their song Snakes is probably my favourite. Not sure if that’s the best place to start with them (maybe Choices?) but if you want to experience some fantastic Punk rock look no further. And then we can’t mention Melbourne bands without He’ll Never Be An Ol’ Man River (I’m On The Drug That Killed River Phoenix) from TISM.

[@AntonyFleck]

C'mon people your never too old for an Eargasm !!...

[@frankschlanker]

Not one of the band played a note on this track!! This is Trevor Horn and his team of producers at their finest!!

[@rained5757]

Great song - the video leaves nothing to the imagination.

[@MJ1]

This sounds so much like YES it was inevitable the bands would join.

[@MP-TheNewGuy]

Thank you for the Rattlesnake recommendation! I enjoyed that.

[@stephenwestland942]

You really have to watch the video the song was released to in order to understand the furore over this release (pardon the pun). However, three tracks by this band (including this one) regularly feature in various selections for the best 10 tracks of the 1980s. They were massive.

[@joebloggs396]

The song was great on its own.

[@warrenbutson349]

Liked to 60s 70s psychedelic funky vibe of Glass Beams! Good recommendation. Will you be playing the side long track Pleasure dome? Hope so as the single is way too short. Best avoid the pre-track (World is my oyster) pointless sound effects and production noodling and go straight to the song but your choice

[@josiepkat]

This is one of the ultimate 80s dance tracks. Yes, as others have said those Frankie Says Relax t-shirts were everywhere. Also famous for being in a controversial scene in a controversial movie by Brian DePalma - Body Double. Two Tribes is probably my favorite from this album. As others have also said Trevor Horn's work with Pet Shop Boys is great - and there are some real gems from that band too - they had a much longer career than Frankie - who sadly kind of vanished after this album at least that's my memory of it. To Face The Truth by Pet Shop Boys on their 1990 album Behavior is one of my favorites but they have a lot of great songs.

[@michaels6496]

Haha. You- " I have no idea what this is about". Change the spelling of "when you want to 'come'" and give it another try to deduce the meaning. I was in high school when this came out. Always has been a fun song for me. Great r3action as always.

[@jon-paulfilkins7820]

Oh brace yourselves, no innuendo here, its all about kink! Two Tribes is also worth listening two, check out the video, 80's classic.

[@sexpistol7712]

I believe relax went to number one twice in the same year.

[@paulcollins5586]

80s classic.

[@radman8321]

FGTH were very raw. The only member of the band that appear on the recordings is Holly Johnson. The rest were stood down and their parts played by session musicians.

[@arthurkettle3010]

Absolute banger ...but dont dig too deep i to the lyrics if you dont want KZbin to remove this episode! 😁

[@SequentialCircuitProphet5]

A masterpiece 😊

[@jons.105]

Suffuse=an appropriate word for this song! Great reaction!

[@davidbull7210]

I think a lot of people suggested this for the pleasure of hearing you cheerfully reading out the lyrics😅

[@JustJP]

😅

[@davepb5798]

Born to Run was a great cover!

[@jeremyb5640]

Number one for several weeks, this was *the* sound of the summer of 1984, only supplanted, finally by their follow-up 'Two Tribes' which is also worth a listen and was also number one for a couple of months. Trevor Horn's policy of endlessly issuing new 12" remixes of both tracks also kept their chart sales buoyant as well You're very innocent, JP. Despite Johnson's protestations, this was intentionally a song about one thing and one thing only. EDIT: I love that Glass Beams track! Thanks for the recommendation!

[@pairofpints]

Great song. Two Tribes is their best though, along with the long version of Pleasuredome.

[@Timoeltejano]

Yeah... It's hard to ignore his hanging on the word "coooooooome" i mean as naiive as i was at 18, i still knew what this song was about. Another 80's gem The Eurythmics "Would I Lie To You?" It's a departure from their prior synth-driven new wave pop offerings and is straight up, balls-to-the-walls Rock and Roll. Give it a listen Tim in Texas Also. Glass Beam rocks. Just three guys? Wow. Amazing song Thanks for the recommendation

[@andkat]

Fun prog connection. Album produced by Trevor Horn who was in YES for the Drama album. Also Steve Howe makes an appearance.

[@SpaceCattttt]

Yeah, all the nice boys like sea men.

[@pentagrammaton6793]

@@SpaceCattttt 😆

[@sunjamm222]

A good song. But got banned cause of the lyrics. So could only be heard on local radio in the UK.

[@mightyV444]

This should be interesting to watch... 😁

[@richardgoddard37]

I have so many remixes of this.....

[@ignatzmuskrat3000]

This was produced by Trevor and his two guys plus Howe. The band is not on this recording except vocals. It is an early digital production that DEFINED the 80's. This is where it began. If not for Yes' 90125 success, it would not have happened, imo.

[@joeyblowey123456]

The title track is SO GOOD! It's even better than Relax IMHO

[@ivanoleg054]

Now with FGTH from the cult label ZTT (Trevor Horn) you are already extremely close to my permanent recommendation - the real king product and the heart of ZTT and Trevor Horn - The Art Of Noise! The whole album 'daft' is best - or as individual tracks: Beat Box, Close to the Edit, Moments in Love.

[@sspsfivefivefive]

That was great.

[@egapnala65]

You need to see the video and you will see why it was so controversial.

[@davidthompson9495]

Dude, you have got to finish the RED NOISE album! Please! Thankyou!

[@mana3735]

All about 'edging'?

[@80sandretrogubbins25]

It could certainly be read that way.