The group's debut single, titled "Relax", was famously banned by the BBC and subsequently topped the U.K. singles chart for five weeks, enjoying prolonged chart success throughout 1984. Following the phenomenal follow-up success of "Two Tribes" and "The Power of Love", the latter being an emotional ballad experiencing seasonal resurgence over the years, FGTH became only the second act in the history of the UK charts to reach number one with their first three singles.
Things began to unravel in 1985 when their fourth single, "Welcome To The Pleasuredome", stalled at number two (success that many other groups would deeply envy, but they faced massive expectations). Their second (and final album), called 'Liverpool', took over a year to complete, reportedly at huge expense. The lead-off single, "Rage Hard", peaked at number four, and it was clear that the public had began to move on. 'Liverpool' sold poorly, despite critical acclaim and underground song plays, and conflict between lead singer Holly Johnson and the rest of the band led to an acrimonious split.
Johnson embarked on an initially successful solo career, but he quickly spiraled into obscurity. The rest of the band broke up completely after several attempts to recruit a new lead singer. Nonetheless, the group had proved hugely influential. Their three number one singles have been extensively remixed and repackaged over the years, and, despite their limited back catalogue, the band is generally seen as being one of the defining moments of the eighties. Numerous new wave and post-punk music revivalists look back to their aggressive yet stylish sound as an inspiration. The band is also known today for having a hit video game based around them for the ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC and Commodore 64, giving them an interesting spot in video gaming history.
For Heaven
Frankie Goes to Hollywood Lyrics
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We have to find a world that's new
Buy a new dress and go out dancing
Do all the things you want to do
For heaven's sake, you have to break away
Unchain yourself, from the mood of today
We don't need aggression
Just give us some money
Our life could be sunny too
We don't need regression
Or means of repression
Our life could be sunny too ,ooh
Our lives should be so full of laughter
With endless joy to follow after
Summer comes to girls and boys
Never too late, but to enjoy, to enjoy
Oh come on down from your ivory tower
Unlock the doors and give us flowers
We've worked for you now for too long
We've done what's right, you've done us wrong
For heaven's sake, we got to break away
Unchain yourself, from the mood of today
We don't need regression
Make your impression
Oh, world is waiting
We need to go out dancing
Oh, world is waiting
We need a new t.v.
Oh, world is waiting
We don't need fear and fighting
Oh, world is waiting
We don't need history
She should buy us all a drink
She should buy us all a drink
She should stop the pain, stop the pain
She should buy us all a drink
Yeah
We don't need recession (We don't need recession)
Or means of repression (Or means of repression)
Just give us some money (Just give us some money)
Our life could be sunny too
Just give us some money
Our life could be sunny too, ooh
She should stop and think, stop and think, oh
We don't need regression (We don't need regression)
Or means of repression (Or means of repression)
Just give us some money (Just give us some money)
Our lives could be sunny too, ooh
The lyrics to Frankie Goes to Hollywood's song "For Heaven's Sake" express a longing for a better life, one free from the troubles of today. It encourages the listener to break away from the current mood and find a new world full of joy and laughter. The song takes an anti-establishment stance, criticizing those in power for their handling of economic and political issues. It argues that all people need is some money to live a life full of sunshine and happiness.
The lyrics also touch on the idea of escapism, with the suggestion to go out dancing or buy a new dress. The call for change is reinforced with the repeated refrain of "For heaven's sake, we got to break away / Unchain yourself, from the mood of today." The song ends with a cry for the woman in power to stop the pain and buy everyone a drink, perhaps as a symbol of shared prosperity.
Overall, "For Heaven's Sake" is a demand for a better life, one where people can enjoy themselves without fear or repression. It captures the feeling of disillusionment and frustration that many people feel towards the current state of the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Leave them behind, those clouds of trouble
We need to forget our problems and move on to a better world.
We have to find a world that's new
We need to discover a new world that's free of the negativity in this one.
Buy a new dress and go out dancing
We should indulge in our desires and take time to enjoy life's pleasures.
Do all the things you want to do
We should pursue our dreams and do whatever we want.
For heaven's sake, you have to break away
It's vital that we free ourselves from the negative environment around us.
Unchain yourself, from the mood of today
We should break free from the negativity and pessimism surrounding us today and focus on being positive.
We don't need aggression
Violence and hostility are not necessary in our lives.
We don't need recession
We don't need a financial crisis in our lives.
Just give us some money
Financial stability would help make our lives feel more positive and happy.
Our life could be sunny too
Our lives could be as bright and happy as the sun.
We don't need regression
We don't want to step backwards in our lives and lose any progress we've made.
Or means of repression
We don't want to be subjected to any kind of oppression or restriction.
Our life could be sunny too ,ooh
We could have a happy and positive life.
Our lives should be so full of laughter
We should laugh more and enjoy life.
With endless joy to follow after
The happiness should be endless and continue on.
Summer comes to girls and boys
We need to enjoy life to the fullest and cherish the good times.
Never too late, but to enjoy, to enjoy
It's never too late to start enjoying life and appreciating the good things.
Oh come on down from your ivory tower
Stop being so isolated from the real world and join us on the ground.
Unlock the doors and give us flowers
Let us in and show us some kindness.
We've worked for you now for too long
We've done our part for too long and it's time for us to enjoy ourselves now.
We've done what's right, you've done us wrong
We've been obedient and followed the rules, but we haven't been treated fairly.
Make your impression
Show us what you're capable of and make a good impression.
Oh, world is waiting
The world is ready and waiting for us to join in and enjoy what it has to offer.
We need to go out dancing
We need to put aside our troubles and have some fun.
We need a new t.v.
We need some new technology to make things better.
We don't need fear and fighting
We don't need violence and conflicts in our lives.
We don't need history
We don't need to repeat and hold onto the negative parts of our past.
She should buy us all a drink
The woman in the song should treat everyone to a drink to show her appreciation.
She should stop the pain, stop the pain
The woman in the song should put an end to the negative experiences and emotions.
Yeah
An expression of agreement and enthusiasm.
She should stop and think, stop and think, oh
The woman in the song should be thoughtful and considerate.
Our lives could be sunny too, ooh
Our lives could be just as bright and happy as anyone else's.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRIAN NASH, MARK O'TOOLE, PETER GILL, WILLIAM JOHNSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind