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.
Maximum Joy
Frankie Goes to Hollywood Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All around you hope and joy, to find and fall in love
Can you feel that maximum joy
Rolling round like a brand new boy
Rain and sunshine from heaven
Feeling the wonder, of sun ,rain and thunder
Free at last
Can you feel that maximum joy
Rolling round like a brand new boy
Rain and sunshine from heaven
Can you feel that maximum joy
Rolling round like a brand new boy
Rain and sunshine from heaven
Can you feel it
Let dreamers dream and lovers leap
I pray for you our souls to keep free at last...
Can you feel that maximum joy
Rolling round like a brand new boy
Rain and sunshine from heaven
Can you feel that maximum joy
Rolling round like a brand new boy
Rain and sunshine from heaven
I will catch and keep you like a rainbow in my room
And tie you to a star that's rising, dancing on the moon, on the moon
Can you feel it...maximum joy...maximum joy
The song "Maximum Joy" by Frankie Goes to Hollywood is a celebration of the ultimate happiness that can be experienced in life. The lyrics convey a sense of excitement and optimism, encouraging the listener to embrace life's wonders and pursue their dreams without fear. The first verse speaks of a glorious future where we will receive gifts from heaven, and all around us will be hope and joy, driving us to find and fall in love. The chorus repeats the phrase "can you feel that maximum joy" describing the sensation of being overjoyed as if one is a brand new boy, experiencing the world freshly. The next verse evokes the feeling of experiencing the beauty of nature, the wonder of life's mysteries, and the desire to make history. The final verse encourages dreamers to dream and lovers to leap, while wishing for the listener's soul to be free at last.
The song is ultimately a call to take the plunge into the unknown and embrace the wonders that life has to offer, with the promise of finding true happiness and maximum joy as a reward.
Line by Line Meaning
On glory day we'll get the gifts of heaven up above
In the future, on a day of triumph, we'll receive the blessings of heaven.
All around you hope and joy, to find and fall in love
There's hope and happiness all around, waiting to be found and experienced through love.
Can you feel that maximum joy
Are you able to sense the greatest happiness?
Rolling round like a brand new boy
Feels like being young and ecstatic.
Rain and sunshine from heaven
Both good and bad times are coming from above.
Feeling the wonder, of sun, rain and thunder
Experiencing the awe and amazement of nature's elements.
Unraveling life's mysteries, living to make history
Trying to understand the unknown and leave a mark on history.
Free at last
Finally liberated or released from constraints.
Let dreamers dream and lovers leap
Allow those who have grand aspirations to dream and those who love to take risks to do so.
I pray for you our souls to keep free at last...
I hope that we'll remain free from restrictions.
I will catch and keep you like a rainbow in my room
I'll protect and cherish you as if you were a beautiful rainbow in my private space.
And tie you to a star that's rising, dancing on the moon, on the moon
I'll connect you to a bright and growing celestial body, while we dance joyfully on the lunar surface.
Can you feel it...maximum joy...maximum joy
Are you feeling it? The greatest happiness, the ultimate pleasure... maximum joy.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRIAN PHILIP NASH, HOLLY JOHNSON, MARK WILLIAM O'TOOLE, PETER GILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
TroianusEquus
On glory day we'll get the gifts of heaven up above
All around you hope and joy, to find and fall in love
Can you feel that maximum joy
Rolling round like a brand new boy
Rain and sunshine from heaven
Feeling the wonder, of sun ,rain and thunder
Unraveling life's mysteries, living to make history
Free at last
Can you feel that maximum joy
Rolling round like a brand new boy
Rain and sunshine from heaven
Can you feel that maximum joy
Rolling round like a brand new boy
Rain and sunshine from heaven
Can you feel it
Let dreamers dream and lovers leap
I pray for you our souls to keep free at last...
Can you feel that maximum joy
Rolling round like a brand new boy
Rain…
Jacco Talman
My favorite track from this album! This song has an incredible drive to it, it seems to be pushing everything forward. I love it how the song "explodes" at 4.30!
TroianusEquus
On glory day we'll get the gifts of heaven up above
All around you hope and joy, to find and fall in love
Can you feel that maximum joy
Rolling round like a brand new boy
Rain and sunshine from heaven
Feeling the wonder, of sun ,rain and thunder
Unraveling life's mysteries, living to make history
Free at last
Can you feel that maximum joy
Rolling round like a brand new boy
Rain and sunshine from heaven
Can you feel that maximum joy
Rolling round like a brand new boy
Rain and sunshine from heaven
Can you feel it
Let dreamers dream and lovers leap
I pray for you our souls to keep free at last...
Can you feel that maximum joy
Rolling round like a brand new boy
Rain…
User One
Still, after all these years, the last 30 seconds of this masterpiece take me to a place beyond imagination.
Neil Edwards
Deliberately moving away from the hype of their first album and singles, Liverpool was meant to be more of a true representation of the band, but three musicians wanted to play rock, whereas holly and Paul were more dance orientated. The result was a mixed bag of both styles. The final track "Is Anybody Out There" will tear your heart out.
Sven Olson
What a brilliant song, full of maximum joy
Dave Lloyd
Liverpool was a swansong album but it's filled with ace tracks like this one. Rage hard is bloody awesome.
igotmobilephone
Sounds like Proto Balearic to me. I've loved this track since 1986, when I bought this album brand new. An underrated classic.
Carmelo Abadias
Me encanta el segundo disco de Frankie. Como tantos, para muchos , sería un fracaso. A mí me pareció soberbio, maduro. Qué gran producción... La voz de Holly era extraordinaria. Esta canción maravillosa. Gracias por hacérmela recordar. <3
PAUL JACKSON
AN 80S MASTERPIECE.LOVE THE ALBUM COVER DESIGN.
Micioexplorer
take me back in best time of my life... what a track...