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.
Suffragette City
Frankie Goes to Hollywood Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hey man, oh Henry, get off the phone, I gotta
Hey man, I gotta straighten my face
This mellow thighed chick just put my spine out of place
Hey man, my schooldays insane
Hey man, my work's down the drain
Hey man, well she's a total blam-blam
She said she had to squeeze it but she then she
Oh don't lean on me man, cause you can't afford the ticket
I'm back on Suffragette City
Oh don't lean on me man
'Cause you ain't got time to check it
You know my Suffragette City
Is outta sightshe's all right
Hey man, Henry, don't be unkind, go away
Hey man, I can't take you this time, no way
Hey man, droogie don't crash here
There's only room for one and here she comes, here she comes
Oh don't lean on me man, cause you can't afford the ticket
I'm back on Suffragette City
Oh don't lean on me man
'Cause you ain't got time to check it
You know my Suffragette City
Is outta sightshe's all right
Oh hit me!
Oh don't lean on me man, cause you can't afford the ticket
I'm back on Suffragette City
Oh don't lean on me man
'Cause you ain't got time to check it
You know my Suffragette City
Is outta sightshe's all right
A Suffragette City, a Suffragette City
I'm back on Suffragette City, I'm back on Suffragette City
Ooo, Sufraggete city, ooo, Suffragette City
Oooh-how, Sufragette City, oooh-how, Sufragette City, oooh-how
Sufragette
Ohhh, Wham Bam Thank You Ma'am!
A Suffragette City, a Suffragette City
Quite all right
A Suffragette City
Too fine
A Suffragette City, ooh, a Sufragette City
Oh, my Sufragette City, oh my Suffragette City
Oh, Suffragette
Suffragette!
The lyrics of "Suffragette City" by Frankie Goes to Hollywood is a call to someone named Henry to leave the singer alone as he tries to straighten his face. The singer tells Henry that a woman has just put his spine out of place with her beauty. He talks about his insane school days and that his work is down the drain. He then proceeds to describe the woman he's interested in as a "total blam-blam," and mentions that she said she had to "squeeze it." The singer then demands that Henry leaves, as there's only room for one person where he is. The chorus encourages Henry to let the singer be as he heads back to the city of women, the Suffragette City.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey man, oh leave me alone you know
The singer of the song is requesting to be left alone.
Hey man, oh Henry, get off the phone, I gotta
The singer is urging Henry to get off the phone so that he can carry out a certain task.
Hey man, I gotta straighten my face
The singer has to fix his facial expression as it is out of place due to an earlier encounter.
This mellow thighed chick just put my spine out of place
The singer's physical posture is compromised due to a female with attractive thighs whom he just encountered.
Hey man, my schooldays insane
The singer's school life was crazy and probably not worth remembering.
Hey man, my work's down the drain
The singer's job has not been going well, possibly due to his distracted state of mind from earlier events.
Hey man, well she's a total blam-blam
The female with attractive thighs from earlier is exceptionally attractive.
She said she had to squeeze it but she then she
It is unclear what the female from earlier wanted to squeeze, but she didn't end up doing it.
Oh don't lean on me man, cause you can't afford the ticket
The singer warns someone not to rely on him because they cannot handle the pressure or responsibility.
I'm back on Suffragette City
The singer is returning to a place or state called Suffragette City.
Oh don't lean on me man
The singer repeats the warning from earlier.
'Cause you ain't got time to check it
The listener does not have enough time to evaluate or fully understand the situation.
You know my Suffragette City
The singer is confident that the listener knows what Suffragette City is or represents.
Is outta sightshe's all right
Suffragette City is doing well and is visually impressive.
Hey man, Henry, don't be unkind, go away
The singer urges Henry to leave without being rude.
Hey man, I can't take you this time, no way
The singer cannot deal with Henry at this moment.
Hey man, droogie don't crash here
The singer warns someone named droogie not to stay or crash at this location or with him.
There's only room for one and here she comes, here she comes
The singer is anticipating the arrival of the female from earlier and implies that there is only enough space for the two of them.
Oh hit me!
The singer is most likely urging the band to start playing again or preparing for the climax of the song.
A Suffragette City, a Suffragette City
The singer repeats the phrase 'Suffragette City.'
I'm back on Suffragette City, I'm back on Suffragette City
The singer doubles down on being back at or returning to Suffragette City.
Ooo, Sufraggete city, ooo, Suffragette City
The singer again repeats the phrase 'Suffragette City', possibly for emphasis or effect.
Oooh-how, Sufragette City, oooh-how, Sufragette City, oooh-how
The singer adds some vocalization while repeating the phrase 'Suffragette City.'
Sufragette
A single and brief repetition of the phrase 'Suffragette City.'
Ohhh, Wham Bam Thank You Ma'am!
The singer is possibly celebrating or expressing his satisfaction and excitement with Suffragette City.
A Suffragette City, a Suffragette City
Repetition of 'Suffragette City.'
Quite all right
The singer reassures the listener or someone present that everything is all right or going well.
A Suffragette City
Another repetition of 'Suffragette City.'
Too fine
The singer is now using stronger words and states that Suffragette City is too good or excellent.
A Suffragette City, ooh, a Sufragette City
More repetition of 'Suffragette City.'
Oh, my Sufragette City, oh my Suffragette City
The singer shows ownership or strong attachment to the idea of 'Suffragette City.'
Oh, Suffragette
A final repetition of 'Suffragette City.'
Suffragette!
The song ends with an exclamation and final repetition of 'Suffragette City.'
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: David Bowie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Siberia X
Fantastic cover! And, by the way, that's a pity that this band has only two albums. :(
Vinnie Vipermaid
Amazing as always!
Rachel Brown
Oh great
I have this 12 inch. B side of rage hard. But havent played it for over 30 years. Thanks for posting. 😊😊
buzzardbeatniks
Thanks for upload. been looking for this for years.
Trevor Collins
Berlin's cover version of this song is way better