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.
The Waves
Frankie Goes to Hollywood Lyrics
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The waves, the waves, the waves
The lifeguard saves from the waters graves
The waves, the waves, the waves
The waves, the waves, the waves
The lifeguard saves from the waters graves
The winds of love, the sounds of time,
The mountains are yours and mine
The song "The Waves" by Frankie Goes to Hollywood talks about the unpredictable and powerful nature of the ocean's waves. The repetitive lyrics of "The waves, the waves" symbolize the constant sound of the crashing waves, which can also be interpreted as a metaphor for life's constant struggles. The line "The lifeguard saves from the waters graves" implies that sometimes, we need someone or something to save us from the dangers and uncertainties of life. It could also be a reminder that we need to look out for and take care of each other.
The following lines, "The winds of love, the sounds of time, The mountains are yours and mine" could be interpreted as a message of hope and encouragement. The "winds of love" suggest that love is a powerful force that can help guide us through life's difficulties. "The sounds of time" implies that time is constantly passing, and we need to make the most of the time we have. The final line, "The mountains are yours and mine," suggests that we are all connected and that we can overcome obstacles by working together.
Line by Line Meaning
The waves, The waves
The repeating waves represent the cyclical nature of life and the continuous ups and downs we experience.
The waves, the waves, the waves
The repetition emphasizes the relentless force and power of the waves, like the constant challenges we face in life.
The lifeguard saves from the waters graves
The lifeguard represents a hero who rescues and protects us from danger, symbolizing the people in our lives who keep us safe.
The waves, the waves, the waves
Repeated again, this line emphasizes that life is full of ups and downs, successes and failures, just like the ever-changing waves.
The winds of love, the sounds of time
Love and the passage of time are natural forces that shape our lives, much like the elemental forces of wind and sound.
The mountains are yours and mine
The mountains are a symbol of the challenges we must overcome; the line suggests that we all share in these challenges, and that through facing them together we can reach greater heights.
Writer(s): Brian Nash, Peter Gill, Holly Johnson, Mark William O Toole
Contributed by Joseph Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Retro
underrated