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.
Welcome to the Pleasure Dome
Frankie Goes to Hollywood Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who-ha who-ha
Who-ha who-ha
Ha
The animals are winding me up
The jungle call
The jungle call
In Xanadu did Kublai Khan
A pleasure dome erect
Moving on keep moving on-yeah
Moving at one million miles an hour
Using my power
I sell it by the hour
I have it so I market it
You really can't afford it-yeah
Really can't afford it
Shooting stars never stop
Even when they reach the top
Shooting stars never stop
Even when they reach the top
There goes a supernova
What a pushover-yeah
There goes a supernova
What a pushover
We're a long way from home
Welcome to the Pleasure dome
On our way home
Going home where lovers roam
Long way from home
Welcome to the Pleasure dome
Moving on keep moving on
I will give you diamonds by the shower
Love your body even when it's old
Do it just as only I can do it
Never, ever doing what I'm told
Shooting stars never stop
Even when they reach the top
Shooting stars never stop
Even when they reach the top
There goes a supernova
What a pushover-yeah
There goes a supernova
What a pushover
We're a long way from home
Welcome to the pleasure dome
On our way home
Going home where lovers roam
Long way from home
Welcome to the pleasure dome
Keep moving on
Got to reach the top
Don't stop
Pay love and life-oh my
Keep moving on
Yeah
Shooting stars never stop
Shooting stars never stop
Shooting stars never stop
Even when they reach the top
There goes a supernova
What a pushover
Shooting stars never stop
Even when they reach the top
There goes a supernova
What a pushover
There goes a supernova
Who-ha who-ha
Welcome to the pleasure dome
Who-ha who-ha
Going home where lovers roam
Who-ha who-ha
Welcome to the pleasure dome
Who-ha who-ha
All is wild
Who-ha who-ha
All is wild
Uh, uh, uh
Boy, boy, boy
Uh, uh, uh
Keep moving on
Got reach the top
Don't stop
Layin' love in lines, all mine
Keep moving on
Shooting stars never stop
Shooting stars never stop
Shooting stars never stop
Who-ha who-ha
There goes a supernova
Who-ha who-ha
What a pushover
Shooting stars never stop
Even when they reach the top
Shooting stars never stop
Even when they reach the top
Shooting stars never stop
Even when they reach the top
Shooting stars never stop
Even when they reach the top
There goes a supernova
What a pushover
There goes a supernova
What a pushover
Long way from home
Welcome to the Pleasuredome
On your way home
Going home where lovers roam
Long way from home
Welcome to the pleasure dome (who-ha who-ha)
(who-ha who-ha)
We're a long way from home
Welcome to the Pleasuredome
Welcome
The world is my oyster
Ha ha ha ha ha
The world is my oyster
Ha ha ha ha ha
The world is my oyster
Ha ha ha ha ha
Ha ha ha ha ha
Welcome
Welcome to the Pleasure Dome by Frankie Goes to Hollywood is a song that is known for its repetitive nature and catchy rhythm. The song seems to be celebrating the wild and untamed nature of the world and humanity's desire to conquer it. It references multiple historical figures and symbols, such as Kublai Khan and Xanadu, to evoke a sense of otherworldliness and timelessness. The lyrics also suggest that the singer possesses immense power and wealth, which they use to sell pleasure and luxury to others. The reference to shooting stars and supernovas in the lyrics suggests the fleeting nature of this pleasure, as these astronomical events are short-lived and quickly extinguished. In the end, the song acknowledges that humanity is always "moving on," but it is unclear if this is a positive or negative thing.
Line by Line Meaning
Life goes on day after day, after day, after day
Life is an ongoing cycle that repeats itself every day.
The animals are winding me up
The wild and chaotic world is causing me stress and anxiety.
The jungle call, who-ha who-ha, the jungle call who-ha who-ha who-ha who-ha
The jungle, a metaphor for society, is loudly calling and overwhelming me with its demands and expectations.
In Xanadu did Kublai Khan a pleasure dome erect
A reference to the famous poem Kubla Khan by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, representing the creation of a paradise, which in this case is the 'pleasure dome'.
Moving on keep moving on-yeah, moving at one million miles an hour, using my power, I sell it by the hour
Keep pushing forward, never stop, my drive and ambition are unmatched, and I can leverage it for financial gain.
I have it so I market it, you really can't afford it-yeah, really can't afford it
I possess something desirable and exclusive, which I exploit to generate demand and inflate the price, making it unattainable for most people.
Shooting stars never stop, even when they reach the top
The pursuit of fame and success is never-ending, even after achieving it.
There goes a supernova, what a pushover-yeah, there goes a supernova, what a pushover
Even the biggest, brightest stars eventually burn out, achieving success and fame doesn't necessarily mean enduring success or significance.
We're a long way from home, welcome to the pleasure dome, on our way home, going home where lovers roam, long way from home, welcome to the pleasure dome
The journey of life is long and winding, with many stops along the way, and we're currently entering a point of pleasure and enjoyment, but ultimately we are all heading towards the same destination: our final resting place.
I will give you diamonds by the shower, love your body even when it's old, do it just as only I can do it, never, ever doing what I'm told
I can provide material wealth and physical pleasure, irrespective of age. I'll satisfy you in a way no one else can, but I refuse to conform to rules and expectations.
Keep moving on, got to reach the top, don't stop, pay love and life-oh my, keep moving on-yeah
Continuing to move forward and achieving success is crucial, and one mustn't give up. Love and life are commodities that need to be paid for, but the price is unknown and may be more than you expect.
All is wild, uh, uh, uh, boy, boy, boy, uh, uh, uh
The world is a dangerous and unpredictable place, and the artist is acknowledging that they are young and inexperienced and overwhelmed by the situation.
Layin' love in lines, all mine, shooting stars never stop, who-ha who-ha, there goes a supernova, who-ha who-ha
The singer is claiming ownership of love, using it to advance their own personal gain (laying love in lines) as they continue to strive for success and recognition, knowing that even the biggest celebrities may eventually be forgotten (supernova).
Long way from home, welcome to the Pleasuredome, on your way home, going home where lovers roam, long way from home, welcome to the pleasure dome (who-ha who-ha)
Life is a journey with many destinations, some pleasurable and some dangerous, and the final destination is home where love is found, but there is still a long way to go.
The world is my oyster, ha ha ha ha ha, the world is my oyster
The singer feels invincible and powerful, with the world at their fingertips.
Welcome
An invitation to embrace the pleasures and excitement of life while acknowledging its uncertainties and challenges.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, BMG Rights Management, FOX MUSIC, INC.
Written by: BRIAN PHILIP NASH, MARK WILLIAM O'TOOLE, PETER GILL, WILLIAM JOHNSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@thelasttime4994
If you're listening to this in 2023. Congratulations on having superb musical taste.
@richardjeffreys2437
Ooh Hah! x
@holy_cheeseman
what about 2024 :((((
@leeda-silva407
I don't care for this type of 80s music but this song has good groove has kind of an 80s Rush flavor to it
@Danno1983
@@leeda-silva407u got no taste 80's was a blast crackin music
@andrewwheeler8591
2024! 😊
@citywokbesitzer6834
Cold War Iron Curtain Gang, assemble!
@Prauwlet213
here
@ciotescienceinnovators8025
Here
@cpnpayne
Based