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 Pleasuredome
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
And never, ever doing what I'm told
Shooting stars never stop
Even when they reach the top, yeah
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
Gotta reach the top
Don't stop
Lay lovin' light, all mine
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
(erect)
Who-ha who-ha
War is won
Who-ha who-ha
War is won
Uh, uh, uh
Boy, boy, boy
Uh, uh, uh
Keep moving on
Gotta reach the top
Don't stop
Layin' love in lines, all mine
Keep moving on, oh yeah
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, yeah
Ha, we're a 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
The lyrics of the song Welcome to the Pleasuredome by Frankie Goes to Hollywood suggest a hedonistic lifestyle that’s all about living in the moment, enjoying everything that life has to offer, and giving in to desires and pleasures. The song opens with the repetition of the line “Life goes on day after day, after day, after day,” emphasizing the monotony of everyday life, which can be avoided by embracing indulgence. The mention of Kublai Khan, the Chinese emperor renowned for his wealth and love of pleasure, reinforces this idea. The chorus, “Shooting stars never stop, even when they reach the top,” suggests that there is always more to strive for and that there will always be more pleasure to seek.
The line “Using my power, I sell it by the hour” could be interpreted in a number of ways, but possibly as a reference to using one’s resources, whether they be material, physical, or emotional, to buy or sell pleasure. The final line, “The world is my oyster,” suggests a brash sense of entitlement and ownership over the world’s pleasures. Overall, the lyrics paint a picture of a limitless world of pleasure, free from any judgment or repercussions.
Line by Line Meaning
Life goes on day after day, after day, after day
Who-ha who-ha
Who-ha who-ha
Ha
Life repeats itself endlessly, as represented by the repetitive chanting of 'who-ha', conveying the monotony of existence.
The animals are winding me up
The jungle call
The jungle call
Who-ha who-ha who-ha who-ha
The chaos of nature overwhelms and confuses the singer, as represented by the jungle call, connecting to primeval instincts.
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
The singer feels powerful, as represented by referencing Kublai Khan's epic palace, where everything moves quickly and is constantly being sold and bought, but at the same time recognizes that most people cannot afford to live the same way.
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
The artist comments on the fleeting nature of fame and success, likening it to shooting stars that never stop even at the top. They further reflect on how sudden success can be a pushover, when a supernova is exploded away and fades off.
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 artist feels distant from their roots and welcomes the new hedonic lifestyle represented by the Pleasure Dome, but eventually realizes that it's only a temporary distraction from the concept of 'home'.
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
And never, ever doing what I'm told
The singer reiterates the desire to move forward, offering wealth and complete affection for a partner, but with an emphasis on never following others' expectations or rules.
Keep moving on
Gotta reach the top
Don't stop
Lay lovin' light, all mine
Keep moving on
Yeah
The singer implores the listener to keep going, motivated by the idea of ascending to the top, while craving their own unique affection that no one else can provide.
War is won
Who-ha who-ha
War is won
Uh, uh, uh
Boy, boy, boy
Uh, uh, uh
The artist invokes a sense of victory with the chant of 'who-ha' in 'war is won', but simultaneously undermines the aggression by reducing it to childish 'boy, boy, boy' sounds.
Ha, we're a 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
The artist repeats the chorus, emphasizing the idea of the hedonistic Pleasure Dome as a temporary distraction, before returning to the concept of 'home' and companionship.
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
The artist welcomes the listener, proclaims themselves the ruler of the world, and laughs it off as a joke, repeating 'the world is my oyster'.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Brian Philip Nash, Mark William O'toole, Peter Gill, William Johnson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@vitaminfian
Totally incomparable. Truly fresh every time and a bassline to make Nile and Bernard envious.
@ermannogallo9774
Ottimo l accostamento con Nile e Bernard: è una bella lotta tra le sponde dell' Oceano.
@Bob_cool84
Trevor wrote the bass line ..and the song though
@uv77mc85
@@Bob_cool84 Trevor is a very good bassist. Even played bass on a yes album while Chris Squire was in his prime
@LeeLee-bo3dr
So great a piece this is
@nix3152
The absolute best of the 80’s, bought myself a limited edition LP and played it to death. Mark and his bass WOW such talent. Still listening to FGTH now years later.
@RicardoMartinez-oh9sq
I quote from, ”Facing the dragon-Confronting personal and spiritual grandiosity,” by Robert L. Moore: "If you would understand the deepest roots of terrorism, greed, and religious fanaticism, read this book. But be forewarned: you may find some offshoots in your own garden." This amazing video and music touch upon these most relevant matters.
@terracat2112
Same. I’m 52, and I bought this at Strawberries outside Boston. I still love them so much!! I still follow Holly Johnson.
@ShawnSheaCanada
Mark's bass is the absolute best bass riff in music
@mikekaraoke
After FGTH split, why didn't he become a session bass player for other people?