Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Relax | Controversial Tunes 😈🎶

On the 30^th edition of Controversial Tunes, we explore the controversy behind the song, “Relax” by Frankie Goes to Hollywood. 

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ring on the controversy, won’t you? Controversial Tunes 😈🎶 is a column that provides background information and insight into songs that raised eyebrows and totally stirred the pot.  The records that grace Controversial Tunes are old and new alike, with all genres of music welcome.  On the 30^th edition of Controversial Tunes, we explore the controversy behind the song, 🎵 “Relax” by 🎙 Frankie Goes to Hollywood. 

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Theme & Lyrics ✍ 

“Relax, don’t do it / When you want to come,” front man 🎙 Holly Johnson sings on the naughty 1984 song 🎵 “Relax.”  “Relax” appears on the 🎙 Frankie Goes to Hollywood album, 💿 Welcome to the Pleasuredome.  Honestly, is there any way whatsoever that the band could deny that this song is about sex? Ultimately, they admitted it, but of course, they didn’t have to – the sexual innuendo is on-point.  What’s cool about “Relax” is the fact that it can be so risqué and unapologetic without the use of explicit language. The suggestive chorus, continues, “Relax, don’t do it / When you want to suck it, chew it…”  Suck it? Chew it?  Lollipop action?

The chorus is steamy, as is the verse.  Johnson sings, “But shoot it in the right direction / Make makin’ it your intention (ooh yeah, ooh yeah).” Shoot? Wow… Definitely NOT shooting a gun, or at least one with bullets! He adds, “Hit me with those laser beams / Ow, ow, ow! / Laser beam me / 1, 2.” Also, for good measure, during the various chorus sections, Johnson drops a few sexed-up gems.  First, there’s simply, “Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, uh! / I’m coming / I’m coming, yeah.” Well – that’s obvious! There’s also “The scene of love, feel it.” At the end, he asserts, “Now’s the time, it’s party time.” Hmm, we can assume after ‘saving up’ throughout “Relax,” he can finally ‘release.’ Oh brother! Clearly, “Relax” is filthy describing an experience enjoyed oh-so-much by men worldwide. 

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Music Video 🎶📼 

More overt than “Relax” the song is the music video 🎶📼.  The 80s was a time where sexuality was pronounced, so, in that sense, it’s not surprising sex plays a gargantuan role.  That said, this music video is incredibly gay for the time (and banned)! Even by today’s standards, the original video – which I saw for the first time – raises eyebrows to a degree.  That, my friends, is the true mark of art, and I’m totally here for it.  A gay club, with a drag queen, a large man dressed as a Roman, a tiger, and leather-clad patrons – it’s a sight to behold!  Also, that ‘coming’ experience happens when the man dressed as a Roman undresses and ‘releases.’  There’s also some distinct facial expressions, which seem to depict the ‘O’ experience. 

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Final Thoughts 💭

What can you say? “Relax” by Frankie Goes to Hollywood was ahead of its time in the 80s.  The music video is more ‘controversial’ but again, there’s no denying those lyrics are about holding off on releasing those soldiers as long as possible!

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🎙 Frankie Goes to Hollywood • 💿 Welcome to the Pleasuredome • 🏷 ZTT Records Limited • 🗓 1984
Frankie Goes to Hollywood, “Relax”: Controversial Tunes 😈🎶 No. 30 [📷: Aidan Feddersen on Unsplash, Brent Faulkner, The Musical Hype, ZTT Records Limited]

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