Relax by Frankie Goes to Hollywood is a daring 1980s anthem that blends hypnotic electronic beats with bold, provocative lyrics.
The song revolves around themes of desire, release, and uninhibited pleasure, capturing attention with its unforgettable refrain, Relax, don’t do it.
Produced by Trevor Horn, it fuses synth-pop, dance, and Hi-NRG styles, creating a high-energy track that defined the club scene of its time.
Its notoriety grew when the BBC banned it for explicit content, a move that ironically fueled its success and pushed it to the top of the charts.
More than just a hit single, Relax became a cultural statement, challenging social norms while celebrating freedom, expression, and the power of music to provoke and liberate.
Relax Lyrics by Frankie Goes to Hollywood
[Intro]
Mine
Give it to you one time, now
Well
Whoa
Well, now
[Chorus]
Relax, don’t do it
When you want to go to it
Relax, don’t do it
When you want to come
Relax, don’t do it
When you want to suck it, chew it
Relax, don’t do it
[Post-Chorus]
When you want to come
When you want to come
[Chorus]
Relax, don’t do it
When you want to go to it
Relax, don’t do it
When you want to come
Relax, don’t do it
When you want to suck it, chew it
Relax, don’t do it
[Post-Chorus]
When you want to come
Come on
Ohh
[Verse]
But shoot it in the right direction
Make makin’ it your intention (Ooh yeah, ooh yeah)
Live those dreams
Scheme those schemes
Got to hit me (Hit me), hit me (Hit me)
Hit me with those laser beams
Ow, ow, ow
Laser beam me
One, two
[Chorus]
Relax, don’t do it
Relax
When you want to come
Come, uhh, woo
[Bridge]
Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow
I’m coming
I’m coming, yeah
[Chorus]
Relax, don’t do it (Ow, once you’re inside of me)
When you want to go to it
Relax, don’t do it
When you want to come (Hey)
Relax, don’t do it
When you want to suck it, chew it (Wo-ho)
Relax, don’t do it, no
[Post-Chorus]
When you want to come
When you want to come
When you want to come
Come, huah!
[Interlude]
Ow, ow, ow, ow, woo
Ow, ow, ow, yeah
The scene of love, feel it
[Chorus]
Relax, don’t do it
When you want to go to it
Relax, don’t do it (Ow, ow, yeah)
Relax, don’t do it (Hiya, hiya)
When you want to go to it
Relax, don’t do it
[Outro]
Now’s the time, it’s party time (Hey)
Come
Song Credits: Relax by Frankie Goes to Hollywood
It is a groundbreaking track where each member’s energy and Trevor Horn’s production shape its bold, electrifying sound.
| Role | Details |
|---|---|
| Singer | Holly Johnson – lead vocals |
| Band | Paul Rutherford (backing vocals, keyboards), Brian Nash (guitar), Mark O’Toole (bass), Peter Gill (drums) |
| Album | Welcome to the Pleasuredome (1984), ZTT Records |
| Writers | Peter Gill, Mark O’Toole, Holly Johnson, Brian Nash |
| Producer | Trevor Horn |
| Release Date | 24 October 1983 (UK) |
Together, these contributions created the provocative, high-energy atmosphere that made Relax an iconic anthem and a defining moment of 1980s pop culture.
Live Performances of Relax
Two standout live versions of Relax showcase its enduring power, uniting virtuoso collaborators and charitable stages across decades and styles.
1. ‘Relax’ live on BBC’s Top Of The Pops in 1984
Frankie Goes to Hollywood performed Relax live on the BBC’s Top Of The Pops in 1984, showcasing raw energy, attitude, and chart-dominating impact.
2. Relax (The Prince’s Trust: Produced by Trevor Horn 2004)
At The Prince’s Trust in 2004, Trevor Horn’s production supercharged Relax, turning charity-stage spectacle into a thunderous, communal dance explosion.
Frankie Say Greatest / Mixes & Rarities (2009)
This double-disc collection celebrates Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s legacy by pairing their biggest hits with bold covers, extended mixes, and rare gems:
Disc 1 – Frankie Say Greatest
Disc 2 – Mixes & Rarities
|
Several tracks in this collection, such as Is Anybody Out There? (Movement 2), Relax (Chicane Radio Edit), Relax (Scott Storch Mix), Every Kinda People, Relax (Chicane Remix), and Relax (Lockout’s London Mix) were previously unreleased before this compilation, making them special highlights for dedicated fans and collectors.
Behind the Creation of Relax
Relax originated with Holly Johnson’s provocative lyrics and Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s raw live performances in Liverpool.
Signed to ZTT Records, the band worked with producer Trevor Horn, who rebuilt the song from scratch after rejecting early takes.
Horn layered pounding drum machines, sharp synths, and bold effects to craft its hypnotic energy, while Johnson’s vocals were recorded multiple times to capture their commanding tone.
Released in October 1983, the track initially stalled until the BBC banned it, sparking a massive surge in public interest.
This mix of daring lyrics, slick production, and controversy made “Relax” a defining anthem of the 1980s.
Tracing Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s Evolution
Formed in Liverpool in 1980, Frankie Goes to Hollywood became one of the most provocative and unforgettable acts of the 1980s.
With only two studio albums, their influence came as much from their daring image and boundary-pushing singles as from their music itself. Later compilations kept their legacy alive for new generations.
| Year | Album | Key Songs |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Welcome to the Pleasuredome | Relax, Two Tribes, The Power of Love |
| 1986 | Liverpool | Rage Hard, Warriors of the Wasteland, Watching the Wildlife |
| 1993 | Bang!… The Greatest Hits | Relax, Two Tribes, The Power of Love |
| 2000 | Maximum Joy | Relax (Mixes), Two Tribes (Remixes) |
| 2009 | Frankie Say Greatest | Relax, The Power of Love, Two Tribes |
| 2009 | Frankie Say Greatest / Mixes & Rarities | Relax (Sex Mix), Two Tribes (Annihilation), Our Silver Turns to Gold |
Though their official discography is brief, Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s blend of controversy, bold production, and iconic singles secured their status as 80s pop culture legends.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why Was Relax Considered So Controversial?
It challenged mainstream conservatism with open themes of desire and sexuality, sparking debates and bans that ultimately fueled its popularity.
What Role Did Music Videos Play In the Success Of Relax?
MTV-era visuals amplified its daring image, merging provocative fashion with bold storytelling, thereby ensuring the track’s message reached a wider global audience.
Is Relax Still Performed Or Celebrated Today?
Yes, it’s celebrated worldwide through retro playlists, club nights, pride festivals, and cultural events, continuing to symbolize liberation and self-expression.
