MURRAY HEAD
ONE NIGHT IN BANGKOK
(ORIGINAL EXTENDED 12" VERSION)
(VINYLSHAKERZ XXL MIX)
(MARCUS LEVIN MIX)
(ORIGINAL EXTENDED 12" VERSION)
(VINYLSHAKERZ XXL MIX)
(MARCUS LEVIN MIX)
One Night in Bangkok was released in 1984 by Murray Head. It was one of the main tracks in the 1984 concept album for the musical Chess, and was written by former ABBA members Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, with lyrics by Tim Rice. The release was a million-selling smash across the globe, topping the charts in many countries, including West Germany, Switzerland and Australia.
A dance version of the song was recorded by Robey in 1984, which peaked at #5 on the US Billboard Dance Chart later that year. However, Head's version went on to become one of the biggest sellers of 1985 in the United States, where it peaked at #3 in May of that year. In the context of its worldwide popularity, the song was a relatively minor hit in Murray Head's native UK, where it peaked at #12.
ONE NIGHT IN BANGKOK (ORIGINAL EXTENDED 12" VERSION)
ONE NIGHT IN BANGKOK (VINYLSHAKERZ XXL MIX)
ONE NIGHT IN BANGKOK (MARCUS LEVIN MIX)
A dance version of the song was recorded by Robey in 1984, which peaked at #5 on the US Billboard Dance Chart later that year. However, Head's version went on to become one of the biggest sellers of 1985 in the United States, where it peaked at #3 in May of that year. In the context of its worldwide popularity, the song was a relatively minor hit in Murray Head's native UK, where it peaked at #12.
ONE NIGHT IN BANGKOK (ORIGINAL EXTENDED 12" VERSION)
ONE NIGHT IN BANGKOK (VINYLSHAKERZ XXL MIX)
ONE NIGHT IN BANGKOK (MARCUS LEVIN MIX)
8 comments:
I remember when both versions (Head and Robey) were released. MTV had a contest and aired both videos for folks to vote on the version they liked best. The winner would get air time and the loser would not. Personally, I like the Robey version better. I was pissed when Murray won. I think MTV single handedly sank Robey's singing career.
I prefer the Robey version, as well. Our local "Hot Hits" radio station, back in the 80's, tended to play it more often, too.
I've never seen the video for either the Robey or Head versions. Were they similar?
Have a look at this ;-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqiVxB315Cw
x
Okay, having seen both, I can now understand why Murray head's video won. Not because of the song, but because of the video itself.
Head's video has a strong central theme, and even a little storyline. It feels coherent, and well planned.
The Robey video is just a jumble of random images (some of them VERY random). It doesn't make any sense, and seems to have very little to do with the song at all.
Bit of a shame, really. I still think that as far as the song itself goes, the Robey version is more to my taste.
If both videos had been of equal quality, who knows how things might have turned out.
I discovered the other day on wikipedia that "Chess" was loosely based on the late Bobby Fischer.
ADG
All about Murray Head
Ah, that was my favourite song when I moved to London in November 1984 as a 18-year-old.
Discovered your wonderful blog by chance today. Great music and writing. I've found quite a few MP3s which I had on vinyl back in the day (most left behind when I left London in ('87).
The original 12" version is missing.
Post a Comment