Album: Welcome To The Pleasuredome (1984)

Charted: 1 10

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• Mi-i-ine
  Guess what's happening now?
  Well
  Whoa, oh
  Well
  Now
  
  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
  When you want to come
  When you want to come
  
  Relax, don't do it
  When you want to 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
  When you want to come
  Ah, ah, ah
  Come oh, oh, oh
  
  But shoot it in the right direction (hey-hey-hey-yeah)
  Make making 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
  Ah, ah, ah
  
  One, two
  
  Relax
  Don't do it
  Relax
  When you want to come
  Come, ah, woo
  Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah
  I'm comin', I'm comin', hey, hey, hey, hey hey
  
  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 (love)
  When you want to come
  When you want to come
  When you want to come
  
  Come-huh
  Ow, ow
  Ow, ow, ow, yeah
  You see her, feel it
  
  Relax, don't do it
  When you want to go to it
  Relax, don't do it (oh-oh)
  Relax, don't do it
  When you want to suck it, chew it
  Relax, don't do it
  One sound when it's time to come (hey)
  Come Writer/s: Holly Johnson, Mark O'Toole, Peter Gill
  Publisher: Audiam, Inc., Royalty Network, Songtrust Ave, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 47

• Aaron Kelly from CanadaThis song was also featured in the Ryan Reynolds / Sandra Bullock move The Proposal (2009)
• Meridianman from WyomingThe lyrics of this catchy tune, which triggers me, are too allusive, symbolic, figurative, or metaphorical.
  
  Perhaps I'm unsophisticated, a sort of rube or philistine. I simply prefer the literal meaning of words -- plain English. The message must be direct, unambiguous, as though one were hit with a laser beam.
  
  I'm sure you know what I mean.
• Lutz Fehling from LübeckThat all, from 1983 to 1985, what was here mentioned, the in fact three up to four top-hits, also in lots of "out-crazed" remix-variations, from Frankie GTH (later also two more from "Liverpool") were at that time "pure revolution" - I found esp. Holly Johnson (was he made a "Sir" ?) too much fun to be true.
• Peter Piper from The MoooonI think Holly indulged the public's curiosity. I'm 100% sure the line is "sock it to it" You'd hear the word "Ch" clearly in that line, if that's what it was recorded as, but instead you can clearly hear the "t" in "to it", which leads me to question anything else he says about their lyrics. Maybe he was just having a joke.
  I do know one thing for sure, this song has one of the best lines of any 80's pop song:
  "Hit me with those laser beams!"
  I love that line.
• Tom Banks from UkHolly Johnson's brother Jay was our tour guide when we went on the "Magical Mystery Tour" in Liverpool in 2015.
• Philip from Northwich, CheshireThis song, to me, is basically a sex education lesson set to music. At around about the time of the song's becoming popular, homosexual practices were beginning to be taught about in schools, sometimes in quite graphic detail. Margaret Thatcher objected to this, and in 1988 the Clause 28 bill was passed banning the promotion of homosexuality in schools. "Krisko Kisses", another song by the same group, also has lyrics referring to a homosexual practice.
• George from Vancouver, CanadaI've been searching for the lyrics for this song for YEARS, with no success. Today, I thought of going to Songfacts. I thought the line was "If you wanna suck, just do it"; the wording you use doesn't match this nor what you said the band said about it.
• Jon from Honolulu, HawaiiThe drum machine used was actually an LM-1 Drum Computer, not the LinnDrum. The snare drum on both drum machines have a different sound to them. The LinnDrum is often incorrectly referred to as the LM-2, but it's called LinnDrum. On the LM-1, all sounds can be adjusted, whereas on the LinnDrum, only the toms, snare, congas, and the slapstick could be adjusted, so this was really a step backward.
• George from Vancouver, CanadaRumour has it they sing, "when you want to suck, just do it" on stage.
• George Rustles from Maine, AlYou are all wrong. This song is actually about going to the zoo. A lion gets out and kills a kid. They then have to put the lion down with a tranquilizer hence them saying "But shoot it in the right direction." They are referring shooting the lion. "Relax don't do it" is actually PETA telling the shooter not to put the lion down.
• Pj from Dublin, IrelandWhat a total fool the bbc s Mike Read was then..........Actualy come to think of it he still is a gobs--te.........ban a song because someone is gay" total madness"....then and now....
• Esskayess from Dallas, TxThat spurting synch sound near the end, followed by "hwhaaa!" was pretty indicative of what the song was about.
• Jon from Scotland, United KingdomSome facts about the song: 1) The original version of "Relax" by the then-unsigned FGTH was more of a rock song and NOTHING like the up-tempo, pop/synth anthem Trevor Horn would later produce. 2) It's a fallacy that Mike Read got the song banned from BBC Radio One. He refused to play it on his show because of the song's sexual content, but most of all, he objected to the single's artwork which depicted a near-naked man and woman wearing sadomasochistic outfits. Other DJ's, including the legendary John Peel, praised the song's edginess. The BBC decided to ban it when there was a public outcry following Channel Four's decision to air the unedited promo video for it on their music TV show "The Tube". Only BBC radio banned the song. The UK's commercial stations continued to play it, labelling the song "the one the BBC refuses to play!". 3) The song is primarily about sex (both heterosexual and homosexual), but it's more about orgasms than anything else (as is explained on the Welcome To The Pleasuredome album). 4) Apart from the classic "Blue Monday" by New Order, "Relax!" was the biggest selling 12inch vinyl single of the early-mid 80s. 5) FGTH parodied BBC Radio One DJ Mike Read on the 12 inch version of The Power Of Love by recreating his "on-air rant" about "Relax!". 5) The group caused further controversy on the Welcome To The Pleasuredome album by having an impersonator mimic Prince Charles talking about orgasms! 6) The song features on the soundtrack of the Police Academy movie (it was still in the US chart at the time the movie came out). 7) The song has been re-released twice (1994/2000) in remix form. Trevor Horn claims he has collected over 200 different remixes of "Relax!". 8) The compilation album, "Now That's What I Call Music Volume 2" became a best seller in 1984 as it featured the song in it's entirety (this was before FGTH released their debut album). 9) FGTH were the biggest selling group signed to Island Records subsidiary arm ZTT Records. 10) It's believed that when FGTH finally appeared on the BBC music programme Top Of The Pops to perform the song on the Christmas edition of the show, they intentionally sang the lyrics "Cum! Cum! Cum!" louder than everything else to infuriate the corporation. It was also the first time the word "cum" was heard on BBC TV.
  
• Cyberpope from Richmond, Canada"Relax; Go to it; When you want to suck, just do it" is the key refrain that led to the al the controversy (in UK -- N.America wasn't nearly as uptight)
• Thegripester from Wellington, New ZealandTrevor Horn was a masterful producer - he basically created FGTH just like New Kids on the Block or the Jackson 5. But the speed of their success nearly destroyed the band. Just look at their SNL performances. Once people realized that they could barely keep it together on stage, their cred plummeted. It's a good lesson on paying one's dues as an artist.
• Mike from Matawan, NjThis is, in fact, the gay National Anthem.
• Mike from Matawan, NjI always thought it was about Buddhist prayer. Huh. And Fiona from NZ? I wanna party with YOU cowgirl!!!
• Stuart from Baughurst, United KingdomThe Radio 4 comedy series "I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue", in their "One song to the tune of another" section, had Graeme Garden sing "Relax" to the tune of "Danny Boy".
• Karen from Manchester, NhLyrics or no lyrics...the INSTRUMENTATION just about screams sex. This is easily one of the sexiest songs ever.
• Daniel from Winchester, OhThat person is wrong. This song is about the danger of homosexual sex, and the AIDS epidemic, and about being careful not to get the illness.
• Eric from Beaverton, OrNobody listens to 80s music anymore? I've seen the opposite - 80s music seems to have gained popularity in the last 5-6 years or so. I enjoy 80s music. It might be partially nostalgic, as I was a child in the 80s, and I listened to the radio quite a bit then. I also enjoy 80s songs that I've never heard before. I've even talked to people younger than me who say they enjoy 80s music.
• Marissa from Akron, OhI bought a shirt at Target, it's bright pink and on the front it says "Frankie Says Relax" and on the back it says "Don't Do It." No one gets it because no one listens to 80's music anymore :(
• Cynthia from Scranton, Pai love this song not only because of zoolander but because of the wedding singer. it is referenced in that movie by a caterer at a wedding wearing the frankie says relax shirt and quoting the lyrics! that movie rocks! i love the 80s, even though i was born in the early 90s! ha ha
• Landon from Winchester, OhThe Bloodhound Gang ripped this song's entire chorus for their song "Mope".
• Vin from London, United Statesi thought it was about safe albeit gay sex
• Ben from Hillsborough, Njthis is the best song. i love the lyrics and even though they may be about gay sex, they are still awsome. this has to be one of the best song of the 80's.
• Stu from Fife, ScotlandAs ever, the record company insisted that an alternative story was spun in order to keep prudish people buying the record. It worked and Relax became one of THE records of the 1980s. The hypocrisy of the time is evident when one considers that a mainstream singer called Sade was singing "I'm coming! You're making me dance inside" around the same time, but her track wasn't banned from radio. Tragically, Holly Johnson discovered he'd contracted HIV in 1993.
• T. Michels from Venlo, NetherlandsNo comment. If you say 'Relax' or just sing the verse, people think: 'Orgasms', because it's so obvious. And that the lead singer gay was/is makes it indeed a bit of a gay song.
  Not really a interesting song, but it's funny howmuch youngsters know the song, wich clearly shows that it defenatly reached SOMETHING.
• Tom from Newark, DeHeroin was about Toaster Pastries? Man, I was way off, lol (don't worry, I get the joke Ash was making). As someone who once owned a "Frankie says....Relax" shirt, I have some empathy for those who STILL are missing the obvious (I missed it back in 1984), but wake up people! There are countless on the record interviews in which Holly Johnson says that yes, the song really is about what the lyrics so blatantly say it is about. Not that there's anything wrong with that!
• Pete from Nowra, Australiaget in the cue Ash,
  
  Hi Fiona Pete from Australia again, i'm a Pisces, and i love slow walks alonf the beach and a cuddle on a cold winters night in front of the roaring fire
• Rob from Vancouver, CanadaGerry Marsden (from Gerry and the Pacemakers fame), is a big fan of this tune. FGTH put "Ferry Across the Mersey" on the B-side and made Gerry a ton of money.
• Nathan from L-burg, KyThis Song is fun to dance to who cares if it is about sex .
  Rutherford was the only gay member of the group.
  and it is not about homosexuallity .
• Carrie from Roanoke, VaThis song is so full of sexual references that there's nothing else it could be about. My roommate, however, tried to convince me that it was about trying to reign in aggressive impulses. She said that "Relax, don't do it, when you want to come" meant "don't come to the fight." Eventually, after hearing the song a few more times, she finally got it.
• Nathan from Defiance, OhThis song was banned by the BBC in the UK and was very controversal, however in the US the gay aspect was downplyed or ignored, and it was largely seen as just another New Wave song.
• Ash from Charleston, WvHey!!! Fiona in New Zealand - My name is Ash, I'm a Virgo, I really enjoy sunsets and long, engaging conversations. Please come to Charleston, WV, USA. NOW!!!
• Ash from Charleston, WvSteph in Ottawa: Good one! And you're right. This song isn't about sex. And "Heroin" from the Velvet Underground is actually about toaster pastries!
• Pete from Nowra, Australiai agree with you Fiona ......easy does it
• Dee from Indianapolis, InAnother song of controversy. Anyone with a brain would see it's sexual overtones. Lyrics can be takin' in so many context throughout many a song out there, but this song had great music and was fun back in it's day. I still like to listen to it, but don't conjur up images of gay sex by any means.
• Amy from Billericay, Englandits in the sweetest thing!!
• Leon from Waterbury, CtYeah, Holly Johnson was kind of a pr*ck in the 80's.
• Mike from Wash Dc, United StatesOne of the more amazing interviews i ever saw was an MTV guy (Mark goodman) interviewing the 2 gay guys of FGTH. They were total a@$holes, smirking & uncooperative. Finally, he just blew up at them. Not the kind of thing you see everyday.
• Fiona from Napier, New ZealandI've always understood it to be about anal sex... which can be very uncomfortable if one doesn't relax.
• Martin from London, England2/5ths of FGTH were gay.
  
  "Relax" is so obviously a song about gay sex, that it seems absurd for someone to assert that "gay sex...was the furthest thing from the mind of the writer..."! Here's some evidence to suggest that it might just be about gay sex:
  
  1. One of the two homosexuals in the group was frontman, Holly Johnson. Holly was the group's main lyricist. He was/is also allegedly sexually insatiable!
  
  2. lyrics include: "Relax, don't do it; When you wanna suck it do it. Relax, don't do it, when you wanna cum". It is clearly about sex of some kind[!]
  
  3. Early Frankie publicity at the time of the release of "Relax" [winter 1983] stated: "All the nice boys love semen..."
  
  4. The group's guiarist, Brian Nash said [quote]: "Frankie is all about sex...".
  
  5. The very homoerotic cover for the 12" (which featured a guy in leather briefs on the front and a guy (possibly Paul Rutherford) on the back with exposed hairy chest and pierced nipple). There weren't too many straight guys with pierced nipples in 1983!
  
  5. The (main) accompanying (and very excellent)video was shot inside a gay club with some very erotic images.
  
  The record was banned in the UK on the national station BBC Radio 1 after they had played it 71 times. FGTH had also performed the track on BBC's "Top Of The Pops" before they banned it too. All this did was send the record to No. 1 where it stayed for 5 weeks. Later in the year, FGTH relaesed its follow-up, "Two Tribes", which entered at No. 1 and stayed there for 9 weeks. "Relax", having drifted down the charts, nestled up behind "Two Tribes" during July 1984 at No. 2. They were, at the time, the 4th and 11th best-selling singles of all-time in the UK. A 3rd No. 1 ("The Power Of Love" - nothing to do with Huey Lewis or Jennifer Rush!) just before Christmas confirmed their position as the top-selling act in the UK in 1984.
  
  "Relax" had a 10th anniversary re-mix which reached No. 5 in the UK.
• Bob from Boca Raton, FlFrankie Goes to Hollywood was gay?
• Dan from Olathe, KsThe Bloodhound Gang sampled it in "Mope".
• Anonymousactually, this song wasn't written about gay sex . that was the furthest thing form the mind of the writer. also there were four versions of it made before they settled on the one they eventually released.
• Travis from Blicksburg, Vait was covered by powerman 5000 for the zoolander movie

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