Murray Head was a star in Europe. This song is from the musical "Chess", written by Bjorn and Benny from ABBA. The musical was a hit in London and eventually had a run on Broadway. A mega-hit also spawned from this. The song was I know him so well.
Murray was a co-star in the movie "The Family Way" in the mid-60s. It starred Haley Mills transitioning out of her child star roles. The soundtrack music was written by Paul McCartney, one of his first projects outside of the Beatles. The music was arranged by George Martin, the Beatles' producer.
One of my fave musicals. Saw it in London in the 80s. Written by Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus of ABBA and Tim Rice who collaborated with Andrew Lloyd Webber on 'Jesus Christ Superstar" and "Evita".
The song tells of the meeting of two great chess players, one Soviet and one American, in Bangkok, which is the capital of Thailand. Chess is a musical production that uses a US-USSR chess rivalry as a metaphor for the Cold War, but this song just contains double-entendres about the game of Chess compared to the Bangkok nightlife. The example often used is "I would invite you, but the queens we use would not excite you."
That's not entirely true. "The American" and "The Russian" had their game in Merano in the first Act. This is now the (losing) American poking fun at the next tournament as his ex girlfriend and manager run off with the winning Russian after the desaster in Merano.
@@bethking7348 It's from the musical "Chess" by Tim Rice and the two dudes from ABBA. Guess you missed all the chess boards and pieces all over the video, huh? And where TF in that video or lyrics was Christianity mentioned? Do you always read your hangups into everything you see and here? Your post is full of ignorance.
I have always loved this song!! This song is from the musical Chess. Murray Head is the brother of Anthony Stewart Head who played Giles on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Having traveled to Bangkok many times over 20 years, this song works on multiple levels. He's not strictly talking about the game of chess as described by the musical... He could be talking about Muay Thai boxing, as well as the "naughty nightlife" Bangkok is famous for. There are loads of Bangkok cultural references in the song. For instance: Yul Brynner played the King of Siam (modern Thailand) in the musical "The King and I".
A very clever song, with many double double entendres, with a punchy well produced backing - Murray Head has been acting since the sixties with many projects in musical theatre.
My favourite excerpt is: "I don't see you guys rating the kind of mate I'm contemplating, I'd let you watch, I would invite you But the queens we use would not excite you!" And also the line: "I get my kicks above the waistline, sunshine!"
Most famously, perhaps, Murray Head played Judas Iscariot on the original concept album version of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's *Jesus Christ Superstar* (1971). Head's rendition of the title song became a hit single.
@Matt Cameron Yes but that was a variation that only certain people would like and I hit my musical stride being born in 66 in the late 70s. But I get it I liked that also just liked Bangkok better is all.
I have lived in Bangkok for the past 16 years teaching English. Bangkok and Thailand is like living in a paradox at all times. This has always been one of my favorite songs.
Lyrics: [Verse 1] Bangkok, Oriental setting The city don't know what the city is getting The crème de la crème of the chess world In a show with everything but Yul Brynner Times flies, doesn't seem a minute Since the Tirolean Spa had the chess boards in it All change, don't you know that when you Play at this level, there's no ordinary venue? It's Iceland, or the Philippines, or Hastings, or Or this place [Chorus] One night in Bangkok and the world's your oyster The bars are temples, but the pearls ain't free You'll find a god in every golden cloister And if you're lucky, then the god's a she I can feel an angel sliding up to me [Verse 2] One town's very like another When your head's down over your pieces, brother It's a drag, it's a bore, it's really such a pity To be looking at the board, not looking at the city What do ya mean? You've seen one crowded, polluted, stinking town Tea girls, warm and sweet (Warm, sweet) Some are set up in the Somerset Maugham suite Get Thai'd! You're talking to a tourist Whose every move's among the purest I get my kicks above the waistline, sunshine [Chorus] One night in Bangkok makes the hard man humble Not much between despair and ecstasy One night in Bangkok and the tough guys tumble Can't be too careful with your company I can feel the devil walkin' next to me [Verse 3] Siam's gonna be the witness To the ultimate test of cerebral fitness This grips me more than would a muddy old river Or reclining Buddah And thank God I'm only watching the game, controlling it I don't see you guys rating the kind of mate I'm contemplating I'd let you watch, I would invite you But the queens we use would not excite you So you'd better go back to your bars Your temples, your massage parlours [Chorus] One night in Bangkok and the world's your oyster The bars are temples, but the pearls ain't free You'll find a god in every golden cloister A little flesh, a little history I can feel an angel sliding up to me One night in Bangkok makes the hard man humble Not much between despair and ecstasy One night in Bangkok and the tough guys tumble Can't be too careful with your company I can feel the devil walkin' next to me
Thank you!!I remember when this came out!! Hard to keep up with him sometimes!! Most people don't pay attention to the lyrics or know that it's from the Broadway show Chess!!My sister is older than me and didn't know that!!(I'm more into Broadway than she is )
Thanks for the lyrics. But I liked the song even without knowing most of what was being said, just the cadence and the instruments. I originally somehow completely missed the chess references. I put this song and Putting On The Ritz in the same category. Perhaps just quirky lyrics or they came out about the same time. IDK.
This is actually wrong: The flute was played by Swedish musician Björn J:son Lindh (1944-2013; he got the colon in his second name approved by the authorities!).
@@Briekout No problem! No reason to be ashamed! I looked it up on Wikipedia and found a few other articles which confirm that Lindh was the actual flute player. Greetings to you!
I hope that more Younger folk discover more about the 80's. I was lucky enough to hit 16 in 1982. I am from the UK it was simply the best decade on the planet in my opinion.
As other's have stated, this is from the concept album for the musical Chess. This song take place about half way through the story. Murray plays the American chess champion. To get the best from this song you should listen to the entire musical. Murray also played Judas on the concept album for Jesus Christ Superstar.
I'm glad you mentioned Murray Head playing the character of Judas on the original recording of Superstar. His performance rivaled Ian Gillan in passion and vocal prowess.
Greetings Jay and Amber This song does have various lyrics with double meanings, but not in the way most people would expect or think. In general, the majority of people think chess playing and chess tournaments are "a drag, a bore, or really such a pity" waste of time. This song came out about October '84. At this time not good movies or tv shows had been done about chess. "Searching for Bobby Fischer" (a really good chess movie) would not come out for almost 9 years later (August 1993). "Queen's Gambit" is still 36 years away from this song. As you have read, this is from a stage play known as "Chess". Yet, even if you did not know that and just take this song independently, the song is making chess playing and tournaments some like a very exciting and intriguing event, as much as Thai kickboxing or the film "Bloodsport" about Kumite with Jean-Claude Van Damme. Phrases like "head down over your pieces, brother", "test of cerebral fitness", and "the kind of mate I'm contemplating" are all direct references to chess playing. "Head down over your pieces, brother" is exactly what a player will do to concentrate on the game and plan his moves and strategy. "Test of cerebral fitness" directly means the mental acuity required to platy the game and thing several moves ahead to win the match. "The kind of mate I'm contemplating" refers to a move that put in danger the King of the opposite player. If the opponent doesn't move King, block the attack, or take the chess piece threating the king, the player will lose the game. Yet, some might think that it may refer to a gf or partner as mate is also a word for friend, partner, lover, or amorous companion. Because it is about a "World Chess Championship", "not much between despair and ecstasy" means the despair of losing and the ecstasy of winning (not sexual reference). Even if you are a "hard / tough man", you can be 'makes (made) humble' or "tumble" when losing to a better player. Because the players are there for the tournament, they do not take the time to pay attention to the nightlife, history, culture, and food of Siam (Thailand). Since the locals may not understand chess, they should "go back to their boys, their temples, their massage parlors". The use of the "Asian instruments" just help place the listener deeper into the song and the 'feel' of Bangkok. Thailand's mass Communications Org placed a band on this song in their country because they felt it misrepresented their society and disrespected Buddhism, Overall, glad that you experienced it and enjoyed it. Hopefully with some of the background from the other commentors and my analysis, you are able to understand and enjoy it much more beyond being a 'catchy' tune.))
This is one of the songs from the musical, Chess. Music composed by ABBA's Benny Anderson and Björn Ulvaeus (so that's why the sound is similar to ABBA), and lyrics by Tim Rice who did lyrics for a number of Disney animated films (Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, Lion King) and worked with Andrew Lloyd Webber on several of his musicals. The sound of this particular song was especially pop/rock and made its way to the radio and crossed over onto the Bilboard top 5, peaking at number 3 in May 1985. The musical is centered around a series of chess matches betwenn an obnoxious American and a Soviet chess master. There is also romance, infidelity, a defection to the west, and, of course, chess.
@@HockeyJohn21 Also "Anthem" with Tommy Körberg. Goosebumps. Especially when you know he did the very first rendition (not the one recorded in the video for it) in a single take, flabbergasting the writers.
Inspired of course by the Fischer-Spassky match in Reykjavik in 1972. Mixing my worlds here as I am a chess player as well. I first heard this song when I walked into my local chess club and two friends insisted I hear it. When I heard it was a whole musical about chess, I cringed. Surely it is going to be awful. but I eventually bought the cassette tape and played it a million times. The musical was a huge success and with the likes of Benny, Bjorn, and Tim Rice behind it creatively it was actually a lot of great music.
A slight clarification: Tim Rice had nothing to do with the original animated film version of Disney's *Beauty and the Beast,* but wrote additional songs with Alan Menken for the Broadway musical version. Rice's previous claim to fame, of course, was his collaberation with Andrew Lloyd Webber on *Joseph and the Amazing Techmicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar,* and *Evita.*
@@HockeyJohn21There's also a cover of this duet with Whitney Houston and her mother Cissy. I actually heard that song long before I was a musical theatre-head! Chess is one of my favorite musicals!
This was a massive hit when I was a teenage boy. It was played everywhere in the clubs the discos and on the radio. I'm thinkin' about my younger years..
fyi Murray Head sang the role of Judas on the 1970 "Jesus Christ Superstar" album - absolutely epic. The song Jesus Christ Superstar, was a hit and features Murray Head. Also note that Ian Gillan of Deep Purple absolutely kills it singing the Jesus part. 🤘
@@gooch0607 I have to (respectfully) disagree with you. Carl Anderson was amazing in the role of Judas and much as I love Ian Gillan, Ted Neeley slays as Jesus - especially Gethsemane. Saw him live and he moved me to tears.
"Tea girls, warm and sweet. Some are set up in the Somerset Maugham suite." That's got to be one of the most literary lyrics of any 80s song! I love how it encapsulates the contrast between high-brow pursuits and physical pleasures that's a major theme of the song.
Somerset Maugham, for those who don't know, was an English novelist, playwright, and poet, most famously the author of the novel *Of Human Bondage* (1915).
This whole album is fantastic. The amazing Elaine Paige (who originated Grisabella in the play Cats) is one of the leads. Benny, Bjorn and Tim Rice are geniuses.
@@patmx5 yeah I wasn’t impressed with the Chess in Concert with Josh Groban and Indiana Menzel, which really shocked men because I’m a huge fan of each. The concept album was so indelibly etched in my mine that I just couldn’t enjoy any other version.
No one seems to understand the Yul Brynner reference. He played King Mongkut of Siam (Thailand) in several movies. Notably, The King And I and Anna And The King miniseries.
This is one of my favorites from the 80s, and I know many others who share that sentiment. It's different, it's fun, and at times funny, and it's got a flute solo of all things. Can't get more 80s than this.
In the '80s, I had to go to Thailand for my job fairly often, and while walking through the streets of Bangkok it was impossible to NOT sing this song. What a city!
I've been there several times (my late Thai wife was from there) and was just there 7 weeks ago. It's still a swinging, fun-filled city but it gets harder and harder to distinguish a nice-looking Thai GIRL from a LADY BOY!!! Buyer beware as they say...LoL
It's was a favorite of my husband and I as well. Gotta hand it to those lady boys they've got a way better makeup game than me, and can handle a lot higher heels!
I believed NOTHING would beat out ur reaction to "La Charreada" in my eyes. Now, here u are shooting straight to the heart. In 56yrs old now but I musta been a high school sophmore when One Night in Bangkok was released. SO MANY campus memories orbiting around this song. U know i've NEVER even attempted to look up the lyrics even though 10% of them elude me. I refuse to learn them. Keeps things mysterious. Jay im so very glad u enjoyed the song. Amber...im so very glad u were watching Jay enjoy the song. LOL!!!
I love the little play on words with ‘Some are set up in the Somerset Muagham suite.’ Great reaction guys, I’ve always loved this song, even though I’ve never seen the play Chess.
This is a tough one for a lot of people. Different, almost conflicting styles, cross genre, etc... so I get people who don't care for it as much. I love this song. Every time I hear it I'm just like Jay. I feel ya brother. I'll always rock out to this one.
I have always loved this song! As a weird tidbit, his younger brother is an actor who became very popular for his roll in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." Anthony Stewart Head, he is famous for other roles, this is just the one more people will recognize. I just thought it was neat how they became famous for different things (Anthony is a great singer as well.).
A catchy song with some nice 80s dance/club elements and very clever lyrics. The setting is a chess tournament in Bangkok, and it shows the point of view of the chess player visiting the city, as they decline some of the more colourful temptations on offer. "You're talking to a tourist whose every move is among the purest. I get my kicks above the waistline, sunshine!"
Had to watch you react to this one, as this is very possibly my #1 favorite '80s song of all time. There's really nothing else like it in the entire decade, as far as hit radio singles go -- owing, of course, to the fact that this was a song composed for a musical (a musical about chess, no less!) which SOMEHOW made it onto the pop charts! How the hell often does THAT happen, you know? That's the power of this awesome song! Glad you both enjoyed it!
Murray Head is a versatile artist. Stage comedian, film actor, singer-songwriter, two major hits (included in the same album: "Say It Ain't So Joe", 1975) propelled his career: "Say It Ain't So Joe" and "Never Even Thought". Of a completely different genre (sentimental ballad, existential lament) than "One Night In Bangkok", these two songs are considered by several reviewers to be pure masterpieces carried by an emotionally muffled voice. To listen to them once is to adopt them forever. Thanks.
The 80's hands down has to have been the best generation, musically. Many of these artists had musical influences from the early 70's, 60's, blues, country, jazz, rock-a-billy, etc. and made it their own. A lot of genres had hits. Even the punkiest of the punk, liked some Bee Gees songs! They admit know, later in life! It's so great to see younger folks discovering for the first time these songs. I never knew 'One Night in Bangkok turned into a theatre production. One line that always stood out was 'massage parlour.' Don't know why but he really emphasized it with a Brooklyn-Jersey type accent and it just stuck with me. It's a stand out 80's tune that if you lived it, you knew it, no matter what!
"One Night in Bangkok" is a song from the concept album and subsequent musical Chess by Tim Rice, Benny Andersson, and Björn Ulvaeus. The chorus is sung by Anders Glenmark, a Swedish singer, songwriter, and producer. Benny Andersson, and Björn Ulvaeus are the Bs in ABBA.
Loved this when it came out, still love it to this day. It's sad that they don't play all these songs still on the radios, this is a classic from the 80s.
I love ''Chess" the musical so much, which is where this song is from. The songs are fabulous and the plot heartbreaking. I had the CD of Chess, and also saw a production of Chess at the White Rock Theatre, HASTINGS, which Murray mentions in the song. The song ''I know him so well'' was famous from this musical. One worth doing! Elaine Page and Barbara Dickson have amazing voices. I saw Barbara, again in Hastings, later on in her career, and I only went with my mum to keep her company, however, Barbara had us all in tears with her renditions of ''Send in the Clowns'' and ''The Living Years.''
Murray Head also played Judas Iscariot in the original London cast of the play "Jesus Christ Superstar". He's got a fantastic voice. I love this song. It's just so 80s, and catchy as heck. Big hit. Heard it on the radio all the time, and saw the video on "Friday Night Videos." (Any Gen Xers with me on that one?) Love the reaction, as always. Peace!
Very much smiling here, this is only the SECOND 'first time hearing song' of yours that I've seen - and your reactions are precious . . . . . . 'One Night in Bangkok and the World's your Oyster, the bars are temples but the pearls ain't free . . . you'll find a dod in every golden cloister, and if you're lucky then the god's a she' . . . . unless you've been to Bangkok and enjoyed a slice of the truly naughty nightlife, very little of this will make sense on this very basic level !! My wife and I had a hilarious encounter one night . . . .You gotta love it, and you two have such a great reaction. Any time you want to go to BKK and tour the town for the first time, I'm a very happy tour guide !!
The song was unique and original at the time and deserves huge credit for not being just another tune. Absolutely unforgettable and will always be cool.
Always liked the beat of this song. Still listen to it with my subwoofer turned up. Thumbs up. I was a teenager throughout the 80s so know all these tunes you guys listen to.
Musical theatre❤❤❤. The show Chess was written by the gentlemen from Abba (as was Mamma Mia). Terrific show. Love seeing the expressions -Amber looked thoughtful while Jay was rocking out. This was a musical my husband would voluntarily listen to.. Lol. 😂
Bangkok is a city that used to cater to many "tastes" and was a hot destination for ones seeking those flavors. Probably best some of the meanings weren't known to you guys. Still a real banger and a song that got ya on the dance floors! Good memories and a great reaction!
As lots of people have pointed out, this song is from the musical Chess, and one of the best parts of it are the way it switches back and forth between more classical theater music and rock. Literally, in the libretto, the first song (which has that same sort of change-up in the middle) has an annotation of "Is this The Sound of Music?" as it extols the virtues of the town the first act is set in. The story being told in the lyrics of this particular song changes slightly depending on whether you're seeing the staged production or listening to the concept album, which this particular version of the song is from. In the staged version, a world chess tournament between an American player and a Soviet player begins in a quaint spa town called Merano in the Tyrolean mountains ("Time flies, doesn't seem a minute since the Tyrolean spa had the chess boys in it"), which is located between Italy and Germany (from the first song "Right now we're Italian, we used to be German, the borders keep shifting around") and then continues in in Bangkok, Thailand. In the concept album, the Soviet player actually wins the match in Merano before defecting from the USSR, and the second act, set in Bangkok, is a match between him and the new Soviet player, with the former American competitor being used by the soviets to act as a sort of agent of chaos and mess with the defector's head ("But thank God, I'm only watching the game, controlling it"). So, while this song is definite a bop, as someone who tends to pay attention to lyrics, it doesn't make a lot of sense without its context.
Wow, I wasn't expecting your reaction. I thought Amber would be into something so different from the norm with cerebral lyrics, and that Jay would write it off as strange. But glad you guys did this. It does reflect a night in Bangkok and all that comes with it - can't be too careful with your company.
Really liked this song in the day, and I do remember it! Never listened to the lyrics too intently, but I think the gist is You can pretty much find and do anything you want in Bangkok. Fun to remember Guys! :)
My first time here, I did subscribe and like this presentation of BANGKOK 😅 My first time in Bangkok or Krung Thep was September 1996 and I have been going back there at least twice a year 🙏🏼 Siam being the ancient name of Thailand of course 🇹🇭
This could be considered one of the earliest "rap" hits to hit the top 5. It peaked at #3 in 1985. It's pretty neat how they incorporated chess in the story.
Murray Head comes from an acting family, including his parents and younger brother (Anthony Head). As others have mentioned, this song is from the musical theater production "Chess". Both Murray and Anthony have played the part of Freddie Trumper in "Chess" at the Prince Edward Theatre, London, with Murray a part of the original cast in 1986, while Anthony was in the final cast in 1989. Anthony Head is best known for his role as Rupert Giles in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" TV series (1997-2003).
Once y’all started reacting to ABBA I knew you’d get to this one! Benny and Bjorn wrote the musical Chess this song is from. And you’re right, this song is using chess as a metaphor for the….Bangkok nightlife? Take that as you will. But I loved Jay just digging the vibe and Amber being like “what am I listening to??” 😂
It’s from the ABBA penned musical Chess. You have to follow it up with I Know Him So Well by Elaine Paige and Barbara Dickson, also taken from Chess. It was a huge No1 hit !
From the musical Chess... With music and lyrics written by Bjorn ulvaeus and Benny Andersson of ABBA, together with sir Tim Rice.. This is why ABBA never got back together during the remainder of the 80s as the boys B&B were into making stage musicals and Agnetha and Anni Frid pursuing solo careers
Omg, so fun watching Jay bopping along and Amber looking totally confused! Welcome to the 80s!
Before their reactions I would have thought that Amber would like it and Jay wouldn’t. Surprised it was reversed.
Spot on, hilarious!!
I remember this being introduced on radio as"One night in Bangkok" by Motorhead!
It's like their reaction to "Rock Lobster" but in reverse. Lol! 😂
@@amandabispo2949LMAO! True!
You know why this is so damn good? Benny & Bjorn from ABBA wrote it. Murray adds the icing on the top.
And Murray Head suddenly doing this with the tough guy persona was a WTF moment!
Anders Glenmark in the chorus :)
Did not know that..
Abba
ABBA's bassist played on this as well.
Murray Head was a star in Europe. This song is from the musical "Chess", written by Bjorn and Benny from ABBA. The musical was a hit in London and eventually had a run on Broadway. A mega-hit also spawned from this. The song was I know him so well.
And Tim Rice
He is also brother to Anthony Head who played Giles on Buffy, The Vampire Slayer
Murray was also huge in Québec. His album Say it Ain't so Joe still gets a lot of Radio play, which to my mind is, by far, much better than this.
Murray was a co-star in the movie "The Family Way" in the mid-60s. It starred Haley Mills transitioning out of her child star roles. The soundtrack music was written by Paul McCartney, one of his first projects outside of the Beatles. The music was arranged by George Martin, the Beatles' producer.
Another great song from this show was Barbara Dixon and Elaine Page I know him so well, a number 1 in the UK😊
“I get my kicks above the waistline, Sunshine!” Best line! 😂😂😂 Love that Jay liked it! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
😜
Bless Amber’s heart, even when she isn’t a big fan of the song, she is so diplomatic about it! 😂
I desperately wanted that line on a t-ahirt when I was in high school.
I love that line too!
I don't see you guys rating
The kind of mate I'm contemplating
I'd let you watch, I would invite you
But the queens we use would not excite you
One of my fave musicals. Saw it in London in the 80s. Written by Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus of ABBA and Tim Rice who collaborated with Andrew Lloyd Webber on 'Jesus Christ Superstar" and "Evita".
I saw it at the Bristol Hippodome, a great production with fabulous sound. The album is one of my many favourites
So did my wife and I. It was an awesome play.
It's a fantastic musical.
I saw it too in London, in 1986.
I saw it in London and NYC in the 80s, as well. I still listen to the soundtrack!!
Us '80's teenagers had the best music and concerts.
The 80s were awesome!
The song tells of the meeting of two great chess players, one Soviet and one American, in Bangkok, which is the capital of Thailand. Chess is a musical production that uses a US-USSR chess rivalry as a metaphor for the Cold War, but this song just contains double-entendres about the game of Chess compared to the Bangkok nightlife. The example often used is "I would invite you, but the queens we use would not excite you."
That's not entirely true. "The American" and "The Russian" had their game in Merano in the first Act. This is now the (losing) American poking fun at the next tournament as his ex girlfriend and manager run off with the winning Russian after the desaster in Merano.
I always heard it as something from a pompous ass christian religious fanatic, not sure where the chess aspect comes in. This song is full of hatred
Fun play. Was able to see it in London. 👍
@@bethking7348 It's from the musical "Chess" by Tim Rice and the two dudes from ABBA. Guess you missed all the chess boards and pieces all over the video, huh? And where TF in that video or lyrics was Christianity mentioned? Do you always read your hangups into everything you see and here? Your post is full of ignorance.
Great thank you for playing such a fun song. Loved it.
"I get my kicks above the waistline, sunshine.."
That's a really sick burn.
I have always loved this song!! This song is from the musical Chess. Murray Head is the brother of Anthony Stewart Head who played Giles on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Anthony was also in a musical Repo the Geric Opera. So good! He can sing as well. 😊
Anthony Head's daughter is Daisy Head. She was the villain in Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.
Anthony also did background vocals.
@@knowledge-girlThank you!!I just saw that!! Didn't know that!!
Anthony Head can currently be seen on "Ted Lasso" as Rupert, the former owner of the Richmond Football Club, and ex-husband of Rebecca.
This is from a musical ‘Chess’ scored by your boys, Bennie and Bjorn, of ABBA.
Very clear ABBA vibes. There are several really good remixes of this tunes, including ones from Thailand.
Y’all’s confused looks back and forth at each other in the beginning had me giggling so loud! And the confusion on Amber’s face is just priceless!
Murray Head, brother of Anthony Stewart Head (ie Buffy...), written by Bjorn & Benny from ABBA for the musical "Chess".
I never heard about them being brothers
Having traveled to Bangkok many times over 20 years, this song works on multiple levels. He's not strictly talking about the game of chess as described by the musical... He could be talking about Muay Thai boxing, as well as the "naughty nightlife" Bangkok is famous for. There are loads of Bangkok cultural references in the song. For instance: Yul Brynner played the King of Siam (modern Thailand) in the musical "The King and I".
It's an extremely clever song, lyrically.
We had one night in Pat-pong, Bangkok and that was plenty!! It nearly ruined us!!
If you're lucky, then the god's a she...
It also shows that Swedes in the 80s viewed Thailand as very much a sex tourism destination.
I love the layers. The silly, the serious, the historical.
Eighties were so creative, strange and unique!
A very clever song, with many double double entendres, with a punchy well produced backing - Murray Head has been acting since the sixties with many projects in musical theatre.
My favourite excerpt is:
"I don't see you guys rating the kind of mate I'm contemplating,
I'd let you watch, I would invite you
But the queens we use would not excite you!"
And also the line:
"I get my kicks above the waistline, sunshine!"
Nobody's mentioned he's the brother of the actor who played Jiles from Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Most famously, perhaps, Murray Head played Judas Iscariot on the original concept album version of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's *Jesus Christ Superstar* (1971). Head's rendition of the title song became a hit single.
Lyrics are what truly sells the song.
This is one of my absolute favorite songs of the 80s, and it was part of a Broadway musical!
West End, it never made it to Broadway.
One of my favorites from the 1 hit wonders of the 80s! Great song!
Two hits. “Superstar” from 1970 was his first.
@Matt Cameron Yes but that was a variation that only certain people would like and I hit my musical stride being born in 66 in the late 70s. But I get it I liked that also just liked Bangkok better is all.
But from a musical that had a few hits from the soundtrack.
@@liberaljag that may have been a hit but i have never heard of that song since im from the us this is the only one i know, bangkok song slaps.
I have lived in Bangkok for the past 16 years teaching English. Bangkok and Thailand is like living in a paradox at all times. This has always been one of my favorite songs.
Lyrics:
[Verse 1]
Bangkok, Oriental setting
The city don't know what the city is getting
The crème de la crème of the chess world
In a show with everything but Yul Brynner
Times flies, doesn't seem a minute
Since the Tirolean Spa had the chess boards in it
All change, don't you know that when you
Play at this level, there's no ordinary venue?
It's Iceland, or the Philippines, or Hastings, or
Or this place
[Chorus]
One night in Bangkok and the world's your oyster
The bars are temples, but the pearls ain't free
You'll find a god in every golden cloister
And if you're lucky, then the god's a she
I can feel an angel sliding up to me
[Verse 2]
One town's very like another
When your head's down over your pieces, brother
It's a drag, it's a bore, it's really such a pity
To be looking at the board, not looking at the city
What do ya mean?
You've seen one crowded, polluted, stinking town
Tea girls, warm and sweet (Warm, sweet)
Some are set up in the Somerset Maugham suite
Get Thai'd! You're talking to a tourist
Whose every move's among the purest
I get my kicks above the waistline, sunshine
[Chorus]
One night in Bangkok makes the hard man humble
Not much between despair and ecstasy
One night in Bangkok and the tough guys tumble
Can't be too careful with your company
I can feel the devil walkin' next to me
[Verse 3]
Siam's gonna be the witness
To the ultimate test of cerebral fitness
This grips me more than would a muddy old river
Or reclining Buddah
And thank God I'm only watching the game, controlling it
I don't see you guys rating the kind of mate I'm contemplating
I'd let you watch, I would invite you
But the queens we use would not excite you
So you'd better go back to your bars
Your temples, your massage parlours
[Chorus]
One night in Bangkok and the world's your oyster
The bars are temples, but the pearls ain't free
You'll find a god in every golden cloister
A little flesh, a little history
I can feel an angel sliding up to me
One night in Bangkok makes the hard man humble
Not much between despair and ecstasy
One night in Bangkok and the tough guys tumble
Can't be too careful with your company
I can feel the devil walkin' next to me
Thanks for the lyrics. Don't hear anyone name drop Somerset Maugham these days.
@@Umptyscope That’s my favorite lyric in the song! Love that pun.
Thank you!!I remember when this came out!! Hard to keep up with him sometimes!! Most people don't pay attention to the lyrics or know that it's from the Broadway show Chess!!My sister is older than me and didn't know that!!(I'm more into Broadway than she is )
@@BillKrayer12thMan So amazing. I heard this first in college, and it just blew me away!
Thanks for the lyrics. But I liked the song even without knowing most of what was being said, just the cadence and the instruments.
I originally somehow completely missed the chess references.
I put this song and Putting On The Ritz in the same category. Perhaps just quirky lyrics or they came out about the same time. IDK.
That flute playing is none less than the incomparable Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull, showing the world how crazy the flute can be used.
This is actually wrong: The flute was played by Swedish musician Björn J:son Lindh (1944-2013; he got the colon in his second name approved by the authorities!).
@@SonicAxiom I was wrong, Ian himself corrected the record back in 97', I iz ashamed for repeating the inaccuratcy for so long. I'm sry.
@@Briekout No problem! No reason to be ashamed! I looked it up on Wikipedia and found a few other articles which confirm that Lindh was the actual flute player. Greetings to you!
I love the flute solo in this song.
Played by the late Björn J:son Lindh who had a very recognizable style.
I hope that more Younger folk discover more about the 80's. I was lucky enough to hit 16 in 1982. I am from the UK it was simply the best decade on the planet in my opinion.
As other's have stated, this is from the concept album for the musical Chess. This song take place about half way through the story. Murray plays the American chess champion. To get the best from this song you should listen to the entire musical. Murray also played Judas on the concept album for Jesus Christ Superstar.
I'm glad you mentioned Murray Head playing the character of Judas on the original recording of Superstar. His performance rivaled Ian Gillan in passion and vocal prowess.
Best Judas ever. Classic performance.
It's very English, some of the lyrics may not mean much, there's lots of playing on phrases/meanings
I love this tune. All the word play, the exoticness, the changes in melodic genre multiple times. It's a classic.
"I get my kicks above the waistline, Sunshine" - They don't write them like that anymore. I love it!
I think that refers to using his brain, here, He's not a fool tourist looking for kinky sex;/, He says he contols the Game.....
Greetings Jay and Amber
This song does have various lyrics with double meanings, but not in the way most people would expect or think.
In general, the majority of people think chess playing and chess tournaments are "a drag, a bore, or really such a pity" waste of time. This song came out about October '84. At this time not good movies or tv shows had been done about chess. "Searching for Bobby Fischer" (a really good chess movie) would not come out for almost 9 years later (August 1993). "Queen's Gambit" is still 36 years away from this song.
As you have read, this is from a stage play known as "Chess". Yet, even if you did not know that and just take this song independently, the song is making chess playing and tournaments some like a very exciting and intriguing event, as much as Thai kickboxing or the film "Bloodsport" about Kumite with Jean-Claude Van Damme.
Phrases like "head down over your pieces, brother", "test of cerebral fitness", and "the kind of mate I'm contemplating" are all direct references to chess playing. "Head down over your pieces, brother" is exactly what a player will do to concentrate on the game and plan his moves and strategy. "Test of cerebral fitness" directly means the mental acuity required to platy the game and thing several moves ahead to win the match. "The kind of mate I'm contemplating" refers to a move that put in danger the King of the opposite player. If the opponent doesn't move King, block the attack, or take the chess piece threating the king, the player will lose the game. Yet, some might think that it may refer to a gf or partner as mate is also a word for friend, partner, lover, or amorous companion.
Because it is about a "World Chess Championship", "not much between despair and ecstasy" means the despair of losing and the ecstasy of winning (not sexual reference). Even if you are a "hard / tough man", you can be 'makes (made) humble' or "tumble" when losing to a better player. Because the players are there for the tournament, they do not take the time to pay attention to the nightlife, history, culture, and food of Siam (Thailand). Since the locals may not understand chess, they should "go back to their boys, their temples, their massage parlors".
The use of the "Asian instruments" just help place the listener deeper into the song and the 'feel' of Bangkok. Thailand's mass Communications Org placed a band on this song in their country because they felt it misrepresented their society and disrespected Buddhism,
Overall, glad that you experienced it and enjoyed it. Hopefully with some of the background from the other commentors and my analysis, you are able to understand and enjoy it much more beyond being a 'catchy' tune.))
This one is in my collection of 45s. Still fun after all these years. The older I get, the more I appreciate having lived through the '80s.
You and me both!
YES!!!! I still have my 45's, also, and this one is with them!!!!!
The music!!
@@jengoodwyn2715 Such an amazing decade, and we didn't even have cell phones. :)
This song WAS fire when it came out - when he started up at the beginning I got chills. Loved this song so much as a pre-teen in the 80s.
This is one of the songs from the musical, Chess. Music composed by ABBA's Benny Anderson and Björn Ulvaeus (so that's why the sound is similar to ABBA), and lyrics by Tim Rice who did lyrics for a number of Disney animated films (Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, Lion King) and worked with Andrew Lloyd Webber on several of his musicals. The sound of this particular song was especially pop/rock and made its way to the radio and crossed over onto the Bilboard top 5, peaking at number 3 in May 1985. The musical is centered around a series of chess matches betwenn an obnoxious American and a Soviet chess master. There is also romance, infidelity, a defection to the west, and, of course, chess.
Talking of romance and infidelity, they should review the other big song from the show; 'I Know Him So Well' by Barbara Dickson and Elaine Paige.
@@HockeyJohn21 Also "Anthem" with Tommy Körberg. Goosebumps. Especially when you know he did the very first rendition (not the one recorded in the video for it) in a single take, flabbergasting the writers.
Inspired of course by the Fischer-Spassky match in Reykjavik in 1972. Mixing my worlds here as I am a chess player as well. I first heard this song when I walked into my local chess club and two friends insisted I hear it. When I heard it was a whole musical about chess, I cringed. Surely it is going to be awful. but I eventually bought the cassette tape and played it a million times. The musical was a huge success and with the likes of Benny, Bjorn, and Tim Rice behind it creatively it was actually a lot of great music.
A slight clarification: Tim Rice had nothing to do with the original animated film version of Disney's *Beauty and the Beast,* but wrote additional songs with Alan Menken for the Broadway musical version. Rice's previous claim to fame, of course, was his collaberation with Andrew Lloyd Webber on *Joseph and the Amazing Techmicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar,* and *Evita.*
@@HockeyJohn21There's also a cover of this duet with Whitney Houston and her mother Cissy. I actually heard that song long before I was a musical theatre-head! Chess is one of my favorite musicals!
This, Puttin on the Ritz by Taco, and Electric Avenue by Eddy Grant were my trifecta of sweet oddities.
This is actually from a theater show, CHESS. It was a song released from the soundtrack and became a big 80's hit.
I also liked the other single from CHESS, "I Know Him So Well."
“Nobody’s Side” is a killer track as well. Love the line “I see my present partner in the imperfect tense”.
@@seanswinton6242 There is at least one more single from Chess, still: "Anthem"
This was a massive hit when I was a teenage boy. It was played everywhere in the clubs the discos and on the radio. I'm thinkin' about my younger years..
Seems like this was constantly playing in the ether for many years.
You'll probably recognize Murray's brother, Anthony Head, who played Rupert Giles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003).
He also sings. He put out an album or two if I recall and also has a few videos on youtube of him singing.
Who played Frank N Furter in the stage production of Rocky Horror and has a hell of a singing voice
Okay, I had no idea that the two were related.
He can currently be seen in Ted Lasso.
@@afry6400 Anthony Head also starred on stage in Chess in London, playing the same part his brother plays here.
This is such an 80’s favorite. I remember this playing on the speakers when we were practicing for our graduation. Just the quintessential 80’s jam.
fyi Murray Head sang the role of Judas on the 1970 "Jesus Christ Superstar" album - absolutely epic.
The song Jesus Christ Superstar, was a hit and features Murray Head. Also note that Ian Gillan of Deep Purple absolutely kills it singing the Jesus part. 🤘
So much better than the movie version.
ruclips.net/video/SKicGSYSwKY/видео.html
Yes! The brown album. So good. Could listen to TOO MUCH HEAVEN ON THEIR MINDS over and over. 😊
@@cdeleskiyt we were living in Europe when it came out & that release had a cover that was a sun
@@gooch0607 I have to (respectfully) disagree with you. Carl Anderson was amazing in the role of Judas and much as I love Ian Gillan, Ted Neeley slays as Jesus - especially Gethsemane. Saw him live and he moved me to tears.
He's immediately digging the bass & synth. She's trying to figure out the lyrics and visuals.
I love their expressions after the musical intro and the song starts.🤣🤣
"Tea girls, warm and sweet. Some are set up in the Somerset Maugham suite." That's got to be one of the most literary lyrics of any 80s song! I love how it encapsulates the contrast between high-brow pursuits and physical pleasures that's a major theme of the song.
Somerset Maugham, for those who don't know, was an English novelist, playwright, and poet, most famously the author of the novel *Of Human Bondage* (1915).
This whole album is fantastic. The amazing Elaine Paige (who originated Grisabella in the play Cats) is one of the leads. Benny, Bjorn and Tim Rice are geniuses.
Elaine Page
@@jamesalexander5623 oy, not sure how I flubbed that one… even spelled her last name wrong.
@@heidichristensen7919 She's the Great Singer who Susan Boyle wanted to be like!
Just make sure you get the original London cast recording - they revised it for the US version, changed and added songs, and in my opinion ruined it.
@@patmx5 yeah I wasn’t impressed with the Chess in Concert with Josh Groban and Indiana Menzel, which really shocked men because I’m a huge fan of each. The concept album was so indelibly etched in my mine that I just couldn’t enjoy any other version.
No one seems to understand the Yul Brynner reference. He played King Mongkut of Siam (Thailand) in several movies. Notably, The King And I and Anna And The King miniseries.
The beat and musical instrumentation on this song is what hooked so many of us when it 1st came out. 🎵
The guys from Abba were behind this! It was written and produced by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus! 😎
This is one of my favorites from the 80s, and I know many others who share that sentiment. It's different, it's fun, and at times funny, and it's got a flute solo of all things. Can't get more 80s than this.
The song is deep and a lot of meanings. Love the 80s vibe.
In the '80s, I had to go to Thailand for my job fairly often, and while walking through the streets of Bangkok it was impossible to NOT sing this song.
What a city!
I've been there several times (my late Thai wife was from there) and was just there 7 weeks ago. It's still a swinging, fun-filled city but it gets harder and harder to distinguish a nice-looking Thai GIRL from a LADY BOY!!! Buyer beware as they say...LoL
It's was a favorite of my husband and I as well. Gotta hand it to those lady boys they've got a way better makeup game than me, and can handle a lot higher heels!
@@geminiguy2013and if you’re lucky then the gods a she…
I believed NOTHING would beat out ur reaction to "La Charreada" in my eyes. Now, here u are shooting straight to the heart. In 56yrs old now but I musta been a high school sophmore when One Night in Bangkok was released. SO MANY campus memories orbiting around this song. U know i've NEVER even attempted to look up the lyrics even though 10% of them elude me. I refuse to learn them. Keeps things mysterious. Jay im so very glad u enjoyed the song. Amber...im so very glad u were watching Jay enjoy the song. LOL!!!
The whole album is fabulous!
Everyone in the 80's loved that song:)
Love this song! Glad you’re reacting! 🎉
😂😂😂
Thought it was a little weirdo! Then started to like it ! Found myself Rockin’ to it!
The synth base is A-tomic. l really loved this track back when it came out. Such an awesome lyrical concept.
I love the little play on words with ‘Some are set up in the Somerset Muagham suite.’ Great reaction guys, I’ve always loved this song, even though I’ve never seen the play Chess.
This is a tough one for a lot of people. Different, almost conflicting styles, cross genre, etc... so I get people who don't care for it as much. I love this song. Every time I hear it I'm just like Jay. I feel ya brother. I'll always rock out to this one.
This is an absolute classic - I had it on 45 back in the day!
Jay and Amber they blonde girl from Abba was one of the background singers in the chorus.
Hard to believe this song is nearly 40 years old.
Good thing we are still teenagers! 😂
We come from a golden age!
Oh hell no
It sucks to get old! I'm still jammin' to 60s music.
@@platterjockey 😂 that's cool! Love it!
What a banger! Thank you so much for doing this one. I love the combination of the strong beat and Murray Head’s „chanting“ voice.
It says something when a musicals second act opening number hits the charts
I have always loved this song! As a weird tidbit, his younger brother is an actor who became very popular for his roll in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." Anthony Stewart Head, he is famous for other roles, this is just the one more people will recognize. I just thought it was neat how they became famous for different things (Anthony is a great singer as well.).
He also did a popular series of ads for Tasters Choice back in the 90s. And he played Uther Pendragon in the British TV series of "Merlin".
A catchy song with some nice 80s dance/club elements and very clever lyrics. The setting is a chess tournament in Bangkok, and it shows the point of view of the chess player visiting the city, as they decline some of the more colourful temptations on offer.
"You're talking to a tourist whose every move is among the purest. I get my kicks above the waistline, sunshine!"
The song's about the International Chess Tournament held that year, in Bangkok.
One of the great one hit wonders of the 80s!
Murray Head wasn't a one-hit wonder. He had many hits in Europe
Two Top 40 hits in the US, about 15 years apart (“Superstar” was the first).
And ABBA was not a one hit wonder either. They wrote this song.
Had to watch you react to this one, as this is very possibly my #1 favorite '80s song of all time. There's really nothing else like it in the entire decade, as far as hit radio singles go -- owing, of course, to the fact that this was a song composed for a musical (a musical about chess, no less!) which SOMEHOW made it onto the pop charts! How the hell often does THAT happen, you know? That's the power of this awesome song!
Glad you both enjoyed it!
Always liked the beat of this song. ❤
Murray Head is a versatile artist. Stage comedian, film actor, singer-songwriter, two major hits (included in the same album: "Say It Ain't So Joe", 1975) propelled his career: "Say It Ain't So Joe" and "Never Even Thought". Of a completely different genre (sentimental ballad, existential lament) than "One Night In Bangkok", these two songs are considered by several reviewers to be pure masterpieces carried by an emotionally muffled voice. To listen to them once is to adopt them forever. Thanks.
This is such a fun early 80s song. Giving the people what they want.
The 80's hands down has to have been the best generation, musically. Many of these artists had musical influences from the early 70's, 60's, blues, country, jazz, rock-a-billy, etc. and made it their own. A lot of genres had hits. Even the punkiest of the punk, liked some Bee Gees songs! They admit know, later in life! It's so great to see younger folks discovering for the first time these songs. I never knew 'One Night in Bangkok turned into a theatre production. One line that always stood out was 'massage parlour.' Don't know why but he really emphasized it with a Brooklyn-Jersey type accent and it just stuck with me. It's a stand out 80's tune that if you lived it, you knew it, no matter what!
"One Night in Bangkok" is a song from the concept album and subsequent musical Chess by Tim Rice, Benny Andersson, and Björn Ulvaeus. The chorus is sung by Anders Glenmark, a Swedish singer, songwriter, and producer. Benny Andersson, and Björn Ulvaeus are the Bs in ABBA.
Thank you for educating. If that information was unknown, interpretation could be very sketchy as in my case :)
Fun fact, Murray Head's younger brother is Anthony Stewart Head, best known for playing Giles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
This song has my all-time favorite line in it - "I get my kicks ABOVE the waistline, Sunshine." And, yes, Amber, I saw that face! 😂
Loved this when it came out, still love it to this day. It's sad that they don't play all these songs still on the radios, this is a classic from the 80s.
Imagine being old enough to remember this on the radio, and then watching people react to it all these many years later
I don’t have to imagine. 😂😂
on the radio, hell, putting it on mix tapes from the radio :D
I am he
No imagination required.
Thanks I’m feeling old now
I love ''Chess" the musical so much, which is where this song is from. The songs are fabulous and the plot heartbreaking. I had the CD of Chess, and also saw a production of Chess at the White Rock Theatre, HASTINGS, which Murray mentions in the song. The song ''I know him so well'' was famous from this musical. One worth doing! Elaine Page and Barbara Dickson have amazing voices. I saw Barbara, again in Hastings, later on in her career, and I only went with my mum to keep her company, however, Barbara had us all in tears with her renditions of ''Send in the Clowns'' and ''The Living Years.''
Written by Benny Anderson and Bjorn Ulvaeus of ABBA...❤
I always liked that because it was different than anything I had heard at the time.
Murray Head also played Judas Iscariot in the original London cast of the play "Jesus Christ Superstar". He's got a fantastic voice. I love this song. It's just so 80s, and catchy as heck. Big hit. Heard it on the radio all the time, and saw the video on "Friday Night Videos." (Any Gen Xers with me on that one?) Love the reaction, as always. Peace!
When I got to England in '77 ( USAF ) Jesus Christ Superstar was the first Play I saw in London! It was brilliant!
Jesus Christ Superstar is still one of the best rock operas ever!!
That definitely fits with his sound!
I remember Friday Night Videos... I also remember watching Night Flight on the USA Network on Saturday nights!
@@brianknapp6215 Murray Head had the single hit with the song "Superstar" from the play with the Trinidad Singers - it reached the US Top 20.
Very much smiling here, this is only the SECOND 'first time hearing song' of yours that I've seen - and your reactions are precious . . . . . . 'One Night in Bangkok and the World's your Oyster, the bars are temples but the pearls ain't free . . . you'll find a dod in every golden cloister, and if you're lucky then the god's a she' . . . . unless you've been to Bangkok and enjoyed a slice of the truly naughty nightlife, very little of this will make sense on this very basic level !! My wife and I had a hilarious encounter one night . . . .You gotta love it, and you two have such a great reaction. Any time you want to go to BKK and tour the town for the first time, I'm a very happy tour guide !!
The song was unique and original at the time and deserves huge credit for not being just another tune. Absolutely unforgettable and will always be cool.
Always liked the beat of this song. Still listen to it with my subwoofer turned up. Thumbs up. I was a teenager throughout the 80s so know all these tunes you guys listen to.
The 80's where you just never knew what would be a hit on the radio :)
😂 so true! (how about Taco's rendition of "Putting On The Ritz"?)
Musical theatre❤❤❤. The show Chess was written by the gentlemen from Abba (as was Mamma Mia). Terrific show. Love seeing the expressions -Amber looked thoughtful while Jay was rocking out. This was a musical my husband would voluntarily listen to.. Lol. 😂
Man, the 80s knew how to make melodies and hooks ... love it.
KNOWING ME, KNOWING YOU. My all-time fave ABBA track. Melancholic lyrics and feel but brilliant.
Bangkok is a city that used to cater to many "tastes" and was a hot destination for ones seeking those flavors. Probably best some of the meanings weren't known to you guys.
Still a real banger and a song that got ya on the dance floors! Good memories and a great reaction!
As lots of people have pointed out, this song is from the musical Chess, and one of the best parts of it are the way it switches back and forth between more classical theater music and rock. Literally, in the libretto, the first song (which has that same sort of change-up in the middle) has an annotation of "Is this The Sound of Music?" as it extols the virtues of the town the first act is set in.
The story being told in the lyrics of this particular song changes slightly depending on whether you're seeing the staged production or listening to the concept album, which this particular version of the song is from.
In the staged version, a world chess tournament between an American player and a Soviet player begins in a quaint spa town called Merano in the Tyrolean mountains ("Time flies, doesn't seem a minute since the Tyrolean spa had the chess boys in it"), which is located between Italy and Germany (from the first song "Right now we're Italian, we used to be German, the borders keep shifting around") and then continues in in Bangkok, Thailand.
In the concept album, the Soviet player actually wins the match in Merano before defecting from the USSR, and the second act, set in Bangkok, is a match between him and the new Soviet player, with the former American competitor being used by the soviets to act as a sort of agent of chaos and mess with the defector's head ("But thank God, I'm only watching the game, controlling it").
So, while this song is definite a bop, as someone who tends to pay attention to lyrics, it doesn't make a lot of sense without its context.
Wow, I wasn't expecting your reaction. I thought Amber would be into something so different from the norm with cerebral lyrics, and that Jay would write it off as strange. But glad you guys did this. It does reflect a night in Bangkok and all that comes with it - can't be too careful with your company.
"I get my kicks above the waistline, sunshine" is one of my favorite song lyrics ever. XD
Really liked this song in the day, and I do remember it! Never listened to the lyrics too intently, but I think the gist is You can pretty much find and do anything you want in Bangkok. Fun to remember Guys! :)
This is one of my favourite songs. Great job 🇨🇦
What an era.... brought back memories of songs like "She Blinded Me with Science," by Thomas Dolby. Very distinct time in music.
My first time here, I did subscribe and like this presentation of BANGKOK 😅 My first time in Bangkok or Krung Thep was September 1996 and I have been going back there at least twice a year 🙏🏼
Siam being the ancient name of Thailand of course 🇹🇭
This could be considered one of the earliest "rap" hits to hit the top 5. It peaked at #3 in 1985. It's pretty neat how they incorporated chess in the story.
Murray Head comes from an acting family, including his parents and younger brother (Anthony Head). As others have mentioned, this song is from the musical theater production "Chess". Both Murray and Anthony have played the part of Freddie Trumper in "Chess" at the Prince Edward Theatre, London, with Murray a part of the original cast in 1986, while Anthony was in the final cast in 1989. Anthony Head is best known for his role as Rupert Giles in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" TV series (1997-2003).
Once y’all started reacting to ABBA I knew you’d get to this one! Benny and Bjorn wrote the musical Chess this song is from. And you’re right, this song is using chess as a metaphor for the….Bangkok nightlife? Take that as you will. But I loved Jay just digging the vibe and Amber being like “what am I listening to??” 😂
"I get my kicks above the waistline, sunshine." Yup, it's a hit song about a chess tournament. From a musical.
It’s from the ABBA penned musical Chess. You have to follow it up with I Know Him So Well by Elaine Paige and Barbara Dickson, also taken from Chess. It was a huge No1 hit !
this!!!
I remember buying that Single as soon as I heard it! ....
I know him so well, is so emotional. Love it!
Another masterpiece of the BB's! the panflute is gorgeous!
I still love this song ❤️
Definitely funky and full of double entendre. Look up the lyrics and see what they mean. I remember when it was brand new, and it got a lot of play.
Jay and Amber, your reviews are so addictive, thoroughly thought out, and well done. Please keep up the great work!! ❤
From the musical Chess... With music and lyrics written by Bjorn ulvaeus and Benny Andersson of ABBA, together with sir Tim Rice.. This is why ABBA never got back together during the remainder of the 80s as the boys B&B were into making stage musicals and Agnetha and Anni Frid pursuing solo careers