Welcome To The Pleasuredome

Frankie Goes To Hollywood

Welcome To The Pleasuredome

Review

Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s debut album, Welcome to the Pleasuredome, released in 1984, is a bold, theatrical statement that captures the excess and experimentation of the era. Produced by Trevor Horn, the album is a sonic spectacle, blending synth-pop, disco, industrial, and rock with an unapologetically flamboyant flair. The title track is a sprawling opener that sets the tone with its lush production and provocative lyrics. Hits like Relax and Two Tribes still throb with energy, their pulsing beats and politically charged themes showcasing the band’s knack for controversy and hit-making. The cover of Born to Run is audacious, offering a surreal twist on Springsteen's classic. While the album occasionally feels overindulgent due to its length and conceptual sprawl, its ambition and bravado remain impressive. Welcome to the Pleasuredome is a time capsule of 80s pop culture—fierce, flamboyant, and unforgettable.

Info

Welcome to the Pleasuredome is the debut studio album by British band Frankie Goes to Hollywood, released on October 29, 1984, in the UK and in March 1985 in the US. The album was released by ZTT Records and marked a bold and ambitious entry into the 1980s music scene with its unique blend of synth-pop, new wave, and dance elements. The album was a commercial success, debuting at number one on the UK Albums Chart and remaining there for several weeks. In the United States, it peaked at number 33 on the Billboard 200. The album spawned several hit singles, including "Relax," "Two Tribes," and "The Power of Love," all of which contributed to its iconic status in 80s pop music. "Welcome to the Pleasuredome" was primarily recorded at Sarm Studios in London. It was produced by Trevor Horn, whose distinctive production style played a key role in shaping the album's grand, cinematic sound. Horn's vision and the band's provocative image helped define an era and made the album a landmark release of the decade.

Tracklisting

  1. 1. The World Is My Oyster (Including Well / Snatch Of Fury)
  2. 2. Welcome To The Pleasuredome
  3. 3. Relax (Come Fighting)
  4. 4. War
  5. 5. Two Tribes
  6. 6. (Tag)
  7. 7. Fury
  8. 8. Born To Run
  9. 9. San Jose (The Way)
  10. 10. Wish (The Lads Were Here)
  11. 11. Including The Ballad Of 32
  12. 12. Krisco Kisses
  13. 13. Black Night White Light
  14. 14. The Only Star In Heaven
  15. 15. The Power Of Love
  16. 16. bang…