I’ll protect you from the hooded claw
Keep the vampires from your door
In many ways, the Liverpool band Frankie Goes to Hollywood described the changing face of the 1980s. With their penchant for the outrageous, and their emergence through a controversially iconic record which topped the charts despite (or was it because of?) a ban by the BBC , they might almost have taken a leaf or two from the Sex Pistols’ manual to the music industry.
Following the release of their notorious 1983 single, Relax, the band was very visibly and for ever more linked with the gay scene, an association which proved at least as influential in challenging the attitudes of the time as the Sex Pistols had through their embrace of Anarchy in the UK.
With such a talent for shock, Frankie may seem the most unlikely ever source of a classically-crafted love song. That makes this record an even more remarkable diamond in the rough, because it is perfect and precious, all the same.
The band was produced by the brilliant Trevor Horn, who also polished ABC, Seal and Yes to a high-gloss finish, and the Frankie sound belongs firmly to the era of post-punk electronica.
After Relax, Frankie’s next offering was the massively successful Cold War commentary Two Tribes (these were the days of Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative, remember, before perestroika, and pre-dating glasnost by some good distance). In December 1984, The Power of Love became the third consecutive Frankie Goes to Hollywood single to reach number one in the UK.
Then I forgot all about the song. Lead singer Holly Johnson left the band in 1987, and two years later, Jenny rather bravely (I thought) invested in his first solo album, Blast.
It was my miserable inheritance of Jenny’s music collection all for my own which led me to rediscover that record. Soon afterwards, Johnson’s release of a new solo recording of The Power of Love encouraged me to seek out this original, which I much prefer for its more rounded vocal, so typical of Trevor Horn’s skills in turning raw passion into silky perfection.
What can I say about the song, and what more could I ever need to say, except that it is pure and inspirational? The sheer soaring scale of its orchestral accompaniment is a Horn trademark, brilliantly matched here by the emotional depth of the lyric.
Listening to the song now, whilst remembering its context and era, I am reminded of the strength and courage of love in all its forms, transcending the narrowly-limiting barriers of time, tradition and sexuality.
Perhaps, after all, it is just as brave a record as Relax ever was, proclaiming its message of love across all conventional boundaries.
When the chips are down I’ll be around
With my undying, death-defying
Love for you
Defining love like this, after all these years, my soul sings with optimism.
Because although I couldn’t protect Jenny from the hooded claw, that struggle lost disguises a far greater battle won. We fought that fight together, and the memories of the happy times and dreams we shared will never fade.
Love was like an energy then, rushing inside of me. And it still is, to this day.
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8 responses so far ↓
shadowlands1501 // 6 February, 2008 at 18:59 |
Oh, Wow, Roads, what a post and tribute to your love for Jenny!!!. I must confess, the 80’s and its music is something that I failed to listen that much to, but I was enthralled with this song. It is so much how the one who hasn’t the ailment, but suffers all the same, feels in their heart. You want passionately to fight the fight for them in your healthy body, but in the end, you know that you can only fight it with the love that is in your heart, your very being….Thank you for sharing Jenny’s music and your rediscovery of this song…..
Roads // 6 February, 2008 at 22:28 |
Ah, Shadowlands – you’re right that 1980s music is not exactly revered.
But we shouldn’t forget an entire decade, should we? And I knew you’d love this song.
Linda // 8 February, 2008 at 07:24 |
Dear Roads,
Your last line in this post is so very inspirational to those of us with new loss: “Love was like an energy then, rushing inside of me. And it still is, to this day.”
I hope never to lose that energy for my living loved ones, and, as we both know (as do multitudes of others walking in our communal shoes), I hope never to lose it for those who have gone on to the next life.
You are one of my favorite retro-music heroes. My brother is another. He remembers, in acute detail, many of the concerts we saw – beginning with The Beatles at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles (when I was 11). I grew up in the L.A. music scene, the younger sister of a musician, so my memories are vivid, and my attachment to the world of music is as strong as a spider web.
Thank you for talking so openly about your Jenny. It’s such a comfort to me, and by the comments posted here, to many others. I always consider your comments at my blog, a gift.
Linda
Roads // 8 February, 2008 at 13:11 |
Well, Linda, thank you. That last line wasn’t meant to refer exclusively to the past, and it cost me some thought. How to balance an appreciation of life gone by with a positive message portraying the transformation of my present and future? And I’m not sure I got that entirely right.
Whatever. I’m delighted to join the ranks of your retro-music heroes, obviously. Even if I should protest about recalling the sound of a time here, rather than revealing my current iPod stats. This 80s stuff only gets a look-in for historical research purposes, honest. Well, if you believe that…
Anyway, your comment reminds me that perhaps I do need to work on that outdated eyeliner and Doc Maartens image here, just a little.
So here’s my latest listening: Naïve by The Kooks.
Razorlight, The Kooks, Snow Patrol … bit of a return to guitar thrash emerging here. Thanks very much again, and spirits up.
nichole3 // 8 February, 2008 at 14:12 |
It is amazing how a song can lead us down memory lane and help us to keep the memories of special people alive.
Like Shadowlands, I didn’t listen to the music of the 80’s. I was a busy mother of four young children and didn’t keep current about the music scene. I’m glad this is a wonderful memory for you.
Roads // 8 February, 2008 at 18:57 |
Thanks, Nichole. I had lots of time in the 80s.
To misquote the Northern Irish soccer genius George Best, I spent most of it on sport, parties and my girlfriend. And the rest I just squandered.
brightfeather // 10 February, 2008 at 00:33 |
I loved this post. This could be because your are a such talented writer and it could be because I identified with the music. Whatever … I’ll be sending you some link love very soon.
Roads // 10 February, 2008 at 19:49 |
Thank you, brightfeather. It’s very good to hear from you. I appreciate the kind words, and I’m glad you liked the music.
For a track almost twentyfive years old, I think it wears pretty well. Some themes simply never go out of fashion.
All best wishes to you from London, and spirits up.