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Frankie Love Biography & Facts

"The Power of Love" is a song originally recorded and released by British band Frankie Goes to Hollywood. It was written by Holly Johnson, Peter Gill, Mark O'Toole and Brian Nash, four of the five members of the band. It was released by the group as their third single. Initially issued as a single in November 1984, and taken from the debut album, Welcome to the Pleasuredome (1984), "The Power of Love" followed its two predecessors, "Relax" and "Two Tribes", to the top of the UK singles chart. It scored the band an early December number-one. "The Power of Love" was also a top 10 hit in several European countries, in Australia and New Zealand, and in Canada. "The Power of Love" is often regarded as a Christmas song, despite having no reference to Christmas within the song lyrics. However, the accompanying video features the Nativity of Jesus, and the single cover was The Assumption of the Virgin. The single spent just one week at Number One in the UK, outsold by the charity single "Do They Know It's Christmas?" by Band Aid, which until 1997 was the best selling single ever in the UK. Since then, reissues and/or remixes of the Frankie Goes to Hollywood recording of this song have been top 10 UK hits on two other occasions, hitting number 10 in 1993 and number 6 in 2000. "The Power of Love" has also charted in the UK in a version by Holly Johnson (a solo recording from 1999). The original version by Frankie Goes to Hollywood was featured in the 2012 film Sightseers, the same year that the song was reissued as a digital download and peaked at number 42, in response to a cover version by Gabrielle Aplin. Her recording of the song also went to number 1 in the UK, exactly 28 years after the original Frankie Goes to Hollywood single topped the chart. Holly Johnson, who co-wrote the song, later reminisced: "I always felt like 'The Power of Love' was the record that would save me in this life. There is a biblical aspect to its spirituality and passion; the fact that love is the only thing that matters in the end." Frankie Goes to Hollywood version The track was first featured during the John Peel Sessions the band performed on during 1983, which was slower and emphasised the track's original camp ironic content (such as the Hooded Claw from the cartoon series The Perils of Penelope Pitstop). After recording at the original speed, ZTT/Trevor Horn sped it up, this also caused a change in pitch. "The Power of Love" became Frankie Goes to Hollywood's third consecutive (and last) number 1 UK single in December 1984. To commemorate the Christmas release, Godley & Creme directed a Nativity-themed video for the single, and the artwork for the single also used traditional Christian iconography. The original showing of the video on The Tube featured the Nativity occupying the whole screen, however the borders of band members were added for later showings due to pressure from UK broadcasters.The 12" mix of the song featured actor Chris Barrie aping DJ Mike Read's banning of the single "Relax", as well as his impression of Ronald Reagan, instructing the listener in prayer. The single also featured a Christmas message from the band, entitled "Holier Than Thou". On the cover is a reproduction of the Assumption of the Virgin by Titian, a 16th-century painting in the Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari of Venice. The single has been reissued in various formats over the years. The 1993 reissue charted at number 10 in the UK; the 2000 remix version reached number 6. Critical reception Richard Harris from NME wrote, "'The Power of Love' is too straight-laced, but still drips with deep-pile quality (Holly Johnson had one of the great pop voices, don't forget)". Track listing All discographical information here pertains to UK releases only (unless otherwise noted). 7": ZTT / ZTAS 5 (United Kingdom) "The Power of Love" (7" mix) - 5:27 "The World Is My Oyster" (7" mix) - 4:13Also available as a picture disc carrying the same tracks. (PZTAS5) 12": ZTT / 12 ZTAS 5 (United Kingdom) "The Power of Love" (Extended version) - 9:28 "The World Is My Oyster" (Scrapped) - 1:38 "Holier Than Thou" (The first) - 1:08 "The World Is My Oyster" (Trapped) [Instrumental] - 2:29 "Holier Than Thou" (The second) - 4:10 "The Power of Love" (Instrumental) [Unlisted] - 2:27The cassette, 7" single and the standard 12" single were all released in a "hearts and crosses" cardboard envelope. "Holier Than Thou" is a recording of band members attempting to record a Christmas message for fans and generally messing about in the recording studio. The final song on the disc is the continuation of the instrumental version of "The Power of Love" that begins side A, here finally reaching its conclusion. This section of music actually begins during the final part of the "Holier Than Thou" section, when Peter Gill is jokingly listing what he wants for Christmas. Also released as a picture disc carrying the same tracks (12PZTAS5).12": ZTT / 12 XZTAS 5 (United Kingdom) "The Power of Love" (7" mix) - 5:27 "The World Is My Oyster" (12" mix) - 4:23 "Welcome to the Pleasuredome" (Pleasure fix) - 9:46 "The Only Star in Heaven" (Star fix) - 3:52Released in a white gatefold sleeve with five photos.MC: ZTT / CTIS 105 (United Kingdom) "The Power of Love" (Extended, singlette version) - 9:18 "The World Is My Oyster (Scrapped)" - 1:38 "Holier Than Thou (the first)" - 1:08 "The World Is My Oyster (Trapped)" - 2:29 "Holier Than Thou (the second)" - 4:10 "The Power of Love" (Instrumental, singlette version) [Unlisted] - 3:30This complete cassette was re-released in 2012 on CD Sexmix Disk 1 Tracks 7-12. The end of "Instrumental" is identical to the opening of the regular extended version, but with "Relax" in the background. Chart performance Certifications Reissues 1993 reissues The 1993 re-issues featured the church in Ramsau bei Berchtesgaden on the cover. CD ZTT / FGTH3CD (United Kingdom)"The Power of Love" - 5:29 "The Power of Love" (Original extended mix) - 9:29 "Rage Hard" (Original DJ mix) [Vocal edit] - 4:13 "Holier Than Thou" (No Rest for the Best - Edit) - 3:29CD ZTT / FGTH3CDX (United Kingdom)"The Power of Love" - 5:29 "The Power of Love" (Original extended mix) - 9:29 "Rage Hard" (Original DJ mix) [Vocal edit] - 4:13 "The Power of Love" (Alternative mix) - 5:07CD ZTT-Warner / 4509-94954-2 (Germany)"The Power of Love" (1994 radio love mix) - 3:47 "The Power of Love" - 5:292000 reissues CD ZTT / ZTT 150 CD (United Kingdom)"The Power of Love" (Rob Searle club mix edit) - 4:13 "The Power of Love" (Rob Searle club mix) - 8:41 "The Power of Love" (Minkys Yaba mix edit) - 5:0512" ZTT / ZTT 150 T (United Kingdom)"The Power of Love" (Rob Searle club mix) - 8:38 "The Power of Love" (Minky's Yaba mix) - 8:102012 reissue MP3 download (United Kingdom)"The Power of Love" (Original 7" mix) - 5:30 "The Power of Love" (Original 7" instrumental) - 5:30 "The Power of Love" (Original 12" mix) - 9:30 "The World Is My Oyster" - 4:17 "The Power o.... 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