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Relax! It's only 7".

Posted at 8:44 PM on April 14, 2009 by Mark Wheat

This week we're playing a slice of vinyl at 8.50, a single with a story behind it...
"Relax!" was the first single by the band Frankie Goes To Hollywood in 1983 and it was such a huge global hit that they never really followed it up. Even though the next single "Two Tribes' also went to #1 in the UK, "Relax!" returned to the #2 spot as if to say, remember there's really only one BIG hit!

It was the first time a BBC DJ had personally banned a song, even though the corporation followed him in a show of support, some of the other DJ's just kept playing it! I always remember the t-shirts too, one of the first and most succesful merchandising of a band and a concept. they were white with huge black letters saying "Frankie says..."
Originally it was just 'relax' but went on to spawn many many copies and riffs, truly a cultural phenomena, just like a great single should be! I've never seen anything like it since.

Celebrate Record Store Day on Saturday...maybe you'll discover something you've never heard or seen before!!

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