The song that dominated the summer of 1984 with nine weeks at number one
In the summer of 1984, it became apparent just how quickly a decade could change things.
Just ten years earlier, the worlds of classic rock were in full swing. David Bowie’s ‘Rebel Rebel’, Wings’ ‘Band On The Run’ and The Rolling Stones’ ‘It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll (But I Like It)’ proved that rock and roll was in safe hands, celebrating in the lucrative expanse of the music industry, while still profiting off the bohemian subcultures that started it all in the 1960s.
One would have rightly thought that the next two decades of music would have continued on in that vein, basking in the glory of liberal culture and artistic diversity. But the start of the ‘80s brought with it an entirely different global outlook. Margaret Thatcher boldly stepped into British office, joined by her transatlantic partner in neo-liberal crime, Ronald Reagan.
The world had become more slicker, more capitalist and more technologically obsessed, and so the raw profile of classic rock was left in the dust. In just a swift decade, the likes of ‘Rebel Rebel’ had become antiquated relics, and now a wave of synth-washed rock and pop swept the Western world.
A quick look at the highest chart ranking singles of ‘84 goes a long way towards proving that. Band Aid’s ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’, George Michael’s ‘Careless Whisper’ and Madonna’s ‘Like A Virgin’ served as some of the biggest-selling singles of the year, soundtracking this new digitally laced society.
But it was Frankie Goes To Hollywood’s ‘Two Tribes’ that dominated the summer charts. While their other hit ‘Frankie Says Relax’ also topped the charts, it stepped aside in the summer for ‘Two Tribes’, which sat pretty at the top for a whopping nine weeks.
But while many classic rock fans sat with their fists clenched, lamenting at the wild change in trends that had just taken place in the past decade, there was hope, for ‘Two Tribes’ was as politically engaged as any of the famous resistance rock songs from the ‘70s; all that had changed was how it was delivered.
What made ‘Two Tribes’ a political anthem?
Essentially, the two tribes in question were America and the Soviet Union, who were engaged in the Cold War, putting the entire world under threat of annihilation. As the two countries locked into a game of chicken, that effectively rendered the rest of the world helpless, the shiny gloss of this new neo-liberal lifestyle was beginning to chip away, and Frankie Goes To Hollywood soundtracked that.
Holly Johnson explained that the song was simply inspired by a feeling of global political fear. He said, “As a young man living in Liverpool, it was quite scary. We knew the nuclear capabilities of these superpowers and it frightened us on the ground. ‘Two Tribes’ does encapsulate a song that reminds people that war isn’t the answer.”
The feeling was clearly palpable, as the public bought into it for a whole nine weeks and allowed it to soundtrack their resistance, as all good music does. So after those ten years, the songs may have changed, but the feelings didn’t.
