The Power of Love (Frankie Goes to Hollywood song)

"The Power of Love" is a song originally recorded and released by English band Frankie Goes to Hollywood. It was written by Holly Johnson, Peter Gill, Mark O'Toole andBrian Nash, four of 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 album Welcome to the Pleasuredome, "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 New Zealand, and in Canada.

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 #10 in 1993 and #6 in 2000. "The Power Of Love" has also charted in the UK in a version by Holly Johnson (a solo recording from 1999), and a 2012 version by Gabrielle Aplin. Aplin's recording of the song also went to #1 in the UK, exactly 28 years after the original Frankie Goes To Hollywood single topped the charts.

Aplin's version also enjoyed a resurgence in 2014 thanks to it being the soundtrack to the advert/trailer for TV series "Resurrection".

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."



Contents
[hide]  *1 Frankie Goes To Hollywood version (1984)  ==Frankie Goes To Hollywood version (1984)[ edit] == The track was first featured during the John Peel Sessions the band performed on during 1983, which was slower and emphasized the track's original camp ironic content (such as the Hooded Claw from the cartoon series, The Perils of Penelope Pitstop).
 * 1.1 Tracklisting
 * 1.1.1 7": ZTT / ZTAS 5 (United Kingdom)
 * 1.1.2 12": ZTT / 12 ZTAS 5 (United Kingdom)
 * 1.1.3 12": ZTT / 12 XTAS 5 (United Kingdom)
 * 1.1.4 MC: ZTT / CTIS 105 (United Kingdom)
 * 1.2 Chart performance
 * 1.3 Certifications
 * 1.4 Reissues
 * 1.4.1 1993 reissues
 * 1.4.2 2000 reissues
 * 1.4.3 2012 reissue
 * 2 Holly Johnson version (1999)
 * 2.1 Track listing
 * 2.2 Remixes and B-sides
 * 2.3 Critical reception
 * 2.4 Chart performance
 * 3 Gabrielle Aplin version (2012)
 * 3.1 Music video
 * 3.2 Track listing
 * 3.3 Chart performance
 * 3.3.1 Charts
 * 3.3.2 Certifications
 * 3.3.3 Year-end charts
 * 3.4 Release history
 * 4 Cover versions
 * 5 References
 * 6 External links

"The Power of Love" became Frankie Goes To Hollywood's third consecutive (and last) #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 aChristmas 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 #10 UK; the 2000 remix version hit #6 UK. ===Tracklisting<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">All discographical information pertains to UK releases only (unless otherwise noted) ====7": ZTT / ZTAS 5 (United Kingdom)<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] ==== <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">"Make love your goal"

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Also released as a picture disc, black with holly all over it ====12": ZTT / 12 ZTAS 5 (United Kingdom)<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] ==== ====12": ZTT / 12 XTAS 5 (United Kingdom)<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">]  ==== Pleasurefix Starfix#"The Power of Love" (7" mix) - 5:27 ====MC: ZTT / CTIS 105 (United Kingdom)<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] ==== <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">"I'll protect you from the holocaust"
 * 1) "The Power of Love" (7" mix) - 5:27
 * 2) "The World Is My Oyster" (7" mix) - 4:13
 * 1) "The Power of Love" (extended version) - 9:28
 * 2) "The World Is My Oyster" (scrapped) - 1:38
 * 3) "Holier Than Thou" (the first) - 1:08
 * 4) "The World Is My Oyster" (trapped) [instrumental] - 2:29
 * 5) "Holier Than Thou" (the second) - 4:10
 * 6) "The Power of Love" (instrumental) [unlisted] - 2:27
 * Released in a "hearts and crosses" 12" envelope.
 * "Holier Than Thou" is Frankie Goes to Hollywood's 1984 Christmas message.
 * Also released as a picture disc PZTAS5
 * 1) "The World Is My Oyster" (12" mix) - 4:23
 * 2) "Welcome to the Pleasuredome" (pleasure fix) - 9:46
 * 3) "The Only Star In Heaven" (star fix) - 3:52
 * Released in a white gatefold sleeve with 5 photos.

===Chart performance<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === ===Certifications<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === ===Reissues<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === ====1993 reissues<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] ==== <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">The 1993 re-issues featured the church in Ramsau bei Berchtesgaden on the cover.
 * 1) "[oh fire!]" - 0:16
 * 2) "The Power of Love" (extended version, too) - 8:54
 * 3) "Scrapped" - 1:38
 * 4) "Holier Than Thou" - 1:08
 * 5) "Trapped" - 2:29
 * 6) "Holier Than Thou" - 4:10
 * 7) "The Power of Love" (instrumental) [unlisted] - 2:27
 * 8) "my uncle is a monster" [unlisted] - 0:29
 * 9) "absolutely obscene" (relax version) [unlisted] - 0:28


 * CD
 * ZTT / FGTH3CD (United Kingdom)


 * 1) "The Power of Love" - 5:29
 * 2) "The Power of Love" (Original Extended Mix) - 9:29
 * 3) "Rage Hard" (Original DJ Mix) [vocal edit] - 4:13
 * 4) "Holier Than Thou Edit" (No Rest For The Best - Edit) - 3:29
 * CD
 * ZTT / FGTH3CDX (United Kingdom)


 * 1) "The Power of Love" - 5:29
 * 2) "The Power of Love" (Original Extended Mix) - 9:29
 * 3) "Rage Hard" (Original DJ Mix) [vocal edit] - 4:13
 * 4) "The Power of Love" (alternative mix) - 5:07
 * CD
 * ZTT-Warner / 4509-94954-2 (Germany)

====2000 reissues<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] ====
 * 1) "The Power of Love" (1994 radio love mix) - 3:47
 * 2) "The Power of Love" - 5:29
 * CD
 * ZTT / ZTT 150 CD (United Kingdom)


 * 1) "The Power of Love" (Rob Searle Club Mix Edit) - 4:13
 * 2) "The Power of Love" (Rob Searle Club Mix) - 8:41
 * 3) "The Power of Love" (Minkys Yaba Mix Edit) - 5:05
 * 12"
 * ZTT / ZTT 150 T (United Kingdom)

====2012 reissue<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] ==== ==Holly Johnson version (1999)<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Holly Johnson, former singer of Frankie Goes to Hollywood, recorded his own version of "The Power of Love" which was released on his 1999 album Soulstream and was released as a single which made #56 in the UK. The single stayed in the charts for 2 weeks.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-autogenerated1_15-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[15]  A music video was created for the track although it is somewhat of a collectors item today.<sup class="noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact" style="line-height:1;white-space:nowrap;">[citation needed]
 * 1) "The Power of Love" (Rob Searle Club Mix) - 8:38
 * 2) "The Power of Love" (Minky's Yaba Mix) - 8:10
 * MP3 download (United Kingdom)<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-14" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[14]
 * 1) "The Power of Love" (original 7" mix) - 5:30
 * 2) "The Power of Love" (original 7" instrumental) - 5:30
 * 3) "The Power of Love" (original 12" mix) - 9:30
 * 4) "The World is My Oyster" - 4:17
 * 5) "The Power of Love" (alternative mix) - 5:08
 * 6) "The Power of Love" (best listened to by lovers) - 4:30
 * 7) "The Power of Love" (instrumental, singlette version) - 3.34
 * Best Listened To By Lovers is an orchestral instrumental from Anne Dudley's arrangement recorded as part of the original Welcome to the Pleasuredome album sessions in 1984. It was first released on the compilation CD Frankie Said earlier in 2012.
 * Original 7" Instrumental is an instrumental version of the regular single / album track, and is unique to this release.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">The single was released by two separate CD versions, each featuring different tracks,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-16" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[16]  with the second CD featuring "All U Need Is Love (Demo Version)", a demo version of the Soulstream album track.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-17" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[17] ===Track listing<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === ===Remixes and B-sides<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === ===Critical reception<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Jon O'Brien of Allmusic reviewed the Soulstream album, and spoke of the song, stating "The William Orbit-esque production of the empowering opener "Lady Luck," and the subtle trip-hop-tinged title track show that Johnson still occasionally had his finger on the pulse. But unnecessary reworkings of 1984 chart-topper "The Power of Love" and the 1994 flop, gay anthem "Legendary Children (All of Them Queer)," only highlight the creative rut he appeared to be stuck in."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-18" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[18] ===Chart performance<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === ==Gabrielle Aplin version (2012)<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">In 2012 English singer-songwriter Gabrielle Aplin released a cover version of the song produced by Mike Spencer and David Kosten. It was released on 9 November 2012 as a digital download as the lead single from her debut studio album English Rain (2013). The song was selected as the soundtrack to the John Lewis 2012 Christmas advertisement.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-20" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[20]  The song was also used during an episode of Hollyoaks on 16 November 2012 after the sudden death of one of the show's main characters. ===Music video<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">A music video to accompany the release of "The Power of Love" was first released onto YouTube on 9 November 2012. It shows Aplin in a room in a large house, playing a piano. Then, near the end of the video, fairy lights in the room light up. The video was directed by Alexander Brown. ===Track listing<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === ===Chart performance<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">On 11 November 2012 "The Power of Love" entered the UK Singles Chart at number 36, a week later it climbed to number 5. On 9 December 2012 the single reached number 1.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bbc-20660766_21-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[21]  Aplin's version was certified gold in the United Kingdom on 11 January 2013.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-22" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[22]
 * CD Single (CD1)
 * 1) "The Power Of Love" (Radio Mix) - 5:08
 * 2) "In The House Of The Rising Sun" (12" Definitive Mix) - 5:36
 * 3) "In The House Of The Rising Sun" (Doogs House Mix) - 5:04
 * CD Single (CD2)
 * 1) "The Power Of Love" (Millennium Mix) - 5:36
 * 2) "In The House Of The Rising Sun (DNA Instrumental Mix)" - 5:32
 * 3) "All U Need Is Love" (Demo Version) - 4:59
 * CD Single (Promo)
 * 1) "The Power Of Love (Radio Mix)" - 5:08
 * 2) "The Power Of Love (Millennium Mix)" - 5:33
 * 3) "In The House Of The Rising Sun" (12" Definitive Mix) - 5:36
 * 4) "In The House Of The Rising Sun" (Doogs House Mix) - 5:04
 * 5) "In The House Of The Rising Sun" (DNA Instrumental Mix) - 5:30
 * "The Power of Love" (Radio Mix)
 * "In the House of the Rising Sun" (12" Definitive mix)
 * "In the House of the Rising Sun" (Doogs House mix)
 * "The Power of Love" (Millennium mix)
 * "In the House of the Rising Sun" (DNA Instrumental mix)
 * "All U Need Is Love" (demo version)

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">On 8 December 2013, the song re-charted at #88 on the UK Singles Chart, due to downloads.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-23" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[23] ====Charts<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] ==== ====Certifications<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] ==== ====Year-end charts<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] ==== ===Release history<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === ==Cover versions<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] ==
 * Dutch symphonic rock band Within Temptation covered the song during a special program on the Belgian radio station Q music during their special program Within Temptation Friday,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-35" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[35]  where the band choose some songs to cover not related to their style of music. The song was then included on their cover album The Q-Music Sessions, released in April 2013.
 * Il Divo covered the song on their album "The Promise"
 * Dune covered the song on their album Forever, with the London Session Orchestra.
 * Slow Moving Millie covered the song on her album Renditions.
 * Oomph! covered the song on their greatest hits album Delikatessen.
 * ASP covered the song on their MCD Stille der Nacht.
 * Feeder covered the song on their album Picture of Perfect Youth.
 * James Arthur covered the song in the semi-final of the ninth series of The X Factor.
 * Amici Forever covered the song on the 2006 Australian Tour Edition re-release of their 2005 album Defined.
 * Anneke van Giersbergen covered the song on the 2009 compilation Pure Air.