He was the original actor to portray this character(first called The American, and then later on named Freddie Trumper) in the original West End production, and also earlier sang as the original Judas of the original Cast Album of Jesus Christ Superstar(Both of which have lyrics written by Tim Rice).
I first knew of Murray Head from the album Jesus Christ Superstar. It seems that Anthony Head also acted in the play at some point in his initial career. Their careers apparently having similar paths albeit in different eras.
From Wikipedia: " "One Night in Bangkok" is a song from the concept album and subsequent musical Chess by Tim Rice, Benny Andersson, and Björn Ulvaeus. English actor and singer Murray Head raps the verses, while the chorus is sung by Anders Glenmark, a Swedish singer, songwriter, and producer." Actor and singer Murray Head also appeared on stage in the hit musical "Jesus Christ Superstar" that by Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice. Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus were members of the Swedish pop band ABBA.
I live in Texas by Amarillo, but flew to London to see this play on their (Broadway). It was pretty cool or it's time, and of course got back home and bought the album.
This song was written for the musical chess over 40 years ago by Benni and Bjorn of ABBA the musical was produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber this musical has been performed worldwide since the 80s
One night in Bangkok and the tough guys tumble. Can't be too careful with your company. Interesting choice, this. Murray Head has a "past". Google is your friend.
Thirteen years earlier, this artist was Judas in the original London cast of Jesus Christ Superstar. Brilliant performance! (Fav. track, "Too Much Heaven On Their Minds")
The lyricist of that show/album, Tim Rice, also wrote the lyrics to this show with Bjorn Ulvaeus, and the music is done by Benny Andersson. Also Bjorn and Benny, by the way, are the songwriters of the Swedish pop band ABBA, and musical this song is from, Chess, was their first foray into musical theatre in the mid 80s.
This seemed to be a long version…I didn’t recognize the piece in the middle and really didn’t know where it was going musically. But once the song is in you head, it will never leave. The cool thing is that the song is just about as mysterious (and hard to figure out)as Bangkok itself.
Same here. I didn't even know there was an extended version. The shorter cut is better. To me, this added nothing to the track. I was in 11th grade when the song came out, and always enjoyed it...
@@Deborahtunes we are roughly the same age as I joined the army a year after this was out. Madly it was a bigger hit in the states than the UK. Though some really mad music was about at that time.
The repetitive, "extended" instrumental part was not in the radio version. It sounds like they mixed in audio from the musical, "The King and I", which is referred to in the song when he mentions its star, Yul Brenner. Frankly, I didn't care for it, either.
The album cut has a longer orchestral intro, but the main part of the song itself is shorter and more economical with its time. I think you'd much, much more prefer that version over this. Believe it or not, this is actually from a musical concept album. It's worth reading about and checking out.
Murray Head was the original Judas from the London production of Jesus Christ Superstar (and the BEST- no question) Such a great, unique voice. This song was SO popular in the 80's...in fact- I believe I still have the 12" single of it that was played in dance clubs. Terrible show- excellent song. If its available- listen to him sing Heaven On Their Minds or Judas's Death from Superstar. EPIC!
I do like this song, but not the extended version so much. This is only song I remember from this musical. I did watch the musical concert on DVD with Josh Groban and it is on TH-cam. I beleive the musical is about a chess match during the cold war between an American and a Russian chess player.
ha, this song was so inexplicably huge on the radio - catchy as hell, sure, but 1) from a Broadway soundtrack? and 2) nominally about chess, but also about the sex trade in Bangkok? ok... and 3) talk-rapped by an unknown (outside of musical theatre) white British dude in a linen suit? Yet for 3 decades after its release, no one can mention Bangkok without this song immediately coming to mind. Fun fact: Murray Head's brother was Anthony Head, famous for playing Giles the Watcher in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
I expect it was West End originally. The musical itself was not standard Broadway stuff I'm not bothered that it isn't a black artist. And I think it's good dance/pop.
Lyrically interesting, much preferred the material they gave him to work with on the original 'Jesus Christ Superstar' album. Very 80s, agreed, not in the best way, whatever that might be.
The extended part of the song was the section sandwiched between the flute solos. That part was boring and repetitive like a drum machine. If you take that part out it would have been like the original radio version. It kinda made me cringe, I have never heard this extended version before, and I was thinking that it might ruin it for first time listener.
From the 80s music Chess by Andrew Lloyd Webber, by far the best thing to come out of it, a unique banging dance number par excellence. You need to also check out Head's huge hit Superstar with the Trinity Singers, an adaptation from Webber's smash hit Jesus Christ Superstar in the 70's Thanks bro!
Perfectly ok with not being sophisticated enough to have a palate for this song.Probanly IS just me. Since it came out, it's been in my top ten most annoying songs of all time.
This should "TEACH" you to not do extended versions. They always suck. Do original music videos and no one will be disappointed. This is a novelty song.
The show Chess was on Broadway, which is what this is from. Murray Head was known to be in a number of shows.
He was the original actor to portray this character(first called The American, and then later on named Freddie Trumper) in the original West End production, and also earlier sang as the original Judas of the original Cast Album of Jesus Christ Superstar(Both of which have lyrics written by Tim Rice).
This is so good. The guy is so arrogant, disgusted and full of disdain ... and his suit is perfect! Murray Head was one cool cat!
Murray Head is the older brother to actor (and singer) Anthony Head, better known worldwide for playing Giles in Buffy The Vampire Slayer.
Anthony also took over the chess role of Freddie after Murray!
I first knew of Murray Head from the album Jesus Christ Superstar. It seems that Anthony Head also acted in the play at some point in his initial career. Their careers apparently having similar paths albeit in different eras.
From Wikipedia: " "One Night in Bangkok" is a song from the concept album and subsequent musical Chess by Tim Rice, Benny Andersson, and Björn Ulvaeus. English actor and singer Murray Head raps the verses, while the chorus is sung by Anders Glenmark, a Swedish singer, songwriter, and producer." Actor and singer Murray Head also appeared on stage in the hit musical "Jesus Christ Superstar" that by Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice. Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus were members of the Swedish pop band ABBA.
A pan flute is probably what you are thinking of, you hit the nail on the head about the extended version for dancing.
You probably know two of the writers, Bjorn and Benny from ABBA
I didn’t know that, but now that you mention it, it SOUNDS like something they’d write. I love ABBA!
You really should listen to the standard version of "One Night in Bangkok", Wilburn, you'll enjoy it.
I live in Texas by Amarillo, but flew to London to see this play on their (Broadway). It was pretty cool or it's time, and of course got back home and bought the album.
This song was written for the musical chess over 40 years ago by Benni and Bjorn of ABBA the musical was produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber this musical has been performed worldwide since the 80s
Love. This is always fun to sing...and the tough guys tumble.
Where you found extended video of this song ?
One night in Bangkok and the tough guys tumble.
Can't be too careful with your company.
Interesting choice, this. Murray Head has a "past". Google is your friend.
I always liked this song for the uniqueness. I've heard it for a lot of years, but never the extended version before.
The regular version doesn't so much have that feel of...too much.
Thirteen years earlier, this artist was Judas in the original London cast of Jesus Christ Superstar. Brilliant performance! (Fav. track, "Too Much Heaven On Their Minds")
The lyricist of that show/album, Tim Rice, also wrote the lyrics to this show with Bjorn Ulvaeus, and the music is done by Benny Andersson.
Also Bjorn and Benny, by the way, are the songwriters of the Swedish pop band ABBA, and musical this song is from, Chess, was their first foray into musical theatre in the mid 80s.
Ah, those one hit wonders. This is my first time hearing the extended version. I prefer the shorter version and I still have it on my playlist.
This seemed to be a long version…I didn’t recognize the piece in the middle and really didn’t know where it was going musically. But once the song is in you head, it will never leave. The cool thing is that the song is just about as mysterious (and hard to figure out)as Bangkok itself.
I could never get into this song when it first came out.
It has grown on me since.
'Say it ain't so', is a great track, very different to this one, worth a reaction Chod.
You just discovered the catchiest melody chorus in the whole 80s synth pop era !!!!
I have never heard the extended stuff in the middle before. That is not on the recording I have on CD
Yeah, the shorter version is best.
The single version is tighter and doesn’t include that middle interlude section that I think you (and I) didn’t care for.
Prefer the original, in 30+ years this is the first time hearing this version - very strange to hear!
Same here. I didn't even know there was an extended version. The shorter cut is better. To me, this added nothing to the track.
I was in 11th grade when the song came out, and always enjoyed it...
@@Deborahtunes we are roughly the same age as I joined the army a year after this was out. Madly it was a bigger hit in the states than the UK. Though some really mad music was about at that time.
@@erict956 ~ I graduated a year later at age 19, because I started school late, (long story). Thank you for your service...🎶🙂🎸
The repetitive, "extended" instrumental part was not in the radio version. It sounds like they mixed in audio from the musical, "The King and I", which is referred to in the song when he mentions its star, Yul Brenner. Frankly, I didn't care for it, either.
The original Judas from Jesus Christ Superstar album. A great, great album. Check out the number called Superstar.
Okay. This is an odd version of the song. Some of the other songs from the musical Chess, are mixed in.
Definition of a 1 hit wonder, but it’s a good tune. The regular non extended version sounds better.
The album cut has a longer orchestral intro, but the main part of the song itself is shorter and more economical with its time. I think you'd much, much more prefer that version over this.
Believe it or not, this is actually from a musical concept album. It's worth reading about and checking out.
If you want to hear a well done extended version of an 80s dance club classic check out the extended version of ‘Relax’ by Frankie goes to Hollywood.
Mike Tyson sings it at the end of Hangover 2
Excellent song, although I much prefer the original over this extended version.
Yeah, I think the regular version better. Didn't like how the extended version was put together. Maybe try Paco: Putting on the Ritz
Murray Head was the original Judas from the London production of Jesus Christ Superstar (and the BEST- no question) Such a great, unique voice. This song was SO popular in the 80's...in fact- I believe I still have the 12" single of it that was played in dance clubs. Terrible show- excellent song. If its available- listen to him sing Heaven On Their Minds or Judas's Death from Superstar. EPIC!
The comment from "They Lie" down below is spot on! "Friends of Mr. Cairo" by Jon and Vangelis is the only logical place to go from here!!!!!!
nice t have a fun tune after Mike and the Mechanics which is pretty heavy
I do like this song, but not the extended version so much. This is only song I remember from this musical. I did watch the musical concert on DVD with Josh Groban and it is on TH-cam. I beleive the musical is about a chess match during the cold war between an American and a Russian chess player.
The shorter version was better. Believe me, you're not really missing anything if you didn't play this extended one...
Comical that you played the extended version and then complained that it was extended.
Please do the originals, you’ll be happier with them, I know we will. It sounded weird.
ha, this song was so inexplicably huge on the radio - catchy as hell, sure, but 1) from a Broadway soundtrack? and 2) nominally about chess, but also about the sex trade in Bangkok? ok... and 3) talk-rapped by an unknown (outside of musical theatre) white British dude in a linen suit? Yet for 3 decades after its release, no one can mention Bangkok without this song immediately coming to mind. Fun fact: Murray Head's brother was Anthony Head, famous for playing Giles the Watcher in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
I expect it was West End originally. The musical itself was not standard Broadway stuff I'm not bothered that it isn't a black artist. And I think it's good dance/pop.
In the 80s.. radio stations wore this out. A lot of clubs then were hardcore .. not sure this song was “cool” enough for most.
Listen to Anthem with Tommy Körberg, Same Musical, and the original.
Lyrically interesting, much preferred the material they gave him to work with on the original 'Jesus Christ Superstar' album. Very 80s, agreed, not in the best way, whatever that might be.
Give "Spanish Train" by Chris de Burgh a listen.
Thx ! Yes, it's a song of "abba".
Tim Rice did the great lyrics.
The extended part of the song was the section sandwiched between the flute solos. That part was boring and repetitive like a drum machine. If you take that part out it would have been like the original radio version. It kinda made me cringe, I have never heard this extended version before, and I was thinking that it might ruin it for first time listener.
From the 80s music Chess by Andrew Lloyd Webber, by far the best thing to come out of it, a unique banging dance number par excellence. You need to also check out Head's huge hit Superstar with the Trinity Singers, an adaptation from Webber's smash hit Jesus Christ Superstar in the 70's
Thanks bro!
Chess wasn't from Andrew Lloyd Webber. Written by Benny and Bjorn from ABBA
Tim Rice. Bjorn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson
Perfectly ok with not being sophisticated enough to have a palate for this song.Probanly IS just me. Since it came out, it's been in my top ten most annoying songs of all time.
They should have known that a musical about chess would be a flop.
I saw it in London, I think it played better over there and the changes for the US market didn't help it here
the 80s were . . .different
It's a musical.....does sound dated nower days.
Normally I like the extended version of the eigthies songs. But this one is really a stupid one. I prefer the original version.
Kind of a novelty song.
Not a novelty song at all! It’s serious musical theatre. But with the odd humorous line.
It's kind of a throwaway pop song. But I've always liked it. That's all that counts I guess.
This should "TEACH" you to not do extended versions. They always suck. Do original music videos and no one will be disappointed. This is a novelty song.
Not novelty, from a musical.
This is so bad it’s almost good…
I always hated this song
Boring.