Frankie Goes to Hollywood's groundbreaking hit single, "Relax," was banned by the BBC primarily because its lyrics were deemed obscene and sexually explicit. This decision led to the song being removed from the corporation's radio and television broadcasts soon after its release.
The Explicit Lyrics That Triggered the Ban
The core reason for the BBC's ban centered on specific repeated phrases within the song's lyrics. These lines were considered too graphic for public broadcast, particularly during a time when the song was rapidly climbing the charts and gaining immense popularity.
The lyrics that caused the controversy included:
- "Relax, don't do it"
- "When you want to suck, do it"
- "Relax, don't do it"
- "When you want to come"
These direct references to sexual acts were deemed inappropriate for the BBC's audience, leading to the swift decision to pull the song from their airwaves.
The Band's Intentional Provocation
Beyond the lyrical content itself, Frankie Goes to Hollywood was known for its intentionally scandalous and provocative image. The band members often adopted a controversial aesthetic and pushed boundaries with their performances and public persona. This deliberate approach to being provocative likely reinforced the BBC's stance, as the explicit lyrics aligned with the band's overall rebellious and audacious brand identity. The combination of overt lyrical content and the band's bold image contributed significantly to the ban that ultimately made "Relax" one of the most talked-about and iconic censored songs in British music history.
