"Legendary Children (All of Them Queer)" | ||||
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Single by Holly Johnson | ||||
Released | 1994 | |||
Genre | Pop | |||
Length | 3:30 | |||
Label | Club Tools/Pleasuredome | |||
Songwriter(s) | Holly Johnson, Nick Bagnall | |||
Producer(s) | Holly Johnson | |||
Holly Johnson singles chronology | ||||
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"Legendary Children (All of Them Queer)" is a song by former Frankie Goes to Hollywood singer Holly Johnson, which was released in 1994 by Club Tools as a non-album single. The song was written by Holly Johnson (lyrics and music) and Nick Bagnall (music). It peaked at No. 85 on the UK Singles Chart. [1] A re-recording of "Legendary Children" was later included on Johnson's third studio album Soulstream , released in 1999. [2]
"Legendary Children" was Johnson's first release of new material since 1991 and his first since discovering he was HIV-positive that year, which triggered a temporary withdrawal from music. Johnson then began writing songs with bassist Nick Bagnall, including "Legendary Children", which Johnson recorded and released as a gift to those who had supported his career over the previous ten years, particularly the gay community. [3]
Speaking to Vox in 1994, Johnson spoke of the song's release on the small German label Club Tools: "I didn't particularly feel like walking into a major label with this song, knowing how conservative they can be. I feel at the moment I need to have full control over my work. So I've licensed it to the German label that distributed The Symbol's record "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World", as I figured they did alright with that one." [4]
Upon its release, Steven Wells of NME wrote, "This fabulously arch record will no doubt encourage thousands of healthy, normal young British chaps to dress smartly and hang around gymnasiums. My God! The possibilities! Perhaps rampant homosexuality is the only thing that will save us from the seemingly unstoppable spread of Crusty. Will Holly follow up with a record featuring a list of famous lesbians? What about famous 'heterosexuals'?! Are there any?! Will anybody on this record sue?! And will they play it on Radio 1 in the daytime? It's all rather exciting!" [5] Music & Media wrote, "Seventies disco synth-sequencing form the backdrop to a catchy tribute to some celebrities that, history has it, were inclined to lean a certain way sexually." [6] Alan Jones from Music Week rated it three out of five, adding that this "rather unsubtle and retro NRG track exists primarily as a vehicle for the former Frankie vocalist's rollcall of gay icons. Beyond that it has limited appeal, though it's nice to hear Helen Terry (ex-Culture Club) in a prominent supporting role." [7] A German magazine gave the single five out of five stars and commented, "Musically like Frankie Goes To Hollywood - this pitiless dance stoker shows no weaknesses." [8]
In a review of Soulstream, Caroline Sullivan of The Guardian said of the re-recorded version of "Legendary Children", "By default, the best tracks are the campest: the nostalgic "Disco Heaven" and "Legendary Children", which lists gay historical figures (is he quite sure about Shakespeare?)." [9] Jon O'Brien of AllMusic retrospectively stated, "Unnecessary reworkings of "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." [10]
Chart (1994) | Peak position |
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UK Singles (OCC) [1] | 85 |
UK Club Chart ( Music Week ) [11] | 92 |
"Relax" is the debut single by English synth-pop band Frankie Goes to Hollywood, released in the United Kingdom by ZTT Records in 1983.
William Holly Johnson is an English artist, musician, and writer, best known as the lead vocalist of Frankie Goes to Hollywood, who achieved huge commercial success in the mid-1980s. Prior to that, in the late 1970s he was a bassist for the band Big in Japan. In 1989, Johnson's debut solo album, Blast, reached number one in the UK albums chart. Two singles from the album – "Love Train" and "Americanos" – reached the top 5 of the UK Singles Chart. In the 1990s, he also embarked on writing, painting, and printmaking careers.
"The Power of Love" is a song originally recorded and released by British band Frankie Goes to Hollywood. It was written by Holly Johnson, Peter Gill, Mark O'Toole and Brian Nash, four of the five members of the band. It was released by the group as their third single.
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Soulstream is the third studio album by British singer-songwriter Holly Johnson, which was released in 1999 on Johnson's own label, Pleasuredome. The album, which was recorded at Johnson's own home studio, contains a re-working of his hit song with Frankie Goes to Hollywood, "The Power of Love", as well as a re-working of his 1994 single "Legendary Children ".
"Atomic City" is a song by English singer Holly Johnson, released in 1989 as the third single from his debut solo album Blast. It was written by Johnson and Dan Hartman, and produced by Hartman. The song reached number 18 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 100 for four weeks. A music video was filmed to promote the single, directed by Colin Chilvers and produced by Nick Verden for Radar Films.
"The People Want to Dance" is a single from former Frankie Goes to Hollywood singer Holly Johnson, taken as the third and final single from his 1991 album Dreams That Money Can't Buy. The track would be Johnson's last release until 1994.
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