One Night in Bangkok
1984 single by Murray Head
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"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.
- 3:56 (promo 45 version)
- 4:06 (single version)
- 5:00 (album version)
- 5:38 (12" version)
| "One Night in Bangkok" | ||||
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| Single by Murray Head | ||||
| from the album Chess | ||||
| B-side | "Merano" | |||
| Released | October 1984 | |||
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| Label | RCA Victor | |||
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| Murray Head singles chronology | ||||
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| "One Night in Bangkok" on YouTube | ||||
The release topped the charts in many countries, including South Africa, the Netherlands, West Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, and Australia. It peaked at No. 3 in both Canada and the United States in May 1985[5] and at No. 12 in the United Kingdom.
Lyrics and music
Whereas the choruses extol Bangkok's reputation and exciting atmosphere, the American's verses ridicule the city, describing its attractions—the red-light district (Soi Cowboy), Chao Phraya River ("muddy old river"), Wat Pho ("reclining Buddha")—as less interesting to him than a game of chess. These sarcastic denunciations led to Thailand's Mass Communications Organisation issuing a ban on the song in 1985, stating its lyrics "cause misunderstanding about Thai society and show disrespect towards Buddhism".[6]
Track listings
7-inch single[7]
- "One Night in Bangkok" – 3:54
- "Merano" by the London Symphony Orchestra and the Ambrosian Singers – 7:08
12-inch maxi[7]
- "One Night in Bangkok" – 5:38
- "Merano" by the London Symphony Orchestra and the Ambrosian Singers – 7:08
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (Music Canada)[45] | Platinum | 100,000^ |
| France (SNEP)[46] | Silver | 250,000* |
| Germany (BVMI)[47] | Gold | 500,000^ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[48] | Gold | 15,000‡ |
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* Sales figures based on certification alone. | ||
Robey version
While Head's "Bangkok" was just starting to climb the Billboard Hot 100, Canadian singer and actress Robey hit the charts with her version. It spent three weeks on the Hot 100 in March 1985, peaking at No. 77.[49] Robey's version fared better on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart, peaking at No. 9.[50]
Charts
| Chart (1985) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100[50] | 77 |
| US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play[50] | 9 |
| US Billboard Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales[50] | 45 |
| US Cash Box[51] | 75 |
C21 version
The Danish boy band C21 released their version in October 2003 as the fourth and final single from their debut album C21.
It reached No. 11 in Denmark.[52] and spent four weeks on the chart.
Release
The single was released in multiple editions, with the European release issued by EMI featuring different cover artwork from the Danish edition released by Parlophone Music Denmark.
Tracklisting
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "One Night In Bangkok" (Main Radio Version) | 3:18 |
| 2. | "One Night In Bangkok" (Bangkok Radio Version) | 3:17 |
| 3. | "One Night In Bangkok" (Acoustic Version) | 2:03 |
| 4. | "One Night In Bangkok" (Peter Millward Remix) | 5:23 |
Charts
| Chart (2003) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Denmark (Tracklisten)[52] | 11 |
Vinylshakerz version
| "One Night in Bangkok" | ||||
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| Single by Vinylshakerz | ||||
| from the album Very Superior | ||||
| Released | 2005 | |||
| Length | 3:28 (radio edit) 5:20 (extended version) | |||
| Label | Kontor[54] | |||
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| Vinylshakerz singles chronology | ||||
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| "One Night in Bangkok" on YouTube | ||||
In 2005, the German group Vinylshakerz covered the song. It was released in 2005 as the lead single from their debut studio album Very Superior, reaching number 6 in Finland and charting in several other European countries.[54]
Charts
| Chart (2005) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[54] | 41 |
| Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[55] | 8 |
| Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[56] | 14 |
| Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[57] | 6 |
| Germany (GfK)[58] | 26 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[59] | 53 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[60] | 87 |