Atomic City (song)

"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 No. 18 in the UK and remained on the charts for four weeks.[1] A music video was filmed to promote the single, directed by Colin Chilvers.

"Atomic City"
Single by Holly Johnson
from the album Blast
B-side"Beat the System"
Released12 June 1989 (1989-06-12)
GenrePop
Length
  • 4:22 (7-inch version)
  • 6:15 (album version)
LabelMCA
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Dan Hartman
Holly Johnson singles chronology
"Americanos"
(1989)		 "Atomic City"
(1989)		 "Heaven's Here"
(1989)

In an interview with Johnson on his memories of Hartman for Hartman's unofficial fan site, Johnson recalled of the song: "I had all the lyrics and vocal ideas already sorted out but needed someone to sort out the structure, Dan came up with the funky bassline and made it work. He asked for 10% of the song!"[2]

Critical reception

Upon release, New Musical Express described the song as a "blasting dance furore about having no ozone layer and seeing the air pollution from the power station, and so on..."[3] Melody Maker noted the song's "hard-on, haughty syncopation" and added: "Blast may lack Trevor Horn's exotic depth and sweep but "Atomic City" has learned enough from Frankie to locate a hiatus of pastoral serenity in the midst of the swelter."[4] Smash Hits felt the song was "overblown".[5]

Music & Media noted the song's "dark, funky backing", "dramatic orchestral breaks", "subdued but highly seductive chorus" and "excellent production".[6] American newspaper The Age described the song as "very 'Frankie Goes to Hollywood'".[7] Record-Journal felt the song was "designed for the DJ's booth at the local disco".[8]

Track listing
7-inch single
  1. "Atomic City" - 4:22
  2. "Beat the System" - 3:44
12-inch single
  1. "Atomic City (Extended Version)" - 6:16
  2. "Beat the System" - 3:44
12-inch remix single
  1. "Atomic City (The Bona Biodegradable Mix)" - 7:34
  2. "Beat the System" - 3:44
  3. "Atomic City (Environmental Instrumental)" - 6:35
CD single
  1. "Atomic City" - 4:23
  2. "Beat the System" - 3:48
  3. "Atomic City (Extended Version)" - 6:19

Chart performance
Chart (1989) Peak
position
Austrian Singles Chart[9] 19
Belgian Singles Chart (Vl)[10] 22
Dutch Singles Chart[11] 40
German Singles Chart[12] 16
Irish Singles Chart[13] 9
Italian Singles Chart[14] 29
New Zealand Singles Chart[15] 20
Swiss Singles Chart[16] 10
UK Singles Chart[1] 18

Remixes and B-sides
  • "Atomic City" (The Bona Biodegradable Mix)
  • "Beat the System"
  • "Atomic City" (Environmental Instrumental)
  • "Atomic City" (extended version) (Saxes and Electric Sax by Gary Barnacle)
  • Holly Johnson - "Atomic City" (Razormaid)
  • Holly Johnson - "Atomic City" (RDS Mix)
  • Holly Johnson - "Atomic City" (UNICD extended version)

References
  1. "HOLLY JOHNSON | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 2018-05-23.
  2. "Memories of Dan Hartman". Creaser.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2014-12-18. Retrieved 2014-05-22.
  3. "Zang Tuum Tumb and all that | Articles | Holly Johnson: Blast". Zttaat.com. 1989-04-22. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
  4. "Zang Tuum Tumb and all that | Articles | Rocket man". Zttaat.com. 1989-04-22. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
  5. "Zang Tuum Tumb and all that | Articles | Blast". Zttaat.com. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
  6. "Previews: Singles". Music & Media. July 8, 1989.
  7. "The Age - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com. Retrieved 2016-11-09.
  8. "Record-Journal - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com. Retrieved 2016-11-09.
  9. Steffen Hung. "Holly Johnson - Atomic City". austriancharts.at. Archived from the original on 2012-11-11. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
  10. "ultratop.be - Holly Johnson - Atomic City". ultratop.be. Retrieved 2016-11-09.
  11. Steffen Hung. "Holly Johnson - Atomic City". dutchcharts.nl. Archived from the original on 2012-11-13. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
  12. "charts.de". charts.de. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
  13. Jaclyn Ward. "The Irish Charts - All there is to know". Irishcharts.ie. Archived from the original on 2009-06-03. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
  14. "Hit Parade Italia - Indice per Interprete: J". Hitparadeitalia.it. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
  15. Steffen Hung. "Holly Johnson - Atomic City". charts.nz. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
  16. Steffen Hung. "Holly Johnson - Atomic City - hitparade.ch". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 2016-11-09.
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