Frankie Goes To Hollywood – Two Tribes

Released in 1984, “Two Tribes” was Frankie Goes To Hollywood’s explosive follow-up to “Relax” and one of the most ambitious pop recordings of the decade. Written by Holly Johnson, Mark O’Toole and Peter Gill, the song was transformed in the studio by producer Trevor Horn into a dramatic electronic epic that captured the tension of the Cold War.

Inspired by the phrase “two mighty warrior tribes” from the film Mad Max 2, the song uses the threat of nuclear conflict as a metaphor for political confrontation and human division. Holly Johnson’s lyrics make pointed references to world leaders and the atmosphere of fear that surrounded the nuclear arms race, while still leaving room for listeners to interpret the song on a more personal level.

Musically, “Two Tribes” is built around Mark O’Toole’s unforgettable bass line, pounding electronic rhythms and layers of sampled voices, orchestral textures and military-style percussion. Trevor Horn and engineer Steve Lipson spent months refining the production, experimenting with Fairlight sampling, Synclavier programming and countless studio techniques to create a sound that felt both futuristic and overwhelming.

The song’s many extended mixes became almost as famous as the single itself, with dramatic spoken-word passages, civil defence announcements and cinematic sound design turning each version into a different listening experience. Rather than simply producing a hit record, Frankie Goes To Hollywood created a multimedia statement about fear, politics and spectacle.

“Two Tribes” remains one of the defining achievements of 1980s pop, combining fearless social commentary with groundbreaking production and an intensity that still feels remarkably powerful today.

It peaked at No. 01 in the UK Singles Chart on 16th June 1984.