"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 The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...

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.

Background

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!"

Critical reception

On its release as a single, Stuart Maconie, writing for ''

New Musical Express ''New Musical Express'' (''NME'') is a British music, film, gaming, and culture website and brand. Founded as a newspaper in 1952, with the publication being referred to as a 'rock inkie', the NME would become a magazine that ended up as a f ...

'', considered "Atomic City" to be lovable nonsense but no ' Relax'." He added, "'Atomic City' is perhaps not the most exciting record ever made but the wonderful Holly could sing the Berkshire phone book and invest it with some naughty glamour." ''

Music & Media ''Music & Media'' was a pan-European magazine for radio, music and entertainment. It was published for the first time in 1984 as ''Eurotipsheet'', but in 1986 it changed name to ''Music & Media''. It was originally based in Amsterdam, but later ...

'' noted the song's "dark, funky backing", "dramatic orchestral breaks", "subdued but highly seductive chorus" and "excellent production". In a review of ''Blast'', ''

Melody Maker ''Melody Maker'' was a British weekly music magazine, one of the world's earliest music weeklies; according to its publisher, IPC Media, the earliest. It was founded in 1926, largely as a magazine for dance band musicians, by Leicester-born ...

'' 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." ''

Smash Hits ''Smash Hits'' was a British music magazine aimed at young adults, originally published by EMAP. It ran from 1978 to 2006, and, after initially appearing monthly, was issued fortnightly during most of that time. The name survived as a brand fo ...

'' felt the song was "overblown". Australian newspaper ''

The Age ''The Age'' is a daily newspaper in Melbourne, Australia, that has been published since 1854. Owned and published by Nine Entertainment, ''The Age'' primarily serves Victoria (Australia), Victoria, but copies also sell in Tasmania, the Austral ...

'' described the song as "very 'Frankie Goes to Hollywood'". '' Record-Journal'' felt the song was "designed for the DJ's booth at the local disco".

Track listing

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

Chart performance

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 Gary Barnacle (born 1959 in Dover, England) is an English saxophonist, flautist, brass instrument arranger, composer, and producer. Barnacle is primarily noted for his session work and live work, including various Prince's Trust concerts at Wem ...

) *Holly Johnson - "Atomic City" (Razormaid) *Holly Johnson - "Atomic City" (RDS Mix) *Holly Johnson - "Atomic City" (UNICD extended version)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Atomic City (Song) 1989 songs 1989 singles Holly Johnson songs Songs written by Dan Hartman Songs written by Holly Johnson Song recordings produced by Dan Hartman MCA Records singles