One Night in Bangkok

This article is about the song. For the Sodom album, see One Night in Bangkok (album). For the 2020 film, see Mark Dacascos § Film.

"One Night in Bangkok"
Single by Murray Head
from the album Chess
B-side"Merano"
ReleasedOctober 1984
Genre
Length
  • 3:56 (Promo 45 Version)
  • 4:06 (Single Version)
  • 5:00 (Album Version)
  • 5:38 (12" Version)
LabelRCA Records
Composer(s)
Lyricist(s)
Producer(s)
  • Benny Andersson
  • Björn Ulvaeus
  • Tim Rice
Murray Head singles chronology
"Maman"
(1982) 		"One Night in Bangkok"
(1984) 		"When You're in Love"
(1984)
Audio sample
Murray Head – "One Night in Bangkok"
Music video
"One Night in Bangkok" on YouTube

"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.

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.

  1. ^ Manning, Kara. "You Can't Always Get What You Want". Theatre Communications Group. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  2. ^ Hunt, Dennis (12 May 1985). "HEAD MASTERS THE RAP IN 'BANGKOK'". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 30 August 2022. The reason for the confusion is that "Bangkok" is a rap song, with Head reciting the lyrics to the accompaniment of a sizzling dance track.
  3. ^ Molanphy, Chris (28 June 2019). "The Lullaby of Broadway Edition". Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia (Podcast). Slate. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
  4. ^ Breihan, Tom (31 January 2022). "The Number Ones: Regina Belle & Peabo Bryson's "A Whole New World (Aladdin's Theme)". Stereogum. Retrieved 2 August 2024. The Chess album featured "One Night In Bangkok," a synthpop track that was quasi-rapped by the stage actor Murray Head...
  5. ^ "May 18, 1985 – The Hot 100". Billboard. 18 May 1985. Retrieved 5 May 2014.