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. A music video was filmed to promote the single, directed by Colin Chilvers.
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

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..." 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." Smash Hits felt the song was "overblown".
Music & Media noted the song's "dark, funky backing", "dramatic orchestral breaks", "subdued but highly seductive chorus" and "excellent production". American newspaper The Age 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
  1. "Atomic City" - 4:22
  2. "Beat the System" - 3:44
;12-inch single
  1. "Atomic City " - 6:16
  2. "Beat the System" - 3:44
;12-inch remix single
  1. "Atomic City " - 7:34
  2. "Beat the System" - 3:44
  3. "Atomic City " - 6:35
;CD single
  1. "Atomic City" - 4:23
  2. "Beat the System" - 3:48
  3. "Atomic City " - 6:19

    Chart performance

Remixes and B-sides