Across the Universe (Holly Johnson song)

"Across the Universe"
Single by Holly Johnson
from the album Dreams That Money Can't Buy
Released	1991
Format	7" single, 12" single, CD single and Cassette single
Genre	Pop
Length	3:56
Label	MCA Records
Writer(s)	Holly Johnson
Producer(s)	Andy Richards
Holly Johnson singles chronology
"Where Has Love Gone?" (1990) "Across the Universe" (1991) "The People Want to Dance" (1991)

"Across the Universe" is the second single from former Frankie Goes to Hollywood singer Holly Johnson, from his 1991 album Dreams That Money Can't Buy. The single contained a non-LP track "Funky Paradise". The track was produced by Andy Richards and features backing vocals from Beverley Skeete, Claudia Fontaine and Derek Green.^[1] At the time of the release, Johnson's relations with MCA cooled over dissatisfaction with promotional budgets for his second solo album.^[2]

The song was written by Holly Johnson.

Track listing

7" Single

1. "Across the Universe" - 3:59
2. "Funky Paradise " - 4:13

12" Single

1. "Across The Universe (Space-A-Go-Go Mix)" - 6:32
2. "Across the Universe" - 3:59
3. "Funky Paradise " - 4:13

12" Single (UK promo)

1. "Across The Universe (Space-A-Go-Go Mix)" - 6:32
2. "Across The Universe (Space-A-Go-Go Instrumental Mix)" - 6:38

Cassette Single

1. "Across The Universe" - 3:59
2. "Funky Paradise " - 4:13
3. "Across The Universe" - 3:59
4. "Funky Paradise " - 4:13

CD Single

1. "Across the Universe" - 3:59
2. "Across The Universe (Space-A-Go-Go Mix)" - 6:39
3. "Funky Paradise " - 4:15

Critical reception

Upon the album's release, a review of Dreams That Money Can't Buy was published in a UK magazine, where the song was mentioned, stating "Poorly executed clichés, concepts and arty namechecks are de rigueur here. William Burroughs, Jacques Brel and Warhol are cited to the end only of a "love conquers all, be free to party but don't get wasted on drugs” disco-blast." Occasionally this is effective, but it often lacks badly for the sleaze and titillation of 'Relax'. Even the camp humour of "Across The Universe" sounds hideously dated and forced. Sorry - but "astronauts in love" and "Major Tom riding an atomic bomb?" Do me a favour!"^[3]

In a review of the album upon its original release, Select Magazine spoke of the song, stating "Holly has scrupulously cleaned up his act since the messy demise of Frankie. Like Blast, the same problem remains: Holly loves the maximum stomp of classic hi-NRG but he can't always translate it adequately into '90s pop. When he can he's on to a real winner, like on the opening single, "Across the Universe", a self-explanatory crazy acid whirl in space with much silliness and bucketfuls of Holly's adorable camp naffness: "Astronauts in love!" he croons inimitably, as small aliens swoon and cheer from a passing asteroid."^[4]

Terry Staunton of Record Collector magazine reviewed the 2011 re-issue of the Dreams That Money Can't Buy album and stated "Johnson had split from MCA by the time the record hit the shops, citing a lack of financial or promotional support, and the album proved to be a lacklustre swansong. Both "Across the Universe" and "Where Has Love Gone?" come across as half-formed synth dance workouts, their elevation to single status baffling. Johnson is said to have wanted "Penny Arcade" as a 45, and its staccato energy (shades of ABC) is infinitely more suited to daytime radio play."^[5]

Chart performance

Remixes and B-sides

• "Funky Paradise"
• "Across the Universe" (Space-a-Go-Go mix)
• "Across the Universe" (Space-a-Go-Go instrumental mix)

References