Murray Head – One Night In Bangkok “From CHESS”
Inspiration Behind One Night in Bangkok:
One Night in Bangkok was created as Musical Chess, co-written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. This song was a metaphor for Cold War tensions as if the United States and the USSR were playing a game of chess. The city of Bangkok was chosen to embody the contrasts of Eastern spirituality, tradition, and nightlife with Western materialism.
Biblical Application:
We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit, 2 Peter 1:19-21.
Exegesis of One Night in Bangkok:
Bangkok, Oriental setting
And the city don’t know what the city is getting
The creme de la creme of the chess world
In a show with everything but Yul Brynner
General statement about Bangkok. An unusual setting for the World Chess Championship. Noting one of the top Chess players in the world at the time this song was written.
Time flies, doesn’t seem a minute
Since the Tirolean Spa had the chess boys in it
All change, don’t you know that when you
Play at this level, there’s no ordinary venue
A game of Chess can last for hours. A reference to Russian Grandmaster Mark Taimanov who displayed talent for Chess and music. This is not your typical game of Chess in the park.
It’s Iceland or the Philippines
Or Hastings or, or this place
Former hosts of notable Chess Matches.
One night in Bangkok and the world’s your oyster
The bars are temples but the pearls ain’t free
You’ll find a God in every golden cloister
And if you’re lucky then the God’s a she
I can feel an angel sliding up to me
The first chorus. A place where the locals hang out in temples, searching for enlightenment. Meeting an attractive woman who looks like an angel.
One town’s very like another
When your head’s down over your pieces, brother
Possibly a reference to cities in the US and USSR.
It’s a drag, it’s a bore, it’s really such a pity
To be looking at the board, not looking at the city
Die heart Chess players are so focused on their matches that they don’t take the time to enjoy the cities hosting competitions.
Whaddya mean?
Ya seen one crowded, polluted, stinking town
An excuse for players not to do any sightseeing.
Tea girls, warm and sweet, warm, sweet
Some are set up in the Somerset Maugham Suite
Places you can visit for adult entertainment.
“Get Thai’d”, you’re talking to a tourist
Whose every move’s among the purest
I get my kicks above the waistline, sunshine
Locals trying to sell their town to visiting tourists.
One night in Bangkok makes a hard man humble
Not much between despair and ecstasy
One night in Bangkok and the tough guys tumble
Can’t be too careful with your company
I can feel the Devil walking next to me
The second chorus with different lines below. Either a metaphor for how close victory is from defeat or how human nature can easily drag you into temptation by making poor choices.
Siam’s gonna be the witness
To the ultimate test of cerebral fitness
This grips me more than would
A muddy old river or Reclining Buddha
But thank God, I’m only watching the game, controlling it
I don’t see you guys rating
The kind of mate I’m contemplating
I’d let you watch, I would invite you
But the queens we use would not excite you
So you better go back to your bars, your temples
Your massage parlors
A reference to political Chess. Using each move as an defensive response or acts of aggression.
One night in Bangkok and the world’s your oyster
The bars are temples but the pearls ain’t free
You’ll find a God in every golden cloister
A little flesh, a little history
I can feel an angel slidin’ up to me
Ending with back-to-back choruses. The first referring to the night life and temptation.
One night in Bangkok makes a hard man humble
Not much between despair and ecstasy
One night in Bangkok and the tough guys tumble
Can’t be too careful with your company
I can feel the Devil walking next to me
Either a reference that only one goes home a winner or that the nightlife isn’t what you think it is with demonic influences all around you.
Final Thoughts:
Beside playing Chess on a computer, I have never developed a fondness for this game. Yet, in life, mind games are a way of life as you mature into an adult. Some people like to mess with your mind while others simply lash out at others due to the pain deep inside their heart and soul. This is where discipline, self-control and playing the long game are essential in life. The cream of competitors rise to the top by sticking around, hanging in a game until their opponent makes a mistake. This is the game of life which is attainable when you live life to its fullest, John 10:10.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 