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 and produced by Nick Verden for Radar Films. 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", 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" 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" 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". Australian 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".