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Duran Duran. You've heard the name, and you've felt the seismic shockwaves of their sound. These British bastards exploded onto the scene with a lethal concoction of glossy pop hooks and raw, unfiltered grit. But why the fuck are Duran Duran so good? Let's strip away the polished facade and get down to the raw nerve of their brilliance.
This was the only studio track on Duran Duran's live album Arena, and gave them another top 5 hit.
First and foremost, Duran Duran's music hooks you like a relentless predator sinking its teeth into your flesh. Their tunes are infectious, aural viruses that infiltrate your bloodstream, coursing through your veins with an intoxicating urgency. From the irresistible pulse of "Hungry Like the Wolf" to the lascivious grooves of "Girls on Film," their songs possess a seductive allure that leaves you helplessly entranced. They grab hold of your soul, refusing to let go until you've surrendered to their wicked charms.
Written by Duran Duran with John Barry for Roger Moore's final outing as James Bond, this gave the group a number one single in the States.
But it's not just their catchy hooks that make Duran Duran so damn good. It's their unabashed embrace of the dark, the dangerous, and the decadent. Duran Duran embodied the debauched excesses of their time, the rebellious spirit that permeated the airwaves of the '80s. They were the poster boys for hedonism, flaunting their sex appeal and living on the razor's edge of fame and fortune. Duran Duran didn't just dip their toes in the wild waters of rebellion; they dove headfirst into the depths of their own twisted paradise.
This song was originally written and demoed in 1979 by an early line-up of the band featuring singer Andy Wickett. Duran Duran then re-wrote and re-recorded the song in 1981.
Furthermore, Duran Duran's music captured the essence of a generation in search of escape, a generation craving a break from the mundane. Their lyrics painted vivid pictures of forbidden desires, of lust and longing, of dreams that refused to be contained. Simon Le Bon's vocals embodied both vulnerability and defiance, his voice riding the knife's edge of passion and rebellion. The band's instrumental prowess was equally electrifying. John Taylor's basslines slithered like serpents, while Andy Taylor's guitar riffs cut through the air like shards of shattered glass. Duran Duran's sonic assault was a thrilling cacophony that left you breathless and hungry for more.
This pop anthem was a non-album track, and it finally gave Duran Duran their first UK number one single, in 1983.
Duran Duran's greatness also lay in their fearless exploration of different sounds and styles. They defied categorization, blending new wave, rock, dance, and pop influences into their sonic concoction. From the glimmering synths of their early years to the moody, alternative tones of their later work, Duran Duran fearlessly charted new musical territories. They were the renegades, the sonic pioneers carving their own path through uncharted waters.
A top five hit in the UK, this track was written and recorded on a Saturday in the spring of 1982, and was built throughout the day as each band member arrived, and by the evening it was complete.
Moreover, Duran Duran's impact extended beyond their music. They were visual provocateurs, masters of their own chaotic universe. Their music videos were a kaleidoscope of imagery, a mesmerizing feast for the eyes that perfectly complemented their sonic assault. From the erotic allure of "Girls on Film" to the dystopian landscapes of "Wild Boys," Duran Duran's visuals were a dark, seductive embrace of their own artistic vision. They captured the grit, the glamour, and the relentless energy that defined their music.
This gave Duran Duran their second, and surprisingly last, number one single in the UK. The band are said to have recorded it over a couple of bottles of wine, with Simon Le Bon admitting that he has no clue what it means.
Duran Duran's greatness lies in their ability to create infectious hooks that penetrate your very being, their unapologetic embrace of the dark and the decadent, their rebellious spirit, their exceptional musical talent, and their groundbreaking visual artistry. They are the audacious maestros of a generation, the renegades who dared to push the boundaries of sound and image. Duran Duran's music is an unfiltered, gritty symphony that captures the essence of rebellion, desire, and unquenchable passion. So, why the fuck are Duran Duran so damn good? Because they are the restless warriors, the audacious sirens calling us to abandon ourselves to the wild rhythm of life. They are the beating heart of a generation that refuses to be tamed. Switch it on!
Famous for its yacht-heavy music video, 'Rio' started as an idea by John Taylor about Rio de Janeiro – "the truly foreign, the exotic, a cornucopia of earthly delights, a party that would never stop".
Simon Le Bon wrote the lyrics to the song, and chose not to write about the city but actually about a girl named Rio.
The saxophone solo was performed by Andy Hamilton, who has also worked with George Michael and Elton John.