Recording of the album was completed in early 1992 with an impending release by Capitol Records in the U.S.A. Duran Duran's new management company, Left Bank, was distressed at the apparent lack of enthusiasm for the album and had it pulled from the release schedule. During this hiatus, the band began working on what would become the Thank You album, and a Warren Cuccurullo-derived riff of "First Impression" led to the rapid inclusion of the song "Come Undone".
The swift commercial and critical success of this album came as a surprise to many who considered Duran Duran to be a purely "eighties" phenomenon who had already faded to oblivion. It hinged on the Adult Contemporary singles "Ordinary World", which was forced onto radio playlists months earlier than planned by listener demand for the leaked single, and "Come Undone", a slinky number primarily written by Cuccurullo. Some critics seemed to consider the band as a modern act for the first time, and to re-evaluate their back catalog as deeper and more significant than that of a throwaway "teeny-bop" band.
Both the band and the record label seemed to be caught by surprise by the sudden success. Bassist John Taylor, who had begun recording solo material on the side and was considering leaving the band, agreed to stay instead.
In 1994, to commemorate their UK tour, the album was reissued with a second disc of b-sides and remixes.
Too Much Information
Duran Duran Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning | Line by Line Meaning
I hate to bite the hand that feeds me so much information.
The pressure's on the screen to sell you things that you don't need.
It's too much information for me.
Hey, T.V. child, look into my eyes.
Here by intervention, I want your attention.
Promotion boy in a suit and tie; he want you to use it.
You're too shot to lose it.
It's pumpin' down the cable like never so before.
A cola manufacturer is sponsoring the war.
Here comes the news with love from me to you.
Destroyed by A.B.C.
I hate to bite the hand that feeds me so much information.
The pressure's on the screen to sell you things that you don't need.
It's too much information for me.
Turn on the tube, hits you with a groove.
Advertisin' muzik, we want you to choose it.
These teeth are white, trainers UltraBrite.
This band is perfect, just don't scratch the surface.
We covered all the angles, the survey people said.
Just put us on the cover, we'd be smilin' anyway.
This video was made with love to you.
Destroyed by B.B.C.,
I hate to bite the hand that feeds me so much information.
The pressure's on the screen to sell you things that you don't need.
It's too much information.
Destroyed by M.T.V.,
I hate to bite the hand that feeds me so much information.
The pressure's on the screen to sell you things that you don't need.
It's too much information for me.
Dilate your mind. Dilate your mind.
Dilate your mind. Dilate your mind.
Got to give it to me.
Got to listen to me.
Got to give in to me.
Now, I'm on the line.
Got to give it to me.
Got to listen to me.
Got to give in to me.
Now, I'm on the line.
I try. Yes, I try.
Why should I try?
'cause I try.
Why should I try?
I try. Yes, I try.
Why should I try?
'cause I try.
Why should I try?
The lyrics of Duran Duran's "Too Much Information" discuss the overwhelming presence of media in our lives and how it can be destructive at times. The band takes a cynical look at the media's influence on our lives, particularly through the lens of television, advertising, and surveys. The song is full of critique, with lines like "the pressure's on the screen to sell you things that you don't need" and "these teeth are white, trainers UltraBrite, this band is perfect, just don't scratch the surface."
The song is an appeal to those who are drowning in the deluge of messages from the media. It asks us to "dilate your mind" and see beyond what is presented to us. The repetition of "got to give it to me" and "got to listen to me" can be interpreted as a plea for people to focus on the things that truly matter instead of getting caught up in the hype. The song also shows a clear frustration with the media, evidenced by the line "I hate to bite the hand that feeds me so much information."
Overall, "Too Much Information" is a commentary on the role of media in our lives and how it can lead to a disconnection from reality. It encourages listeners to be aware of what they are exposing themselves to and to think critically about the messages they receive.
Line by Line Meaning
Destroyed by M.T.V.,
The overwhelming amount of information and advertising from MTV has ruined my ability to think critically and make my own choices.
I hate to bite the hand that feeds me so much information.
I feel conflicted because I don't want to criticize the source of information that I rely on, but at the same time, I am being overwhelmed with too much propaganda.
The pressure's on the screen to sell you things that you don't need.
The advertisements on the screen are specifically designed to make you feel like you need products and services that you really don't need at all.
It's too much information for me.
The constant bombardment of advertising and propaganda is just too much to handle and is overwhelming me.
Hey, T.V. child, look into my eyes.
I want to connect with the viewers of television and urge them to think for themselves instead of being manipulated by the media.
Here by intervention, I want your attention.
I am intervening to get your attention and urging you to think critically about the information that is presented to you.
Promotion boy in a suit and tie; he want you to use it.
Advertisers in flashy suits are trying to convince you to buy their products and services, regardless of whether you need them or not.
You're too shot to lose it.
The advertisers are trying to make you feel like you'd be missing out if you don't buy their products, even though that's not really true.
It's pumpin' down the cable like never so before.
The amount and intensity of propaganda and advertising that we see on TV is stronger than ever before.
A cola manufacturer is sponsoring the war.
Big corporations are using their influence and financial clout to push their own agenda and interests, even if it means sponsoring conflicts and wars.
Here comes the news with love from me to you.
Even the news that is presented to us is biased and often manipulative, and is designed to get us to believe certain things and buy certain products.
Dilate your mind. Dilate your mind.
I am urging you to open your mind and think more critically about the information and propaganda that is presented to you.
Got to give it to me.
I am urging you to pay attention to what I am saying and think critically about the information that is presented to you.
Got to listen to me.
It's important that you listen to me and others who are urging you to think for yourself and not be manipulated by propaganda and advertising.
Got to give in to me.
I want you to give in to the idea of thinking critically and not just blindly accepting the propaganda and advertising that is presented to you.
Now, I'm on the line.
I am taking a stand and trying to break through the noise of propaganda and advertising to get you to think for yourself.
I try. Yes, I try.
I am trying my best to communicate the importance of thinking critically and not being manipulated by propaganda and advertising.
Why should I try?
It can be hard to break through the noise of propaganda and advertising, but it's important to keep trying to get people to think critically and make their own choices.
'cause I try.
I am committed to fighting back against propaganda and advertising and helping people think more critically about the world around them.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN TAYLOR, NICK RHODES, SIMON JOHN LE BON, WARREN CUCCURULLO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ninja
This is Duran Duran’s most underrated and best album to date they’ve had. Every song should have been a single. My favorites are Shelter, To Whom It May Concern, Sin of the City, Love Voodoo, Come Undone & Too Much Information.
Thomas Ley
Big Thing, Liberty and The Wedding Album: their most reviled three albums - but to me their best. They hit a really good streak then. But of course, I'm not a die-hard, just a casual fan.
xXMetal_HeadXx
I love, UMF, Too much Information, Come Undone and Drowning man
Mark Stanford
The production on this album was remarkable. Brilliant album. The big sound of the drums in this song are class.
Ninja
Agree! This is Duran Duran’s most underrated and best album to date they’ve had. Every song should have been a single. My favorites are Shelter, To Whom It May Concern, Sin of the City, Love Voodoo, Come Undone & Too Much Information.
AC72CH
they said ,that they recorded it at home with a portable studio equipment ,i guess...brilliant
Maury Agui Gal
this song predict the destruction of MTV and Televisión. now we can choose our music through internet. Genious Duran Duran!
旧名A B 新名kamiyama-chairdesklamp
Didn't "predict"; this came out in '93--MTV (I call it now MisNomer Television) was already in decline big time. And more and more broadcast (note he mentions BBC, too) radio and TV time was already beginning to go to commercials, cutting programation time. Decline of broadcast (TV and radio) maximised in the early 2000s, but it began about ten years before, around when this was released.
Actually, the first "reality" TV show as we know them, those ones where you're supposed to take joy in a bunch of "not actor" real people getting drunk and fighting, was Real World, on "MTV" in '94, I think.
Dave Micklon
VERY underrated song. Always loved it.
Ninja
Agreed!! This is Duran Duran’s most underrated and best album to date they’ve had. Every song should have been a single. My favorites are Shelter, To Whom It May Concern, Sin of the City, Love Voodoo, Come Undone & Too Much Information.