Created by Nick Rhodes (keyboards) and John Taylor (bass) in Birmingham, England in 1978, it later add took in Roger Taylor (drums), Andy Taylor (guitar), and Simon Le Bon (lead vocals). The band has sold more than 100 million records over their more than 40 years of existence, making them one of the best-selling groups in history.
Their songs are often vivid, hook-laden pieces dance pop that have fared well on the radio, but what many remember best about Duran Duran is their iconic music videos. Though many of the videos were tongue-in-cheek, the band has never quite escaped the glamorous and decadent 'jet set' image that their early videos projected. Their flashy outfits and strident, art rock influenced music showed an immense debt to 70s English glam artists such as David Bowie and Roxy Music, yet the band grasped a sense of their own identity and became one of the keystones of the new romantic movement.
Their first singer and one of their original founding members was Stephen Duffy, and their original bassist was Simon Colley. Several drummers and guitarists were subsequently tried, as well as a handful of vocalists, after Duffy left Duran Duran early in 1979. The band felt that they had something special with vocalist Simon Le Bon, and the group smashed into the pop scene shortly afterwards when "Planet Earth", their debut single, was released on 2 February 1981.
"Planet Earth" became an immediate hit in the band's native U.K., reaching #12 on the U.K. Singles Chart on 21 February, and it did even better in Australia, hitting #8 there. Being Duran Duran's first Top 10 hit anywhere in the world, the song showed the group's interest in international stardom. The band's eponymous debut album came out promptly afterwards in June 1981. 'Duran Duran' hit #3 on the album charts and remained in the U.K. Top 100 for 117 weeks, achieving platinum status by December 1982. The initial United States release failed to generate much interest at first, but the group was a British sensation due to their strident mix of pop rock and electronic music.
Music videos for hit singles "Planet Earth" and "Careless Memories" were filmed in December 1980. As they also experienced considerable success with "Girls on Film", which hit #5 on the UK Singles Chart and #11 on the Australian Singles Chart, the group firmly grasped the opportunity to make a name for themselves in musical television. As their fame grew, some fans worried that Duran Duran could have peaked too early. They headed into AIR Studios in London in early 1982 anxious to somehow top themselves.
Band member John Taylor came up with the new album's title, 'Rio', as a product of his fascination with the flaunting sexuality and diverse atmosphere of Brazil. He later said, "Rio, to me, was shorthand for the truly foreign, the exotic, a cornucopia of earthly delights, a party that would never stop." The band had their own plans and ambitions for promotion and reunited with director Russell Mulcahy (who was behind the video for "Planet Earth") to plan out the release of a full length 'video album'— eleven videos in total. Totally dedicated to on-site filming, guitarist Andy Taylor even contracted a tropical virus and ended up hospitalized, thankfully getting better relatively quickly.
'Rio' was, simply, a commercial juggernaut. The band's second studio album, originally released worldwide on 10 May 1982, reached #2 in the UK and #1 in Australia. Massively popular in the U.S., it earned a gold disc on 1 March 1983 and went platinum on 26 April 1983, eventually reaching double-platinum status. As songs such as "Hungry Like the Wolf" and "Rio" received considerable airplay, critical acclaim also grew for the release. With MTV heavily playing the band's music videos, the album is still held as one of the best new wave albums ever. In April 2013, 'Rio' was even voted #3 in BBC Radio 2's 'Top 100 Favourite Albums of all time' list.
In 1985, Duran Duran performed "A View To A Kill" for the the James Bond film of the same name. The song appeared in the movie's title sequence and was also a best-selling single in its own right. In 1987, "Out Of My Mind" was featured at the end credits of the drama film 'The Saint' as well.
Like Depeche Mode, Duran Duran was among the earliest bands to work on their own remixes. From the very beginning, the band had a keen sense of style, and worked with stylist Perry Haines and fashion designers such as Kahn & Bell and Antony Price to build a sharp and elegant image, soon growing beyond the ruffles and sashes of the pirate-flavoured New Romantic look.
Although the group never disbanded, it went through several line-up changes over the years - American guitarist Warren Cuccurullo (formerly of Missing Persons) was also a member of the band from 1989 to 2001, and drummer Sterling Campbell was a member from 1989 to 1991. John Taylor, Roger Taylor and Andy Taylor all returned in 2001 and created a stir among music media and the band's fans. Duran Duran released the first album from the reunited line-up, Astronaut, in 2004, which was in turn followed up by many sold out shows in England, most notably Wembley Arena, where a live DVD of the tour was filmed in 2004/2005.
In October of 2006, it was announced on Duran Duran's website that Andy Taylor had left the band. The band's latest album, 'Red Carpet Massacre' was released in November 2007. They performed the album live in New York City on Broadway at the Barrymore Theater, for what was originally scheduled as an unprecedented 10-night run. A stage hand union strike shortened the run by a few nights, but Duran Duran were able to re-schedule the shows elsewhere. They went on to tour the world, ending their successful run in December of 2008.
2008 also saw the release of a new DVD that documents the making of their now-classic "Rio" album (called "Classic Albums: Rio (Collector's Edition)"), and a book called "Would Someone Please Explain?"- a compilation of questions from the "Ask Katy" area of their popular website.
Duran Duran returned at the end of 2010 with their 13th album, the digital and self-released album All You Need Is Now which debuted at number one on the iTunes charts in many countries (including the USA). The physical version of the album will be released with bonus tracks in February 2011. The album was produced by Mark Ronson.
2015 saw the band return with the album Paper Gods, which was led by the single "Pressure Off" featuring Janelle Monae and Nile Rodgers. The album was the band's first top 10 chart success in the U.S. in over 20 years, and also reached number 5 in the U.K.
Official Websites:
http://www.duranduran.com
http://twitter.com/duranduran
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Duran-Duran
http://www.youtube.com/DuranDuran
http://www.youtube.com/07duranduran
http://www.myspace.com/duranduran
Sunrise
Duran Duran Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wish that I could take the time to go and find me
Cause I know that you're the one for me
But I know I'm no good for you
Cause I see time moving all around me
I feel like these loose cigarettes and black olives
Just might be the death of me
Now I'm just being honest
Momma, I'm so tired
Help me til the morning
I feel like the sunrise never gon' recharge me well
Like this my seed I plant it for the world to sell
Embrace it like it's show and tell
Embrace it like it's show and tell
Yeah, embrace it like it's show and tell before it's gone
Yeah, embrace it like it's show and tell before it's gone
I see time moving all around me
I wish that I could take a chance to go and find me
The lyrics to Duran Duran's song "Sunrise" are reflective and contemplative. The singer of the song is feeling overwhelmed by the passage of time and wishes they could take a moment to reflect and find themselves. They recognize the person they desire and long for but feel like they are not good enough for them. The lyrics further describe feelings of anxiety and the weight of expectations, which translates to them feeling exhausted and needing help to keep going. They compare themselves to loose cigarettes and black olives, both of which can be perceived as unwanted or disposable, further highlighting their inner turmoil.
The chorus of the song is where the singer finally starts to acknowledge their feelings and take charge of their life. They feel like they're not being recharged by the sunrise, but still hold onto the hope that their "seed" can create something meaningful and be embraced by others. They urge themselves, as well as the audience, to embrace their moment in the world before it's gone. The song ends with the desire to take a chance to find oneself which is a similar sentiment that marks the beginning of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
I see time moving all around me
The author is aware of time passing by and its constant motion.
I wish that I could take the time to go and find me
The author feels lost and wishes to take a break to find oneself again.
Cause I know that you're the one for me
The author is aware of their true love but unable to act on their feelings.
But I know I'm no good for you
The author feels that they are not good enough for their true love.
Cause I see time moving all around me
The author emphasizes the passing of time and its effect on their situation.
I feel like these loose cigarettes and black olives
The author compares their current lifestyle to unhealthy habits that may lead to destruction.
Just might be the death of me
The author acknowledges that their current lifestyle may have severe consequences.
Now I'm just being honest
The author emphasizes the sincerity of their feelings and thoughts.
Expectations heavy I can feel them on my shoulders
The author feels the pressure of expectations weighing them down.
Momma, I'm so tired
The author seeks comfort and support from their mother.
Help me til the morning
The author seeks assistance to overcome their current struggles.
I feel like the sunrise never gon' recharge me well
The author feels that they are unable to find renewal in the new day.
Like this my seed I plant it for the world to sell
The author compares their creative work to a seed that may benefit the world.
Embrace it like it's show and tell
The author encourages others to accept and appreciate their creative work.
Embrace it like it's show and tell
The author repeats the same line to emphasize its importance.
Yeah, embrace it like it's show and tell before it's gone
The author urges others to value their creative work before it is too late.
Yeah, embrace it like it's show and tell before it's gone
The author repeats the same line to emphasize its urgency.
I see time moving all around me
The author reiterates the constant passing of time and its effect on their situation.
I wish that I could take a chance to go and find me
The author repeats the same line as a reminder of their desire to find oneself again.
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Gabriel Herrera-Duran
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@justmeonthebeach
Now the time has come
The music's between us
Though the night seems young
Is at an end
Only change will bring
You out of the darkness
In this moment everything is born again
Reach up for the sunrise
Put your hands into the big sky
You can touch the sunrise
Feel the new day enter your life
Reach up for the sunrise
Put your hands into the big sky
You can touch the sunrise
Feel the new day enter your life
Now the fireball burns
We go round together
As the planet turns into the light
Something more than dreams to
Watch out for each other
Coz we know what it means to be alive
Reach up for the sunrise
Put your hands into the big sky
You can touch the sunrise
Feel the new day enter your life
Reach up for the sunrise
Put your hands into the big sky
You can touch the sunrise
Feel the new day enter your life
Feel the new day enter your life
Feel the new day
Reach up for the sunrise
Put your hands into the big sky
You can touch the sunrise
Feel the new day enter your life
Reach up for the sunrise
Put your hands into the big sky
You can touch the sunrise
Feel the new day enter your life
Reach up for the sunrise
Put your hands into the big sky
You can touch the sunrise
Feel the new day enter your life
@patrickstocks3576
Now the the time has come
The musics between us
Though the night seems young
Is at an end
Only change will bring
You out of the darkness
In this moment everything is born again
Reach up for the sunrise 🌄
Put your hands into the big sky
You can touch the sunrise 🌄
Feel the new day enter your life
Reach up for the sunrise 🌄
Put your hands 🙌 into the big sky 🌌
You can touch the sunrise 🌄
Feel the new day enter your life
Now the fireball burns
We go round together
As the planet 🌍 turns into the light 💡
Something more than dreams too
Watch out for each other
Coz we know what it means to be alive
Reach up for the sunrise 🌄
Put your hands into the big sky 🌌
You can touch the sunrise 🌄
Feel the new day enter your life
Reach up for the sunrise 🌄
Put your hands into the big sky 🌌
You can touch the sunrise 🌄
Feel the new day enter your life
Feel the new day
Reach up for the sunrise 🌄
Put your hands into the big sky 🌌
You can touch the sunrise 🌄
Feel the new day enter your life
Reach up for the sunrise 🌄
Put your hands into the big sky 🌌
You can touch the sunrise 🌄
Feel the new day enter your life
Reach up for the sunrise 🌄
Put your hands into the big sky 🌌
You can touch the sunrise 🌄
Feel the new day enter your life
@vladimirmacko1481
Their music is like the Sunrise, you need it, it's real, no fake, full of energy, you can listen to it all over again and again and never have enough.
@juliedaw9184
Great Video Love Guys.
@errolcuthbert1649
Indeed, its energy is vitality.
@squirtgun100
Amen!
@xxdeathlixx5374
This is very true!! They’re literally my adrenaline 💙
@squirtgun100
Amen!!!
@charlottebrooks3671
I’m so glad to see that these guys are going to be inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame later this year. They are truly deserving of it x
@Tubes12AX7k
And it's about time, right?!
@garycarr3857
@Tubes12AX7k Duran Duran
@louisbrunn1441
You've got to be kidding me these guys should have been put into the Rock and roll Hall of Fame the first five albums that they put out for crying out loud I never heard such a great band probably never will you got to keep the boys going keep encouraging them we need it now more than ever thanks for all the years that Simon