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
Drowning Man
Duran Duran Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He'll grab a hold of anyone he can
Gun in his poket and a heart of ham
Uncle Sam...
He's dying faster than a rabid dog
Infect us all now he's losing blood
Nose for trouble and a soul of rock
Smokey's man...
Don't drag me down
I don't wanna drown
Your going down
(Hay) NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
There's not much flesh
Just skin and bone
Cheeks sunk deep
Eyes popping wide
Don't put out a hand to help him
This drowning man will bite it right off
Right off , Right off , Right off..
He's selling faster than a magazine
Infect us all with his TV screen
He's selling faster than a magazine
Infect us all with his TV screen
He's selling faster than a magazine
Infect us all with his TV screen
He's selling faster than a magazine
Infect us all with his TV screen
Don't drag me down
I don't wanna drown
Your going down
(Hay) NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
Don't drag me down
I don't wanna drown
Your going down
(Hay) NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
The song "Drowning Man" by Duran Duran is a commentary on the negative effects of consumerism, violence and the media on society. The lyrics depict a man who is sinking and dying faster than he can be helped or saved. He's described as having a gun in his pocket, a heart of ham, a nose for trouble, and a soul of rock - illustrating his desperation, a willingness to resort to violence and a lack of morality. Formed from several disjointed phrases and images, the lyrics paint a vivid picture of a world that is full of chaos, corruption, and danger.
The drowning man, who is symbolic for both individuals and society, is losing his identity to the pervasive influence of the media and the larger forces at play. He's becoming commercialized, bought and sold like a magazine, stripped of his individuality and essence. The repeated refrain, "Don't drag me down, I don't wanna drown," expresses the singer's resistance to this societal influence and his desire to remain true to himself.
Line by Line Meaning
He's sinking faster than a drowning man
He's in a dire situation and quickly losing control of it.
He'll grab a hold of anyone he can
He's desperate and will do whatever it takes to save himself.
Gun in his pocket and a heart of ham
He's armed and dangerous, but his emotional state is weak.
Uncle Sam...
This person may represent the United States government or society at large.
He's dying faster than a rabid dog
His condition is terminal and spreading to those around him.
Infect us all now he's losing blood
His actions are harmful and causing harm to others as well.
Nose for trouble and a soul of rock
He has a propensity for causing problems and a tough, stubborn attitude.
Smokey's man...
The personification of a dangerous individual, possibly a reference to a notorious criminal or antagonist.
There's not much flesh
The person is emaciated and in bad physical shape.
Just skin and bone
They are barely surviving and lack substance.
Cheeks sunk deep
Their face is sunken in and they are not receiving proper nutrition.
Eyes popping wide
They are in a state of shock and intense fear.
Don't put out a hand to help him
Helping this person will do more harm than good.
This drowning man will bite it right off
Their desperation is so severe they will do anything, even bite the hand that feeds them.
He's selling faster than a magazine
This person is very persuasive and influential.
Infect us all with his TV screen
Their ideas and worldview are spreading and negatively impacting others.
Don't drag me down
The singer is refusing to be dragged down by this person's harmful actions.
I don't wanna drown
The singer does not want to be engulfed by this person's problems and negative effects.
You're going down
This person is going to face the consequences of their actions.
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
Repeating phrase, possibly indicating a chant or mantra against this person's negative influence.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN TAYLOR, NICK RHODES, SIMON LE BON, WARREN CUCCURULLO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Zlad! Vevo
"Drowning Man"
He's sinking faster than a drowning man
He'll grab a hold of anyone he can
Gun in his poket and a heart of ham
Uncle Sam
He's dying faster than a rabid dog
Infect us all now he's losing blood
Nose for trouble and a soul of rock
Smokey's man
Don't drag me down
I don't wanna drown
Your going down
NA NANA NA NANA NANA NA NA
There's not much flesh
Just skin and bone
Cheeks sunk deep
Eyes popping wide
Don't put out a hand to help him
This drowning man will bite it right off
RIGHT OFF
RIGHT OFF
RIGHT OFF
Don't drag me down
I don't wanna drown
Your going down
NA NANA NA NANA NANA NA NA
[MID]
He's selling faster than a magazine
Infect us all with his TV Screen
Don't drag me down
I don't wanna drown
Your going down
NA NANA NA NANA NANA NA NA
Robbie Williams
I have to say that there is no one better than Duran Duran in this world. I decided to get out my Wedding Album and listen to it again today. This song is fantastic, the lyrics, Simon's beautiful amazing voice. Nick on Keyboard, John on Bass, the drums, they totally blows me away, so much talent. I like to read comments below. We all listen to music different. Simon, John, Nick, Roger, Andy are all self taught, look at their talent and what they have recorded, their albums. Anyone who has gone to their concerts like myself hate it when it's over, they give over 100% in everything that they do. I will say here now and always, Duran Duran, #1 in the world. Paper God is another beautiful album, they all are.
Matthew Opdyke
100% agreed. Love this song and album in its entirety. Not much of Duran Duran I don't like. This tune, I love!
Fee bee
There is not one Duran Duran song that I don't like.
theblackswan84
used to dance to this (and the rest of this album) when t came out, can't remember my age, i maybe was 15.
the whole creation is a masterpiece
Crotalus atrox
Funk, Rap, Electronica and Rock...this song encompass it all. Duran, Duran...above the rest in the day.
Cintia Alvarez
Me encanta está canción!!
Jose de Jesus Alvarado Marin
Excellent album. Thank you...
Respectable Average Joe
The bass and lyrics are so good
☆Kat Mania☆
Wow, everyone have mentioned the lyris, the bass, but man, listen to this incredible guitar that permeates the entire song and provides an even more surprising and unique ending. The entire album reflects Warren Cuccurullo's perfect guitar chemistry that makes each song unique, guitar player extraordinaire.
paul karp
I owned this album in 95 a few times after and never really gave this song much attention overall as a young man . Song is all over and album is excellent .. too much information I know 🤟