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
Union of the Snake
Duran Duran Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I knew this was a big mistake
There's a fine line drawing
My senses together
And I think it's about to break
If I listen close I can hear them singers, oh
Voices in your body coming through on the radio
The union of the snake is on the climb
Moving up it's gonna race it's gonna break
Through the borderline
Nightshades on a warning
Give me strength at least give me a light
Give me anything even sympathy
There's a chance you could be right
If I listen close I can hear them singers, oh
Voices in your body coming through on the radio
The union of the snake is on the climb
Moving up it's gonna race it's gonna break
Through the borderline
The union of the snake is on the climb
Moving up it's gonna race it's gonna break
Through the borderline
If I listen close I can hear them singers, oh
Voices in your body coming through on the radio
The union of the snake is on the climb
Moving up it's gonna race it's gonna break
Through the borderline
The union of the snake is on the climb
It's gonna race, it's gonna break, it's gonna move up
Through the borderline
The union of the snake is on the climb
Moving up it's gonna race it's gonna break
Through the borderline
The union of the snake is on the climb
It's gonna race, it's gonna break, it's gonna move up
To the borderline
The song Union of the Snake by Duran Duran is about someone who is feeling apprehensive about what is to come, as they know they are taking a big risk. They feel like their senses are drawing together and they are walking a fine line. They can hear voices in their body, which feel like they are coming through on the radio. These voices might be the voices of the people who are trying to tell them something or warn them of what is to come. Perhaps, it is their intuition that they are feeling. The "union of the snake" refers to a coming together of different elements, but it is also a metaphor for fear and danger that must be faced. The snake may symbolize something that is treacherous or unpredictable, but also powerful and transformative.
The singer is looking for a sign, any sort of strength or indication that they are on the right path. They are even willing to accept sympathy from others, acknowledging that they may not have all the answers. The singer is listening closely for guidance, and seems to feel that they are part of a larger movement or energy that is "on the climb" and "moving up." They feel that they are racing towards a breakthrough, and will not be held back by any borderlines or barriers.
In summary, Union of the Snake is about taking a leap of faith and trusting your instincts. It's about tuning in to your inner voice and following it, even if it means risking everything. The song is a call to action, encouraging people to join together and overcome their fears.
Line by Line Meaning
Telegram force and ready
I am prepared and ready for whatever message or news is about to come my way.
I knew this was a big mistake
I am aware that something I have done is not going to turn out well.
There's a fine line drawing
There is a delicate balance or boundary that is being established.
My senses together
My faculties are united and working in harmony.
And I think it's about to break
I believe that the balance or boundary is about to be disrupted or shattered.
If I listen close I can hear them singers, oh
If I pay close attention, I can discern a message or warning that is being communicated.
Voices in your body coming through on the radio
You are receiving signals or indications from your own intuition or inner voice.
The union of the snake is on the climb
A dangerous or threatening entity is gaining strength and advancing.
Moving up it's gonna race it's gonna break
The entity is gathering momentum and will eventually overpower any resistance or barriers.
Through the borderline
The entity will cross into forbidden territory or cross the line of safety.
Nightshades on a warning
The presence of warning signs or signals are becoming more apparent.
Give me strength at least give me a light
I am in need of support or guidance to face the impending danger.
Give me anything even sympathy
I will take any form of comfort or empathy in the face of the looming threat.
There's a chance you could be right
There is a possibility that you have been correct in your warnings or suspicions.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANDY TAYLOR, JOHN TAYLOR, NICK RHODES, ROGER ANDREW TAYLOR, SIMON LE BON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jesss3725
Who’s still listening to this in 2024?
@fernandoferdinand
Me!
@86baleygr86
Me!
@robertacquarulo1850
Of course
@user-vs4qr9bf5q
Me
@walterart4910
who did listen these songs in 80s can feel the real change of the music, 80s are a seal in the soul and ears of the people. Thanks God for grew in 80's.
@dennisverteouris1552
The clip was filmed at the Kurnell sand hills in the south of Sydney 1983
It the 70’s we used to play there, sliding down the hill on cardboard
Sadly the sand hills don’t exist anymore
All the sand was mined and the land reclaimed for residential near the beach and industrial area further away
Suppose the clip captured a slice of our history
@skannerdk7268
No one can deny these guys were extremely talented artists.
@michaelamos8708
Aa
@michaelamos8708
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