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
Water Babies
Duran Duran Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Got to see the water flow, try to understand
Got me trapped, playing with me like a cat
Scrape your fingers down my back
Pin me to the ground
All along the water baby
Take me to your water baby
(chorus)
I'll get by, can't you see I'm burning up
When you come and turn it up, higher every time
If I stay , oh the end is near
Come and get me out of here
Come and get me now
(chorus)
(chorus)
(Ohh, ohh, ohh, ohhh!)
Tell me is there any left?
I wanna drink it up
I'll drink it up.
Baby, if there's any left
I'll drink it up, drink it up, drink it up!
(chorus)
(chorus)
Thirsty for your water baby,
Spare me from your torture babe,
Take me to your water baby.
(chorus)
(Got me trapped)
(chorus)
The lyrics to Duran Duran's song Water Babies convey a sense of longing and desire for the unknown, specifically the desire to explore a metaphorical body of water. The lyrics suggest that the singer is fascinated by the water and is drawn to it, almost as if it were a lover. This is evident in the opening lines of the song, where the singer declares that they know where they want to go and that they need to see the water flow. However, despite this desire, the singer feels trapped by their surroundings and the world they inhabit, and they yearn to be free and able to explore the water as they wish.
As the song progresses, the singer becomes more desperate to escape from their current situation and to dive fully into the water. They are burning up with desire and need to be rescued from where they are, implying a sense of despair and hopelessness. The chorus provides a sense of relief and release as the singer is finally able to quench their thirst and drink up the water they have been yearning for throughout the song.
Overall, the lyrics to Water Babies convey a sense of longing and desire for the unknown and a sense of desperation to escape from one's surroundings. The water is used as a metaphor for freedom and escape, and the singer is drawn to it like a magnet.
Line by Line Meaning
Guess you know, where I wanna go
You must understand my desire to be where I need to go
Got to see the water flow, try to understand
I need to see the water flowing, please try to understand
Got me trapped, playing with me like a cat
You've caught me and are playing with me like a cat with its prey
Scrape your fingers down my back
Please run your fingers over my back
Pin me to the ground
Hold me down onto the ground with your hands
All along the water baby
By the water, my love
Take me to your water baby
Take me with you by the water
All along your water babe
Travelling alongside the water with you
I'll get by, can't you see I'm burning up
I will survive, but I am struggling and need help
When you come and turn it up, higher every time
When you come to help, you make everything better and better each time
If I stay , oh the end is near
If I don't leave here soon, I fear the end is inevitable
Come and get me out of here
Please help me, rescue me from here
Tell me is there any left?
Is there any water left to drink?
I wanna drink it up
I want to drink all the water
Baby, if there's any left
Honey, if there is still water remaining
Thirsty for your water baby,
I am thirsty for your water, dear
Spare me from your torture babe,
Please don't torture me anymore, love
Take me to your water baby.
Lead me with you to the water, my love.
(Got me trapped)
(You have trapped me)
(chorus)
(The chorus repeats throughout the song)
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN TAYLOR, NICHOLAS BATES, NICK RHODES, SIMON LE BON, STERLING CAMPBELL, WARREN CUCCURULLO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Carlos Padulo
Una gran banda un gran cantante¡¡¡¡¡
GreenerHill
I'm no fan of Duran Duran, but I do like this number!
John Rappaport
So pissed off! Simon said he doesn't like this song. IT'S BRILLIANT! My favorite from Liberty.
vikingfortiesfaeroes
I don't think it's actually on Liberty
John Rappaport
@vikingfortiesfaeroes no it's not you are right, I meant he doesn't like All Along The Water.
LightBlue2222
I like it too. If you went back in time to 1990 and asked I'd bet he'd say it was great. Different time, different state of mind.
Ramon Hart
Duran Duran's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction
vennligst signer denne begjæringen til Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction av Duran Duran - takk
пожалуйста, подпишите эту петицию для индукции Зала славы рок-н-ролла Duran Duran - спасибо
¡Argentina Duran Duran! Agradezco que compartan. Muchos gracias para el agregarimi y mi llamo es Ramon La Cruz Hart
Γεια σας φίλε μου, εγγραφείτε για την αποδοχή του Duran Duran στο Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! Ευχαριστώ και μοιραστείτε
Zdravím, môj priateľ, prosím, podpíšte túto petíciu pre našu obľúbenú skupinu Duran Duran, aby vás uviedli do sieň slávy Rock and Roll.
안녕 내 친구 락앤롤 명예의 전당에 듀란 듀란 유도에 서명하십시오! 감사하고 공유하십시오
こんにちは、デュランデュランがロックンロールの殿堂入りを承認するためにサインアップしてください！感謝と共有
Ciao amico mio, iscriviti per accettare Duran Duran nella Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! Grazie e condividi
Hallo mein Freund, melde dich für Duran Durans Aufnahme in die Rock and Roll Hall of Fame an! Danke und teile
Bonjour mon ami, inscrivez-vous pour l'acceptation de Duran Duran au Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! Merci et partage
Olá meu amigo, inscreva-se na aceitação de Duran Duran no Hall da Fama do Rock and Roll! Obrigado e compartilhe
שלום ידידי, הירשמו לקבלת דורן דוראן להיכל התהילה של הרוק אנד רול! תודה ושתף
Duran Duran's Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame Induction is long overdue #duranduran #rocknrollhalloffame #johntaylor #simonlebon #rogertaylor #andytaylor #nickrhodes #thechauffer #leslielatrice #leilanihartley #duranie #saveaprayer #hungrylikethewolf #defyingtheoddsdaionstanford #wildboys #daionstanford #thereflex #planetearthduranduran #notorious #carelessmemories
#duranduran #thechattychick #celaiwest #vannduke #secondhalffitness #sevenandtheraggedtiger #daionbossladystanford #fashionshow #girlsonfilm #papergods
http://chng.it/N7mgbryY
Duran Duran's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction
vennligst signer denne begjæringen til Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction av Duran Duran - takk
пожалуйста, подпишите эту петицию для индукции Зала славы рок-н-ролла Duran Duran - спасибо
¡Argentina Duran Duran! Agradezco que compartan. Muchos gracias para el agregarimi y mi llamo es Ramon La Cruz Hart
Γεια σας φίλε μου, εγγραφείτε για την αποδοχή του Duran Duran στο Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! Ευχαριστώ και μοιραστείτε
Zdravím, môj priateľ, prosím, podpíšte túto petíciu pre našu obľúbenú skupinu Duran Duran, aby vás uviedli do sieň slávy Rock and Roll.
안녕 내 친구 락앤롤 명예의 전당에 듀란 듀란 유도에 서명하십시오! 감사하고 공유하십시오
こんにちは、デュランデュランがロックンロールの殿堂入りを承認するためにサインアップしてください！感謝と共有
Ciao amico mio, iscriviti per accettare Duran Duran nella Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! Grazie e condividi
Hallo mein Freund, melde dich für Duran Durans Aufnahme in die Rock and Roll Hall of Fame an! Danke und teile
Bonjour mon ami, inscrivez-vous pour l'acceptation de Duran Duran au Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! Merci et partage
Olá meu amigo, inscreva-se na aceitação de Duran Duran no Hall da Fama do Rock and Roll! Obrigado e compartilhe
שלום ידידי, הירשמו לקבלת דורן דוראן להיכל התהילה של הרוק אנד רול! תודה ושתף
Duran Duran's Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame Induction is long overdue #duranduran #rocknrollhalloffame #johntaylor #simonlebon #rogertaylor #andytaylor #nickrhodes #thechauffer #leslielatrice #leilanihartley #duranie #saveaprayer #hungrylikethewolf #defyingtheoddsdaionstanford #wildboys #daionstanford #thereflex #planetearthduranduran #notorious #carelessmemories
#duranduran #thechattychick #celaiwest #vannduke #secondhalffitness #sevenandtheraggedtiger #daionbossladystanford #fashionshow #girlsonfilm #papergods
http://chng.it/N7mgbryY