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:
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http://www.youtube.com/DuranDuran
http://www.youtube.com/07duranduran
http://www.myspace.com/duranduran
pressure off
Duran Duran Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Steppin' out, steppin' out, steppin' out, and jumpin' up and
Steppin' out, steppin' out, steppin' out, and jumpin' up and
Pressure off, pressure off, pressure pressure pressure off
Past is another country
The present will never last
The future, it's still tomorrow
Searchlight the crowd, I'm fixed on your face
I know it well, but it's a dream I can't place
Something is happening to me
Maybe it's happening to you, you, you, you
Everybody everywhere, feel it in the air
Oh yeah, it's time to take the pressure off
Everybody everywhere, step out into the future
It's time to take the pressure off
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh
It's up to you now
It's time to take the pressure off
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh
It's up to you now
It's time to take the pressure off
Steppin'
Steppin'
Steppin'
It's time to take the pressure off
Swimming with the rat race
Or running against the tide
It's everybody's business when there's nowhere to hide
Searchlight the crowd, I'm fixed onto you
There's a way out of this into the blue
Something is happening to me
Maybe it's happening to you, you, you, you
Everybody everywhere, feel it in the air
Oh yeah (oh yeah), it's time to take the pressure off
Everybody everywhere, step out into the future
It's time to take the pressure off
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh
It's up to you now
It's time to take the pressure off
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh
It's up to you now
It's time to take the pressure off
Steppin' out, steppin' out, steppin' out, and jumpin' up and
Steppin' out, steppin' out, steppin' out, and jumpin' up and
Steppin' out, steppin' out, steppin' out, and jumpin' up and
Pressure off, pressure off, pressure pressure pressure off
I'm lost, don't wanna be found
I'm up and not gonna be down
Outside looking in on myself
Just me, I couldn't be anyone else
Is it bad when you're feeling this good?
Are we all misunderstood?
It's fine, going out of my mind
Going out of my mind, going out of my mind
Everybody everywhere (yeah), feel it in the air (whoo)
Oh yeah (oh yeah), it's time to take the pressure off
Everybody everywhere, step out into the future
It's time to take the pressure off
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh
It's up to you now
It's time to take the pressure off
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh
It's up to you now
Step out into the future
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh
Jump up into the future (Oh oh oh oh oh oh)
Step out into the future (Oh oh oh oh oh oh)
Jump up into the future (Oh oh oh oh oh oh)
(Oh oh oh oh oh oh) step out into the future
The lyrics of "Pressure Off" by Duran Duran are a call to action to take a break from the constant pressure of modern life. The song suggests that people need to step out of their comfort zones, take a deep breath, and embrace the future. The chorus "Everybody everywhere, feel it in the air. Oh yeah, it's time to take the pressure off. Everybody everywhere, step out into the future. It's time to take the pressure off," emphasizes the need to remove the burden of living under constant stress and anxiety.
The lyrics also talk about the rat race and the need to break free from it. This idea is expressed when the singer says, "Swimming with the rat race or running against the tide, it's everybody's business when there's nowhere to hide." The singer suggests that everybody is going through the same trials and tribulations.
The lyrics also make references to living in the present moment and not getting too caught up in the past or future. The line, "The present will never last. The future, it's still tomorrow. Are we living too fast?" shows that the singer is aware of how fleeting life can be and that people need to enjoy the moment before it's gone.
Overall, the lyrics of "Pressure Off" are a call to action to take control of life and let go of the things that are causing stress and anxiety.
Line by Line Meaning
Steppin' out, steppin' out, steppin' out, and jumpin' up and
Moving forward and taking action to break free from the pressure
Pressure off, pressure off, pressure pressure pressure off
Relieving oneself from the overwhelming demands of life
Past is another country
The past is something that cannot be changed or revisited
The present will never last
The present is fleeting and constantly changing
The future, it's still tomorrow
The future is uncertain and always lies ahead
Are we living too fast?
Questioning if we are rushing through life and forgetting to enjoy the moment
Searchlight the crowd, I'm fixed on your face
Focusing on the individual and the connection between people
I know it well, but it's a dream I can't place
Feeling familiar with someone or something, but not being able to pinpoint why
Something is happening to me
Sensing a change or shift within oneself
Maybe it's happening to you, you, you, you
Wondering if others are also experiencing this transformation
Everybody everywhere, feel it in the air
The collective feeling of change or relief can be sensed everywhere
It's time to take the pressure off
Now is the moment to relieve oneself of pressure and stress
Step out into the future
Facing the unknown future with courage and confidence
It's up to you now
The decision to break free from the pressure is in one's own hands
Swimming with the rat race
Being caught up in the cycle of work and competition
Or running against the tide
Trying to go against the norm and stand out from the crowd
It's everybody's business when there's nowhere to hide
When everyone is exposed and vulnerable, everyone's struggles are everyone's responsibility
There's a way out of this into the blue
There is a path to freedom and relief from the pressures of life
I'm lost, don't wanna be found
Feeling free and unburdened by expectations or pressures to be someone specific
I'm up and not gonna be down
Feeling energized and positive, not letting life bring one down
Outside looking in on myself
Taking a step back to gain perspective on oneself and one's life
Just me, I couldn't be anyone else
Accepting oneself as they are, not trying to be someone else
Is it bad when you're feeling this good?
Questioning if it's wrong to feel happy and free
Are we all misunderstood?
Reflecting on if many people feel the same way as oneself
It's fine, going out of my mind
Being okay with letting loose and losing control in the moment
Going out of my mind, going out of my mind
Repeating the idea of freeing oneself from the pressures of daily life and letting go
Jump up into the future (Oh oh oh oh oh oh)
Excitedly facing the unknown future with hope
Step out into the future (Oh oh oh oh oh oh)
Facing the future with courage and confidence
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: SIMON JOHN CHARLES LE BON, BEN HUDSON MCILDOWIE, NICK RHODES, MARK RONSON, JOHN TAYLOR, ROGER ANDREW TAYLOR, JANELLE MONAE ROBINSON, NILE RODGERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stefoneill1015
Duran Duran is, HANDS-DOWN, the most amazing and beautiful group of blokes that exists!!!!! Dear Lord!!!!
@miguelangelmorales7634
Siiiiii
Siempre viva INGLATERRA!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@martinkasl7578
This song proves that Duran Duran is still in great shape and matures like wine ;-)
@chrisbacos
As I often said in the tradition of the best British bands Duran Duran got better with age.
@alexisdowers2030
Yep
@wanensadikin8789
true! :)
@SettimaLegione
In short: the shape of the grape! : )
@CarrieLuikens
Yep. How many 50 plus guys do you know who can get a groove on while also doing high kicks? (besides David Lee Roth from Van Halen - the only other person on this planet that I know of who can still do a few high kicks)
@kristiemao4275
This legitimately made me smile. I love Duran Duran, and it's nice to see them collaborating with the phenomenal Janelle Monae and legendary Niles Rodgers <3
@elecoestudioficial
Every little thing that Rodgers touches turns into gold. The boys are great, as usual, but this man is something else. One of the best producers on earth, period.