I second "Save a Prayer", esp. since its tone and vibe differ from "Rio" & "Hungry Like the Wolf", and those two perfect what was previously done on "Planet Earth" and "Girls on Film".
Yeah, they should eventually try Save a Prayer. It's different, not a banger but very pleasant. Once on vacation, my wife went into a store and I waited in the parking lot. When listening to that song, a bird in a close tree was mimicking the synth part. I had to turn the sound off to see if I was hearing it right, played the song twice. It was very cool.
I know you almost never watch videos when reacting, but it's important to hear *and* see Duran Duran. They made MTV almost more than MTV made them. Their videos remain a cultural touchstone to understanding the '80s.
Duran Duran's musicianship was underrated back in the 80s. I'd recommend two songs from later in their career as a contrast to pop songs "Rio" and "Hungry Like The Wolf". "Come Undone" and "Ordinary World" from the 1993 comeback "Wedding Album" are outstanding.
How was it underrated? Their albums sold millions, their videos were huge hits on MTV, they had a ton of top 10 (7 in the top 3)/top 40 hits . . . they were beloved.
These guys definitely had their own interesting unique sound, and the musicianship was indeed excellent! Standouts, that did more than just blend in with the times.
@@kevviking6612 All very talented but I think what gives that something extra is Nick Rhodes. Not taking anything from anyone as they are all stars but it's all the different sounds that come from the keyboards
@@stevebrien1041 My opinion is they all brought it, but I agree that Nick was far and away ahead of most keyboardists of the time. Very creative, amazing tones, and just the right amount of fitting "ear candy".
Saw Blondie in 1981 with opening act...Duran Duran. Rio had just been released in North America and they almost stole the show. People were dancing in the aisles. The MTV (MuchMusic in Canada) era had begun.
Anything released by popular British pop bands in the early to mid 80s is worth a listen … Culture Club, Spandau Ballet, Yazoo, Talk Talk, Wham, The Style Council, ABC, The Human League. The list is endless. However, I suggest you check out a popular ska band called The Specials.
Basilblack... Everyone you mentioned is fab. The Specials, just brilliant .RIP Terry Hall... With some of their songs though, you had to be living in Thatchers England to really get it .
@@kimnovalski1268 The wife and I saw them in Houston in June. They were amazing. Bastille opened for them and they were also great too. The second act was Chic with Nile Rodgers and they nearly brought the house down. It will be an awesome concert. Enjoy!
@davidcox30004 I have been following this tour and soooo looking forward to it. My friend and I have seen them several times over the last 30 years and have never been disappointed.
The Reflex is among their best songs. The band's initial popularity had faded in the early 1990s and then the song Ordinary World came out in 1993. This song brought them back to the top of the charts. It is arguably their best.
Great "80s" choice. This was considered "New Wave" during the day. The girls loved Duran Duran which got us rocker guys to listen up. The whole band is really talented. "Wild Boys" is a kicking Duran Duran song.
Nope, this most certainly not regarded New Wave at least not in the U.K. or the rest of Europe. Duran Duran came up from the New Romantics movements who all really were heavily influenced by David Sylvian / Japan and David Bowie. But most of all they all wanted to be popstars.
Save A Prayer (same album), Wild Boys, The Reflex.....all went on the Charts...as did a few others...those would be my 3 next to hit songs for Duran duran.
‘Is There Something I Should Know’ has one of the best lyrics ever 4:03 , “Don’t say you’re easy on me, you’re about as easy as nuclear war”. Love that!
MTV was special back then. I was THERE. I know. Not everyone could get it, as it was a cable show that you had to pay for. One of my friends had it, and everyone would ask about it or come over to his apt to watch. It was the topic of conversation with all the young people. The VJs were amazing and superstars from it, too.
@@mournblade1066 It was definitely the other way around. Any band that could put together a catchy song with a video that people wanted to see over and over, was gold in that era.
Duran Duran is one of those bands with a very distinctive sound. Even if you're hearing a song for the first time, you can identify it as a DD song immediately.
This song and it's video put Duran Duran on the map here! They came out very near the beginning of MTV, outstanding mix of sound and visuals! "Rio" is probably a better song, but this has '1st love' feelings behind it for me. "Save a Prayer" is another must hear tune from this album!!
I believe, that after Rio came out and went right to the top of the charts, they re-released some of their older songs. At least that's how I recall it, 40 years ago...
With the Indiana Jones feel to the video, I could never help but to think that Simon Le Bon dressed like a sort of 80s Belloq in it. I almost expected him to steal an artifact from Harrison Ford.
Rio is THE quintessential ‘80s album. It kinda defined the decade in many ways, from the album cover to the music it’s the most ‘80s of ‘80s albums. Hugely influential. At the time (‘82/‘83), they were the biggest band in the world.
"Rio" is an iconic album. I can just see you guys hitting "Girls On Film" next - but you should also try deeper cuts like "The Chauffeur" and "New Religion". Another big hit from the album is "Save A Prayer" but it's hugely different tonewise.
Guys, you have to do a LOT more Duran Duran! They were quintessential 1980's new wave and hit throughout the decade -- and couple big hits in the early 1990's as well. Check out: "Girls On Film", "The Reflex", "Notorious", "Is There Something I Should Know", "Save A Prayer", The Wild Boys", "View To A Kill", "Ordinary World", "Come Undone" and so much more.
This was their breakout hit, and it was sooo cool when it came out. They were different, and written off by the rock world as bubblegum pop. But they helped define the 80's sound and are one of the few bands that have stood the test of time. I suggest "Girls On Film" next!
So right! As a 16 yr old rock and roll ONLY fan I wrote them off, as well as this song, as 100% bubblegum pop...and yet I still couldn't help liking this and them in spite of myself. The amazing videos they made didn't hurt any.
@@barryhall5125 Right?!?! I was a teenage rock fan, too, but this song made me open to the new sounds of music that were emerging. And the overt sexuality of the lyrics (not to mention the woman in the background) gave this song an edge that a lot of us young teens found too naughty to resist.
Back in the day I was absolutely crazy over Duran Duran! Now I'm 55 years old and I still think they are GREAT! They're so many songs to choose from. "Panet Earth", "New Moon on Monday", "The Chauffeur" are some of my favorites. 8:04
Duran Duran is terrific, as is this song. Great reaction, guys! Next up: "The Wild Boys" is a true heater, and I love it, but their earliest hit was "Planet Earth," which is great but hits different than their other songs. They have many great songs to choose from. I lost interest later in their career when DD released "Ordinary World," which is a very nice ballad, and a very good song, but no heater. Many will disagree, but please wait on that one. "The Wild Boys" should definitely be your next reaction. Also, the video is wild, goes with the song perfectly, and has a Mad Max type feel to it. You should watch the video as well. You two will love it and the song. ❤✌
I love Duran Duran. I was 18 when this came out. John Taylor played with Power Station. They were in an episode of Miami Vice playing. Rumors are that he and Don Johnson became good friends, and did a lot of partying together during the shoot. Could you imagine going out to a bar in Miami Florida in the early 80's with Don Johnson, and John Taylor back then. It be like shooting fish in a barrel talking to girls.
My favorite Duran Duran song is The Chauffeur...completely different feel than Hungry Like the Wolf and Rio. Planet Earth is another great song. White Lines is awesome too. Saw them in concert last year or the year before...can't remember...but the show was awesome. They're still great.
Duran Duran was one of the few bright spots about 80's music. Other good ones by them worth checking out are: "Come Undone", "The Reflex", "Save A Prayer", "Girls On Film", "Is There Something I Should Know?", "Hold Back The Rain", "Notorious".
In 41 years this album has never not been in rotation on my turntable, tapedeck, CD player, or playlist. Seeing them, for the 4th time, just a few days from now.
That repeated cry low in the mix at the end: My brothers and I were jamming to this song when it came out in our basement and our Mom rushed down the stair think one of us was crying out “Mom!” I’ve heard that each time ever since.
My dad and I were listening to Casey Kasem's American Top 40 in the kitchen and when that cry happened we both looked outside the back door into the big field behind the house to see if someone had gotten hurt.
Duran Duran always reminds me of summers in high school. My friend’s parents owned a cabin by the water that was an hour from where we lived. My friend’s brother and his group of friends and our group of friends would take the boat up to the lake. Duran Duran was huge at that time so we would listen to them on our way there and back. We would party, go boating and work on our tans. I wasn’t the biggest fan of their music but my memories tied to this group are happy. “Save A Prayer” would be a good one to listen to next. If I was forced to pick a favorite from them, then this would be it.
Here’s the deal - I’m not a dancing kind of guy, but sure do remember lots of fun nights dancing in the 80s because the music at time was so infectious. I can’t think of anything like it today’s sound.
I WORE OUT this record when I was 13 years old. The whole album is fantastic. People dismiss Duran Duran as a band, saying they were only successful because of their amazing videos, but let me tell you -- they are a GREAT band. Fantastic live, too.
Duran Duran is still making new music and touring. In 2011 they put out the song and music video Girl Panic which features super models playing the band members, filmed at the Savoy, London. 🥳
You should do their 1993 comeback song Ordinary World. I hadn't heard anything from them in years, and I heard this on my car radio. I was shocked how good it was. Also, it's very moving when you know the backstory. I think of this song sometimes when I think about loved ones who are no longer with me ...
Nick Rhodes, the keyboard player, used a sequencer to get that cool sound you heard and liked so much. They were mostly just teenagers when they made the "RIO" album and it was their second album! There's a lot of musical maturity and impeccable musicianship on the whole "RIO" album. But a lot of that went unnoticed in the hysteria the band caused with teenaged girls. There are only nine songs on the album and they are all masterpieces in their own right. The band did extended versions of most of their hits (a popular thing to do back in the 80's) and the 12" version of this song slaps majorly.
One of the best bands of the 80s. Often underrated because of their teenage girl fanbase back then. But always serious musicianship and songwriting skills. Heavy Roxy Music influence also.
Dance club, baby. Everybody in the middle of the floor in one big sweaty mass of carnal expectancy. This nasty thing is an anthem of a years-long party in the 80s.
Ah! So many memories! 1982 I was 11 and had my first AM/FM radio I had gotten the year before. No bass, no stereo, just cranked it up! 😂 This song played in the top 40 rotation A LOT! No mix tapes from that radio but I wore it out! 😁
John Taylor on bass is criminally underrated. His brother on drums made that rhythm section the driving force of all their music. But just listen to his playing and you’ll be blown away.
Good stuff boys! Both the tune and the reaction. 80s pop is 2nd to none. The stuff gets better with age. Glad you liked it and glad you shared it. Thx. Peace and rock on!
Great Band!! Though critics at the time wrote them off as just a "boy band"... Wrote and arranged their own music, and could really play their instruments - especially John Taylor on bass!! Total banger from '82....though I prefer "Rio" :)
This is one that now that you've heard it, you HAVE to see the music video. One of the top music videos of the day and one of Duran Duran's (who are known as an MTV-friendly band) best.
🎉🎉🎉 Duran Duran best band on planet earth 🌎🌍🌎 this is 1982:now 2023 Duran Duran av just released a new single called danse macabre came out Wednesday 30th August still making epic music after 45 yrs 🎉🎉🎉
"Smell like I sound"--pheromones. And as someone who was an adult when this record came out, I know exactly what that means. Young women loved this band like millennials loved Magic Mike.
I think "A View to a Kill" from the 1985 James Bond movie by the same name is their best hit song ever. I've heard it a million times and I never get tired of it. It's some of the best music the 80's had to offer except for maybe "License To Kill" by Gladys Knight from the 1989 James Bond movie by the same name.
I was a teen when this came out. For European bands in the first half of the 80s this HAD to be the biggest song there was. It broke the door down for Duran Duran, who catapulted MTV to a whole new level.
one of my favourite songs from the 80's, you never get tired of it, been listening to this song since the 80's - probably my favourite from Duran Duran even though I like Rio more - if that makes sense
Yep, this is about as quintessential 80s if you can get. Must have played in an endless loop for about 2 years straight on MTV, VH-1, and every other video outlet at the time (there were many). BTW, when you do these iconic 80's tunes the videos play such a major role that it seems almost a shame not to do the accompanying video. Many, like this one, are very well produced. Unlike classic rock, these quintessential eighties songs are known as much for their videos as they are for the music. This was the height of the video era. Don't be afraid to show the videos. We won't be mad atcha. Promise. I think "Come Undone" might be my favorite from these guys. ✌️
"Save a Prayer" is still my favorite from the album, "Rio". The videos for "Rio" and "Hungry Like the Wolf" were the first cinema-quality productions for the genre. Previous to this album, most videos were either just lip sync on-stage with a handicam jobs or something that looked like art school student films.
