“‘cause I’ve got my own way. I can find my own way.“
My Own Way was the first single teasing the release of Rio. This original version of the song features disco strings and a fast tempo. This video shows flamenco dancers along with a black, red, and white color palette. The dancers are interspersed with the band playing live while a parrot messes with the band members. Towards the end of the song, the band triumphantly dances with the flamencos with confetti being blown about. The song was remixed for the release of the Rio album with echoing synths replacing the disco strings. Also, the tempo was taken down a notch, making the album version a minute slower. While the original version is great, the album version makes it sonically fit better with the Rio album. The lyrics reference a couple of nightclubs in New York City. I did hear something that the song was about John Taylor’s drug habit at the time, but other than that, I really don’t know much about the words.
“In touch with the ground. I’m on the hunt, I’m after you. Smell like I sound. I’m lost in a crowd. Hungry Like the Wolf.”
After beginning with a woman giggling, Hungry Like The Wolf has a perfect interplay between high-pitched synth and power-chord guitars. The lyrics talk of desire of and pursuit of a lust interest. LeBon also adds to the instrumentation with doo-wop sounds. In particular, the do-do-do-do-do-do-do’s that help make the song memorable. The quiet, slower bridge allows the song to breathe a bit and whet the anticipation for the last chorus.
While Duran Duran previously made solid videos, Hungry Like The Wolf catapulted their videography to classic status. While My Own Way did not get much airtime, MTV placed Hungry Like The Wolf in heavy rotation. Nick, Andy, John, and Roger are walking around in Sri Lanka having a good time. Meanwhile, Simon is frantically seeking out a lady across the island, who he eventually finds and has a roll in the hay with near the end. As an aside, this is one of my go-to songs at karaoke. In my opinion, Hungry Like The Wolf is the best song of Duran Duran’s best album.
“Don’t say a prayer for me now. Save it till the morning after.”
Save A Prayer was the next single, which is more of a slow-burning ballad, but it’s definitely a real goody. It has a synth hook near the beginning that is pretty catchy, and Andy’s guitar adds flavor during the chorus. As usual, there’s great drums and bass guitar as well to complement the other instruments. The lyrics speak of a chance encounter and subsequent one-night stand between the narrator and another. LeBon sings that they can call the one-night stand paradise, and that the perceived judgment by them and perhaps others can be reserved for later.
The video, like Hungry Like The Wolf, was filmed in Sri Lanka and showcases its beautiful scenery. Kids are dancing in circles. Simon walks along the beach with the rest of the band playing their instruments by the surf. Incidentally, very little is shown of LeBon’s love or lust interest. As it stands, Save A Prayer is a relaxing and picturesque video.
“Her name is Rio and she dances on the sand. Just like that river-crossing through the Rio Grande.”
The song Rio has been Duran Duran’s set closer on their tours. It begins with a 20-second crescendo, then hooks you in with a really good bass line and a quick synth melody. Andy’s guitar also plays a strong role in the song, though, particularly in the choruses. There was a show about the meaning of song lyrics on VH1, and it revealed that Rio is actually about the United States, with “Rio” being the Rio Grande at its southern boundary. It could also be seen as double entendre, with the narrator fawning over the girl with the cherry ice cream smile.
The music video for Rio was one of the most iconic ever, with the band enjoying themselves on boats, the beach, and such. The vivid imagery and sharp editing make it a standout. Also, Rio is another go-to song for me at karaoke. Rio has an almost one-minute saxophone solo, which gives me a chance to flex my air sax muscles when performing this song. I would venture that Rio, along with Hungry Like The Wolf, are the two most well-known songs from Duran Duran in 2017.
“Because you’re lonely in your nightmare, let me in.”
A mellower song, Lonely In Your Nightmare is about a woman who is experiencing a traumatic situation or set of situations. Indeed, as LeBon puts it, her lights of hope are fading quickly. LeBon himself offers to be the beacon of light at the end of her tunnel. A five-note synth melody is played throughout the verses, while the outro has some nifty guitar work by Andy. While not a single, Lonely In Your Nightmare had a video shot for it. It follows the narrative of the lyrics. A woman is tossing and turning in bed, having some bad dreams, and in other shots, LeBon is with her as, from his point of view, a pillar of comfort.
“And the sun drips down, bedding heavy behind. The front of your dress, so shadowy lined. And the droning engine throbs in time with your beating...”
The Chauffeur is a brooding track that is one of the strongest Duran Duran songs around. The synth in the beginning that plays throughout most of the song is equal parts catchy and haunting, while drum machine is judiciously used to add flavor. Simon LeBon’s vocals are spot-on, matching the tone of the instrumentation. The ocarina outro, also by LeBon, is pretty poignant. The video is in black and white, which adds to the hauntedness, but there is more to it than just that.
A brunette is being chauffeured to meet a blonde woman in a parking lot. Once they’re together, the two women act sexually suggestive to each other while a third watches while topless. This is interesting in that such content was not shown a lot in mainstream media of the 1980s, including in music videos. The lyrics mostly match the video in its narrative. It is told from the point of view of the chauffeur, who lusts for a women and making reference to another women’s interest in her.
There are a few more tracks I would like to discuss.
“And it’s a fight, but ours there’s only five to play. Hold back the rain. No time for worry.”
Hold Back The Rain is a fun, galloping track. The lead guitar accents the synth nicely during the verses, while the drums do more of the accenting in the choruses. While not a single, NASA uses it as sort of an anti-rain dance, so it’s getting a modicum of airtime somewhere these days.
“I’m talking for free. I can’t stop myself. It’s a new religion. Oh, and something to see.”
The brooding and verbose New Religion is a fan favorite, and reminds me a little bit of Night Boat off their first album, what with the creepy synths in the intros. I think this one is about cult mentality and false gods, or paper gods, if you will. The bridge is known for having a half-spoken, half-sung bridge by LeBon.
“And sometimes I’m caught in a landslide. And my beat’s soda and time. Can you look at me. I’m out of reach. I’ll talk if it feels right.”
The midtempo Last Chance On The Stairway features LeBon giving adulation to a romantic interest. I am guessing the Last Chance On The Stairway part refers to the two of them meeting by chance and Le Bon doesn’t know if he will see her again unless she accepts a date request. Both the bass and lead guitar give the song some punch in the choruses and bridge.
“Eyes like an angel. So wise. Don’t lie. You never fell...”
The Rio singles only spurred one B-side, dubbed Like An Angel. It’s a straightforward but enjoyable song about two lovers. LeBon focuses on his lover’s eyes, similar in topic to Roxy Music’s song Angel Eyes. The most prominent instrumentation is a tropical-sounding guitar. It did not make the cut as far as the album is concerned, but it’s still pretty solid. It makes the cut in my book.
Rio was the album that started to catapult Duran Duran to stardom. It was an instant hit in Europe, but took a few months to get heavy sales in United States. However, their music videos helped them eventually break out in the U.S. and the rest is history. Duran Duran were still not playing the largest venues in United States, such as the 900-seat Park West in Chicago. However, the band was playing larger venues in other countries. For instance, the Hammersmith Odeon in the UK.
The schedule of making new song and video material, along with worldwide touring, was hectic, to say the least. You could say the band was run, well, ragged, but that’s a story for another day.
This is Jason D’Orazio from New Wave Beat. Thank you for listening today!
