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It often happens that a band or artist is identified in the collective imagination thanks to their most representative work. It's an almost spontaneous mental association, but one that often leads to neglecting other noteworthy pieces that make up the mosaic of a career. Since the summer of 1982, Duran Duran has had to contend with an imposing masterpiece of perfection like “Rio,” a true cross and delight for Le Bon's band. But all those who have loved “Rio” from the very first note of John Taylor's bass should also listen to this “Duran Duran,” the debut album of the Birmingham five dating from 1981.
Unlike the famed second chapter of the band, “Duran Duran” is an album with less immediate listening, darker sounds, and more enigmatic lyrics; but it is precisely for this reason that it contains all the charm of a rough diamond, which once treated and polished will give light, a year later, to the fresh and sparkling “Rio,” which is therefore its direct descendant. In this first self-titled work, we indeed find all the characteristics of the sound that made Duran great: Le Bon's histrionic voice moves on John Taylor's driving bass lines (the true backbone of Duran's pieces) and the sophisticated atmospheres of Rhodes' keyboards; all sealed in the background by Roger Taylor's solid drumming and the guitar embroideries of the third Taylor, Andy. The record opens with the first great classics that launched Duran, “Girls On Film” and “Planet Earth” (which never fall into the banality of simple pop pieces) which are accompanied by other episodes of a darker and more decadent tone, such as the nostalgic “Anyone Out There” or the menacing “Careless Memories” with its relentless rhythm. “Is There Something I Should Know” brings us back for a moment to more pleasant and catchy pop, paving the way for the second part of the album, decidedly more experimental and enterprising. We therefore encounter the hypnotic “Friends Of Mine,” the raw “Sound Of Thunder” (perhaps the least successful track on the album), and the gloomy “Night Boat,” a splendid ride that seems to get lost towards unknown and mysterious shores. The album concludes with “Tel Aviv,” an instrumental in which the Eastern-sounding melodic lines of guitar and keyboards intertwine with the rhythmic section of bass and drums, giving the piece an exotic and dreamy character and fading in conclusion towards what will be the next chapter of the saga of Birmingham's boys.
“Duran Duran” was recorded in December 1980, and the group itself recalled in later interviews the emotional effort required to complete the recordings after the sudden news of John Lennon's assassination (8 December), which made that sad winter of 1980 grayer and colder. By spring, however, the album was finished and Duran were ready to launch: released on June 15, 1981, “Duran Duran” reached No.3 in their home country, remained on the charts for 117 weeks, and earned a platinum record: for Le Bon and his comrades, the doors of success had opened, which would soon overwhelm them overseas as well.
What more can be said? “Duran Duran” is certainly a quality album with many points of interest, perhaps in some respects even better than “Rio”: for its energy, for its somewhat sinister and neurotic atmospheres, and for its excellent tracks, which never lose intensity. An essential and indispensable record for all lovers of Duran and '80s pop music.
P.S. One last (nostalgic) note on the cover: simple white background, the band's name in a red font reminiscent of cartoons, and a photo of the five in suggestive poses with more or less unpresentable hairstyles and clothes typical of the unmistakable style of the era. Different music, different style, different times.
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
01 Rio (05:37)
Moving on the floor now babe you're a bird of paradise
Cherry ice cream smile I suppose it's very nice
With a step to your left and a flick to the right you catch that mirror way out west
You know you're something special and you look like you're the best
Her name is Rio and she dances on the sand
Just like that river twisting through a dusty land
And when she shines she really shows you all she can
Oh Rio, Rio dance across the Rio Grande
I've seen you on the beach and I've seen you on TV
Two of a billion stars it means so much to me
Like a birthday or a pretty view
But then I'm sure that you know it's just for you
Her name is Rio and she dances on the sand
Just like that river twisting through a dusty land
And when she shines she really shows you all she can
Oh Rio, Rio dance across the Rio Grande
Hey now woo look at that did she nearly run you down
At the end of the drive the lawmen arrive
You make me feel alive, alive alive
I'll take my chance cause luck is on my side or something
I know what you're thinking I tell you something I know what you're thinking
Her name is Rio and she dances on the sand
Just like that river twists across a dusty land
And when she shines she really shows you all she can
Oh Rio, Rio dance across the Rio Grand
Her name is Rio she don't need to understand
And I might find her if I'm looking like I can
Oh Rio, Rio hear them shout across the land
From mountains in the north down to the Rio Grande
Do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do
02 My Own Way (04:54)
I saw you at the airace yesterday April showers get out of my way
Fear of flying no not me
I'm never bothered what you say someone's kid just lives for today
It ain't your problem anyway
Cause I've got my own way, I can find my own way, cause I've got my own way
Cause I've got my own way, I can find my own way, cause I've got my own way
Number one public figure what a pain just puts another rattle in your brain
Take another green but it's not the same
So now you're on the sandlane everyday dancing with the bulls in any old way
Running like a fox to keep up with me
Cause I've got my own way, I can find my own way, cause I've got my own way
Cause I've got my own way, I can find my own way, cause I've got my own way
I'm on 45 between 6th and Broadway, 45 between 6th and Broadway 45
I'm drinking 7UP between 6th and Broadway 7UP between 6th and Broadway, 7UP
Cause I've got my own way, I can find my own way, cause I've got my own way
Cause I've got my own way, I can find my own way, cause I've got my own way
03 Lonely in Your Nightmare (03:49)
Even on the darkest night when empty promise means empty hand
And soldiers coming home like shadows turning red
And when the lights of hope are fading quickly then look to me
I'll be your homing angel I'll be in your head
Because you're lonely in your nightmare let me in
And there's heat beneath your winter let me in
I see the delta traces living lonely out on the limb
And a passing glimmer warm beneath your skin
Please tread gently on the ground when all around you earth turns to fire
Only get a second chance when danger's on the wind
Because you're lonely in your nightmare let me in
Because there's heat beneath your winter let me in
And it's silent on your stone field let me in
Must be lucky whether when you find the kind of wind that you need
Come on show me all the light and shade that made your name
I know you've got it in your head I've seen that look before
You've built your refuge turns you captive all the same
Because your lonely in your nightmare let me in
And it's barren in your garden let me in
Because there's heat beneath your winter let me in
Because it's silent on your stone field let me in
And you're lonely in your nightmare let me in
Because you've waited through your ice age let me in
Because you're so lonely in your nightmare let me in
And it's cold out on the stone range let me in
Because there's heat beneath your winter let me in
04 Hungry Like the Wolf (03:40)
Dark in the city, night is a wire
Steam in the subway, earth is a fire
Do dodo do dodo do dodo do dodo do doo doo
Woman, you want me, give me a sign
And catch my breathing even closer behind
Do dodo do dodo do dodo do dodo do doo doo
In touch with the ground
I'm on the hunt I'm after you
Smell like I sound, I'm lost in a crowd
And I'm hungry like the wolf
Straddle the line in discord and rhyme
I'm on the hunt I'm after you
Mouth is alive with juices like wine
And I'm hungry like the wolf
Stalked in the forest, too close to hide
I'll be upon you by the moonlight side
Do dodo do dodo do dodo do dodo do doo doo
High blood drumming on your skin, it's so tight
You feel my heat, I'm just a moment behind
Do dodo do dodo do dodo do dodo do doo doo
In touch with the ground
I'm on the hunt I'm after you
Scent and a sound, I'm lost and I'm found
And I'm hungry like the wolf
Strut on a line, it's discord and rhyme
I howl and I whine, I'm after you
Mouth is alive, all running inside
And I'm hungry like the wolf
Hungry like the wolf
Hungry like the wolf
Hungry like the wolf
Burning the ground, I break from the crowd
I'm on the hunt I'm after you
I smell like I sound, I'm lost and I'm found
And I'm hungry like the wolf
Strut on a line, it's discord and rhyme
I'm on the hunt I'm after you
Mouth is alive with juices like wine
And I'm hungry like the wolf
05 Hold Back the Rain (03:47)
We're miles away from nowhere
And the wind doesn't have a name
So call it what you want to call it
Still blows down the lane.
People tell me, I haven't changed at all
But I don't feel the same
And I bet you've had that feeling too
You can't laugh all the time.
And if the fires burn out, there's only fire to blame
(Hold back the rain)
No time for worry 'cause we're on the roam again
(Hold back the rain)
The clouds all scatter and we ride the outside lane
(Hold back the rain)
Not on your own so help me please... hold back the rain.
So what if the words ain't rhyming
Did you think that it's just a game
I probably didn't even say that right
And I really don't give a damn.
Okay go off and wander
I'm guilty just the same
Sometimes you're needed badly
So please come back again.
And if the fires burn out, there's only fire to blame
(Hold back the rain)
No time for worry 'cause we're on the roam again
(Hold back the rain)
The clouds all scatter and we ride the outside lane
(Hold back the rain)
Not on your own so help me please... hold back the rain.
And if the stars burn out, there's only fire to blame
(Hold back the rain)
No time for worry 'cause we're on the roam again
(Hold back the rain)
The clouds all scatter and we ride the outside lane
(Hold back the rain)
Not on your own so help me please hold back the rain.
Hold back the rain
(repeated..)
07 Last Chance on the Stairway (04:19)
I don't remember quite how I met you wasn't long ago
I just get a picture of sun in your eyes the waves in your hair
Maybe it's something said in a movie or you could've said last night
It just took me out on a limb and I don't really know what I'm doing here
And sometimes I'm caught in a landslide and my beats so in time can you look at me
I'm out of reach I'll talk if it feels right I've had my last chance on the stairway
Funny it's just like a scene out of Voltaire twisting out of sight
Cause when all the curtains are pulled back we'll turn and see the circles we've traced
Ain't no game (ooo-ooo) when you're playing with fire
It doesn't seem right that we fight so the party runs all night
And sometimes I'm caught in a landslide and my beats so in time can you look at me
I'm out of reach I'll talk if it feels right I'm so nervous to say tell me can't you see
And if you want I'll fall off forever I can't say no more baby dance with me
And please don't say leave it till later I've had my last chance on the stairway
Wonder why (wonder why ooo-ooo) what makes me rise so high
Maybe it's something they put in your perfume or the look in your eyes
It could be the atmosphere sinking ooo I don't even know what you're thinking
I don't even know what you're drinking but it keeps this heaven alive
And sometimes I'm caught in a landslide and my beats so in time can you look at me
I'm out of reach I'll talk if it feels right I'm so nervous to say tell me can't you see
And if you want I'll fall off forever I can't say no more baby dance with me
And please don't say leave it till later I've had my last chance on the stairway
Last chance on the stairway, last chance on the stairway
Last chance on the stairway, last chance on the stairway
Last chance on the stairway, last chance on the stairway
Last chance on the stairway
08 Save a Prayer (05:25)
You saw me standing by the wall,
Corner of a main street
And the lights are flashing on your window sill
All alone ain't much fun,
So you're looking for the thrill
And you know just what it takes and where to go
Don't say a prayer for me now,
Save it 'til the morning after
No, don't say a prayer for me now,
Save it 'til the morning after
Feel the breeze deep on the inside,
Look you down into the well
If you can, you'll see the world in all his fire
Take a chance
(Like all dreamers can't find another way)
You don't have to dream it all, just live a day
Don't say a prayer for me now,
Save it 'til the morning after
No, don't say a prayer for me now,
Save it 'til the morning after
Save it 'til the morning after,
Save it till the morning after
Pretty looking road,
I try to hold the rising floods that fill my skin
Don't ask me why I'll keep my promise,
Melt the ice
And you wanted to dance so I asked you to dance
But fear is in your soul
Some people call it a one night stand
But we can call it paradise
Don't say a prayer for me now,
Save it 'til the morning after
No, don't say a prayer for me now,
Save it 'til the morning after
Save it 'til the morning after
Save it 'til the morning after
Save it 'til the morning after
Save it 'til the morning after
Save a prayer 'til the morning after
09 The Chauffeur (05:13)
Out on the tar plains.
The glides are moving.
All looking for a new place to drive.
You sit beside me.
So newly charming.
Sweating dew drops glisten fresh in your side.
And the sun drips down bedding heavy behind.
The front of your dress all shadowy lined.
And the droning engine throbs in time with your beating heart.
Way down the lane away.
Living for another day.
The aphids swarm up in the drifting haze.
Swim seagull in the sky.
Towards that hollow western Isle.
My envied lady holds you fast in her gaze.
And the sun drips down bedding heavy behind.
The front of your dress all shadowy lined.
And the droning engine throbs in time with your beating heart.
And the sun drips down bedding heavy behind.
The front of your dress all shadowy lined.
And the droning engine throbs in time with your beating heart.
Sing, Blue Silver.
And watching lovers part.
I feel you smiling.
What glass splinters lie so deep in your mind.
To tear out from your eyes.
With a thought to stiffen brooding lies.
And I'll only watch you leave me further behind.
And the sun drips down bedding heavy behind.
The front of your dress all shadowy lined.
And the droning engine throbs in time with your beating heart.
And the sun drips down bedding heavy behind.
The front of your dress all shadowy lined.
And the droning engine throbs in time with your beating heart.
Sing, Blue Silver.
Sing, Sing Blue Silver
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Other reviews
By Justpg
"Rio represents a mix of Duranian atmospheres made of rock, funky, dark, and melodic combined with pop, original and unique sounds."
"Simon Le Bon’s voice, unique and unmistakable... is perfect for certain tracks, but for others, it may be the element that makes a certain track less demanding and more commercial."
By claudio carpentieri
"Save a Prayer expresses without any hesitation Fab Five's ability to skillfully manipulate melody, conceiving a track this time with a sentimental-melancholic appeal."
Colin Thurston’s production gives the lp the right touch of magic needed to acquire a finesse and maturity.
By Palau
"Rio is a masterpiece!"
"Duran Duran is a group formed by intelligent and cultured lads; with Rio they have produced a damn wonderful musical work, probably the most beautiful new wave, synth pop, dance rock record of the ’80s."
