Get ready to dust off those turntables and CD players because Warner Bros. Records is reissuing Duran Duran’s first five iconic albums on both CD and vinyl!

Duran Duran recently announced that their self-titled debut, Rio, Seven and the Ragged Tiger, Notorious, and Big Thing are making a grand comeback. These albums have been out of print for ages, but now they’re back in their original 1LP and 1CD glory.

These five classics—1981’s Duran Duran, 1982’s Rio, 1983’s Seven and the Ragged Tiger, 1986’s Notorious, and 1988’s Big Thing—defined the band’s sound for decades. Smash hits like “Hungry Like the Wolf,” “Rio,” “Girls on Film,” and “Save a Prayer” topped charts worldwide and continue to be the soundtrack of millions of fans’ lives.

This quintet of records catapulted Duran Duran to global stardom, establishing them as cultural icons and one of the most influential bands of all time. They enriched over 20 Top 10 album charts around the world, offering a rich cross-section of Duran Duran’s formative years.

From their self-titled debut to the dawn of the Rio era, Duran Duran experienced artistic and musical growth like no other. Rio elevated them to global status, producing three Top Ten hits: “Save a Prayer,” “Rio,” and “Hungry Like the Wolf,” with the latter helping a fledgling MTV become a worldwide sensation.

Next came Seven and the Ragged Tiger, their first UK #1 album. Truly global in scope, it was recorded in France, Australia, and the Caribbean. It paved the way for the Sing Blue Silver Tour, their biggest live outing yet, and gave them their first US #1 single with “The Reflex.”

Riding high on the success of their collaboration with Nile Rodgers on “The Wild Boys,” Duran Duran turned to him again to produce their next LP, Notorious.

So, whether you’re a long-time fan or new to their music, it’s time to dance on the sand down memory lane with Duran Duran’s classic albums ready to spin again!

Duran Duran-DURAN DURAN

Duran Duran’s self-titled debut album, released in 1981, laid the foundation for their iconic career. The album introduced the world to the band’s unique blend of new wave, synth-pop, and dance-rock sounds, setting them apart in the music scene. Tracks like “Planet Earth” and “Girls on Film” became instant classics, showcasing Duran Duran’s catchy hooks and stylish flair.

The making of the album was a collaborative effort, with the band working closely with producer Colin Thurston to refine their sound. They recorded the album in various studios in London, including Red Bus Studios and Utopia Studios, honing their craft and developing their signature sound. The album was initially more successful in the United States than in the United Kingdom. The music videos for “Planet Earth” and “Girls on Film” received heavy rotation on MTV, helping to propel the band to fame in the US.

Duran Duran’s debut album has since been recognized as a classic of the new wave era, with its influence continuing to be felt in music today. It remains a favorite among fans.

• Girls on Film
• Planet Earth
• Anyone Out There
• To the Shore
• Careless Memories
• Night Boat
• Sound of Thunder
• Friends of Mine
• Tel Aviv

Duran Duran Rio

Duran Duran’s Rio album, released in 1982, is a landmark in the band’s career and a classic of the New Wave era. The album’s title track, “Rio,” with its catchy melody and infectious chorus, became an anthem of the 80s and a symbol of Duran Duran’s glamorous image.

The making of Rio was a whirlwind of creativity and innovation. The band recorded the album in various exotic locations, including the Bahamas and Australia, which added a sense of adventure and excitement to the music. This globetrotting recording process inspired songs like “Hungry Like the Wolf,” with its jungle-inspired rhythms and wild energy.

One of the album’s most iconic tracks, “Save a Prayer,” showcases Duran Duran’s ability to blend infectious pop melodies with heartfelt lyrics. The song’s dreamy atmosphere and evocative imagery make it a standout on the album. Another highlight of Rio is the song “Is There Something I Should Know?” which was actually added to later versions of the album after becoming a hit single. This track exemplifies Duran Duran’s ability to write catchy, radio-friendly songs with a deeper, more introspective edge.

Rio is a masterpiece of 80s pop music, blending infectious hooks, lush production, and a sense of adventure and romance. It remains one of Duran Duran’s most beloved albums, with songs that have stood the test of time.

• Rio
• My Own Way
• Lonely in Your Nightmare
• Hungry Like the Wolf
• Hold Back the Rain
• New Religion
• Last Chance on the Stairway
• Save a Prayer
• The Chauffeur

Duran Duran Seven and The Ragged Tiger

Duran Duran’s Seven and the Ragged Tiger album, released in 1983, followed the massive success of their previous album Rio. The boys were facing high expectations and pressure to deliver another hit. The album is that it was recorded in various locations around the world, including Montserrat, Sydney, and Paris. This globetrotting recording process added a unique element to the album’s sound, with each location influencing the music in different ways. The album’s title is derived from the concept of seven people coming together to form a unified force, (Duran plus their managers) which reflected the band’s growing fame and unity as a group.

The band experimented with new instruments and sounds on Seven and the Ragged Tiger, including the use of a Fairlight CMI synthesizer, which was cutting-edge technology at the time. This experimentation helped to shape the album’s innovative sound and contributed to its commercial success.

Despite the pressure to live up to the success of Rio, Seven and the Ragged Tiger was well-received by fans and critics alike. It produced several hit singles, including “Union of the Snake” and “The Reflex,” which became some of Duran Duran’s most iconic songs. The album’s success solidified Duran Duran’s status as one of the biggest bands of the 1980s and remains a classic in their discography.

• The Reflex
• New Moon on Monday
• (I’m Looking For) Cracks in the Pavement
• I Take the Dice
• Of Crime and Passion
• Union of the Snake
• Shadows on Your Side
• Tiger Tiger
• The Seventh Stranger

Duran Duran Notorious

Duran Duran’s Notorious, released in 1986, was their first album without guitarist Andy Taylor, who had left during the recording process. Despite this change, the remaining members—Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, and John Taylor—crafted an album that blended funk, R&B, and pop influences. The title track, “Notorious,” with its catchy hooks and funky bassline, became a hit single and showcased the band’s new direction. Other tracks like “Skin Trade” and “Meet El Presidente” continued this trend, with a more mature sound and introspective lyrics. The album’s production was slick and polished, reflecting the sound of the mid-1980s. Notorious was a commercial success, reaching the top ten in several countries and cementing Duran Duran’s status as one of the defining bands of the decade.

The title track, “Notorious,” was inspired by the life of influential civil rights activist and music producer Bernard Edwards, who was a close friend of Nile Rodgers and had passed away shortly before the album’s recording.

Several artists have sampled songs from Duran Duran’s Notorious album. One notable example is the song “Notorious” itself, which has been sampled in various tracks, including: The Notorious B.I.G.’s “Mo Money Mo Problems” featuring Puff Daddy and Mase, which samples the bassline from “Notorious.” Janet Jackson’s “Someone to Call My Lover,” which samples the guitar riff from “Notorious.” MC Lyte’s “Not Wit’ a Dealer,” which samples the drum beat from “Notorious.” and Mariah Carey’s “Last Night a DJ Saved My Life,” which samples the bassline and guitar riff from “Notorious.”

• Notorious
• American Science
• Skin Trade
• A Matter of Feeling
• Hold Me
• Vertigo (Do the Demolition)
• So Misled
• Meet El Presidente
• Winter Marches On
• Proposition

Duran Duran Big Thing

Released in 1988, Duran Duran’s Big Thing marked a departure from their previous sound, embracing a more experimental and eclectic approach. The album blends elements of dance-pop, house, and synth-pop, showcasing the band’s willingness to evolve and innovate. Tracks like “I Don’t Want Your Love” and “All She Wants Is” feature infectious beats and catchy hooks, while songs like “Land” and “Palomino” delve into more introspective and atmospheric soundscapes. 

• Big Thing
• I Don’t Want Your Love
• All She Wants Is
• Too Late Marlene
• Drug (It’s Just a State of Mind)
• Do You Believe in Shame?
• Palomino
• Interlude One
• Land
• Flute Interlude
• The Edge of America
• Lake Shore Driving

Big Thing features the un-remixed version of ‘Drug’ which was released before the original remixed version.