Alright, we get it—”Rio,” “Planet Earth,” “Hungry Like the Wolf,” and “Save a Prayer” are mandatory at every Duran Duran concert. I mean, for fans who haven’t seen them a gazillion times like yours truly, missing out on these classics would be a crime against the Official Duranie Code (aka, the ODC).
But hey, we can dream, right? So, how about the boys toss us a musical bone by swapping out “A View to a Kill,” “The Reflex,” or “The Wild Boys” with one of these epic, sometimes-forgotten Duran Duran tracks instead?
Many of these have been performed live on previous tours or TV performances but we need to hear them more.
Here’s the Top 12 Duran Duran songs that Duranies wish they would play live on the next tour:
Box Full O’ Honey
What’s so funny? We’ll tell you – the fact that “Box Full O’ Honey“ is one of Duran Duran’s most underrated songs. Released in 2007 on the Red Carpet Massacre album, it’s apparently about being obsessed with boinking Miss Melancholy who keeps flirting and dallying with Simon. Speaking of Simon, he says he was listening to a lot of Bob Dylan at the time, so there’s that.
Box Full O’Honey is beautifully mellow. There’s no electric guitar – just Dom strumming on an acoustic, a subtle but bad-ass bass line, and delicate keyboard piano rounding out the sound. It’s clean and relatively stripped-down compared to other Duran Duran songs, as if it was written to be performed on NPR’s Tiny Desk. (Hint, hint, NPR…) Did we mention that Simon sounds oh-so-delicious as he croons “are you laughing at me now, in my circumstance…” It sends a Duranies’ heart a-flutter. Plus, there’s this sort-of rat-a-tat drum thing happening that is just too cool.
“Honey” showcases Simon’s voice at its purest, and we’d love to hear it live where we can fully bask in its Le Glory.
Do You Believe In Shame
Duran Duran might be the “band to dance to when the bomb drops,” but “Do You Believe in Shame?“ also proves that they’re the band to listen to while you’re pinning and burning Yankee Candles on a rainy evening.
This standout track from 1988’s Big Thing album is a must-listen testament to their versatility. Poignant and introspective, it blends emotional depth with the signature Duran Duran sound. I mean, damn, how awesome is that bom, bom, bom, bom-bom-bom-bom bass part toward the end? The chord progression is clean and simplistic featuring acoustic and electric elements layered with Simon’s heartfelt vocal delivery. In fact, his vocals are the stirring core of the track, delivered with the vulnerability that makes us Duranies SWOON. We hear his pain, but also his hope as he grapples with loss, regret, and longing.
The song was dedicated to three important figures in the band’s life, artist Andy Warhol, producer Alex Sadkin, and Simon’s long-time friend David Miles who died of a drug overdose in the 80’s. It’s actually part of a trilogy of songs written for Miles that includes “Ordinary World” and “Out of My Mind” from Medazzaland.
“Shame” also has a history of controversy, which might be the reason that the band has it on the reject list. After losing a legal challenge brought by the writers of “Susie Q”, Duran Duran had to give writing credits to Dale Hawkins. Now that you know that, you won’t be able to unhear Susie Q whenever you listen to “Shame,” so we’d say that makes it ripe for a Nile Rodgers edit and a spot on the next tour.
Matter of Feeling
“Steal away in the morning, love’s already history to you…” man, we still get the goosies whenever we hear that.
“A Matter of Feeling,“ a track from Duran Duran’s 1986 no-skip album Notorious, is a richly textured ballad that showcases the band’s ability to blend instrumentation with VIBE. The legend himself, Nile Rodgers, had a hand in this one. His influence is evident in the clean, crisp sound and the feel-it-in-your-gut groove, not to mention the always-impeccable Stone Love Bass Odyssey bass playing that makes John Taylor the GOD that he is. As for Simon, he teases us with soft, almost whispered verses then really lets us have it with the powerful chorus. You’ll need a cigarette and a nap afterwards.
Fun fact: the song was a huge hit in Brazil and was #1 there for over a year. It was featured prominently in the Brazilian tv series “Mandala.” Some say that Simon wrote the song with Roger in mind, but we think that sounds like fan fiction.
If you were born before 1987 like yours truly, you might’ve heard Duran do this song on the Strange Behaviour Tour. It was epic, even though it was a time of turmoil for many Duranies since the Fab Five had become the Fab Three and Sometimes Four (depending on Roger’s mood and John’s toxicology panel). It’s doubtful that this one will ever make a re-appearance on tour though, because it’s been reported that Simon doesn’t like it. But John does, so maybe he can change his mind. Give him that pop-star grin and wink, John. He’ll cave.
Last Day on Earth
Had enough of ballads? Then you’ll love Duran Duran’s “Last Day on Earth,“ from their 2000 album Pop Trash. I mean, WOW, this is Duran Duran? The Warren Cuccurullo influence here is obvious. Last Day is an aggressive and intense song that, rumor has it, was originally written for a James Bond movie but was rejected for U2 and/or Sheryl Crow, depending on who you ask.
Could you imagine our boys doing this one live today? Maybe right after Save a Prayer for a delicious bit of juxtaposition.
To the people who criticized them for being too flimsy and do-do-do-do-ey can kiss our collective Duranie asses because Last Day on Earth is a rocking tune that proves this band is capable of power rock.
Palomino Followed by Lake Shore Driving
why she says
when I run out of blue
give me red instead
now I can run to you
Holy moly, you guys, this one makes us sing at the top of our lungs. We don’t care how bad we sound. We don’t care who is listening. Palomino (aka Welcome To The Edge, if you ask people who are confused) is a BANGER and the lyrics are delicious. Duranie lore says that the song was a Simon and John-led masterpiece and the lyrics were inspired by a beautiful girl — but also Pablo Picasso. (Picasso once said “If I don’t have blue, I use red instead,” and Simon agreed, apparently.)
As if Palomino wasn’t awesome enough, could you imagine hearing the boys blend it with the instrumental, Lake Shore Driving? On Duran Duran’s fifth album “Big Thing,” it follows Edge of America, and it was SO GOOD. It’s the closest the band will ever get to jam-band status. So what if we’re requesting that it morph with Palomino instead. It’s our website, we can do what we want.
Some claim that Big Thing was Duran’s most schizophrenic album. Sure, times were strange in those days with side projects and solo projects and supermodel girlfriends and and missing guitar players and drummers, and bowls full of cocaine and whatnot. (Or maybe it was LSD given the the Krush Brothers “LSD edit”.)
Fun fact: The Krush Brothers was an alias used by Duran Duran in the late 80s while they were promoting Big Thing. They played shows in 1988 under the alias (one at La Locomotive, Paris, France, and one at the Town and Country Club, London, England.) Like, damn, who were the lucky bastards who got to see these shows?
Chains
Okay, it’s time to talk about Astronaut, Duran Duran’s eleventh studio album. This thing is special because it marked the (short-lived and perhaps volatile) return of Andy Taylor (on guitar AND background vocals). The idiot critics poo-poo’d on the album, but the smart ones understood the assignment. We Duranies know that Astronaut is a keeper, and the song “Chains” is one of the reasons why.
Simon said that Chains was about a man who sits on his porch waiting for “the demons” to drag him away every night – but never does. We Duranies just sit on the porch and wonder why Chains was never released as a single.
Out of My Mind
The Duran Duran’s ninth album, Medazzaland, was released in 1997 during hard times for the band. John contributed just a wee bit to the album (a measly four songs) before putting in his resignation in favor of his solo work and side gig with his band, Neurotic Outsiders. Roger and Andy were long gone at this point. The sometimes creepy Warren Cuccurullo filled in but the fans weren’t buying it (figuratively and literally). Medazzaland felt SLEAZY, especially with that horrible Electric Barbarella video that did NOT age well (it was pre-Me-Too movement, after all). Clearly, Nick and Simon were aggravated with John. Nick wrote the lyrics for “Buried in the Sand,” and Simon, who was suffering from writer’s block at the time, wrote “Who Do You Think You Are?”
I’m giving you the news
Your domination’s through
You gave the best you got
Now I’m out on top
Ouch!
But we digress. Out of My Mind, which appeared on Medazzaland, and the soundtrack for The Saint staring Val Kilmer, is the focus here. Simon wrote the lyrics for his friend David Miles (part of that Miles triology we mentioned earlier.) The video had goth-adjacent Danse Macabre vibes long before Duran’s Danse Macabre was a thing. We’re sure we have Nick to thank for that. Seems like Out Of My Mind would’ve been the perfect addition to those live shows -slash- Halloween celebrations so maybe put this on the setlist next year, fellas. We’d love to see Simon in his weird old man creeper costume again.
Someone Else Not Me
Duran Duran’s single “Someone Else Not Me,” released in 2000 from the Pop Trash album, is a breezy ballad that captures the bittersweet realization that a relationship is ending. Simon’s vocals are dreamy, and Warren Cuccurullo’s guitar solo rocks. Speaking of Warren, it’s important to note that most of the Pop Trash album was the Nick And Warren Show. John, Roger, and Andy were off doing their own things, and even Simon seemed unenthused. But he DID write Someone Else Not Me and has said, “it is probably one of the most revealing lyrics I’ve ever written.”
“It’s based on a very small incident, but the way I look at it is this: Something happened to me on a dance floor in France — it was just minutes — but it started the ball rolling in my head. Where the ball ended up is where the song started. That’s pretty obscure, isn’t it?” Gee, thanks for nothing, Simon.
This is the same interview where Simon said: “I think a flirtatious relationship is beautiful. It finishes before it gets messy. You know — flirt, don’t squirt.”
Again, we digress.
If you like The Beatles, this song is the closest you’ll get to a Duran Duran-Strawberry Fields Forever vibe. The music video, notable for being the first created entirely with Flash Animation, was kinda cool. This marked Cuccurullo’s final contribution before his departure, as the band made moves to reunite with the Taylors.
Breath After Breath
One of the hidden gems on Duran Duran’s The Wedding Album, “Breath After Breath,” tends to slip under the radar. With its sultry blend of Spanish-inspired guitar and Portuguese vocals, it’s a noticeable departure from the band’s usual sound. The Portuguese lyrics, written by Grammy-winning Brazilian legend Milton Nascimento, lend the song a rich, multicultural flavor. Believe it or not, they’ve even performed it live, sharing the stage with Nascimento during shows in Brazil.
Imagine Duran Duran reviving “Breath After Breath” with a modern twist on their next tour. Can’t you just see it? The stage is alive with a vibrant chorus of Portuguese singers, while the band dons their matador-style traje de luces. In the current climate, where we’re all craving connection and common ground, the Brazilian-infused vocals and Spanish guitar could be a reminder that music crosses all boundaries.
Sunset Garage
“How did we get so far? Whatever happens, we’re OK”
You can almost see these lyrics superimposed over a photo of a kitten hanging from a tree limb. Sunset Garage is a carefree pop anthem from Duran Duran’s fourteenth studio album, Paper Gods. It’s ALL VIBES and features those classic D2 hooks that you love. It’s sunny and feel-goody and features some kick-ass bass playing by our favorite groove master.
Oh, and while we’re on the subject of the Paper Gods album…
Please, please, we’re telling you now, Duran Duran… never ever allow Lindsay Lohan to perform a Thriller-like spoken-word bridge on your songs ever again. All copies of Danceophobia should be burned beyond recognition.
Invisible
“Invisible” from Duran Duran’s 2021 album Future Past, is an earworm extraordinaire. The song’s arrangement features Nick’s expert, atmospheric synths, a pulsing rhythm, and sharp guitar riffs, creating this sort-of dynamic tension that will make you stand up and take notice. The accompanying music video for “Invisible” was groundbreaking, being the first to be created using AI technology.
Invisible also turned a new generation of fans on to Duran Duran when it became associated with the Metal Gear video game. The song’s themes of alienation, feeling unseen, and questioning one’s role in a changing world aligned with the complex psychological narratives found in the Metal Gear series. The character of Snake, often grapples with his sense of duty and place in a morally ambiguous world, much like the lyrical introspection in “Invisible.”
(I’m Looking For”) Cracks in the Pavement
“Cracks in the Pavement” is a classic track from Duran Duran’s 1983 album Seven and the Ragged Tiger, a record that marked the peak of the band’s early success. While not released as a single, it’s an often overlooked song that featured some of the most “Simon” Simon Le Bon lyrics of all time.
Don’t want to be in public
My head is full of chopstick
I don’t like it
Honorable Mention
- Evil Woman
- Girl Panic
- Perfect Day
- Shelter
Did we miss any?