Duran Duran has returned, and this time, they’ve cast a musical spell with a masterful cover of Electric Light Orchestra’s iconic hit, “Evil Woman.” Yes, you heard correctly. The pioneers of the ’80s new romantic era are taking on the interstellar icons of ’70s symphonic rock and it’s kinda great.
This reimagined cover of “Evil Woman” is the song you didn’t know you needed—but now can’t live without. It’s one of three bonus tracks on the DE LUXE edition of Danse Macabre, Duran Duran’s latest musical alchemy. Alongside reworked classics like “New Moon (Dark Phase),” the album offers fresh tracks and even an instrumental interlude, “Masque of Pink Death”—a clever nod to Edgar Allan Poe’s The Masque of the Red Death.
The Duran Duran version of Evil Woman strips down the symphonic strings, replacing them with the signature Duran sound mixed with a little Nile Rodgers funk. “We Duranified it,” according to Nick Rhodes. Let’s be clear — it’s not a bold reinvention of the original song… it’s just a fun groove that is a great fit for an album that is all about the VIBES. Rhodes called it “beautifully structured”.
Why Duran Duran Was Right to Bring Back ELO’s Sound
“Evil Woman” is a hit song by the British rock band Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), released in 1975. It was part of their fifth studio album, Face the Music. Written by the band’s frontman Jeff Lynne, the song became one of ELO’s most successful and recognizable tracks, reaching the top 10 in both the UK and the US charts. He wrote the song in a matter of minutes. Those first three chords hit him and voila, a hit was born. Basically, the song tells the story of how a woman manipulated him, played with his body and heart, destroyed the virtues the Lord gave her and made him a fool.
Pop Meets Classical With Electric Light Orchestra
ELO was the quintessential ’70s band, blending rock, pop, and classical elements in a way that made you feel like you were listening to a rock opera in a spaceship. Their signature use of sweeping strings and symphonic elements gave them a sound that was, quite literally, out of this world. Covering ELO isn’t for the faint of heart. We’re talking about a band that basically invented a whole Xanadu-style genre by fusing rock with spacey electric elements. Their music was big, bold, and often a little weird (in the best possible way). So, why did Duran Duran choose to resurrect this ELO gem? Because they get it. They understand that ELO’s music was always about pushing boundaries and getting people hyped to hit the dance floor. It makes you want to MOVE. And isn’t that what Duran Duran has always done?
“The beauty of music is to remain flexible and open-minded,” Rhodes says. “That’s at the heart of what has kept Duran Duran fresh.” With that idea in mind, Duran Duran reimagined a few of their classics the Danse Macabre album including their 1984 hit “New Moon on Monday,” which became “New Moon (Dark Phase).” It features a guest appearance by the band’s original lead guitarist, Andy Taylor.
Duran Duran: So Much More Than an 80s Band
One thing is for sure, Duran Duran is outpacing their peers when it comes to longevity and proving that they’re so much more than just an ’80s band. So, if you’re looking for the perfect track to summon some dark, groovy vibes this fall, Duran Duran’s version of “Evil Woman” is your jam.
Danse Macabre also features Duran Duran’s version of Billie Eilish’s “Bury a Friend,” Talking Heads’ “Psycho Killer,” The Rolling Stones’ “Paint It Black,” The Specials’ “Ghost Town,” and Siouxsie and the Banshees’ “Spellbound.” To support the album, the band will be doing a limited East Coast tour running from October 21 through a November 2, including a Halloween concert (complete with Halloween costumes!) at Madison Square Garden in New York City.