DURAN DURAN UK Singles Rate 1981 - 2022 WINNER REVEALED

simes1970

simes1970

Here we are at the end of the Duran Duran rate with your two tracks left standing. First up the song that was winning until the last set of results. Duran's first ballad hit single and an excellent one at that

Save A Prayer
Score 127 Average 9.82 Highest Score 11 (RaggedTiger, Hairycub1969, MylesAngel, Unnameable)
Lowest Score 7.1 (Untouchable Ace)
Other Scores
10 (Blaahh, Auntie Beryl, Letuinmybackdoor, JonBCN, Eric Generic, Remorque) 9 (Simes1970)
7.6 (Epic Chocolat)

Comments Include
"Still a very underrated song, lush, scenic ballad time for Duran that doesn’t get the 80s retro praise which is heaped on lesser songs."

"Amazing song with an equally stunning video to match. The mixture of Nick's wavering keyboard introduction, Andy's guitar,and Simon's lyrics. Its just a perfect mix of everyone on their 'A' game." (RaggedTiger)

" This should have been their first UK Number One – damn that “Eye of a tiger” – one of their best videos too. To this day it still sounds like a big ballad for a late at night Sci- Fi movie. A very dramatic sound from the keyboards and guitars and a lovely bass line from JT!
Key lyric for me: “Some people call it a one night stand but we can call it paradise”" (Hairycub1969)







So that brings us to your No1 Duran Duran single and of course it's Ordinary World. What a comeback after the failure of Liberty.

Ordinary World
Score 128 Average 9.84 Highest Score 12 (Unnameable) Lowest Score 7.3 (Untouchable Ace)
Other Scores 10 ( Blaahh, Letuinmybackdoor, RaggedTiger, Hairycub1969, Epic Chocolat, MylesAngel,
Eric Generic, Remorque, Simes1970) 9.7 (JonBCN) 9 (Auntie Beryl)

Comments Include
"A new sound for a new decade, that's how it felt. A magnificient comeback. The falsetto adlib." (Epic Chocolat)

"Wonderful ballad with a beautiful arrangement. Lyrical it could easily be about their past decade’s fame – but wasn’t it about the LA Riots of 1992?" (Hairycub1969)

"I can still remember hearing this on Radio on during the Xmas 1992 holiday period and just being blown away that Duran could produce this after the failure of the Liberty album." (RaggedTiger)

" Such a difficult track for me, in 1993 a staggering return to songwriting form which won much plaudits deservedly. Much overplayed live ever since to the point of boredom, which is sad given its beauty." (Blaahh)
 
MilesAngel

MilesAngel

Here's my commentary for Save A Prayer, my 11 -
Epic 80's ballad with wonderful fluttering synths. The production ebbs and flows, and then those guitars come in, adding something extra. Simon's vocals are stunning. 'Some people call it a one night stand.
But we can call it paradise' - Great lyric!
 
RaggedTiger

RaggedTiger

0.02 between the top 2. So close. Remember hearing it on the radio for the first time in late December 1992 I think and was shocked and blown away Duran could come back with something so strong still. Lyrically I believe it follows a similar theme to Do You Believe in Shame? which were both written about Simon's closest friend who had passed away.

Thanks again Simes for another top rate. I will participate in the omd rare but have to admit I'm not as familiar with their post 80s material.
 
ohnoitisnathan

ohnoitisnathan

I interpreted, perhaps wrongly, 'Ordinary World' to be about coming to terms without not being that famous anymore, i.e. they'd literally gone back to living in the "ordinary world", where they didn't even need security/a disguise in public, because people didn't recognise them anymore, or if they did, they didn't care.

"Passion or coincidence once prompted you to stay" - referring to their fan-base.

"I won't cry for yesterday" - when they were megastars.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Top