Hi Guys, I remember seeing in interview with Nick on MTV about how Arcadia planned on
Covering "Ball Of Confusion" Simon wanted to change one of the lyrics and apparently Nick was dead against changing the Classic Lyric. And you both went off to sulk in separate rooms. And Nick started playing the chords to "Goodbye Is Forever" and Simon was blown away and the song was born. I am well aware Duran eventually covered "Ball of Confusion" on THANK YOU 10 years
later. What, dare I ask was the controversial lyric and did Nick give in or was Simon outvoted by Nick, John and Warren? I must say I love both "Goodbye Is Forever" and the cover of "Ball Of Confusion" and the answer to this question has always had me curious. Thanks Loads for reading guys. Johnny, from Boston area
"INTERESTING. WE DON'T RECALL THE URGE TO COVER THE SONG WHEN WE WERE DOING THE ARCADIA ALBUM, BUT IT DOES MAKE PERFECT SENSE AS WE WERE LISTENING THE TEMPTATIONS A LOT DURING THAT PERIOD. NICK PARTICULARLY LIKED THE SONG "BALL OF CONFUSION" BUT IN HINDSIGHT, WE PROBABLY SHOULDN'T HAVE COVERED IT ON THE "THANK YOU" ALBUM. WHILST WE ARE GLAD YOU GAINED SOME PLEASURE LISTENING TO OUR VERSION, THE DURAN CONSENSUS IS THAT THE ORIGINAL IS SUCH A DEFINITIVE VERSION WE PROBABLY SHOULD NOT HAVE ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE IT SO RADICALLY, AND SIMON FEELS THAT THE ORIGINAL VOCALS WERE SO EXTRAORDINARY THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO FIND A NEW TAKE.
WE CAN'T REMEMBER WHICH LINE SIMON WANTED TO CHANGE - MAYBE "GUN CONTROL AND THE SOUND OF SOUL" - BUT KNOW THAT WE DID NOT END UP CHANGING ANY OF THE LYRIC. SIMON AND NICK"