Duran Duran burst on the scene as a New Wave synth pop sensation in the 1980s, part of the Second British Invasion and became one of the most successful pop rock bands in history. Their fantastic style, unforgettable videos and hit songs earned them a tremendous fan following worldwide and influenced generations of musicians including Justin Timberlake. From classics “The Reflex” and “Girls on Film” to the more recent upbeat anthem “(Reach Up for the) Sunrise”, Duran Duran continues to dazzle fans with their extraordinary talent and songwriting ability. Here are the 5 reasons we love Duran Duran.
1. They’ve never broken up. Unlike some bands who play with their fans' emotions by breaking up and reuniting every few years or so, Duran Duran has stuck together over the years, toughing out the not hugely successful album releases (there were two, Medazzaland and Pop Trash that didn’t do well out of thirteen studio albums), made some personnel changes and plugged on.
2. Their style is beyond that of all other bands currently working in the music industry. They look great and always have, period. Critics early on accused them of being more about style than substance, but Duran Duran’s music speaks for itself. Thirty years later their songs are still as danceable as ever.
3. They write their own material and have since the start of their career. It might not seem fair that a band so photogenic should also be so gifted in the songwriting department, but they are. Among Duran Duran’s great songs with evocative lyrics are early hits, “Rio”, and “Hungry Like the Wolf”, as well as hits from the 1990s “Come Undone” and “Ordinary World.”
4. Their innovative and stunning videos made the fledgling MTV worth watching. Filmed on 35mm film, Duran Duran’s videos looked fantastic with solid production values and great directors. While most bands at the time were just learning how to deal with the new media, Duran Duran took to music television like a duck to water. The look of their videos “Rio”, “Hungry Like the Wolf” and “Save a Prayer” influenced the look of all music videos that followed. “Hungry Like the Wolf” is #15 on MTV’s list of most played videos of all time.
5. They’ve inspired some of the most entertaining and diverse artists in the music industry. Justin Timberlake is a huge fan. He co-wrote, produced and sang on Duran Duran’s 2007 single “Falling Down.” The Killers’ frontman Brandon Flowers, Pink, Dido and Franz Ferdinand also cite Duran Duran as a major influence on their work. In the world of hip hop, the Notorious B.I.G. famously sampled Duran Duran’s single “Notorious” (1986).
