Alas, my personal charts from 1982 were lost a long time ago, but “Walking On Sunshine” was definitely a number one. Bought on the same day as “Planet Rock” and “The Message” - and what a personal paradigm shift that moment marked - it was initially my favourite of the three, and the first 12” I’d encountered with multiple mixes of the same track. Oddly, it hasn’t retained classic status in the way that the other two records have, but it did absolutely get played to death, with its acappella endlessly recycled in other tunes, so it must have fallen victim to its instant popularity.The other two big favourites were “Breaking Us In Two” and “Passion”. I loved Night & Day-era Joe Jackson (and have recently been playing 1984’s “You Can’t Get What You Want” a lot), and saw him live around this time… my gaydar was also twanging hard in his direction, although this wasn’t publicly confirmed for several more years.The first Bobby O production I heard, thanks to two trips to France over the summer where it was a big hit (along with Lime’s “Babe We’re Gonna Love Tonight”), was Roni Griffith’s cowbell-crazy “The Best Part Of Breaking Up”, the second being his own “I’m So Hot For You”. I fell for both tunes so hard, that “Passion” fell rather in their slipstream at the time.Much as I grew to love it later, I didn’t think much of “Gloria” at the time: too brash and naff and cheesy. But I was still a few months away from discovering the gay scene, where it would doubtless have made more impact in its proper context.
― mike t-diva, Wednesday, 7 July 2021 09:57 (two years ago) link
Some strong choices but voted for Fashion, peak sophisto-pop white funk crossover, which dated very quickly and was then done better by Scritti but have fond memories of this.
― Dan Worsley, Wednesday, 7 July 2021 12:26 (two years ago) link
Their album ‘Fabrique’ was recently rereleased but only as an eye wateringly expensive deluxe box set.
― Dan Worsley, Wednesday, 7 July 2021 12:27 (two years ago) link
These Smash Hits reviews are an absolute time capsule, it’s amazing how so many of these songs have totally faded into obscurity.
― Mr. Snrub, Wednesday, 7 July 2021 12:30 (two years ago) link
Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.
― System, Sunday, 11 July 2021 00:01 (two years ago) link
Fabrique is a cool album! Love this bside extended instrumental mix thing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIoM6S1TY50
― brimstead, Sunday, 11 July 2021 00:26 (two years ago) link
I love Walking On Sunshine
― bovarism, Sunday, 11 July 2021 00:51 (two years ago) link
who doesn't? show them?
― So who you gonna call? The martini police (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Sunday, 11 July 2021 01:17 (two years ago) link
voted Passion JUST ahead of Rockers Revenge
― bobo honkin' slobo babe (sic), Sunday, 11 July 2021 11:25 (two years ago) link
As ever, loads of these which I don't know, but no time post-holiday to play them all through, dammit!
― mike t-diva, Sunday, 11 July 2021 12:38 (two years ago) link
It's funny how Duran Duran have almost no cultural relevance now. I used to be annoyed at the time by how frequently they were on the cover of SH, which seemed like every other week and sometimes it would just be John Taylor on the cover. Even a group like Spandau Ballet who were much less successful seem to be more highly valued.
― Heavy Messages (jed_), Sunday, 11 July 2021 14:28 (two years ago) link
I think they still have some cachet. There’s just been a 33 1/3 book on ‘Rio’ published and a bit of buzz anou their new album. Though tbf that may be more for Graham Coxon’s involvement.
― Dan Worsley, Sunday, 11 July 2021 14:41 (two years ago) link
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcqiswAZfVPrelbvFs5Swp06ILOWW7Cdc
― Yours in Sorrow, A Schoolboy: (forksclovetofu), Sunday, 11 July 2021 15:22 (two years ago) link
less complete:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6HwZ0LyLQRY1jn8MTj99MI?si=e4da2fa4c4ee4fa9
― Yours in Sorrow, A Schoolboy: (forksclovetofu), Sunday, 11 July 2021 15:26 (two years ago) link
I like Duran Duran WAY more than Spandau Ballet.
Save A Prayer intro is all time too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvlyYgSTS0I
― stirmonster, Sunday, 11 July 2021 17:30 (two years ago) link
i do love the first few Spandau Ballet singles though.
― stirmonster, Sunday, 11 July 2021 18:19 (two years ago) link
Rockers Revenge, easy
― Mark G, Sunday, 11 July 2021 18:45 (two years ago) link
Automatic thread bump. This poll's results are now in.
― System, Monday, 12 July 2021 00:01 (two years ago) link
Spent some time listening to this playlist today to the clear joy of my appropriately aged partner. More please
― Yours in Sorrow, A Schoolboy: (forksclovetofu), Monday, 12 July 2021 00:11 (two years ago) link
Got another lined up, forks.
― Heavy Messages (jed_), Monday, 12 July 2021 00:44 (two years ago) link
I voted for Memory of your Name, which I had only just heard, because I was sure the Flirts didn't need my vote ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
― Heavy Messages (jed_), Monday, 12 July 2021 00:46 (two years ago) link
That Save a Prayer sampling track stir posted is fantastic.
― Heavy Messages (jed_), Monday, 12 July 2021 00:47 (two years ago) link
No one on the thread vouched for Duran and they came second. I guess my idea that they are irrelevant was bollocks, it wouldn't be the first time. I like Save a Prayer. I like Wild Boys and The Chauffeur, too. "sing blue silver" is etched in my mind. It seems profound somehow but isn't at the same time.
― Heavy Messages (jed_), Monday, 12 July 2021 00:57 (two years ago) link
"sing blue silver" seems all surface, no feeling, which, I guess, may be quintessential 80s.
― Heavy Messages (jed_), Monday, 12 July 2021 01:00 (two years ago) link
what the fuck does that mean, and how is surface not felt?
― So who you gonna call? The martini police (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Monday, 12 July 2021 01:20 (two years ago) link
sorry, it's so weird to me we're STILL having these authenticity discussions almost 40 years after synths and Ferry-esque mannerisms fucked everyone
― So who you gonna call? The martini police (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Monday, 12 July 2021 01:21 (two years ago) link
The DD Night Versions are huge faves too.
Growing up just about all my best girl friends were HUGE Duranies. I was in denial for a long time but i think all that exposure eventually seeped in there.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1DAUuLeEOw
― stirmonster, Monday, 12 July 2021 01:22 (two years ago) link
No idea why Alfred is being cunty to my comment when he's generally so genial. and how is surface not felt? is my point. wtf, alf?
― Heavy Messages (jed_), Monday, 12 July 2021 03:40 (two years ago) link
The Hot Tracks "Gloria In 3D" remix from 1984 is insane:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UD3Ym9viJ8o
― mike t-diva, Monday, 12 July 2021 18:13 (two years ago) link
lol, you're not kidding
― Yours in Sorrow, A Schoolboy: (forksclovetofu), Monday, 12 July 2021 18:58 (two years ago) link
jed, do you mind if i do september 82?
― Yours in Sorrow, A Schoolboy: (forksclovetofu), Monday, 12 July 2021 19:02 (two years ago) link
Absolutely dying at "Gloria In 3D" as remixed by Spike Jones, thanks!
― Three Rings for the Elven Bishop (Dan Peterson), Monday, 12 July 2021 19:13 (two years ago) link
feel free, forks!
― Heavy Messages (jed_), Monday, 12 July 2021 19:28 (two years ago) link
That's absolutely mental.
― Heavy Messages (jed_), Monday, 12 July 2021 22:58 (two years ago) link