They're the wild boys.
Welcome to WatchMojo.com
and today we're counting down our picks for the Top 10 Duran Duran Songs.
For this list, we've chosen our entries based on a combination of the artist's fan favorites
and their most commercially successful songs.
Released as the band's first ever single,
this 4-minute track introduced us to Duran Duran's mix of synthpop and new wave.
With references to the New Romantic fashion movement and a pounding rhythm,
"Planet Earth" was a top 20 UK hit
and was later included on their self-titled debut record.
With its Warren Cuccurullo-developed guitar hook,
alternative rock sound, audio effects
and use of male and female vocals,
Duran Duran created a truly ethereal atmosphere
with the second single from The Wedding Album.
"Come Undone" may have a sorrowful feel to it,
but that's exactly what draws you in and holds you tight.
As the band's second straight top 10 from their seventh record,
it's obvious many others felt the same.
Mixing rock and new wave to evoke feelings of tension
and excitement that are normally associated with spy films,
Duran Duran crafted this 3-and-a-half minute number for the Bond film of the same name.
Despite critics' reservations about the band's abilities
to compose a tune appropriate for the franchise,
"A View to a Kill" surpassed expectations
and became the only Bond theme to top the Billboard Hot 100.
After some musical experimentation in the late '80s,
Duran Duran found their synthpop sound was starting to lose steam by the early '90s.
Things turned around in 1993 with their comeback record known as The Wedding Album,
with first single "Ordinary World" leading the charge.
Featuring a melancholy tone,
the pop and alternative rock ballad took the band into the Billboard Hot 100's top 5
and into the UK Top 10.
Inspired by an apocalyptic novel,
Simon Le Bon wrote the lyrics to this new wave tune
while Nick Rhodes, and John, Roger and Andy Taylor composed the music.
The result was a 4-minute track filled with chanting,
thumping drums, and hard rocking guitar.
As the only studio recorded song on Duran Duran's live Arena album,
"The Wild Boys" reached the second spot on both the U.S. and UK charts.
Seven and the Ragged Tiger's third single
wasn't only Duran Duran's first Billboard Hot 100 number one
but it was also a top twenty smash worldwide.
With its new wave sound and danceable rock vibe,
"The Reflex" is a fun and musically layered track that also topped the UK charts.
And who can forget Le Bon's warbling during the chorus?
It was with this new wave single that you can't help but dance to
that Duran Duran had their first taste of mainstream success in the UK.
But it was actually its raunchy music video that helped "Girls on Film" stay on the charts there
and which eventually became an MTV staple.
This meant an edited "day version"
and uncensored "night version" of the clip were released
- with the latter featuring unapologetic use of BDSM,
barely clothed girls and more.
Distinguished by its unique intro,
driving bass line and synthesizer-led hook,
Rio's title track quickly found top 10 success in their native UK.
And though it only found American chart recognition following a reissue a year later,
"Rio" remains emblematic of the '80s
thanks to its electronic melody and well-known music video.
Multiple artists have also covered the song.
There's just something about the way the band blends new wave
and synthpop in this moody number off Rio
that makes us feel they're taking us on a journey to somewhere foreign and beautiful.
It's truly an escape in musical form,
with the standout synthesizer riff bringing it all together.
While the single reached the UK top 2,
its scenic music video found heavy rotation on MTV.
Before we unveil our number one pick,
here are a few honorable mentions:
It was Rio''s second single that really put Duran Duran on the map
when it came to worldwide success.
Thanks to its lively keyboards, a biting guitar riff, and Le Bon's vocals,
"Hungry Like the Wolf" showed off Duran Duran's musical chemistry
and propelled the band into the top 5 of the UK charts.
But it was its Indiana Jones-inspired music video,
with its exotic locales and animals,
that helped them find a home on MTV and into the top 5 of the U.S. charts.
Do you agree with our list?
What's your favorite Duran Duran Song?
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