It’s a fascinating story, this Duran Duran one. The quintessential ’80s band that you laughed off when it was a flash in the pan. The group that mildly impressed you with an early ’90s resurgence. And the act that shocked you by still being around four and a half decades after the fact. With that kind of staying power, it’s worth asking: Are they actually good?!
The Bio
Back in 1978, a few random dudes decided to start a band in Birmingham, England. After juggling the lineup a bit, they ended up a quintet, sporting three unrelated guys with the same last name (Taylor). It was the other two, however, who would arguably define their sound. Vocalist Simon Le Bon was, well, a vocalist, and keyboardist Nick Rhodes brought the synth to synth pop.
Always eager to embrace technology, the “Fab Five” made and were made by MTV, with their controversial video for “Girls on Film” (1981) helping to launch both themselves and the nascent channel into the limelight.
From there came more hits and an obsessed fan base of the sort that only a collection of handsome British chaps can engender. Of course, that peak was followed by the usual bickering, creative stagnation, and unnecessary side projects, making the aforementioned ’90s revival all the more surprising.
Over the ensuing 30 years, only the most devoted music fans knew that the band continued to plug away in what by its ubervisible standards could be described as relative anonymity. Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022 and now 16 albums deep, the group has since cemented its legacy.
Yet for the casual listener, the dense portfolio and “lifetime achievement award” have yielded just a handful or two of instantly recognizable jams. Among those, the biggest have come from the first quarter of the ongoing timeline. Have a listen.
“Hungry Like the Wolf” (1982)
“Rio” (1982)
“Ordinary World” (1992)
“Come Undone” (1993)
So Are They Good?
The perceived dearth of bangers is what brings us back to the initial question.
In the case of Duran Duran, it’s all about finding the proper metric. Not all entertainers can or should be measured with the same measuring stick, a simple concept that music critics obstinately disregard.
Take Taylor Swift:
Is she the best vocalist? No.
The best musician? No.
The best dancer? No.
Has anyone else been able to combine songwriting, performing, hard work, charisma, business acumen, and marketing genius in quite the same way? Not even close.
Now for Duran Duran:
Are they the most musically gifted? No.
Do they have the most memorable vocals? No.
Unforgettable dance moves? No.
Has anyone been able to combine experimentation, innovation, songwriting, musicianship, fashion, and an it factor in quite the same way? Judging by the fact that they’re still selling out arenas almost a half century after their humble Birmingham beginnings, let’s go with a no.
Make that a no-torious.
