"Do You Believe in Shame?" is a song by the English pop rock band Duran Duran, released on 10 April 1989 as the third and final single from their fifth studio album, Big Thing (1988).
To fully understand the significance of "Do You Believe in Shame?", it is essential to place the band in the late 1980s. Duran Duran had achieved stratospheric success in the first half of the decade, driven by a vanguard visual aesthetic and catchy pop-rock hits such as "Rio," "Hungry Like the Wolf," and "The Reflex." However, the years that followed were marked by a period of instability. The original lineup, consisting of Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, John Taylor, Roger Taylor, and Andy Taylor, had fragmented with the departures of both Andy and Roger Taylor. John and Nick formed The Power Station, and Simon, Nick, and Roger formed Arcadia, exploring different musical facets.
Upon returning as a core trio – Simon Le Bon (vocals), John Taylor (bass), and Nick Rhodes (keyboards) – for the album Notorious (1986), the band began to seek a more funk-driven and mature sound. Big Thing, from 1988, continued this exploration, incorporating elements of house music, dance, and a more polished pop-rock. It is in this context of experimentation and an attempt to redefine their identity that "Do You Believe in Shame?" emerges. The song stands apart from other more upbeat singles from the album, such as the title track "Big Thing" and "I Don't Want Your Love," offering a glimpse into a more contemplative and somber side of the band.
Notably, the song was dedicated by the band to three deceased friends: record producer Alex Sadkin, iconic artist Andy Warhol, and Simon Le Bon's childhood friend, David Miles. Le Bon has since stated that "Do You Believe in Shame?" is the first part of a trilogy of songs written as a tribute to Miles, with the other two being the later hits "Ordinary World" (1993) and "Out of My Mind" (1997)[3][4], emphasizing its deep personal significance to the frontman.
Composition and Lyrical Themes
"Do You Believe in Shame?" is a mid-tempo rock ballad distinguished by its melancholic and introspective atmosphere. The instrumentation is rich and layered, characteristic of David Kershenbaum and Jonathan Elias's production for Big Thing.
Musical Structure: The song is built upon an ethereal keyboard base and synthesizers that create an almost dreamlike ambiance, yet with an underlying vein of tension. John Taylor's bass line is less prominent in terms of funkiness than in other tracks on the album, opting for a more sustained and melodic approach that serves to anchor the harmonic progression. Guitars, though not dominant, add punctual textures and a concise, expressive solo. The electronic drums, common at the time, provide a firm but discreet beat that allows the melodic and vocal elements to breathe. There is a subtle use of synthesized strings that amplify the song's pathos.
Lyrical Themes: The lyrics, credited to Simon Le Bon, John Taylor, and Nick Rhodes, are the heart of the song and explore themes of guilt, regret, and the persistence of "sin" or "shame" in human consciousness. The rhetorical question in the title, "Do you believe in shame?", sets the interrogative and reflective tone. Le Bon sings about memories of past transgressions ("A picture that you painted long ago / A secret that you held on to...") and the inability to escape the shadow of these actions. The lyrics suggest an internal struggle, where shame is not just an external judgment but an entity that resides within the individual, shaping their self-perception and their world. Verses like "The mirror doesn't lie, it only throws a little light on the other side" deepen the idea of self-reflection and confronting one's own truth. It is a departure from the more hedonistic or escapist narratives that characterized Duran Duran's earlier work. Here, the band delves into an emotional depth that resonates with the insecurities and dilemmas of adult life, perhaps reflecting the pressures and scrutiny they themselves faced in the public eye.
Production
The production of "Do You Believe in Shame?", like the entire Big Thing album, was overseen by David Kershenbaum, with Jonathan Elias contributing to some tracks. Kershenbaum had previously worked with artists like Joe Jackson and Tracy Chapman, and his approach tended to be more organic and less "glamorous" than some of Duran Duran's earlier producers. For this particular song, the production is clean and spacious, allowing Le Bon's voice to convey the raw emotion of the lyrics. Rhodes's synthesizers are skillfully used to create textures and ambiances, rather than immediate pop melodies, underscoring the track's introspective nature.
Release and Reception
"Do You Believe in Shame?" was released as a single in April 1989. Despite its artistic merit and depth, the song did not replicate the resounding commercial success of the band's earlier singles. Its release was strategically timed to coincide with the band's Electric Theatre Tour, which began in Newcastle on April 15, 1989. As such, the 7" triple pack issued by EMI in the UK included tour dates on the artwork, making it a collectible item.
The song's first week of release was complicated by a technical issue: the original CD single was discovered to have an overlong playing time that disqualified it from some of the sales charts. The CD single was recalled two days after its initial release and reissued a few days later, but this delay meant that for several crucial days during the song's initial promotion, the CD was unavailable in shops, undoubtedly impacting its chart performance.
Despite its collectibility and artistic depth, the single's commercial performance was modest: it peaked no higher than #30 on the UK Singles Chart, reached #14 in Italy, #72 in the United States, and #88 in Canada.[5]. This lukewarm performance can be attributed to several factors:
Shift in Musical Palette: The sound of Big Thing was less accessible to some fans who expected the more direct pop-rock of the early decade.
Market Saturation: By the late 1980s, the music scene was in constant flux, with the rise of hair metal, the advent of grunge on the horizon, and the more synthesized pop of New Wave losing some of its dominant appeal.
Focus on Ballads: While "Save a Prayer" and "Ordinary World" proved Duran Duran's success with ballads, "Do You Believe in Shame?" lacked the same immediate melodic appeal or overt vulnerability that resonated with mass audiences.
Despite the modest commercial showing, the song was generally well-received by critics who appreciated the band's attempt to explore new depths and display a more serious facet of their art. Retrospectively, many fans and critics consider it one of Big Thing's hidden gems, a testament to the band's songwriting capability beyond their radio hits.
Music Video
The music video for "Do You Believe in Shame?" was directed by the acclaimed Chinese director Chen Kaige, who later directed critically acclaimed films such as Farewell My Concubine. Filmed in New York City, the video is as somber and contemplative as the song itself. It features the three core members of Duran Duran – Simon Le Bon, John Taylor, and Nick Rhodes – each in separate storylines, emphasizing a sense of isolation and introspection. The visual style is minimalist and dark, with a predominantly monochromatic color palette, reinforcing the serious atmosphere. There is none of the visual extravagance or elaborate narratives found in classic Duran Duran videos; this reflects the more sober and less "glamorous" phase the band was experiencing.
A notable visual element at the end of the video is a long line of dominoes falling in succession to form a question mark, which echoes the single's sleeve artwork where all the members of Duran Duran are depicted in a small room located within an apartment building. The video complements the song by focusing on performance and the expression of emotions without excessive visual distractions.
Allegations of Musical Similarity and Copyright Issues
As is common in the music industry, "Do You Believe in Shame?" became the subject of a significant copyright dispute, stemming from a notable melodic resemblance to the iconic song "Suzie Q."
The Origin of the Accusation: The central controversy revolved around the prominent guitar riff in "Do You Believe in Shame?" and its strong similarity to the distinctive guitar riff that opens and permeates "Suzie Q." While the most widely known version of "Suzie Q" was popularized by the American band Creedence Clearwater Revival in 1968, the song was originally written and recorded by Dale Hawkins in 1957, with composition credits often extended to Robert Chaisson and Stanley Lewis, though Dale Hawkins and Robert Chaisson are most frequently cited as the primary authors. Cash Box magazine notably commented on this similarity upon the song's release, stating that it "is a shameless ripoff of 'Suzie Q'. Same feel, same melody. And not surprisingly, it's the best thing we've heard out of D.D."
The Legal Challenge and Credit Change: The similarity between the riffs did not go unnoticed by the original creators or their representatives. There was indeed a successful legal challenge (or a significant out-of-court settlement) regarding the close resemblance. As a direct result of this copyright issue, Dale Hawkins and Robert Chaisson were officially added to the songwriting credits of "Do You Believe in Shame?" This inclusion is a formal recognition of the melodic inspiration or substantial similarity, indicating that the matter was resolved in a way that legally compensated the original composers. This change in credits, which is a matter of public record for musical works, unequivocally confirms that the similarity was acknowledged at a legal level and that the rights of the creators of "Suzie Q" were validated. The fact that "Suzie Q" was also famously covered by The Rolling Stones further highlights its status as a foundational rock classic.
Impact and Perspective: This incident underscores the complexities of copyright law in music, where even a distinct melodic phrase or a riff can be considered a protected element. For Duran Duran, the resolution demonstrated the band's (or their representatives') willingness to address the issue legally, acknowledging the similarity and ensuring that proper credits were attributed. For "Do You Believe in Shame?", this information adds a layer of context to its history, revealing that beyond its lyrical introspection and sonic maturation, it also carried an officially recognized connection to an earlier rock and roll classic.
Legacy and Analysis
"Do You Believe in Shame?" may not have the instant recognition of "Rio" or the cultural resonance of "Girls on Film," but it holds an important place in Duran Duran's tapestry. It serves as an indicator of the band's desire to evolve and not settle for the formula that brought them stardom. Within the context of New Wave, which was often criticized for its supposed superficiality, this song demonstrates the genre's and its artists' capacity to address complex and universal themes.
The song is a reminder that, even in their periods of less commercial visibility, Duran Duran continued to create music of substance and meaning. For purists and those who appreciate the entirety of the band's discography, "Do You Believe in Shame?" is proof of their artistic resilience and the depth they were capable of achieving, solidifying their status not only as pop icons but also as serious musicians constantly seeking new forms of expression. It is a ballad that invites reflection and offers a more intimate glimpse into the soul of one of the greatest British bands of the 1980s, with a production and authorship history more intricate than it first suggests.
B-sides, bonus tracks and remixes
In lieu of a remix of the single track, EMI issued bonus material across a number of formats—triple 7″ pack, 3″ CD and limited edition numbered 10″ single.
"Official Bootleg: The LSD Edit", a previously promo-only edit of Big Thing album tracks "The Edge of America" and "Lake Shore Driving" finally had its commercial debut, "LSD" presumably an acronym for "Lake Shore Driving". The song was renamed "The Krush Brothers LSD Edit" for release on the "Do You Believe in Shame?" single.
The original Daniel Abraham mix of "Drug (It's Just a State of Mind)" also appeared on this single. John Taylor believed in this mix of "Drug" so vehemently, he has since said he almost left the band over the mishandling of the track.
Other items include an edit of Big Thing album track "Palomino" and a live version of "Notorious", recorded in Rotterdam, which was previously from the promo-only 12″ EP Duran Goes Dutch.
Also included in the pack were two spoken word pieces by Le Bon, "God (London)" and "This Is How a Road Gets Made", recorded and produced by John Jones. They were used during the tour as intros to the band coming on stage. Le Bon swears in "God (London)" and it was released in two versions, censored and non-censored.
↑ "Classifiche". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Retrieved 1 April 2024.Select "Singoli" in the "Tipo" field, type "do you believe in shame?" in the "Titolo" field and press "cerca".
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