Girls on Film

Last updated

"Girls on Film"
Duran girls on film.jpg
Single by Duran Duran
from the album Duran Duran
B-side "Faster Than Light"
Released13 July 1981 (1981-07-13)
RecordedDecember 1980 (1980-12)
Studio Red Bus (London)
Genre
Length
  • 3:27 (single version)
  • 5:31 (night version)
  • 5:45 (extended night version)
  • 5:41 (instrumental version)
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Colin Thurston
Duran Duran singles chronology
"Careless Memories"
(1981)		"Girls on Film"
(1981)		"My Own Way"
(1981)
Music video
"Girls on Film" on YouTube

"Girls on Film" is the third single by the English new wave band Duran Duran, released on 13 July 1981. It became Duran Duran's first top 10 hit on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number 5 in July 1981, and an international hit reaching the top 20 in several countries, including number 1 in Portugal, number 4 in New Zealand and number 11 in Australia.

Contents

Background

Originally written and demoed in 1979 by an early line-up of the band featuring lead vocalist Andy Wickett, Duran Duran re-wrote and re-recorded the song for their 1981 debut album. The different original version, which co-writer Wickett said "was inspired by the dark side of the glitz and glamour", was released as part of an EP in 2018. [4]

Music video

A music video was made with directing duo Godley & Creme (of 10cc) and director of photography Steven Bernstein at Shepperton Studios in July 1981. Due to the inclusion of female nudity the video exists in both uncensored form (which was played in nightclubs and on The Playboy Channel) and a heavily censored version for MTV. [ citation needed ]

Critical reception

Retrospectively, music journalist Annie Zaleski hailed "Girls on Film" as "the perfect balance of post-disco and futuristic pop", describing it as a song that "starts with the clicking camera sound before jumping into a funky rhythmic strut — courtesy of John Taylor's rubber-band-stretch bass lines and Roger Taylor's percolating drums — and a vibrant counterpoint: Andy Taylor's lilting, slashing riffs and Nick Rhodes' avant, spacey keyboards." and lyrics featuring "warning about the downsides of fame and modeling" with "some pointed critiques of an industry that values only surface beauty." [5]

In 2024, The Guardian's Alexis Petridis ranked it Duran Duran's greatest song: "It remains the most exciting thing they ever made, its choppy distorted guitar as close as they got to achieving their original “Chic-meets-the-Sex-Pistols” blueprint. Its chorus is a six-note call sign; its lyrics are unable to decide whether they think the fashion world is an exploitative nightmare or a glamorous world to aspire to." [6]

Covers, samples, and media references

Cover versions of "Girls on Film" have been recorded by Björn Again, Wesley Willis Fiasco, the Living End, Girls Aloud, Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers, Billy Preston, Kevin Max, La Ley, Midnight Oil, Mindless Self Indulgence and Chord Overstreet as Sam Evans on Glee. [7] The song's title also lends its name to Season 4 Episode 15 of Glee, "Girls (and Boys) On Film", though the cover appears not in this episode, but instead in Season 5 Episode 20 "The Untitled Rachel Berry Project".

Formats and track listings

7": EMI / EMI 5206 (United Kingdom)

  1. "Girls on Film" – 3:29
  2. "Faster Than Light" – 4:26

12": EMI / 12 EMI 5206 (United Kingdom)

  1. "Girls on Film" (night version) – 5:31
  2. "Girls on Film" – 3:29
  3. "Faster Than Light" – 4:26

12": EMI / 062-20 07176 Greece

  1. "Girls on Film" (night version) – 5:45
  2. "Girls on Film" (instrumental) – 5:41
  3. "Faster Than Light" – 4:26

CD: Part of Singles Box Set 1981–1985

  1. "Girls on Film" – 3:27
  2. "Faster Than Light" – 4:26
  3. "Girls on Film" (night version) – 5:31

CD: Part of Duran Duran (2010 Special Edition)

  1. "Girls on Film" (extended night version) – 5:45
  2. "Girls on Film" (night mix) – 5:42

CD: The Remixes (United States)

  1. "Girls on Film" (Tin Tin Out mix) – 6:55
  2. "Girls on Film" (Salt Tank mix) – 6:29
  3. "Girls on Film" (16 Millimetre mix) – 7:28
  4. "Girls on Film" (Tall Paul mix 1) – 8:28
  5. "Girls on Film" (night version) – 5:31
  6. "Girls on Film" (8 Millimetre mix) – 5:47

12": The Remixes (United States)

  1. "Girls on Film" (Tin Tin Out mix) – 6:55
  2. "Girls on Film" (Salt Tank mix) – 6:29
  3. "Girls on Film" (Tall Paul mix 1) – 8:28
  4. "Girls on Film" (8 Millimetre mix) – 5:47

Personnel

Duran Duran

Technical

Charts

As of October 2021 "Girls on Film" is the fifth most streamed Duran Duran song in the UK. [15]

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI) [16] Gold400,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Duran Duran</span> English pop rock band

Duran Duran are an English pop rock band formed in Birmingham in 1978 by singer Stephen Duffy, keyboardist Nick Rhodes and guitarist/bassist John Taylor. After several early changes, the band's line-up settled in May 1980 as Rhodes, Taylor, singer Simon Le Bon, guitarist Andy Taylor and drummer Roger Taylor.

<i>Rio</i> (Duran Duran album) 1982 studio album by Duran Duran

Rio is the second studio album by the English pop rock band Duran Duran, released on 10 May 1982 through EMI. Produced by Colin Thurston, the band wrote and demoed most of the material before recording the album at AIR Studios in London from January to March 1982. The band utilised more experimentation compared to their debut album, from vibraphone and marimba to the sound of a cigarette being lit and cracking ice cubes. Andy Hamilton played a saxophone solo on "Rio".

<i>Duran Duran</i> (1981 album) 1981 studio album by Duran Duran

Duran Duran is the debut studio album by the English pop rock band Duran Duran, released on 15 June 1981 through EMI. Produced by Colin Thurston, it was recorded in London and Oxfordshire between December 1980 and January 1981. The instrumental tracks were recorded quickly, but vocalist Simon Le Bon initially struggled to sing in the studio, leading to discussions about replacing him before EMI employee Dave Ambrose intervened.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Come Undone (Duran Duran song)</span> 1993 single by Duran Duran

"Come Undone" is a song by English rock band Duran Duran, released in March 1993 by Parlophone and Capitol as the second single from their seventh studio album, Duran Duran (1993). With their commercial and critical success reestablished by the previous single "Ordinary World", "Come Undone" continued to showcase more of the band's entry into the adult contemporary radio format.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Notorious (Duran Duran song)</span> 1986 single by Duran Duran

"Notorious" is a song by the English pop rock band Duran Duran, released internationally by EMI on 20 October 1986 as the first single from their fourth studio album of the same name. It showcased a new direction for Duran Duran with a funk rock sound.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Careless Memories</span> 1981 single by Duran Duran

"Careless Memories" is the second single by the English new wave band Duran Duran, released on 20 April 1981. It reached no. 37 in the UK and no. 60 in Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Skin Trade (song)</span> 1987 single by Duran Duran

"Skin Trade" is a song by the English pop rock band Duran Duran, released in January 1987 as the second single from their fourth studio album, Notorious (1986). It showcased a drastic change from their previous singles, with R&B influences, brass solos and funk guitar riffs, in addition to a Prince-style falsetto from lead vocalist Simon Le Bon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Save a Prayer</span> 1982 single by Duran Duran

"Save a Prayer" is a song by the English new wave band Duran Duran, released on 9 August 1982 as the third single from their second album Rio (1982). It became Duran Duran's biggest hit on the UK Singles Chart, reaching number two. As of October 2021 "Save a Prayer" is the sixth most streamed Duran Duran song in the UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Planet Earth (Duran Duran song)</span> 1981 single by Duran Duran

"Planet Earth" is the debut single by the English new wave band Duran Duran, released on 2 February 1981.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Own Way (song)</span> 1981 single by Duran Duran

"My Own Way" is the fourth single by English new wave band Duran Duran, originally released on 16 November 1981.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">(Reach Up for The) Sunrise</span> 2004 single by Duran Duran

"(Reach Up for The) Sunrise" is a song by the English pop rock band Duran Duran. It was released as the lead single from their eleventh studio album, Astronaut (2004) and their 31st single overall. It was the first single since "A View to a Kill" in 1985 to feature all five of the original members of the band. The song was sent to US radio on 30 August 2004 and was issued physically over the following few months.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hungry Like the Wolf</span> 1982 song by Duran Duran

"Hungry Like the Wolf" is a song by English new wave band Duran Duran. Written by the band members, the song was produced by Colin Thurston for the group's second studio album, Rio (1982). The song was released on 4 May 1982 as the band's fifth single in the United Kingdom, and 8 June 1982 in the United States. It reached No. 5 on the UK Singles Chart, and received a platinum certification from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rio (song)</span> 1982 song by Duran Duran

"Rio" is the seventh single by English rock band Duran Duran. It was first released as a single in Australia, in August 1982, followed by a UK release on 1 November 1982.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Wild Boys (song)</span> 1984 song by Duran Duran

"The Wild Boys" is the twelfth single by the English pop rock band Duran Duran, released on 22 October 1984 in the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A View to a Kill (song)</span> 1985 single by Duran Duran

"A View to a Kill" is a song by the English pop rock band Duran Duran, released on 7 May 1985. Written and recorded as the theme for the James Bond film of the same name, it became one of the band's biggest hits. It is the only James Bond theme song to have reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100; it also made it to number two for three weeks on the UK Singles Chart while stuck behind Paul Hardcastle's "19". The song was the last track recorded by the most famous five-member lineup of Duran Duran until their reunion in 2001 and was also performed by the band at Live Aid in Philadelphia, their final performance together before their first split.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Moon on Monday</span> 1984 single by Duran Duran

"New Moon on Monday" is the tenth single by the English pop rock band Duran Duran, released on 23 January 1984 in the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Electric Barbarella</span> 1997 single by Duran Duran

"Electric Barbarella" is the 29th single by the English pop rock band Duran Duran, and the first official single from the album Medazzaland. In 1997, the single and album were released only in the United States; "Electric Barbarella" was not issued as a single in the UK until January 1999 on the back of the late 1998 release of the compilation album Greatest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paninaro (song)</span> 1986 song by Pet Shop Boys

"Paninaro" is a song by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys, originally a B-side to the 1986 single "Suburbia". In 1995, a re-recording titled "Paninaro '95" was released to a wider market, to promote the duo's B-side compilation album Alternative, though only the original version was included on the compilation.

Justin Osuji, best known by his current alias Sonny J Mason, is a Scottish singer, songwriter, and producer whose style combines "hints of R&B, soul, funk and disco." Mason was signed as a singer-songwriter to Virgin Records at age 14, and his first four singles, released under the name Justin, all reached top 40 positions on the UK Singles Chart in the late 1990s. His debut album Finally was released in 2000 on Innocent Records, and that year he was awarded the Young Scottish Achievers Award from Queen Elizabeth II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Style (Taylor Swift song)</span> 2015 single by Taylor Swift

"Style" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift and the third single from her fifth studio album, 1989 (2014). She wrote the track with its producers Max Martin, Shellback, and Ali Payami. An incorporation of pop, funk, disco, and electronic styles, "Style" is built on an electric guitar riff, pulsing synthesizers, and dense vocal reverb. The lyrics are about a couple who could not escape from an unhealthy relationship because they are never "out of style". Big Machine in partnership with Republic Records released the song to US radio on February 9, 2015.

References

  1. ↑ People Weekly, Vol. 62. Time, Incorporated. 2004. "But the big-haired lineup that gave us such '80s synth-pop hits as "Girls on Film," "Hungry Like the Wolf" and "Rio" has reunited for Astronaut, which finds the group taking creative flight again."
  2. ↑ Zaleski, Annie (13 July 2021). "40 Years Ago: How Duran Duran Found Disco-Pop Bliss With 'Girls on Film'". Ultimate Classic Rock.
  3. ↑ Guarisco, Donald A. "Girls on Film - Duran Duran | Song Info". AllMusic . Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  4. ↑ Cleopatra Records release rare 1979 Duran Duran 'Girls on Film' EP featuring Andy Wickett Torched Magazine
  5. ↑ Zaleski, Annie (13 July 2021). "40 Years Ago: How Duran Duran Found Disco-Pop Bliss With 'Girls on Film'". Ultimate Classic Rock.
  6. ↑ Petridis, Alexis (10 October 2024). "Dance Into the Fire: Duran Durans 20 Greatest Songs Ranked". The Guardian.
  7. ↑ Archived 18 November 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 . St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  9. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Girls on Film". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  10. ↑ "Tipparade-lijst van week 38, 1981" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40 . Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  11. ↑ NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, March 7, 1982
  12. ↑ "Hits of the World" (PDF). Billboard. 19 January 1982. p. 71. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  13. ↑ "Duran Duran: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  14. ↑ "National Top 100 Singles for 1982". Kent Music Report. 3 January 1983. Retrieved 22 January 2023– via Imgur.
  15. ↑ "Duran Duran's Official Top 20 most-streamed songs revealed". Official Charts. 26 October 2021. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  16. ↑ "British single certifications – Duran Duran – Girls on Film". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 25 August 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.