My process for choosing songs was similar to Rhonda’s. I started with their current setlist. Then, I used the blog I did last August in which I followed the these parameters: Some from latest album, some played all the time/classics, some that they have played but not for awhile, and some they maybe have never played. I also wanted to make sure I included a variety of tempos. While I might enjoy those faster tempo songs, I also like medium tempo songs and some slower ones. In fact, you may notice that I totally changed the slow ones. While I know that many people love Ordinary World, I’m VERY tired of it. I think it has lost of its emotional impact by being played so much. I want to appreciate it again and that won’t happen if I hear it live another five times. Then, of course, I chopped Come Undone. I hate that song. I won’t lie and I certainly don’t need to see Simon lick his fingers ever. That said, I don’t think that diehard fans won’t mind the inclusion of Lonely in Your Nightmare or Seventh Stranger. Other songs of note are TBYSB, SOT, NR and Vertigo. Too Bad should be a staple from AYNIN. It would go over so much better than Safe, in my opinion. As far as Sound of Thunder, I, originally, had Friends of Mine but I love SOT equally and it hasn’t been played since 2005. Then, Vertigo is a song that I have recently been into more than ever before. It would be a good track from that Notorious era.
Overall, we would be pleased with either one of the setlists presented here. Do we think that the band would follow our suggestions? Nah. We do think we offer some good alternatives. So, what about the rest of you? What would your setlist look like?
-A & R
My (Our) Own Way
Yesterday I blogged about Taste the Summer being added to the setlist, and typically when we blog, we also post the topic on Twitter and on Facebook. Different people comment in different places, and altogether a good discussion takes place. As I probably could have predicted before I even hit “publish”, there were a million different points of view about Taste the Summer. Some love it, others can’t stand it…and many are in the middle. Once again I think it’s fair to say that we Duranies are simply impossible to please. We had people commenting that they couldn’t believe we’d applaud the addition of a single new song into a setlist that (not MY quotes here) “has been around since 2004”.
Let’s be fair here, although I am not one to shy away from busting the band when necessary. There ARE songs on that setlist that are new. Anything from All You Need is Now is new. (Ok, newISH at this point.) Am I right? I think the main source of trouble is that the setlist seems to have the same skeletal bones it’s had for quite a while, and that of course is because our band isn’t selfish…as Nick Rhodes reminded us in the interview he did for Yahoo! Music that came out yesterday. They don’t play all new music or all the obscure old music that only the diehards know. They play for everyone. (I would just like to take a moment to applaud Nick’s ability to spin ANYTHING in a positive direction. It’s impressive, really.) It’s all true though – when you go to a Duran show, there’s something for everyone, unless of course you’re a diehard who simply cannot imagine leaving this earth until you’ve heard live. They’ve got a lot of hits and even a couple number ones to play for the people who want to hear them, plus a ton of back catalog material that hasn’t seen the light of day for many years. It’s a nice problem to have, unless of course you’re a diehard fan. Right?
During the discussion yesterday, one of our smartypants commenters suggested that Amanda and I do the setlist. We’re always asking for everyone’s opinion – but we don’t offer our own up. (Truthfully here, I do offer mine up. Probably entirely too often for the band’s taste!) We actually did post setlists back in August of last year, but that’s so…last year. So, we’re going to do it again. Today.
Each of us came up with our own lists, and aside from my complaints of where to begin and that I couldn’t decide what to cut…we really didn’t compare notes much. We each have our own parameters and comments about what we decided to include and why, and you’ll find those under each of our lists. Oh, we each chose 20 songs. Their most current set list hovers around 18, but you know – I’ve decided those two extra songs won’t kill them. Start on time and it’ll be fine! (*cracks whip*) Without further adieu:
Rhonda’s:
Before the Rain
Planet Earth
Secret Oktober
All You Need is Now
Make Me Smile
The Reflex
Fallen Angel
Last Chance on the Stairway
Is there Something I Should Know
Too Bad You’re So Beautiful
Edge of America
Lakeshore Driving
Mediterranea
The Man Who Stole a Leopard
Red Carpet Massacre
Late Bar
Sunrise
Careless Memories
White Lines
Rio
OK, so before you all start slinging mud in my general direction…what I did to begin with was copy their current setlist, and then I just started cutting songs that I either didn’t think needed to be played. I attempted to follow Nick’s rule by keeping in the songs that I feel get the most crowd reaction and appeal to a wide variety of fans – both casual and diehard, yet replacing songs that I KNOW are tired. (Admit it, Hungry Like the Wolf is so tired that wolf is CRAWLING now. There’s no chase left in the poor thing, and no you cannot fool me by starting it differently…I’m on to you!!) On my first attempt, I realized my list was very heavy in songs from the first and most recent albums…so I tried again, hoping to unearth some songs from the middle albums. I also realized that it wasn’t humanly possible for Simon to be able to sing it all, so I tried to find some other slower songs. In my original list I had included Friends of Mine and New Religion…but as you can see here I ended up cutting them. I probably could interchange White Lines for one of them, but since White Lines seems to be a big crowd pleaser when they play it live, I left it. You might notice my list has both Secret Oktober AND Late Bar. Dreams are free, people!!!! I also included two songs that I think would blow the audience away if done properly – and it’d show off Dom on guitar too – those are Edge of America and Lakeshore Driving. That’s more of a jam, and so Simon would get a break because I think this setlist might kill him otherwise, never mind the rest of them. I put Leopard back in the setlist because it belongs there – it is SO good live and if the audience doesn’t get it – they’ll at least get the clapping! I’m most proud that I included Red Carpet Massacre. I can’t stand that album but it’s the one song on there that deserves another tour of duty on the setlist. Finally, there’s a couple of gems in there that, unless you’re a diehard fan you might not know – and quite honestly I don’t think it’s selfish of US as fans to want that sort of thing from time to time. It’s like a sign when the band plays something like that – they get us, they love us, and they know we’ve been on a long road together. It’s all good. 🙂
Amanda’s:
Before the Rain
Planet Earth
Hold Back the Rain
Sunrise
Secret Oktober
Lonely in Your Nightmare
All You Need Is Now
Sound of Thunder
Too Bad You’re So Beautiful
Leopard
New Religion
Careless Memories
Late Bar
Seventh Stranger
The Reflex
Red Carpet Massacre
Vertigo
Wild Boys
Girls on Film
Rio
Hi Girls!
How hard is it to do this? I can see why they stick to a standard set list now as I found it really tricky to decide! Mine is as follows. I guess in my heart what I would really like is a b-side tour…..I can dream!
Friends Of Mine
Planet Earth
All You Need Is Now
Seventh Stranger
Do You Believe In Shame?
Girl Panic!
Fallen Angel
Secret Oktober
Serious
New Religion
Notorious
White Lines
The Chauffeur
(Reach Up for the) Sunrise
Girls on Film
Careless Memories
Encore:
Come Up and See Me
Rio
Thanks for making me think!!! Much Love Mxxx
Fabulous list! Wouldn't it be great for the band to actually see this setlists and follow part/all of them!
-A
Hmmmm…I'll have to put some thought into what I would like to see in a full set list of my own creation.
You know, I was absolutely positive they did play Too Bad Your So Beautiful at the April '11 show I saw. In fact, I was so sure that they had, that I would have been willing to bet money on it. But when I checked the setlist for that date, much to my surprise it was not on there. I have no idea what made me so certain I had heard it, because it was also not in the set of the October '11 show I went to either! But I agree with the both of you that it really does deserve be included in a set list.
-Susan-
I would be thrilled with a B-side tour, but I can't see them being able to accommodate such a thing. I'd settle for having one or two thrown into a set though.
As far as the band seeing it – I'm sure they'd laugh and then line the birdcages with them.
SIGH
Oh well, it was fun though. Not as easy as one might think though. For every song I took out or added, I agonized over what wouldn't be able to be added or what would be cut! I guess it's a good problem to have though!
-R
Oh lordy…lets see….Right now I would pick….
Before the Rain
Planet Earth
Hold Back the Rain
Careless Memories
New Religion
Tiger,Tiger/The Chauffeur
White Lines
Serious
Violence of Summer
Come Undone
All you Need is Now
Girl Panic
Leopard
Safe
Red Carpet Massacre
Nightboat
Sunrise
Salt in the Rainbow
Encore:
The Reflex
Girls on Film
~Kendra 🙂
Kendra-I love your list other than Come Undone! Well done!
-A