The 2020 Version of My Favorites

If you are anything like me, you have some songs and videos that you love all the time. Then, there are others that you weren’t into last week, last month, last year or last decade that all of a sudden got under your skin. If I had to come up with a Top 10 on any given day, it would be different than the previous time or the next time, even with some standards. I don’t think I’m alone with this. Why do they change? Sometimes, I think it is life circumstances or what is going on that changes things. I don’t think I gave a song or video the chance that it needed, at times. Anyway, I started thinking about this because of my recent birthday. I think those days are always good ones to take stock in one’s life, acknowledge what has changed, what remains the same and more. As I was spending time in my office that day, surrounded by Duran Duran posters, vinyl, memorabilia, etc., I recognized that being a Duranie has been a constant, not just over a year or decade but decades. Long term. While that has not changed, my favorites have. For instances, when I was a kid, I loved the Reflex. I still credit it as having made me a Duranie for life, but it does not excite like it once did. (I think that is due to me overplaying it by about a million or ten.) So, I thought it might be fun to start a new tradition to track this. What would I put on my current top 10 list?

Planet Earth

This one remains at the very top of my list and has for quite awhile. I definitely prefer an amazing live version like this one!

Sunrise/New Moon on Monday

Speaking of amazing live performances, I adored each and every time the band played Sunrise with a little New Moon on Monday added in. New Moon is one of the songs that I dismissed as a kid. I would have said that I liked it but I didn’t love it. Now, it is a definite favorite. As for Sunrise, that song reminds me of such good times that I especially treasure now.

Careless Memories

Clearly, I’m on a “that song sounds great live” pattern. I suspect that part of it is that I’m missing Duran Duran live. That said, isn’t Careless Memories always awesome live? I think so! I particularly loved it each and every time I saw it with anime!

Hold Back the Rain

This song is similar to New Moon on Monday. I liked it as a kid but now I love it! I remember when they busted this one out in the summer of 2017 and how excited everyone was around me. So fun!

Pressure Off

Of course, not every favorite makes me think of a live version. While I love Pressure Off live (especially with the confetti!), the video always makes me smile!

What Are the Chances

This is another new favorite of mine. I especially love this particular performance. There is just something about this song and the lyrics that really grab me.

Before the Rain

I think I will always believe that this song is a masterpiece. I loved when the band decided to start their shows with this song. I thought it was absolutely brilliant.

Secret Oktober

This is definitely my favorite b-side. I will never forget seeing this one live in Brighton, England in November of 2011. I never thought I would see it and it made a monumental trip all the more fabulous.

Finest Hour

I’m quite possibly the only one who would put this song on my Top 10 list but I adore it. I love that this song’s lyrics can be used to represent so many different things. Everyone could probably relate. I have used it many times to motivate me during political campaigns and one that I will be listening to lots as November gets closer.

The Seventh Stranger

As a kid, I totally overlooked this song. As an adult, I grew to appreciate it. Then, I saw it live and the performance, especially with the video that accompanied it, is one that has stuck with me ever since.

So, there are my top 10 as of right now, in 2020. Ask me tomorrow, next week or next month and I might give a different list. What is on your list right now?

-A