According to BBC Radio 2, Duran Duran plans to release Girl Panic as their second single. This, of course, caused some discussion within the fan community. Some of the questions included: Why is there no official announcement about it? What happened to All You Need Is Now? Is this the right choice for a single–in terms of radio play, increased sales, capturing the feel of the album as a whole. I, too, have all of those thoughts. I first wonder what a single in 2011 really means.
When I was a kid, a new single was a very big deal. When a single was released, this meant that we would now hear the song on the radio, see the video on MTV and buy the single either as a record or as a cassette tape. It would also mean getting another song known as the B-Side. For Duran fans, the B-Side was always VERY exciting as many of their B-Sides are fabulous tracks and some of my favorites. What does it mean today, though? Clearly, it is not the same. There will be no record or cassette tape. Will a video be made for it? According to some interview, videos will be made for all of the tracks no matter their single status. Luckily, the band is making some extra tracks that they are referring to as “b-sides”. This leaves radio airplay. Will this song get radio play? Obviously, many Duranies were wondering the same thing. Here in the States, I don’t think that it will. Now, I openly admit that I don’t listen to the radio. I haven’t since I moved away from Chicago as a kid. Radio, at one point in my life, really opened my eyes to new artists and some great tracks but I don’t think that it does that much anymore. My understanding is that radio has become even more rigid in terms of their playlists. I know that Duran didn’t get much play with any of their albums where I have been since the Wedding Album. Is this because they didn’t choose right for the singles? In some cases, I might have thought they choice the wrong track but even when they made “good” choices, they still didn’t get play. Radio doesn’t work as it used to and clearly, most stations around me aren’t open to a band like Duran Duran even if the music is solid.
Did Duran Duran make the right choice for this second single? I think so. First of all, I love the track. I think it really captures everything I think of when it comes to Duran Duran. It is upbeat and catchy. The song has strong instrumentation, fun lyrics and discusses girls. Very Duran Duran. Some fans are disagreeing, though. They either don’t like the track or would prefer a song like The Man Who Stole a Leopard because they feel like it is either a better track or would be so new, so different that it would get people’s attention. I agree that the song is unique and unlike what is on the radio but I don’t think that a lot of people would take the time to really appreciate it. As for capturing the overall feel of the album, I think it shows the spirit of the band. This song, like the album, shows strong songwriting and their classic desire to combine different musical genres. Of course, even with the right choice, it may not help sell more records or provide them with more chart success. Nonetheless, I like that it helps us, the fans, engaged and it could help them, commercially.
I was thinking the other day, when I was discussing this with my writing partner, that moves like this have helped their success in the past. Did releasing Wild Boys as a single without a new album help? Yes. What about releasing Hungry Like the Wolf multiple times? Yes. Could this song help? It could. I know that it can’t hurt. I know that I would like to see lots of action in the Duran camp in order to help me pass my time before the physical album comes out and before touring happens. Is it too soon after releasing AYNIN, as a single? I don’t know. Maybe. Maybe, the plan is to release as many songs as possible for singles. Maybe this won’t come out as a single for another month. Who knows? Will there be an official announcement? I don’t know. I would assume so. Until then, we are left with lots of speculation as usual.
-A
“Girl Panic!” is hands down the best uptempo track Duran Duran has done in years. This should have been the lead single off the new album.
The more pertinent question you have raised is the overall significance of a Duran Duran single today. Given that these guys have not got much traditional radio airplay in the US since “The Wedding album”, does a Duran Duran single mean much? On satellite radio and internet radio – absolutely! On traditional radio in the US, the odds of anyone over the age of 30 getting any airplay are slim to none – so not sure Duran Duran will have much traction there. If the guys really want to milk this single for what it is worth, they need to perform it one of the big TV shows (American Idol etc.) Some people might accuse them of selling out by performing on one of those shows but the fact is, with the kind of viewership those shows have, everyone will know that Duran Duran is back with a bang – especially with a single like “Girl Panic!”. That is where the “single” can have significance and create value.
I'm not sure I agree that Girl Panic should have been the lead single as much as I love it and think it is VERY Duran Duran. I loved the message of AYNIN and feel strongly that many of us fans needed to hear that.
Yes, I agree that they need to perform their new material on a show with a large viewership. Easier said than done, I suppose. As for satellite and internet radio, I admit that I don't know much about how well those translate to sales. Something to look into!
-A
Satellite radio and internet radio do generate an awareness for the music lover but for the casual audience, it doesn't do much since the casual audience is quite satisfied with the limited variety served on traditional radio. Best sales come from one of the following avenues:
– LOADS of airplay on traditional radio (which will die at the end of the year once the Pandora integration in cars gets completed this year!)
– Getting featured on a show like American Idol (no other show will cut it. Kylie Minogue performed ” get outta my way” on “America's got talent and it did very little for her sales).
– Getting featured on the iTunes frontpage. I don't believe that actually happened when AYNIN was released.
I love the Daily DURANIE, so there!
Wow, Deb. We are feeling the love! LOL.
-A
Yeah…I'm feeling the love all the way from your vacation in the Caribbean! 😀 – R (color me green with envy!)
Firstly, when talking single, it is radio play we are discussing, not the best song. TMWSAL will not be released on radio most likely. To slow of an intro unless they give it a rhythm or beat. Just go to a mainstream station and look at the play lists. Girl Panic is VERY good choice if any Duran gets played at all and picked it for a single.
Other 'radio friendly' tracks are “Blame the Machines ”, “Being Followed ”, “Leave a Light On”, and “Runaway Runaway”
I agree that there are a lot of good choices for radio play on this new album! Thanks for reading and commenting!
-A