The Wild Boys — The Daily Duranie Review

It is time for another review!  This week, we move on to the one studio track off the album, Arena.  This is an interesting track in that it wasn’t written in usual Duran fashion.  Russell Mulcahy, the video director for most of Duran’s videos, wanted to make a feature film for William S. Burroughs’ book, The Wild Boys.  Thus, Duran focused on making a song that would fit as the theme for that movie.  How did they do with this song, then?

Rhonda’s Review:

Musicality/Instrumentation:  This is a tough song to review based on the album version. It is so different from when it is played live.  I have always liked Roger’s drums at the beginning, I think they build a sense of excitement (and of course along with the “Wild Boys!” chant…you can’t really be bored).  I also really like John’s bass, and the guitar, which is far more of a rock-centered guitar sound on this one.  Nick is still present, but in this song, the keyboards take on much more of a background aesthetic than provide melody.  I always picture this song as building fury from within, and as I listen today, I think that’s an accurate assessment. The song seems to build from the first downbeat and fades out only because there’s no where else to go at the end.

Vocals: First of all, the most notable part of the song is the “Wild Boys!” chanting…and every band member contributes to that.  That chanting works amazingly well live, and even on the record – it makes the song different. I’ve always felt that Simon’s vocals on this song have a slight gravelly sound to them, which I think really does fit the song. The hard hitting rock style lends itself to that style vocals, as opposed to some of his smoother, quieter vocals from other songs (such as Save a Prayer, for example).

Lyrics: This song was written for use as a trailer for a “Mad Max” style movie (based on a book) that Russell Mulcahey was trying to get made. In that sense, the lyrics are very well-suited. It isn’t difficult to imagine the roughness of the “gang” that Simon is singing about.  You can picture the landscape and the way of life as not-quite-criminals-but-definitely-not-heroes.  I don’t feel as though this song is a fantastic example of the lyrics that Simon normally writes, but they do tell a story.

Overall:  I have always felt that the production on this song was much cleaner than on some of the other music from this period.  I think it was sheer genius to add the “Wild Boys” yelling – because as a fan, I knew exactly who this was from the very first “Wild Boys”, and it adds a completely different layer to the sound.  The music is clean, not at all over done, and I believe the bass and guitar are standouts on this one.  While this is not necessarily one of their absolute bests, it definitely has earned it’s place in Duran-history and I can’t fault that.

Cocktail Rating:   3.5 cocktails!

Amanda’s Review:

Musicality/Instrumentation:  I have to admit that I have listened to this song live so much that I have a hard time even THINKING about listening to the album track.  It is one of those songs that, in my opinion, is significantly better live.  Therefore, I openly admit that my review might be seem or sound harsher than I intend.  That said, whenever I think about this song, I immediately think of Roger’s very noticeable drums since, at times, he definitely takes center stage, musically speaking.  Yet, the song really begins with significant bass.  I think of how the band performed this song live during the Strange Behaviour Tour with John’s bass in the spotlight.  Clearly, this song moved away from the tranquil sounds of a Secret Oktober where Nick’s keyboards shine through.  No, this one is brash and much more in your face.  Again, I can’t help but to think of how this song is live with John, Simon and Dom in the front of the stage with the guitars taking over while Roger keeps time.  It isn’t that there are no keyboards present but they certainly are much more minimized in comparison to what they were in the previous album.  Duran’s instrumentation definitely seems to match the apocalyptic nature of the book and Russell’s vision.  I don’t mind that since I tend to like Duran’s more “rock” orientated songs.

Vocals:  What is the most obvious element of the vocals for this song?  Clearly, it is the shouting of “Wild Boys” both in the very beginning and in the chorus.  When the band plays this one live, it seems like everyone is involved in the shouts of “Wild Boys” since even Nick participates in it.  I can’t imagine the song without this element and it certainly works to enhance the harsh feel of the music and the song as a whole.  Then, of course, there is also Simon saying, “Wild,” in the beginning followed up by “Boys” that is drawn out and with an echo.  Right away, within the first twenty seconds, we all knew that this song wasn’t going to be like the rest, vocally.  The verse generally features Simon at a lower range, which I really like.  As the song moves closer to the chorus, however, Simon’s vocals definitely get higher and much more dramatic and stay there throughout the entire chorus.  Truly, Simon shows quite a range in this one.  I do, sometimes, worry about this one live as I don’t want Simon to feel like he has to scream to match the mood of the song.

Lyrics:  It is hard to judge the lyrics for this song simply because it is supposed to go with the movie vision Russell Mulcahy had, which is based on a book.  It isn’t just Simon or any of the rest of the band sitting around and figuring out lyrics.  I also admit that I have not read the book.  I don’t know how well the lyrics fit, if at all.  I will say this much for the lyrics.  They do paint a picture with fire, dust clouds, murder, bloodstain and these wild boys who fell from glory.  As someone who has spent a lot of time with boys who often found themselves in serious trouble, I admit that I almost always think of those students when I listen to the song.  I always felt that my students were like the wild boys in that they wondered where the glory is.  Yet, of course, the chorus always feels like a reference to Duran and how they are the wild boys who will always shine.  From my standpoint, I tend to like lyrics that I can personally relate to in some way and  this one fits the bill, at least, remotely.  It isn’t super compelling or big time emotional for me but there is something.

Overall:  Truly, there is so much about this song that I do really love.  I enjoy the silly vocals and shouting of “Wild Boys”.  I like the harsh drums and the way that the bass is very much present.  This song is full of energy live.  I always enjoy it and so does the audience from what I can tell.  Yet, now, when I listen to it off an album, a studio version, it sounds muffled.  Quiet.  Not full of life.  Is that a problem with the production?  The mixing?  Perhaps.  It was done in an era of Duran overproduction.  Did they suck a little life out of it in the process?  I think that is possible.  Yet, I think it is more likely that the live version just really gives it that extra something that you really can’t capture in a recording.  That said, even the live version, I wouldn’t give it a 5.  While I enjoy it, there isn’t something magical about it.  Is it that they didn’t really come up with this on their own?  Is it the subject matter which doesn’t seem personal at all even to Simon when he is singing it?  A little bit of both?  Maybe.

Cocktail Rating:   3.5 cocktails!