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"Girls on Film" is the third single by English
new wave band
Duran Duran
Duran Duran () are an English Rock music, rock band formed in Birmingham in 1978 by singer and bassist Stephen Duffy, keyboardist Nick Rhodes and guitarist/bassist John Taylor (bass guitarist), John Taylor. With the addition of drummer Roger ...
, released on 13 July 1981.
The single became Duran Duran's Top 10 breakthrough in the
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...
, peaking at Number 5 in July 1981. The band personally selected the song for release following the failure of its predecessor, "
Careless Memories", which had been chosen by their record company,
EMI
EMI Group Limited (originally an initialism for Electric and Musical Industries, also referred to as EMI Records Ltd. or simply EMI) was a British Transnational corporation, transnational Conglomerate (company), conglomerate founded in March 1 ...
. Its popularity provided a major boost to sales of the band's eponymous debut studio album, ''
Duran Duran
Duran Duran () are an English Rock music, rock band formed in Birmingham in 1978 by singer and bassist Stephen Duffy, keyboardist Nick Rhodes and guitarist/bassist John Taylor (bass guitarist), John Taylor. With the addition of drummer Roger ...
'', which had been released a month earlier.
The song did not chart in the United States on its initial release, but it became popular and widely known after receiving heavy airplay on
MTV
MTV (Originally an initialism of Music Television) is an American cable channel that launched on August 1, 1981. Based in New York City, it serves as the flagship property of the MTV Entertainment Group, part of Paramount Media Networks, a di ...
when the ''Duran Duran'' album was re-issued in 1983. The song was used as the opening theme song for the anime series ''
Speed Grapher
''Speed Grapher'' (stylized as ''SPEED GRAPHER'') is a 2005 anime series produced by Gonzo. The series ran for 24 episodes from April to October 2005 on TV Asahi. It tells the story of former war photographer, Tatsumi Saiga and his quest to ...
'' in the Japanese-language version (the song wasn't able to be licensed for releases outside of Japan), and the night version appeared on 2012 action video game ''
Sleeping Dogs''.
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 in 1981. 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.
Music video
The song fared well on the radio and the charts before the
music video
A music video is a video of variable duration, that integrates a music song or a music album with imagery that is produced for promotion (marketing), promotional or musical artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a m ...
was filmed, but the controversy that ensued helped to keep the band in the public eye and the song on the charts for many weeks.
The video was made with directing duo
Godley & Creme
Godley & Creme were an English rock duo formally established in Manchester in 1977 by Kevin Godley and Lol Creme. The pair began releasing music as a duo after their departure from the rock band 10cc. In 1979, they directed their first music v ...
(of
10cc
10cc are an English rock band formed in Stockport in 1972. The group initially consisted of four musicians – Graham Gouldman, Eric Stewart, Kevin Godley and Lol Creme – who had written and recorded together since 1968. The group featured t ...
fame) and director of photography
Steven Bernstein at
Shepperton Studios
Shepperton Studios is a film studio located in Shepperton, Surrey, England, with a history dating back to 1931. It is now part of the Pinewood Studios Group. During its early existence, the studio was branded as Sound City (not to be confused w ...
in July 1981. It was filmed just weeks before
MTV
MTV (Originally an initialism of Music Television) is an American cable channel that launched on August 1, 1981. Based in New York City, it serves as the flagship property of the MTV Entertainment Group, part of Paramount Media Networks, a di ...
was launched in the
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...
and before anyone knew what an impact the music channel would have on the industry. The band expected the "Girls on Film" video to be played exclusively at nightclubs that had video screens. The raunchy video created an uproar, and it was consequently banned by the
BBC #REDIRECT BBC #REDIRECT BBC
Here i going to introduce about the best teacher of my life b BALAJI sir. He is the precious gift that I got befor 2yrs . How has helped and thought all the concept and made my success in the 10th board exam. ...
...
and heavily edited for its original run on MTV; the band unabashedly enjoyed and capitalised on the controversy.
A Video
45 for "Girls on Film" and "
Hungry Like the Wolf
"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 fi ...
" was released in the United States in March 1983. The
VHS-format tape contains the MTV-friendly edited "day version" of "Girls on Film", while the
Betamax
Betamax (also known as Beta, as in its logo) is a consumer-level analog recording and cassette format of magnetic tape for video, commonly known as a video cassette recorder. It was developed by Sony and was released in Japan on May 10, 1975, ...
and
CED Videodisc
The Capacitance Electronic Disc (CED) is an analog video disc playback system developed by RCA, in which video and audio could be played back on a TV set using a special stylus and high-density groove system similar to phonograph records.
Fir ...
format contained the original uncensored "night version". The Video 45 won the
Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video
The Grammy Award for Best Music Video is an honor presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to performers, directors, and producers of quality short form music videos. Hon ...
in 1984, the first year the Academy gave that award. The uncensored video was also included in the ''
Duran Duran
Duran Duran () are an English Rock music, rock band formed in Birmingham in 1978 by singer and bassist Stephen Duffy, keyboardist Nick Rhodes and guitarist/bassist John Taylor (bass guitarist), John Taylor. With the addition of drummer Roger ...
'' video album (1983) and the ''
Greatest'' video collection (released on VHS in 1999, and on
DVD
The DVD (common abbreviation for Digital Video Disc or Digital Versatile Disc) is a digital optical disc data storage format. It was invented and developed in 1995 and first released on November 1, 1996, in Japan. The medium can store any kind ...
in 2004, which was given a
restrictive 18 rating in the
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...
and
Ireland
Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Grea ...
) and was given the R13 rating in New Zealand. The edited version would later be used in the 2008
karaoke
Karaoke (; ; , clipped compound of Japanese ''kara'' "empty" and ''ōkesutora'' "orchestra") is a type of interactive entertainment usually offered in clubs and bars, where people sing along to recorded music using a microphone. The music is ...
video game ''
SingStar Pop Vol. 2''.
Simon Le Bon
Simon John Charles Le Bon (born 27 October 1958) is a British singer. He is best known as the lead vocalist and lyricist of the new wave band Duran Duran and its offshoot Arcadia. Le Bon has received three Ivor Novello Awards from the British ...
commented in the audio interview on the ''Greatest'' DVD collection that the scandal of the music video overshadowed the song's message of fashion model exploitation.
B-sides, bonus tracks and remixes
The B-side of the single was another song initially unavailable anywhere else, a synthesiser-heavy dance track called "Faster Than Light".
The extended night version of "Girls on Film", similar to "
Planet Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun and the only astronomical object known to harbor life. While large volumes of water can be found throughout the Solar System, only Earth sustains liquid surface water. About 71% of Earth's surface ...
" wasn't a remix, but a completely new arrangement of the song.
There are two slightly different mixes of the Night Version, one clocking in at 5:45, the other at 5:27. The video version clocks in at 6:19.
In 1998, EMI released ''Girls on Film – The Remixes'', featuring a swathe of newly commissioned re-constructions of the song by
Tall Paul
"Tall Paul" is a song recorded by Annette Funicello and written by the Sherman Brothers, along with Bob Roberts.
Background
It marked the first time that a female singer reached a top ten slot with a rock and roll single. It also spotlighted An ...
and
Tin Tin Out
Tin Tin Out were an English electronic dance music duo, comprising Darren Stokes and Lindsay Edwards. They remixed songs for a variety of artists such as Duran Duran, Erasure, Pet Shop Boys, The Corrs and Des'ree, as well as collaborating wi ...
. A couple of these mixes were included on the 1998 UK release of the single "
Electric Barbarella
"Electric Barbarella" is the 29th single by 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 ...
".
Covers, samples, and media references
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version, cover song, remake, revival, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording by a musician other than the original performer or composer of the song. Originally, it referred to a version of a song release ...
s of "Girls on Film" have been recorded by
Björn Again
Björn Again is a parody of the 1970s Swedish pop group ABBA. Created in 1988 in Australia,The show currently involves performers based in several countries. The Björn Again name is based in part on ABBA's Björn Ulvaeus with the obvious rev ...
,
Wesley Willis Fiasco
The Wesley Willis Fiasco was an American punk rock band based in Wicker Park, Chicago, Illinois, United States, led by Wesley Willis.
History
The band was formed by Wesley Willis on vocals, Pat Barnard on lead guitar, and his friend Dale Mein ...
,
the Living End
The Living End are an Australian punk rockabilly band from Melbourne, formed in 1994. Since 2002, the line-up consists of Chris Cheney (vocals, guitar), Scott Owen (double bass, vocals), and Andy Strachan (drums). The band rose to fame in 199 ...
,
Girls Aloud
Girls Aloud were an pop girl group that was created through the ITV talent show '' Popstars: The Rivals'' in 2002. The group comprised singers Cheryl, Nadine Coyle, Sarah Harding, Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh. The group achieved a str ...
,
Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers
Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers were a British novelty pop music act from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, England. The face of the group was Jive Bunny, a cartoon rabbit who appeared in the videos, and also (as a human being in a costume) did pro ...
,
Billy Preston
William Everett Preston (September 2, 1946 – June 6, 2006) was an American keyboardist, singer and songwriter whose work encompassed R&B, rock, soul, funk, and gospel. Preston was a top session keyboardist in the 1960s, during which he ba ...
,
Kevin Max
Kevin Max Smith (born August 17, 1967) is an American singer, songwriter, and poet. He is best known for being a member of the Christian pop group dc Talk. As a solo artist following the band going on hiatus, he has recorded 12 full-length stud ...
,
La Ley,
Midnight Oil
Midnight Oil (known informally as "The Oils") are an Australian rock band composed of Peter Garrett (vocals, harmonica), Rob Hirst (drums), Jim Moginie (guitar, keyboard) and Martin Rotsey (guitar). The group was formed in Sydney in 1972 by ...
,
Mindless Self Indulgence
Mindless Self Indulgence (often referred to as MSI) is an American electropunk band formed in New York City in 1997. Their music has a mixed style which includes punk rock, alternative rock, electronica, techno, industrial, hip hop, and breakb ...
and
Chord Overstreet
Chord Paul Overstreet (born February 17, 1989) is an American actor and musician. He is best known for his role as Sam Evans on the Fox television series ''Glee'' (2009–2015). He has starred in the Apple TV+ comedy series ''Acapulco'' since 20 ...
.
Formats and track listing
7": EMI. / EMI 5206 United Kingdom
# "Girls on Film" – 3:29
# "Faster than Light" – 4:26
12": EMI. / 12 EMI 5206 United Kingdom
# "Girls on Film (Night Version)" – 5:31
# "Girls on Film" – 3:29
# "Faster than Light" – 4:26
12": EMI. / 062-20 07176 Greece
# "Girls on Film (Night Version)" – 5:45
# "Girls on Film (Instrumental)" – 5:41
# "Faster than Light" – 4:26
* The Greek 12" release of "Girls on Film" contains a version with a longer camera intro not found on the other 12 inches. It was also released on some versions of the 1982
Carnaval EP. It appeared for the first time on CD on the 2010 remaster of
Duran Duran
Duran Duran () are an English Rock music, rock band formed in Birmingham in 1978 by singer and bassist Stephen Duffy, keyboardist Nick Rhodes and guitarist/bassist John Taylor (bass guitarist), John Taylor. With the addition of drummer Roger ...
as the "Extended Night Version".
* The "Instrumental" was not released on other vinyl releases and remains unreleased on CD.
CD: Part of "
Singles Box Set 1981–1985
''Singles Box Set 1981–1985'' is a box set by English new wave band Duran Duran. Consisting of 13 CDs, it was released on 12 May 2003 by EMI and covers the era from ''Duran Duran'' (1981) to ''Arena'' (1984), as well as the non-studio album ...
" boxset
# "Girls on Film" – 3:27
# "Faster than Light" – 4:26
# "Girls on Film (Night Version)" – 5:31
CD: Part of Duran Duran 2010 Special Edition (CD2)
# "Girls on Film" (Extended Night Version) – 5:45
# "Girls on Film" (Night Mix) – 5:42
* Track 1 is the same version as the Greek 12" release (EMI / 062-20 0717 6).
* Released in 2010.
CD: The Remixes United States
# "Girls on Film" (Tin Tin Out Mix) – 6:55
# "Girls on Film" (Salt Tank Mix) – 6:29
# "Girls on Film" (16 Millimetre Mix) – 7:28
# "Girls on Film" (Tall Paul Mix 1) – 8:28
# "Girls on Film" (Night Version) – 5:31
# "Girls on Film" (8 Millimetre Mix) – 5:47
* Released in 1999
12": The Remixes United States
# "Girls on Film" (Tin Tin Out Mix) – 6:55
# "Girls on Film" (Salt Tank Mix) – 6:29
# "Girls on Film" (Tall Paul Mix 1) – 8:28
# "Girls on Film" (8 Millimetre Mix) – 5:47
* Released in 1999
Charts
As of October 2021 "Girls on Film" is the fifth most
streamed
Streaming media is multimedia that is delivered and consumed in a continuous manner from a source, with little or no intermediate storage in network elements. ''Streaming'' refers to the delivery method of content, rather than the content it ...
Duran Duran song in the UK.
Certifications
Other appearances
Apart from the single, "Girls on Film" has also appeared on:
EP's
* ''Nite Romantics'' (1981, Japan)
* ''Night Versions'' (1982, Australia) (1984, New Zealand)
* ''
Carnival
Carnival is a Catholic Christian festive season that occurs before the liturgical season of Lent. The main events typically occur during February or early March, during the period historically known as Shrovetide (or Pre-Lent). Carnival typi ...
'' (1982, The Netherlands, Spain, Canada, United States, except from the Japanese release)
Mini-LP:
* DMM Mega Mixes (1983, Germany)
Albums:
* ''
Duran Duran
Duran Duran () are an English Rock music, rock band formed in Birmingham in 1978 by singer and bassist Stephen Duffy, keyboardist Nick Rhodes and guitarist/bassist John Taylor (bass guitarist), John Taylor. With the addition of drummer Roger ...
'' (1981)
* ''
Decade
A decade () is a period of ten years. Decades may describe any ten-year period, such as those of a person's life, or refer to specific groupings of calendar years.
Usage
Any period of ten years is a "decade". For example, the statement that "du ...
'' (1989)
* ''
Night Versions: The Essential Duran Duran'' (1998)
* ''
Greatest'' (1998)
* ''
Strange Behaviour'' (1999)
* ''
Arena
An arena is a large enclosed platform, often circular or oval-shaped, designed to showcase theatre, musical performances, or sporting events. It is composed of a large open space surrounded on most or all sides by tiered seating for spectators ...
'' (2004 reissue)
* ''
Singles Box Set 1981-1985
Singles are people not in a committed relationship.
Singles may also refer to:
Film and television
* ''Singles'' (miniseries), a 1984 Australian television series
* ''Singles'' (1992 film), written and directed by Cameron Crowe
* ''Singles'' ...
'' (2005)
* ''
Live from London (Bonus CD with Deluxe Edition)'' (2005)
Singles:
* "
Ordinary World" (1993)
* "
Electric Barbarella
"Electric Barbarella" is the 29th single by 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 ...
" (1998)
Personnel
Duran Duran are:
*
Simon Le Bon
Simon John Charles Le Bon (born 27 October 1958) is a British singer. He is best known as the lead vocalist and lyricist of the new wave band Duran Duran and its offshoot Arcadia. Le Bon has received three Ivor Novello Awards from the British ...
– vocals
*
Nick Rhodes
Nick Rhodes (born Nicholas James Bates, 8 June 1962) is an English keyboardist and producer, best known as a founding member, keyboardist, and only continuous member of the band Duran Duran. He is also informally monikered as "The Controller ...
– keyboards
*
John Taylor – bass guitar
*
Roger Taylor Roger Taylor may refer to:
*Roger Taylor (Queen drummer) (born 1949), drummer for Queen
*Roger Taylor (Duran Duran drummer) (born 1960), drummer for Duran Duran
*Roger Taylor (author), author of epic fantasy Hawklan series
*Roger Taylor (college pr ...
– drums
*
Andy Taylor – guitar
Also credited:
*
Colin Thurston
Colin Thurston (13 July 1947 – 15 January 2007) was an English recording engineer and record producer.
Born in Brentford, Middlesex, Thurston played in bands in London before he "bluffed his way" into audio engineering.Pierre Perrone (24 ...
– producer and engineer
See also
*
Nudity in music videos
The appearance of nudity in music videos has caused controversy since the late 1970s, and several explicit music videos have been censored or banned. Nudity has gained wider acceptance on European television, where audiences often view nudit ...
*
Sexuality in music videos
Sexuality in music videos has been evident since the 1980s.
1980s
On August 1, 1981, MTV, the first 24-hour music video channel, began broadcasting. Directed towards adolescents, it promoted societal trends through video content and advertise ...
References
External links
Official site* , page 6
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Girls on Film
1981 singles
Duran Duran songs
Girls Aloud songs
Song recordings produced by Xenomania
Music videos directed by Godley and Creme
Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video
Song recordings produced by Colin Thurston
Anime songs
1980 songs
Songs written by Simon Le Bon
Songs written by John Taylor (bass guitarist)
Songs written by Roger Taylor (Duran Duran drummer)
Songs written by Andy Taylor (guitarist)
Songs written by Nick Rhodes