You've lost me here. I recall studying this video extremely closely as a young man and, to the best of my recollection, it is the embodiment of High Art™.
I understand the confusion, Dan. There's a surprisingly fine line between joyous sleaze and High Art™. More often than not, mud-wrestling is somehow involved in both.
Thank you for another laugh. I always hated the ridiculousness of much of this video. But the parts with Nick, and Simon's goofy ending, were always my favorite bits that made it worth watching(oh, and John's strutting about, too, till he starts "shooting").
On another note, thanks to your lovely links in prior posts to the online clips of Nick with Andy Warhol, and his moments gluing sparklies to his Arena-wear, I had a silly Nick dream last night where he was being so very cool.
Then somehow today I got in my head the Arcadia song "Election Day" and went looking on YouTube for it, only to stumble upon the totally forgotten "The Flame" which had me chuckling and cheering in nostalgic glee. I would LOVE to read your analysis of this, their most comedic mini-film that makes me wonder if whoever produced/directed it was the same person to come up with the silly Huey Lewis videos.
Cheryl, I love Arcadia's Flame video. Love, love, love it. It was directed by Russell Mulcahy, who worked with the boys on so many of their other great videos (Night Boat, Wild Boys, etcetera). Brilliant stuff. I might have to tackle it next.
That clip of Nick happily covering his Arena wardrobe with glittery things always makes me laugh out loud. Nick is sometimes so far off in his own (fabulous, sparkly, wondrous) world that it takes my breath away.
You know, Walkmans™ can't have that much of a range... even Duran Duran spy versions. Maybe Simon was at the Eiffel Tower to boost the 'blow stuff up' signal?
Heh, yes, I couldn't help noticing the spy teams broke down along Power Station (John, Andy) versus Arcadia (Simon, Nick, Roger) lines. Funny how that worked out...
Ingrid, I like your idea of Simon needing to use the Eiffel Tower to, uh, boost his Walkman signal to aim in blowing up random stuff halfway around the world. Let's just assume that's exactly what was intended.
I wish I could remember enough of the 80s to appreciate Duran Duran. All I recall with any clarity: my bright yellow space hopper; Fraggle Rock and Slush Puppies.
However in spite of my ignorance, I am enjoying all this Duranalysis very much.
I wish I could remember enough of the 80s to appreciate Duran Duran.
Aw, yeah, I always feel bad for people too young to remember the eighties. Good times. The hair was big, the pop culture was weird, and the music was fantastic.
I was just happening to check out this video again, years later thanks to songpop and wanted more info. I found your blog, just what I needed, the view from another Duranie. Tres Cool. thanks
Comments
You've lost me here. I recall studying this video extremely closely as a young man and, to the best of my recollection, it is the embodiment of High Art™.
On another note, thanks to your lovely links in prior posts to the online clips of Nick with Andy Warhol, and his moments gluing sparklies to his Arena-wear, I had a silly Nick dream last night where he was being so very cool.
Then somehow today I got in my head the Arcadia song "Election Day" and went looking on YouTube for it, only to stumble upon the totally forgotten "The Flame" which had me chuckling and cheering in nostalgic glee. I would LOVE to read your analysis of this, their most comedic mini-film that makes me wonder if whoever produced/directed it was the same person to come up with the silly Huey Lewis videos.
That clip of Nick happily covering his Arena wardrobe with glittery things always makes me laugh out loud. Nick is sometimes so far off in his own (fabulous, sparkly, wondrous) world that it takes my breath away.
So it's Power Station vs. Arcadia here, eh?
Heh, yes, I couldn't help noticing the spy teams broke down along Power Station (John, Andy) versus Arcadia (Simon, Nick, Roger) lines. Funny how that worked out...
Ingrid, I like your idea of Simon needing to use the Eiffel Tower to, uh, boost his Walkman signal to aim in blowing up random stuff halfway around the world. Let's just assume that's exactly what was intended.
However in spite of my ignorance, I am enjoying all this Duranalysis very much.
Aw, yeah, I always feel bad for people too young to remember the eighties. Good times. The hair was big, the pop culture was weird, and the music was fantastic.