New Moon on Monday
Encyclopedia
"New Moon on Monday" is a song by Duran Duran
, released as the band's tenth single
in January 1984.
The second single to be lifted from the band's 1983 album Seven and the Ragged Tiger
, the song was another success, reaching the Top 10 on both the British and American music charts. On 11 February 1984, the single reached #9 on the UK Singles Chart
and on 17 March, it reached #10 on the Billboard Hot 100
.
Inexplicably, it did not chart well in Australia
and Scandinavia
; territories where its predecessor, "Union of the Snake
", had been a big hit. This trend was reversed with the next single, "The Reflex
", which became a worldwide number one.
for "New Moon on Monday" was filmed by director Brian Grant
during the icy first week of January 1984, in the village of Noyers
in France
. It has a loosely sketched storyline in which the band appear as members of an underground rebellion called "La Luna" (the name is one of the few connections between the video's content and the song lyrics), organizing a revolt against a modern (1980s-era computers are used) oppressive militaristic regime, apparently in France.
Several versions of this video exist. The longest is a 17-minute "movie version" which includes an extended introduction before the song starts (including a scene of dialogue between Simon Le Bon
and the story's female lead, played by Patricia Barzyk, winner of the Miss France
title in 1980; a brief snippet of "Union of the Snake
" is also heard on a radio), and is set to an extended remix
of the song. A shorter version, with a spoken French-dialogue intro, was originally submitted to MTV
, who then later requested an even shorter version without the prologue.
Yet another version was produced for the Dancing on the Valentine video collection, showing blue-lit scenes of the band members in front of a full-moon backdrop.
All but one of the versions were included as easter eggs on the 2004 DVD compilation Greatest.
Andy Taylor
says this is the band's least favourite video. "Everybody ... hates it, particularly the dreadful scene at the end where we all dance together", he wrote in his memoirs. "Even today, I cringe and leave the room if anyone plays [it]." He recalls that they were miserable since their Christmas holiday had been cut short to shoot the video, and spent most of the day on the dark and cold set drinking, to the point that he was "half cut" by the time the last scenes were shot. "It's one of the few times I've seen Nick
dance".
. The original version of the instrumental was found on the Seven and the Ragged Tiger
album. The release was rounded out by an extended version of the title track.
Albums:
Videos:
Other:
Duran Duran
Duran Duran are an English band, formed in Birmingham in 1978. They were one of the most successful bands of the 1980s and a leading band in the MTV-driven "Second British Invasion" of the United States...
, released as the band's tenth single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
in January 1984.
The second single to be lifted from the band's 1983 album Seven and the Ragged Tiger
Seven and the Ragged Tiger
Seven and the Ragged Tiger is the third studio album by English pop rock band Duran Duran, released globally in November 1983. It would prove to be the last studio album for the band's original lineup until 2004's Astronaut....
, the song was another success, reaching the Top 10 on both the British and American music charts. On 11 February 1984, the single reached #9 on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
and on 17 March, it reached #10 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
.
Inexplicably, it did not chart well in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and Scandinavia
Scandinavia
Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
; territories where its predecessor, "Union of the Snake
Union of the Snake
"Union of the Snake" is the ninth single by Duran Duran, released on 17 October 1983."Union of the Snake" was the lead single from the band's third album Seven and the Ragged Tiger and preceded its release by one month...
", had been a big hit. This trend was reversed with the next single, "The Reflex
The Reflex
"The Reflex" is the eleventh single by Duran Duran, released worldwide on 16 April 1984.The song was heavily remixed for single release and was the third and last to be taken from their third album Seven and the Ragged Tiger.-Song history:...
", which became a worldwide number one.
Music video
The music videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
for "New Moon on Monday" was filmed by director Brian Grant
Brian Grant (director)
Brian Grant is a British television director and producer, famed for directing episodes of British television series including As If, Hex, Doctor Who, Party Animals, Sinchronicity, Britannia High, Highlander, Queen of Swords, Clocking Off...
during the icy first week of January 1984, in the village of Noyers
Noyers, Yonne
Noyers is a commune in the Yonne department in Burgundy in north-central France.There are half-timbered houses, ashlars, pillars and pinnacles. There are a lot of lanes and small squares made of chalky and granitic pavements. There are towers surrounded by the river Serein loops.-History:The...
in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. It has a loosely sketched storyline in which the band appear as members of an underground rebellion called "La Luna" (the name is one of the few connections between the video's content and the song lyrics), organizing a revolt against a modern (1980s-era computers are used) oppressive militaristic regime, apparently in France.
Several versions of this video exist. The longest is a 17-minute "movie version" which includes an extended introduction before the song starts (including a scene of dialogue between Simon Le Bon
Simon Le Bon
Simon John Charles Le Bon is an English musician, best known as the lead singer, lyricist and musician of the band Duran Duran and its offshoot, Arcadia.-Early life:...
and the story's female lead, played by Patricia Barzyk, winner of the Miss France
Miss France
Miss France is the trademark of an annual beauty pageant. Rights to the trademark were obtained in 2002 by the Dutch television production company Endemol through its subsidiary Miss France SAS, whose director general is Sylvie Tellier, Miss France 2002. Endemol also holds the rights in France to...
title in 1980; a brief snippet of "Union of the Snake
Union of the Snake
"Union of the Snake" is the ninth single by Duran Duran, released on 17 October 1983."Union of the Snake" was the lead single from the band's third album Seven and the Ragged Tiger and preceded its release by one month...
" is also heard on a radio), and is set to an extended remix
Remix
A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
of the song. A shorter version, with a spoken French-dialogue intro, was originally submitted to MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
, who then later requested an even shorter version without the prologue.
Yet another version was produced for the Dancing on the Valentine video collection, showing blue-lit scenes of the band members in front of a full-moon backdrop.
All but one of the versions were included as easter eggs on the 2004 DVD compilation Greatest.
Andy Taylor
Andy Taylor (guitarist)
Andy Taylor is an English guitarist, singer, songwriter, and record producer, best known as a member of Duran Duran and The Power Station....
says this is the band's least favourite video. "Everybody ... hates it, particularly the dreadful scene at the end where we all dance together", he wrote in his memoirs. "Even today, I cringe and leave the room if anyone plays [it]." He recalls that they were miserable since their Christmas holiday had been cut short to shoot the video, and spent most of the day on the dark and cold set drinking, to the point that he was "half cut" by the time the last scenes were shot. "It's one of the few times I've seen Nick
Nick Rhodes
Nick Rhodes is an English musician, is best known as the keyboardist of the pop rock band Duran Duran...
dance".
B-sides, bonus tracks and remixes
"New Moon on Monday" was backed with a remix of the instrumental "Tiger Tiger" done by Ian LittleIan Little
Ian Little is a record producer who is best known for the single "Is There Something I Should Know" and the album Seven and the Ragged Tiger, both by Duran Duran. He has also worked with Roxy Music, Phil Manzanera, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, Sparks, Belouis Some, and other artists.-External...
. The original version of the instrumental was found on the Seven and the Ragged Tiger
Seven and the Ragged Tiger
Seven and the Ragged Tiger is the third studio album by English pop rock band Duran Duran, released globally in November 1983. It would prove to be the last studio album for the band's original lineup until 2004's Astronaut....
album. The release was rounded out by an extended version of the title track.
Chart positions
| Country | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
9 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
10 |
| Canadian Singles Chart Canadian Singles Chart The Canadian Singles Chart is currently compiled by the U.S.-based music sales tracking company, Nielsen SoundScan . The chart is compiled every Wednesday, and is published by Jam! Canoe on Thursdays.... |
4 |
| Netherlands Netherlands The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders... Dutch Top 40 |
26 |
| New Zealand Singles Chart | 4 |
| Irish Singles Chart Irish Singles Chart The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured... |
5 |
| Australian Singles Chart ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
48 |
12": EMI 12 DURAN 1 (UK)
- "New Moon on Monday" (Dance Mix) – 6:03
- "New Moon on Monday" – 4:16
- "Tiger Tiger" (Ian Little Remix) – 3:28
CD: Part of "Singles Box Set 1981-1985" boxset
- "New Moon on Monday" – 4:16
- "Tiger Tiger" (Ian Little Remix) – 3:28
- "New Moon on Monday" (Dance Mix) – 6:03
Other appearances
Aside from the single, "New Moon on Monday" appears on:Albums:
- Seven and the Ragged TigerSeven and the Ragged TigerSeven and the Ragged Tiger is the third studio album by English pop rock band Duran Duran, released globally in November 1983. It would prove to be the last studio album for the band's original lineup until 2004's Astronaut....
(1983) - Greatest (1998)
- Night Versions: The Essential Duran DuranNight Versions: The Essential Duran DuranNight Versions: The Essential Duran Duran is a compilation album of remixes by Duran Duran. From the very beginning of their career, the band had dubbed the extended dance remixes of their songs "night versions", as they were intended for play in nightclubs.Unlike many of their contemporaries,...
(1998, US only) - Strange BehaviourStrange BehaviourStrange Behaviour is a remix album of remixes by Duran Duran. It was released by EMI in March 1999.The title comes from a line in the song "Skin Trade": "would someone please explain, the reason for this strange behaviour". The band had previously used "Strange Behaviour" as the name of their 1987...
(1999) - VH1: The Big 80's Pop (2001)
- Singles Box Set 1981–1985 (2003)
Videos:
- Dancing on the ValentineDancing on the ValentineDancing on the Valentine is a Duran Duran Video 45 released by PMI in the UK and Sony in the US in . It was released on VHS, Beta, Laserdisc, and Video8 format....
(1984) - Greatest (1998)
Personnel
Duran Duran are:- Simon Le BonSimon Le BonSimon John Charles Le Bon is an English musician, best known as the lead singer, lyricist and musician of the band Duran Duran and its offshoot, Arcadia.-Early life:...
– vocals - Nick RhodesNick RhodesNick Rhodes is an English musician, is best known as the keyboardist of the pop rock band Duran Duran...
– keyboards - John Taylor – bass guitar
- Roger Taylor – drums
- Andy TaylorAndy Taylor (guitarist)Andy Taylor is an English guitarist, singer, songwriter, and record producer, best known as a member of Duran Duran and The Power Station....
– guitar
Other:
- Alex SadkinAlex SadkinAlex Sadkin is best remembered as a record producer in the early 1980s, but actually got his start in the music industry as a saxophonist for the Las Olas Brass in Fort Lauderdale, Florida....
– producer - Ian LittleIan LittleIan Little is a record producer who is best known for the single "Is There Something I Should Know" and the album Seven and the Ragged Tiger, both by Duran Duran. He has also worked with Roxy Music, Phil Manzanera, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, Sparks, Belouis Some, and other artists.-External...
– producer - Andy HamiltonAndy HamiltonAndrew Neil Hamilton is a British comedian, game show panellist, television director, comedy screenwriter and radio dramatist.-Early life:...
– saxophone - Michelle Cobbs – backing vocals
- B.J. Nelson – backing vocals
- Raphael Dejesus – percussion
- Mark Kennedy – percussion