Ordinary World
Encyclopedia
"Ordinary World" is the first single from Duran Duran's
self-titled 1993 album
, better known as The Wedding Album
. The song peaked at No. 3 in the American charts
and No. 6 in the British charts
. Simon LeBon
, the vocalist, later sang this song with Luciano Pavarotti
, to help children affected by war in Bosnia & Herzegovina.
had proved a commercial failure, its two singles failing to make a significant showing on British or American charts.
It wasn't until Capitol leaked "Ordinary World" to a radio station in Florida in the autumn of 1992 that it looked like Duran Duran mania might yet hit again. The single proved so popular that Capitol had to push the US release date up, ultimately releasing it in December. In the UK, the original January release date stood. The song can be credited as introducing Duran Duran to a new generation of fans.
Simon LeBon would go on to sing the song with Pavarotti at a WarChild benefit, which was released on home video as Pavarotti & Friends: Together for the Children of Bosnia. Le Bon later said of the event, "If you're talking about name dropping, he's one of the biggest names you could drop, Pav-The-Man."http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/D/Duran_Duran/1997/11/14/744699.html
The keyboards in the song were arranged and performed by Nick Rhodes, John Jones
, session musician Matt Thomas and Steve Ferrone
at Maison Rouge.
The song won an Ivor Novello Award in May 1994 and later featured in the soundtrack
to the film Layer Cake
in 2005.
The music video was filmed by director Nick Egan at Huntington Gardens in San Marino, California
.
The lyrics to "Ordinary World" were written by Simon Le Bon as the second of a trilogy of songs for his late friend David Miles; the others being "Do You Believe in Shame?" (1988) and "Out of My Mind" (1997).
, featured as the main B-side of the "Ordinary World" single.
Many other older singles were also used as B-sides. To capitalise on the success of "Ordinary World" and the new Duran Duran fans it was finding, EMI used the single's release to lure these new fans to the band's back catalogue. This mini-Decade
was spread over the two CD singles released during the campaign.
Albums:
Singles:
EPs:
MC Capitol / 7 44908 4 (U.S.)
CD Parlophone / CD DDS 16 (UK)
CD Parlophone / CD DDP 16 (UK)
CD Capitol / C2
CD Capitol / DPRO-79607 (US)
CD 10 of Singles Box Set 1986-1995
boxset
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...
self-titled 1993 album
1993 in music
This is a summary of significant events in music in 1993.-January–February:*January 8 – The U.S. Postal Service issues an Elvis Presley stamp. The design was voted on in February 1992....
, better known as The Wedding Album
Duran Duran (1993 album)
Duran Duran is the seventh studio album and the second self-titled album by Duran Duran, released on 23 February 1993. The cover art by Nick Egan features wedding photos from the parents of the four band members.Recording of the album was completed in early 1992 with an impending release by...
. The song peaked at No. 3 in the American charts
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...
and No. 6 in the British charts
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 ...
. Simon LeBon
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:...
, the vocalist, later sang this song with Luciano Pavarotti
Luciano Pavarotti
right|thumb|Luciano Pavarotti performing at the opening of the Constantine Palace in [[Strelna]], 31 May 2003. The concert was part of the celebrations for the 300th anniversary of [[St...
, to help children affected by war in Bosnia & Herzegovina.
Background
By the early '90s, Duran Duran's popularity had faded. Their album LibertyLiberty (album)
Liberty is the sixth studio album by Duran Duran, released on . It entered the top 10 in the UK albums chart, and garnered a #6 hit for the single "Serious" in Japan.-Recording:...
had proved a commercial failure, its two singles failing to make a significant showing on British or American charts.
It wasn't until Capitol leaked "Ordinary World" to a radio station in Florida in the autumn of 1992 that it looked like Duran Duran mania might yet hit again. The single proved so popular that Capitol had to push the US release date up, ultimately releasing it in December. In the UK, the original January release date stood. The song can be credited as introducing Duran Duran to a new generation of fans.
Simon LeBon would go on to sing the song with Pavarotti at a WarChild benefit, which was released on home video as Pavarotti & Friends: Together for the Children of Bosnia. Le Bon later said of the event, "If you're talking about name dropping, he's one of the biggest names you could drop, Pav-The-Man."http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/D/Duran_Duran/1997/11/14/744699.html
The keyboards in the song were arranged and performed by Nick Rhodes, John Jones
John Jones (record producer)
John Idris Jones is a musician and record producer who has worked with Duran Duran and many high-profile rock and pop musicians.-Background:...
, session musician Matt Thomas and Steve Ferrone
Steve Ferrone
Steven "Steve" Ferrone is a British drummer.He was a member of the Average White Band, and has recorded and performed with numerous other high-profile acts, including Slash, Chaka Khan, Eric Clapton, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and Scritti Politti...
at Maison Rouge.
The song won an Ivor Novello Award in May 1994 and later featured in the soundtrack
Soundtrack
A soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying and synchronized to the images of a motion picture, book, television program or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack of a film or TV show; or the physical area of a film that contains the...
to the film Layer Cake
Layer Cake (film)
Layer Cake is a 2004 British crime thriller produced and directed by Matthew Vaughn, in his directorial debut. It is based on the novel Layer Cake by J. J...
in 2005.
The music video was filmed by director Nick Egan at Huntington Gardens in San Marino, California
San Marino, California
San Marino is a small, affluent city in Los Angeles County, California. Incorporated in 1913, the City founders designed the community to be uniquely residential, with expansive properties surrounded by beautiful gardens, wide streets, and well maintained parkways...
.
The lyrics to "Ordinary World" were written by Simon Le Bon as the second of a trilogy of songs for his late friend David Miles; the others being "Do You Believe in Shame?" (1988) and "Out of My Mind" (1997).
B-sides, bonus tracks and remixes
"My Antarctica", a song from the band's previous album LibertyLiberty (album)
Liberty is the sixth studio album by Duran Duran, released on . It entered the top 10 in the UK albums chart, and garnered a #6 hit for the single "Serious" in Japan.-Recording:...
, featured as the main B-side of the "Ordinary World" single.
Many other older singles were also used as B-sides. To capitalise on the success of "Ordinary World" and the new Duran Duran fans it was finding, EMI used the single's release to lure these new fans to the band's back catalogue. This mini-Decade
Decade: Greatest Hits
Decade – Greatest Hits is a greatest hits album by Duran Duran, released on November 15, 1989 .The remix single "Burning the Ground" was released to radio to promote this album; it was created by producer John Jones mixing snippets of the band's biggest hits from the previous decade into a new...
was spread over the two CD singles released during the campaign.
Other mixes
There were several other versions of "Ordinary World" released:- The "Acoustic Version" was recorded at the May 15 "No Ordinary Tour" live performance at Tower RecordsTower RecordsTower Records was a retail music chain that was based in Sacramento, California. It currently exists as an international franchise and an online music store....
in Hollywood, which was simulcast to Hard Rock CaféHard Rock CafeHard Rock Cafe is a chain of theme restaurants founded in 1971 by Americans Peter Morton & Isaac Tigrett. In 1979, the cafe began covering its walls with rock and roll memorabilia, a tradition which expanded to others in the chain. In 2006, Hard Rock was sold to the Seminole Tribe of Florida, and...
s around the world. This live version was found on a number of "Ordinary World" releases outside the UK, most notably the Canadian and American cassette single and featured additional musicians, Gerry L and AD'A. It would eventually be released in the UK on the first CD single for "Come Undone". - The "AC Edit" was featured on a US promo CD that came packaged with the DecadeDecade: Greatest HitsDecade – Greatest Hits is a greatest hits album by Duran Duran, released on November 15, 1989 .The remix single "Burning the Ground" was released to radio to promote this album; it was created by producer John Jones mixing snippets of the band's biggest hits from the previous decade into a new...
album. - A live version recorded on Simon MayoSimon MayoSimon Mayo is an English radio presenter who has worked for BBC Radio since 1981. As of January 2010, Mayo is presenter of Simon Mayo Drivetime on BBC Radio 2 and, with Mark Kermode, presenter of Kermode and Mayo's Film Reviews on BBC Radio 5 Live.In 2008, Mayo was recognised as the "radio...
's Radio 1 show featured as a B-side to the band's later 1995 single "White Lines". - An extended version recorded at Sony Studios in New York City for Hard Rock Live was included on a promotional 2-track CD in June 2000 by the band's new label Hollywood RecordsHollywood RecordsHollywood Records is an American record label owned by Disney Music Group, a subsidiary of the Walt Disney Company.-History:Hollywood Records was founded in 1989 by then-Disney CEO Michael Eisner with the idea of expanding the music operations of the company and to develop and promote...
, running at 6:08. - Live version released on 'From Mediterranea With LoveFrom Mediterranea with LoveFrom Mediterranea with Love is a Duran Duran 3-track EP, released as a download on iTunes for several European countries on 23 December 2010....
' a promotional EP digital release in December 2010
Other appearances
Apart from the single, "Ordinary World" has also appeared on :Albums:
- Duran DuranDuran Duran (1993 album)Duran Duran is the seventh studio album and the second self-titled album by Duran Duran, released on 23 February 1993. The cover art by Nick Egan features wedding photos from the parents of the four band members.Recording of the album was completed in early 1992 with an impending release by...
(1993) - Greatest (1998)
- Singles Box Set 1986-1995Singles Box Set 1986-1995Singles Box Set 1986–1995 is a box set by Duran Duran. Comprising 14 CDs, it was released by EMI 13 September 2004 and features the singles covering the era from Notorious to Thank You....
(2005) - Layer Cake OST
Singles:
- Come Undone (1993)
- White Lines (1995)
EPs:
- From Mediterranea With LoveFrom Mediterranea with LoveFrom Mediterranea with Love is a Duran Duran 3-track EP, released as a download on iTunes for several European countries on 23 December 2010....
(2010)
Track listings
7" Parlophone / DD 16 (UK)- "Ordinary World" (Single version) – 4:43
- "My Antarctica" – 5:00
MC Capitol / 7 44908 4 (U.S.)
- "Ordinary World" – 5:39
- "Ordinary World" (Acoustic version) – 5:05
- "Save a Prayer" (Live from the Arena) – 6:11
- Also released in Canada (Capitol / C4-44908)
CD Parlophone / CD DDS 16 (UK)
- "Ordinary World" – 5:49
- "Save a Prayer" – 5:25
- "Skin Trade" – 4:25
- "My Antarctica" – 5:00
- This CD comes in a 2-CD case that also houses CD DDP 16.
CD Parlophone / CD DDP 16 (UK)
- "Ordinary World" (Single version) – 4:43
- "The Reflex" – 4:25
- "Hungry Like the Wolf" – 3:25
- "Girls on Film" – 3:30
- This CD was released as a picture disc.
CD Capitol / C2
- "Ordinary World" – 5:39
- "My Antarctica" – 5:00
- "Save a Prayer" – 5:25
- "UMF" – 5:33
CD Capitol / DPRO-79607 (US)
- "Ordinary World" (Single edit) – 4:28
- "Ordinary World" (AC edit) – 4:31
- "Ordinary World" (Acoustic version) – 5:05
- "Ordinary World" (LP version) – 5:39
- Two-disc US promo. Second CD is DecadeDecade: Greatest HitsDecade – Greatest Hits is a greatest hits album by Duran Duran, released on November 15, 1989 .The remix single "Burning the Ground" was released to radio to promote this album; it was created by producer John Jones mixing snippets of the band's biggest hits from the previous decade into a new...
. Housed in exclusive sleeve.
- Two-disc US promo. Second CD is Decade
CD 10 of Singles Box Set 1986-1995
Singles Box Set 1986-1995
Singles Box Set 1986–1995 is a box set by Duran Duran. Comprising 14 CDs, it was released by EMI 13 September 2004 and features the singles covering the era from Notorious to Thank You....
boxset
- "Ordinary World" (Single version) – 4:43
- "My Antarctica" – 5:00
- "Ordinary World" – 5:49
- "Save a Prayer" – 5:25
- "Skin Trade" – 4:25
- "The Reflex" – 4:25
- "Hungry Like the Wolf" – 3:25
- "Girls on Film" – 3:30
Peak positions
| Chart (1993) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian ARIA 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... |
18 |
| Austrian Singles Chart | 15 |
| 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.... |
1 |
| Dutch Top 40 Dutch Top 40 The Dutch Top 40 is a weekly music chart, which started as the "Veronica Top 40", because the offshore radio station Radio Veronica was the first to introduce it. It remained "The Veronica Top 40" until 1974, when the station was forced to stop broadcasting... |
14 |
| French SNEP Singles Chart Syndicat National de l'Edition Phonographique The Syndicat national de l'édition phonographique is the inter-professional organization which protects the interests of the French record industry... |
6 |
| German Singles Chart | 16 |
| 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... |
3 |
| Italian Singles Chart | 2 |
| Norwegian Singles Chart | 5 |
| Swedish Singles Chart | 2 |
| Swiss Singles Chart | 11 |
| 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 ... |
6 |
| U.S. 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... |
3 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks | 2 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks | 14 |
| U.S. Billboard Top 40 Mainstream Mainstream Top 40 (Pop Songs) The Mainstream Top 40 is an airplay chart from Billboard magazine, and is also known as Pop Songs on billboard.com. It was often mistaken for and confused with the now discontinued Pop 100 Airplay chart... |
1 |
End of year charts
| End of year chart (1993) | Position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 34 |
Certifications
| Country | Certification | Date | Sales certified |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | Gold | March 19, 1993 | 500,000 |
Cover versions
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