Planet Earth (song)
Encyclopedia
"Planet Earth" is the debut single
by the English pop rock
band Duran Duran
, released on 2 February 1981.
It was an immediate hit in the band's native UK, reaching #12 on the UK Singles Chart
on 21 February, and did even better in Australia
, hitting #8 to become Duran Duran's first Top 10 hit anywhere in the world.
The song later appeared on the band's eponymous debut album Duran Duran, released in June, 1981.
The song was the first to explicitly acknowledge the fledgling New Romantic
fashion movement, with the line "Like some New Romantic looking for the TV sound".
for the song was directed by future film director Russell Mulcahy
, who would go on to direct a dozen more for the group.
Fairly primitive by the band's later standards, the video features the band (dressed in frilly, floppy New Romantic
fashions) playing the song on a white stage tricked out with special effects to look like a platform made of ice or crystal. Interspersed with the performance are shots of the band members alongside the four elements
. The video focused closely on the band's faces. The instrumental middle section features friends of the band from the Rum Runner
nightclub dancing in their outlandish outfits. At the end of the video, singer Simon Le Bon leaps from the stage, caught in a freeze frame shot
above an apparently bottomless abyss.
The video was parodied in the music video for the Dandy Warhols' "You Were The Last High" (which was produced by Nick Rhodes, the band's keyboardist).
Beginning with "Planet Earth", Duran Duran began creating what they called "night versions" for each of their songs: extended remix
es that were featured on their 12-inch single
s. Back in 1981, the technology to do extended remixes was still quite rudimentary, so the band chose instead to create a new arrangement of the song, loosely based on the version they were playing live at the time. This formed the basis for the "night version".
The "Night Version" of "Planet Earth" appeared in place of the original on some early US releases of the Duran Duran album.
In addition to the 12", the night version of "Planet Earth" was included on the EP
s Nite Romantics and Carnival
.
For the 1999 remix album Strange Behaviour
, EMI inadvertently unearthed unreleased alternative mixes of both "Planet Earth" and "Hold Back The Rain".
Albums:
Also credited:
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...
by the English pop rock
Pop rock
Pop rock is a music genre which mixes a catchy pop style and light lyrics in its guitar-based rock songs. There are varying definitions of the term, ranging from a slower and mellower form of rock music to a subgenre of pop music...
band Duran Duran
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 on 2 February 1981.
It was an immediate hit in the band's native UK, reaching #12 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 ...
on 21 February, and did even better 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...
, hitting #8 to become Duran Duran's first Top 10 hit anywhere in the world.
The song later appeared on the band's eponymous debut album Duran Duran, released in June, 1981.
About the song
"Planet Earth" begins with a slow synthesised sweep backed with electronic rhythm, but the real rhythm section of throbbing bass and crisp drums soon kick in. Muted guitar carries the up-and-down melodic hook of the song as the singer joins in.The song was the first to explicitly acknowledge the fledgling New Romantic
New Romantic
New Romanticism , was a pop culture movement in the United Kingdom that began around 1979 and peaked around 1981. Developing in London nightclubs such as Billy's and The Blitz and spreading to other major cities in the UK, it was based around flamboyant, eccentric fashion and new wave music...
fashion movement, with the line "Like some New Romantic looking for the TV sound".
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 the song was directed by future film director Russell Mulcahy
Russell Mulcahy
Russell Mulcahy is an Australian film director. His work is easily recognized by his use of fast cuts, tracking shots and use of glowing lights.- Music videos :...
, who would go on to direct a dozen more for the group.
Fairly primitive by the band's later standards, the video features the band (dressed in frilly, floppy New Romantic
New Romantic
New Romanticism , was a pop culture movement in the United Kingdom that began around 1979 and peaked around 1981. Developing in London nightclubs such as Billy's and The Blitz and spreading to other major cities in the UK, it was based around flamboyant, eccentric fashion and new wave music...
fashions) playing the song on a white stage tricked out with special effects to look like a platform made of ice or crystal. Interspersed with the performance are shots of the band members alongside the four elements
Four elements
Four elements may refer to:* Classical elements, such as air, fire, earth and water* 4 Elements, an album by Chronic Future* Group 4 element, one of the chemical elements in Group 4 of the periodic table...
. The video focused closely on the band's faces. The instrumental middle section features friends of the band from the Rum Runner
Rum Runner (nightclub)
The Rum Runner nightclub was opened on Broad Street, Birmingham in the city centre in 1964. It was demolished in 1987 to make way for the Hyatt Hotel....
nightclub dancing in their outlandish outfits. At the end of the video, singer Simon Le Bon leaps from the stage, caught in a freeze frame shot
Freeze frame shot
A freeze frame shot is used when one shot is printed in a single frame several times, in order to make an interesting illusion of a still photograph....
above an apparently bottomless abyss.
The video was parodied in the music video for the Dandy Warhols' "You Were The Last High" (which was produced by Nick Rhodes, the band's keyboardist).
B-sides, bonus tracks and remixes
For most countries, the B-side track for the "Planet Earth" 45 is a concert favorite called "Late Bar" which was one of the earliest songs Duran Duran had written together after their classic Le Bon/Rhodes/Taylor/Taylor/Taylor lineup had solidified. However, the B-side track for the North American release of "Planet Earth" is "To The Shore".Beginning with "Planet Earth", Duran Duran began creating what they called "night versions" for each of their songs: 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 ....
es that were featured on their 12-inch single
12-inch single
The 12-inch single is a type of gramophone record that has wider groove spacing compared to other types of records. This allows for louder levels to be cut on the disc by the cutting engineer, which in turn gives a wider dynamic range, and thus better sound quality...
s. Back in 1981, the technology to do extended remixes was still quite rudimentary, so the band chose instead to create a new arrangement of the song, loosely based on the version they were playing live at the time. This formed the basis for the "night version".
The "Night Version" of "Planet Earth" appeared in place of the original on some early US releases of the Duran Duran album.
In addition to the 12", the night version of "Planet Earth" was included on the EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
s Nite Romantics and Carnival
Carnival (EP)
Carnival is a dance music EP by Duran Duran, originally released in various markets around the world in September 1982 by EMI.-Background:...
.
For the 1999 remix album Strange Behaviour
Strange Behaviour
Strange 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...
, EMI inadvertently unearthed unreleased alternative mixes of both "Planet Earth" and "Hold Back The Rain".
Chart positions
| Chart | 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 ... |
12 |
| 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... |
8 |
| 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... |
14 |
| Portugal Singles Chart | 1 |
Cover versions
- "Planet Earth" was covered by Hate Dept.Hate Dept.Hate Dept. is a synthesizer-laden post punk band, created in 1991 by Seibold. The group releases albums and performs music in the same vein as Nine Inch Nails, Skinny Puppy and The Prodigy. Seibold is a multi-instrumentalist who manages to write, record and release Hate Dept. albums without the aid...
on the 80's New Wave industrial cover album "Newer Wave 2.0" in 1998. - The song was covered by the UK punk-pop band Cranial ScrewtopCranial ScrewtopCranial Screwtop are an English punk-influenced rock band which plays 1980s pop songs in a punk style, the only specialist covers band of its type currently in the UK. The band's sound is distinguished by their use of kazoos...
and appears on the album "Too Fast for Technology" from 2006.
12": EMI 12 EMI 5137
- "Planet Earth (Night Version)" – 6:20
- "Planet Earth" – 3:59
- "Late Bar" – 2:54
CD: Part of "Singles Box Set 1981-1985" boxset
- "Planet Earth" – 3:59
- "Late Bar" – 2:54
- "Planet Earth (Night Version)" – 6:20
Other appearances
Apart from the single, "Planet Earth" has also appeared on:Albums:
- Duran Duran (1981)
- CarnivalCarnival (EP)Carnival is a dance music EP by Duran Duran, originally released in various markets around the world in September 1982 by EMI.-Background:...
(1982) - Arena (1984)
- 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...
(1989) - 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) - Greatest (1998)
- 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) - Singles Box Set 1981-1985Singles Box Set 1981-1985Singles Box Set 1981–1985 is a boxset by Duran Duran. Comprising thirteen CDs, it was released by EMI on and covers the era from Duran Duran to Arena , as well as non-album single "A View to a Kill" ....
(2005)
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 TaylorNigel John TaylorJohn Taylor is an English musician who is best known as the bass guitarist and co-founder of pop rock band Duran Duran....
- bass guitar - Roger TaylorRoger Andrew TaylorRoger Andrew Taylor is an English double grammy award winning musician who is best known as the drummer of British rock band Duran Duran from their inception until 1985, and again from 2001 onwards, the band selling in excess of 80 million records worldwide in the process.-Early life:Taylor began...
- 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
Also credited:
- Colin ThurstonColin ThurstonColin Thurston was a British recording engineer and producer.Born in Singapore, Thurston played in bands in London before he "bluffed his way" into audio engineering...
- producer and engineer