Serious
Encyclopedia
"Serious" is the 22nd single by Duran Duran
. It was released 1 October 1990 as the second single from the Liberty
album.
" in 1981).
, was directed by the duo Big TV!, and features model Tess Daly
. The video is a favourite among fans for the relaxed, natural attitude among the band members as they play their instruments, sometimes prompting each other into laughter. A multi-angle version of the video is available on the Greatest
DVD in 2003, taking advantage of the multiple angle feature available on certain DVD players.
"; "Yo bad azizi as a nuclear war", a corruption of "You're about as easy as a nuclear war" due to the way vocalist Simon Le Bon sings the line. This was reportedly prompted by a fan's letter asking Le Bon what "yo bad azizi" meant.
The bonus b-side on the 12" and CD is a remix of "All Along The Water" entitled "Water Babies". Due to pressing errors, some copies of the CD contain the actual song "All Along The Water" (instead of the remix) as the bonus b-side.
In November, "Serious" was released in the USA. As "Yo Bad Azizi" had already been used there for the b-side to the single "Violence Of Summer
", Capitol Records
decided to include two fade cuts of Liberty album tracks as a sweetener, even though Capitol had already commissioned and received some remixes of the title track.
Due to the commercial failure of the "Serious" single, plans for future singles were shelved. The third single in the USA was to have been the rocker "First Impression", while Europe were to have gotten the album's title track, "Liberty". EMI's decision to cancel the singles came just days before filming began on the video for "First Impression".
sampled this track for his single "Fire", which is credited as "Ferry Corsten featuring Simon Le Bon"
CD: Part of "Singles Box Set 1986-1995
Albums:
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...
. It was released 1 October 1990 as the second single from the Liberty
Liberty (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:...
album.
About the song
By the time the single was released, interest in the Liberty album had already waned. Poor promotion, including a decision not to tour in support of the album, led the single to stall at #48 in the UK charts. This was the band's worst charting single up until that point (Eleven places lower than their second-ever single, "Careless MemoriesCareless Memories
"Careless Memories" is the second single by Duran Duran, released on 20 April 1981.The band's debut single "Planet Earth" had been a Top 20 hit, so it was regarded as a major setback when "Careless Memories" stalled at #37 in the UK charts, particularly as it was to herald the June release of the...
" in 1981).
Music video
The black and white video, set at a circusCircus
A circus is commonly a travelling company of performers that may include clowns, acrobats, trained animals, trapeze acts, musicians, hoopers, tightrope walkers, jugglers, unicyclists and other stunt-oriented artists...
, was directed by the duo Big TV!, and features model Tess Daly
Tess Daly
Helen Elizabeth "Tess" Daly is an English television presenter. She is married to the presenter Vernon Kay.-Early life:Daly was born in Derbyshire to Vivian , who died of emphysema, and Sylvia Daly...
. The video is a favourite among fans for the relaxed, natural attitude among the band members as they play their instruments, sometimes prompting each other into laughter. A multi-angle version of the video is available on the Greatest
Greatest (Duran Duran album)
In November 2003, the videotape compilation was released in DVD format, titled Duran Duran: Greatest — The DVD, with hidden extra materials, including alternative versions of some of the videos and interviews of the band, however, this version is much criticised for its extensive use of easter egg...
DVD in 2003, taking advantage of the multiple angle feature available on certain DVD players.
B-sides, bonus tracks and remixes
The single suffered from a lack of a remix for the a-side, as EMI opted to use a slight edit of the album version instead. To compensate, the label tried to satisfy fans' appetites with bonus material. The single's b-side, "Yo Bad Azizi", is an experimental track built around a lyric from "Is There Something I Should Know?Is There Something I Should Know?
"Is There Something I Should Know?" is the eighth single by Duran Duran, released on 19 March 1983.The song was released as a stand-alone single and became the band's first UK number one record. It debuted in the #1 position on the UK Singles Chart on 26 March 1983...
"; "Yo bad azizi as a nuclear war", a corruption of "You're about as easy as a nuclear war" due to the way vocalist Simon Le Bon sings the line. This was reportedly prompted by a fan's letter asking Le Bon what "yo bad azizi" meant.
The bonus b-side on the 12" and CD is a remix of "All Along The Water" entitled "Water Babies". Due to pressing errors, some copies of the CD contain the actual song "All Along The Water" (instead of the remix) as the bonus b-side.
In November, "Serious" was released in the USA. As "Yo Bad Azizi" had already been used there for the b-side to the single "Violence Of Summer
Violence Of Summer
"Violence of Summer " is the 21st single by Duran Duran, and the first single from the 1990 Liberty album.Having finished the 1980s with the Decade singles compilation, Duran Duran found the 1990s a new challenge, in which success would initially elude them...
", Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
decided to include two fade cuts of Liberty album tracks as a sweetener, even though Capitol had already commissioned and received some remixes of the title track.
Due to the commercial failure of the "Serious" single, plans for future singles were shelved. The third single in the USA was to have been the rocker "First Impression", while Europe were to have gotten the album's title track, "Liberty". EMI's decision to cancel the singles came just days before filming began on the video for "First Impression".
Covers, samples, & media references
In 2005, Dutch producer and DJ Ferry CorstenFerry Corsten
Ferry Corsten, also known under the alias System F, is a Dutch producer of trance music, in addition to being a DJ and remixer. He also hosts his own weekly radio show, Corsten's Countdown. He routinely plays at events all over the world with crowds in excess of tens of thousands. In 2009 Ferry...
sampled this track for his single "Fire", which is credited as "Ferry Corsten featuring Simon Le Bon"
12": Parlophone 12 DD 15 (UK)
- "Serious (Single Version)" – 3:56
- "Yo Bad Azizi" – 3:03
- "Water Babies" – 5:35
- EMI tried a couple of gimmicks with the 12" to drum up interest including gatefold sleeve (12 DDG 15) and a laser etched one-sided disc with free poster (12 DDS 15).
CD: Parlophone CD DD 15 (UK)
- "Serious (Single Version)" – 3:56
- "Yo Bad Azizi" – 3:03
- "Water Babies" – 5:35
- Some copies of the CD single erroneously include "All Along the Water" instead of "Water Babies" as the second b-side.
CD: Part of "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....
" boxset
- "Serious (Single Version)" – 3:56
- "Yo Bad Azizi" – 3:03
- "Water Babies" – 5:35
- "All Along the Water" – 3:47
MC: Capitol 4JM-44638 (US)
- "Serious (Single Version)" – 3:56
- "Yo Bad Azizi" – 3:03
- "Liberty (Fade)" – 1:36
- "First Impression (Fade)" – 1:43
- The fades are literally the first 90 seconds or so of the album cuts.
Other appearances
Apart from the single, "Serious" also appears on:Albums:
- 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:...
(1990) - GreatestGreatest (Duran Duran album)In November 2003, the videotape compilation was released in DVD format, titled Duran Duran: Greatest — The DVD, with hidden extra materials, including alternative versions of some of the videos and interviews of the band, however, this version is much criticised for its extensive use of easter egg...
(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)
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 - Warren CuccurulloWarren CuccurulloWarren Bruce Cuccurullo in Brooklyn, New York is an American rock musician who worked with Frank Zappa, was a founding member of Missing Persons, and has been a long term member of Duran Duran. He also has some notoriety in the porn industry after making nude appearances in a magazine and...
- guitar - Sterling CampbellSterling CampbellSterling Campbell in New York City, New York, is an American rock drummer who has worked with numerous high-profile acts. He rose to attention in 1986, touring with Cyndi Lauper on her her True Colors World Tour, in 1986, and in 1987, joined Duran Duran...
- drums