The Flame (Arcadia song)
Encyclopedia
"The Flame" is the fourth single released by the Duran Duran
off-shoot band, Arcadia
. It was released by Parlophone Records in 1986 and was the group's third UK single. It reached number 58 in the UK Singles Chart
.
, slapstick
video was made in the retro style of an Edwardian-era drawing room
murder mystery, à la Agatha Christie
and Alfred Hitchcock
. The storyline revolved around a series of comic disasters that befall an awkward, nerdish character (played by Simon Le Bon
) and his girlfriend while visiting a haunted house. Nick Rhodes
plays the debonair host of the dinner party at the house, and he frequently uses Le Bon as his comic stooge for a number of macabre and mildly sadistic sight gags. Various unsavory bits of business ensue with revolving walls, trapdoors and mysterious assassins hidden behind paintings and within exotic taxidermied animals. The slapstick comic interplay between Rhodes and Le Bon is faintly reminiscent of Abbott and Costello
.
At one point, John Taylor (member of The Power Station, the other Duran Duran's side project) comes out of the closet with a contract for the band to sign. This is an especially pointed inside joke, as it was around this time that the three remaining Duran Duran
members were preparing to write and record their next album, Notorious, while in legal negotiations with their now-estranged guitarist Andy Taylor.
The video's treatment is said to have been written by Rhodes and the various near-fatal pratfalls that occur to Le Bon's character was intended as punishment for his decision to enter the Fastnet yachting race
that almost cost him his life in August 1985.
In fact, Le Bon was in the middle of the South American leg of the 1986 Whitbread Round the World Race yacht race when he had to fly to Spain in April to shoot the video. He then flew straight back to rejoin his team in Uruguay
.
The video was directed by long time collaborator Russell Mulcahy
.
.
Also credited:
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...
off-shoot band, Arcadia
Arcadia (band)
Arcadia were the pop group formed in 1985 by Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes and Roger Taylor of Duran Duran, during a break in that band's schedule. However, Roger Taylor appeared in only a few band photographs and in none of the music videos, and stated he was only to be involved in the recording side...
. It was released by Parlophone Records in 1986 and was the group's third UK single. It reached number 58 in 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 ...
.
Music video
The campyCamp (style)
Camp is an aesthetic sensibility that regards something as appealing because of its taste and ironic value. The concept is closely related to kitsch, and things with camp appeal may also be described as being "cheesy"...
, slapstick
Slapstick
Slapstick is a type of comedy involving exaggerated violence and activities which may exceed the boundaries of common sense.- Origins :The phrase comes from the batacchio or bataccio — called the 'slap stick' in English — a club-like object composed of two wooden slats used in Commedia dell'arte...
video was made in the retro style of an Edwardian-era drawing room
Drawing room
A drawing room is a room in a house where visitors may be entertained. The name is derived from the sixteenth-century terms "withdrawing room" and "withdrawing chamber", which remained in use through the seventeenth century, and made its first written appearance in 1642...
murder mystery, à la Agatha Christie
Agatha Christie
Dame Agatha Christie DBE was a British crime writer of novels, short stories, and plays. She also wrote romances under the name Mary Westmacott, but she is best remembered for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections , and her successful West End plays.According to...
and Alfred Hitchcock
Alfred Hitchcock
Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock, KBE was a British film director and producer. He pioneered many techniques in the suspense and psychological thriller genres. After a successful career in British cinema in both silent films and early talkies, Hitchcock moved to Hollywood...
. The storyline revolved around a series of comic disasters that befall an awkward, nerdish character (played by 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 his girlfriend while visiting a haunted house. Nick Rhodes
Nick Rhodes
Nick Rhodes is an English musician, is best known as the keyboardist of the pop rock band Duran Duran...
plays the debonair host of the dinner party at the house, and he frequently uses Le Bon as his comic stooge for a number of macabre and mildly sadistic sight gags. Various unsavory bits of business ensue with revolving walls, trapdoors and mysterious assassins hidden behind paintings and within exotic taxidermied animals. The slapstick comic interplay between Rhodes and Le Bon is faintly reminiscent of Abbott and Costello
Abbott and Costello
William "Bud" Abbott and Lou Costello performed together as Abbott and Costello, an American comedy duo whose work on stage, radio, film and television made them the most popular comedy team during the 1940s and 1950s...
.
At one point, John Taylor (member of The Power Station, the other Duran Duran's side project) comes out of the closet with a contract for the band to sign. This is an especially pointed inside joke, as it was around this time that the three remaining 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...
members were preparing to write and record their next album, Notorious, while in legal negotiations with their now-estranged guitarist Andy Taylor.
The video's treatment is said to have been written by Rhodes and the various near-fatal pratfalls that occur to Le Bon's character was intended as punishment for his decision to enter the Fastnet yachting race
Fastnet race
The Fastnet Race is a famous offshore yachting race. It is considered one of the classic offshore races. It takes place every two years over a course of . The race starts off Cowes on the Isle of Wight in England, rounds the Fastnet Rock off the southwest coast of Ireland and then finishes at...
that almost cost him his life in August 1985.
In fact, Le Bon was in the middle of the South American leg of the 1986 Whitbread Round the World Race yacht race when he had to fly to Spain in April to shoot the video. He then flew straight back to rejoin his team in Uruguay
Uruguay
Uruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
.
The video was directed by long time collaborator 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 :...
.
B-sides, bonus tracks and remixes
All officially released remixes of "The Flame" - the 'Single Remix,' 'Extended Remix' and the 'Yo Homeboy Mix' - were done by Nile RodgersNile Rodgers
Nile Gregory Rodgers is an American musician, producer, composer, arranger, and guitarist.-Biography:...
.
7": Parlophone / NSR 3 (UK)
- "The Flame" [Remix] (4:06)
- "Flame Game" [Yo Homeboy Mix] (2:49)
12": Parlophone / 12 NSR 3 (UK)
- "The Flame" [Extended Remix] (7:12)
- "Flame Game" [Yo Homeboy Mix] (2:49)
- "Election Day" [Early Rough Mix] (8:58)
12": Capitol / V-15246 (US)
- "The Flame" [Extended Remix] (7:18) (Different mix to UK 12 inch.)
- "Flame Game" [Yo Homeboy Mix] (2:49)
- "Election Day" [Early Rough Mix] (8:58)
Personnel
Arcadia 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 - Roger Taylor - drums
Also credited:
- 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 and engineer