Top 10 Best Duran Duran Songs

The Top Ten
1 Hungry Like The Wolf

So, who else remembers the film "Big Fat Liar" where Paul Giamatti is dancing to this song before having a swim in the dreaded blue water? For better or worse, that is what usually comes to mind when I think of this song. This became one of the signature songs of the '80s, and many would consider it their favorite DD track. It was also the band's breakthrough hit in the United States. Drummer Roger Taylor has stated it "kind of defined the drum sound for the Eighties," and it is hard to disagree.

When I hear this song, a smile forms on my face. In 1983, when the Wolfpack won the national title, this hit became their theme song. Local radio stations seemed to play it every 5 minutes to support the team.

2 Come Undone

I love every one of the songs on this list! All really good. I love Duran Duran. All of them are adorable. I have to say The Reflex should be on here in the top three. Definitely better than Hungry Like the Wolf but not as good as Come Undone. The Reflex should at least be second. It's so good and hyped up. I absolutely LOVE IT!

I was torn between Come Undone and Ordinary World... but I love the singing in Come Undone. It's so beautiful. I mean, Ordinary World has some good vocals and interesting lyrics, but I like Come Undone better.

3 Rio

This is probably my all-time favorite of theirs. I think the reason why I love it so is because it was probably their first song and video that I saw, and I just instantly fell in love with that video. You can see their fun side, their glamorous side, and hear all the musical layers wrapped up with that first giggle! I love watching them play it live because you can see how much they enjoy playing it. Even though I adore some of their lesser-known songs like "Palomino" and their version of "Watching the Detectives," this song does it for me!

4 The Reflex

Many people that I know would put this track at Number One, and rightfully so. This was one of the signature songs of the 80s. An incredibly infectious dance track that was Duran Duran's most successful single to date. "Why yai yai yai!" I am amazed at how much people freak out when this song plays.

The Reflex has the best combination of all the members. The best guitars of Andy, a heavy bass of John, the force of Roger's drums, the unlimited imagination of Nick and his fingers, and the wonderful combinations of Simon's voice. They will never surpass this song.

5 Ordinary World

'90s Duran Duran wasn't as good as '80s Duran Duran, in my opinion, but this song just straight-up sends chills down my spine. It strays away from their new wave roots to stay with the times, sure, but the way the song is presented manages to achieve both a somber and uplifting tone at the same time. It reminds me of my mom, who loved groups like Duran Duran and The Cars so much. She passed away from ovarian cancer 6 years ago. And this song is 30 years old now... man, time does fly.

The first Duran Duran track that I remember hearing when I was about six years old. Loved it as a little one. Love it even more now. An amazing song about loss and hope. Tremendous lyrics as well. A favorite one of mine - "Left me in the vacuum of my heart."

6 A View to a Kill

Ok, so I am not denying that part of the reason why this track is so high on my list is because AVTAK is my favourite James Bond film ever. But the more important reason is that I truly dig this song more than most of their others. I never get tired of this track after listening to it for over a hundred times, I'm sure. Love the colourful lyrics as well. What is a lovers' rosy stain?

A View to a Kill is one of their greatest hits. It was their first number 1 song in the USA and the first number 1 James Bond theme song. One of their most unique songs ever.

7 Save A Prayer

The very first DD song I've heard back in 1981 when I was in the sixth grade. I will never forget the video nor the song that made me a HUGE fan. Now, at age 44, I still listen to it like it was yesterday.

I feel like taking a nap every time I hear that song. I wonder why people don't listen to Duran Duran anymore. People just listen to pop songs like Shake It Off. Well, guess what? Pop stinks.

On my "relax" playlist on iTunes, this is amongst the most often played. I love the keyboards, especially at the end. The music video is beautiful as well.

8 Girls On Film

And not because of the video either. Honest! Liked that close-up shot of the oil though. Anyway, this one is very catchy. This track was stuck in my head for so long, it isn't funny. One of the most interesting songs of the 80s for me, in terms of production. A very unique sound indeed.

I just love this song. I first heard it from my friend way back in middle school on an audio cassette. I still love it today!

Listening to it right now! A brilliant tune and always reminds me of Ashes to Ashes!

9 The Wild Boys

My brother is wild, so he should hear this song more often. Well, let's talk about me. I'm a Duran Duran freak, but my sister is definitely not.

How is it possible that this song is only eleventh? Wild Boys is one of the greatest songs ever without a doubt. It deserves first place!

A simple, infectious drum machine rhythm, great bass, and synth.

10 Union of the Snake

I remember when this song was released. It was a Friday, and WLIR in Long Island was premiering it at 8:00 PM. I taped the song and then brought the tape out with me and played the song for my girlfriend and best friend, and they loved it. Great memories! Every time I hear the open synth line, I think of that night in my youth when life was one big party and going out to the clubs as natural as going to bed! Love this song!

I have no clue why this song isn't more recognized as one of their best. This is just one of those songs where I don't know why I love it, but I do. The way that the chorus climbs every time they sing it just makes me want to move myself. It's a great hype song. Any time that it comes on, I want to sing along, though I'm probably one of the worst vocalists in the world. So glad it was included in the "greatest" album.

The Contenders
11 The Chauffeur

This is one of the few songs in the world that I could listen to for a week straight and still love it, not saying I'm going to do it.

"And the sun drips down bedding heavy behind
The front of your dress, all shadowy lined
And the droning engine throbs in time
With your beating heart"

The song is even a good poem by itself!

Haunting and nostalgic! I like that it's not one of their big hits and only die-hards are really committed to it.

It's a song that remains in your head forever once you've listened to it.

12 Planet Earth

Debut single and one that immediately put them at odds with Spandau Ballet in the British Press for "best new romantic" band. They have only recently made up! At the time, they were always pitted against each other in Number 1, Smash Hits, and even NME and Melody Maker. This song has a killer hook and a great drum line. You can't sit still through this song, and believe me, it was a killer dance track in the clubs!

First song I ever heard of theirs, back in Fall of '81 in Los Angeles. LOVED it instantly. Insanely intelligent lyrics - a thinker's song & deliciously musical.

13 New Moon On Monday

I liked this song because it wasn't immediately placed on their "greatest hits" CDs. This is one of their quintessential songs from "Seven and the Ragged Tiger". The video notwithstanding, the song stands on its own for the brashness of LeBon's vocals to the synths of Nick Rhodes. Listen to the bassline... John Taylor is a genius!

Admittedly, it took me a while to get into this one. It has a cool melody. And I don't care if the band hates the video, I like it a lot!

I love New Moon on Monday. Number 1 all the way.

14 Notorious

I enjoyed this period where the guys wanted to be more funky and have a harder edge to their music. However, a lot of people who were loyal fans of the poppy, Duran Duran were not too thrilled with the album "Notorious" and its title track. I thought it was a tremendous album and a tremendous song.

I loved this song when it came out in the 80s. It harkened to a more mature sound both in this song and the album. Very rich layered synths and Simon at his best with the lyrics.

To be honest, this was a new side to DD that hadn't really shown before. Definitely a good song, I think this song had a great funky feel to it, and it deserves a good rating!

15 Serious

Great lyrics with real meaning. One of their greatest songs.

16 Careless Memories

When DD released their first album, their music was an excellent mix of rock, new age, and pop. They lost 50% of it on the second album and 50% more on the third one. Too bad.

Their best, most overlooked single. Also, one of the best live tracks ever.

This song should definitely be in the top ten!

17 New Religion

I disagree... Great song... Not one that gets played a lot, but that is a disservice to a great melody and synth riff. Listen to the drums... And Simon's almost hysterical singing... Pure DD!

Love this song. You really need a top 25 for Duran with so many great songs!

18 Is There Something I Should Know?

This is my favourite Duran Duran song. All of their songs were classics, but this, The Reflex, and Hungry Like The Wolf are my top 3. It's massively underrated, this song, I think, and this was their 1st number 1, so one of the biggest hits. Also, the video is great. The guys look real smart, and it's highly addictive. Thanks Simon, John, Roger, Nick, and Andy, and remember guys, you're about as easy as a nuclear war!

How can this song be this low? Duran Duran's first number 1! Like everything for this song fit together. John's bass is as usual epic, Andy with a killer guitar, Nick always creates the best synths to put in, especially for this! One of Roger's best songs, especially with the start! And Simon is always on form, and the lyrics he created are fantastic. Get voting!

19 My Antarctica
20 Hold Back the Rain

John Taylor and that killer bass line! An amazing song. As a bass player myself, it's probably the best bass line I've ever heard. Thanks, JT.

Best Duran Duran song ever. The bass line is splendid, and the sound is so rich.

Classic song from their prime album, Rio.

21 Lonely in Your Nightmare

This song needs way more love. It's one of the greatest from an almost perfect album.

22 Liberty
23 Finest Hour

A finely-crafted and highly underrated song, easily the best on the Astronaut album.

24 Violence of Summer
25 (I’m Looking For) Cracks in the Pavement
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