Careless Memories
Encyclopedia
"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 debut album Duran Duran.
It has since come to light that the decision to release the single was not the band's but EMI
's. After its failure, executives decided to let Duran Duran choose their own single releases. The band's first selection was "Girls on Film
" and it duly became their first Top 5 hit in the UK.
and directed by Perry Haines, who went on to form i-D Magazine.
There are two different cuts of this video. The second version, which was included in the Duran Duran
video album released in 1983, features minor re-edits of certain scenes. The original version of the video was finally released on the Duran Duran (first album) 2010 2CD+DVD remaster.
An example of the differences between the two videos occur during the line, "On the table, signs of love lie scattered." In the original version, Simon is sitting on the couch, ripping up a piece of paper. He then proceeds to take the tulips out of the vase, then throws them in the air. In the second version, it shows a shot of the band on stage, then cuts to Simon taking the tulips and throwing them.
Another example is during the line, "I walked out into the sun, I try to find a new day." In the original, Simon is in the white room, opening the door, with him disappearing into a bright light. In the re-edit, it once again shows a shot of the band on stage, lipsynching.
The band resurrected the song to play live during their reunion shows in 2004 and 2005. The song was accompanied on video screens behind the stage by a unique anime
-style video, featuring stylized versions of the band members fighting giant monsters, spaceships, and destroying a skyscraper labelled "EMI" for "Endangered Music Industry" (a dig at the band's old record company).
shop "Kahn & Bell" where Duran Duran (and numerous other clubgoers of the day) shopped for clothes.
"Careless Memories" is one of three original-era singles that didn't include a remix of the title track (although the fade-out on the 12" is slightly longer), the other two being "Save A Prayer" and "A View To A Kill". To compensate for this, EMI issued a bonus B-side on the 12", a faithful cover of David Bowie
's "Fame
".
In Japan, these two b-sides were released on the Nite Romantics EP, along with night versions of "Girls on Film" and "Planet Earth".
" was issued as a single in the US, "Careless Memories" was placed on the flipside. The song was also a favourite live staple throughout the 1980s, as evidenced on the live album Arena.
A live version of "Careless Memories" recorded in December 1981 at the Hammersmith Odeon in London was released in 1982 as the b-side to "Hungry Like The Wolf
".
Perhaps due to its poor charting, "Careless Memories" was one of the few singles not included in either the Decade
or Greatest
single compilations.
Apart from the single, "Careless Memories" has also appeared on:
Albums:
Singles:
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 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 20 April 1981.
The band's debut single "Planet Earth
Planet Earth (song)
"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...
" 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 debut album Duran Duran.
It has since come to light that the decision to release the single was not the band's but EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
's. After its failure, executives decided to let Duran Duran choose their own single releases. The band's first selection was "Girls on Film
Girls on Film
"Girls on Film" is the third single by Duran Duran, released on 13 July 1981.The single became Duran Duran's Top 10 breakthrough in the UK Singles Chart, peaking at Number 5 in August 1981...
" and it duly became their first Top 5 hit in the UK.
Music video
The video was shot in SohoSoho
Soho is an area of the City of Westminster and part of the West End of London. Long established as an entertainment district, for much of the 20th century Soho had a reputation for sex shops as well as night life and film industry. Since the early 1980s, the area has undergone considerable...
and directed by Perry Haines, who went on to form i-D Magazine.
There are two different cuts of this video. The second version, which was included in the Duran Duran
Duran Duran (1983 video)
Officially titled simply Duran Duran , this video compilation is sometimes unofficially referred to in print as the Duran Duran video album or Duran Duran: The First 11 Videos...
video album released in 1983, features minor re-edits of certain scenes. The original version of the video was finally released on the Duran Duran (first album) 2010 2CD+DVD remaster.
An example of the differences between the two videos occur during the line, "On the table, signs of love lie scattered." In the original version, Simon is sitting on the couch, ripping up a piece of paper. He then proceeds to take the tulips out of the vase, then throws them in the air. In the second version, it shows a shot of the band on stage, then cuts to Simon taking the tulips and throwing them.
Another example is during the line, "I walked out into the sun, I try to find a new day." In the original, Simon is in the white room, opening the door, with him disappearing into a bright light. In the re-edit, it once again shows a shot of the band on stage, lipsynching.
The band resurrected the song to play live during their reunion shows in 2004 and 2005. The song was accompanied on video screens behind the stage by a unique anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
-style video, featuring stylized versions of the band members fighting giant monsters, spaceships, and destroying a skyscraper labelled "EMI" for "Endangered Music Industry" (a dig at the band's old record company).
B-sides, bonus tracks and remixes
The song "Khanada" was included as the B-side to the single. It is reported to have been written for fashion designer Jane Kahn who owned, with partner Patti Bell, the Hurst StreetHurst Street
Hurst Street is a street located in Birmingham City Centre, England.Hurst Street is the location of the Birmingham Hippodrome, a theatre specialising in ballet, opera, and musicals. It is the home of the Birmingham Royal Ballet. Adjacent to the Hippodrome, across and on the corner of Inge Street,...
shop "Kahn & Bell" where Duran Duran (and numerous other clubgoers of the day) shopped for clothes.
"Careless Memories" is one of three original-era singles that didn't include a remix of the title track (although the fade-out on the 12" is slightly longer), the other two being "Save A Prayer" and "A View To A Kill". To compensate for this, EMI issued a bonus B-side on the 12", a faithful cover of David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
's "Fame
Fame (David Bowie song)
"Fame" is a song recorded by David Bowie, initially released in 1975. It reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 during the week of September 20, 1975.-Song development:...
".
In Japan, these two b-sides were released on the Nite Romantics EP, along with night versions of "Girls on Film" and "Planet Earth".
Chart positions
| Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages... |
37 |
| 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... |
60 |
CD: Part of "Singles Box Set 1981-1985" boxset
- "Careless Memories" – 3:44
- "Khanada" – 3:17
- "Fame" – 3:11
Other appearances
When the song "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...
" was issued as a single in the US, "Careless Memories" was placed on the flipside. The song was also a favourite live staple throughout the 1980s, as evidenced on the live album Arena.
A live version of "Careless Memories" recorded in December 1981 at the Hammersmith Odeon in London was released in 1982 as the b-side to "Hungry Like The Wolf
Hungry Like the Wolf
"Hungry Like the Wolf" is a song by the British New Wave band Duran Duran. Written by the band members, the song was produced by Colin Thurston for the group's second studio album Rio . The song was released in May 1982 as the band's fifth single in the United Kingdom...
".
Perhaps due to its poor charting, "Careless Memories" was one of the few singles not included in either the 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...
or 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...
single compilations.
Apart from the single, "Careless Memories" has also appeared on:
Albums:
- Duran Duran (1981)
- Arena (1984)
- 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)
Singles:
- "Hungry Like the WolfHungry Like the Wolf"Hungry Like the Wolf" is a song by the British New Wave band Duran Duran. Written by the band members, the song was produced by Colin Thurston for the group's second studio album Rio . The song was released in May 1982 as the band's fifth single in the United Kingdom...
" (1982)
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