Save A Prayer
Encyclopedia
"Save a Prayer" is the sixth single
by Duran Duran
, released on 9 August 1982.
The song was the third single from the band's second album Rio
. It became Duran Duran's biggest hit to date (at the time) in the UK Singles Chart
, reaching #2, held out of the top spot by Survivor
's "Eye of the Tiger
".
It was not originally issued as a single in the United States
, although the video was very popular on MTV
. However, a special US Single version with the live version from the Arena album on the flip side was released in January 1985. The single reached #16 on the Billboard Hot 100
.
among the jungles, beaches, and temples of Sri Lanka
in April, 1982. Scenes were filmed atop the ancient rock fortress of Sigiriya
, among the ruins of a Buddhist temple at Polonnaruwa
and the island's southern coastline.
Andy Taylor
recalled in his memoirs that the shooting at the temple was very tense, since the country was on the verge of civil war
and the temple's monks were impatiently waiting for their leader to arrive and address a large political gathering. The band members all initially refused to do the scene where an elephant sprays water from its trunk onto one of them due to its homoerotic overtones; they finally settled on John Taylor since he was the band's pinup boy. He would be teased about it for years afterwards.
A live version of the song was released in 1984. That night, Simon LeBon dedicated it to Marvin Gaye
, who had been fatally shot the previous day. The video was taken from Duran Duran
's Oakland, California
concerts that were filmed for the Arena (An Absurd Notion)
.
of "Hold Back the Rain".
, Tony Hadley
, Shut Up and Dance
(titled as Save It 'Til The Mourning After), Eve's Plum
, Polyanna, Dune
, Oliver Haze, 56K featuring Beejay, the Push Kings, Louis XIV and Marcos Marin by Projeto Set Band. The Christian band Sonseed
recorded a version, with lyrics modified to reflect a more explicitly religious feeling, for their unreleased album Just Can't Get Enough (Of Jesus!!!).
The main riff of "Save a Prayer" can be recognised playing throughout the last 3 minutes of the U2
song 'Salomé [Zooromancer Remix] released in 1992 on the single Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses
.
In 2007, it was referenced in the lyrics of the song by Arctic Monkeys
, "Teddy Picker" from their album Favourite Worst Nightmare
: "I don't want your prayer, save it for the morning after".
In 2007, the song was featured on the episode, "Justice" of the crime drama, Cold Case.
It was sampled by the Bloodhound Gang
over the chorus of their song "Mama Say".
On January 27, 2009, the song was featured on the episode, "Roxy St. James" of the popular show, Nip/Tuck
.
Bubblegum pop star Tommy Page
sampled the song on his "Ten to Midnight" album, reworked as "Only My Imagination (Save a Prayer)."
for the week ending 16 March 1985.
The release was accompanied by a new live video, drawn from footage shot in 1984 for the concert film Arena
.
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 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 9 August 1982.
The song was the third single from the band's second album Rio
Rio (album)
Rio is the second studio album by the British rock band Duran Duran, originally released worldwide on 10 May 1982. It reached #2 in the UK and #1 in Australia....
. It became Duran Duran's biggest hit to date (at the time) 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 ...
, reaching #2, held out of the top spot by Survivor
Survivor (band)
Survivor is an American rock band formed in Chicago in 1978. The band achieved its greatest success in the 1980s with its AOR sound, which garnered many charting singles, especially in the United States. The band is best known for its double platinum-certified 1982 hit "Eye of the Tiger", the theme...
's "Eye of the Tiger
Eye of the Tiger
"Eye of the Tiger" is a single by American rock band Survivor, from their third album Eye of the Tiger. It was released as a single on May 29, 1982, the same year as the album. It was written at the request of actor Sylvester Stallone, who was unable to get permission for Queen's "Another One Bites...
".
It was not originally issued as a single in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, although the video was very popular on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
. However, a special US Single version with the live version from the Arena album on the flip side was released in January 1985. The single reached #16 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
.
Music video
The video was filmed by director Russell MulcahyRussell 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 :...
among the jungles, beaches, and temples of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
in April, 1982. Scenes were filmed atop the ancient rock fortress of Sigiriya
Sigiriya
Sigiriya is a large stone and ancient rock fortress and palace ruin in the central Matale District of Sri Lanka, surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens, reservoirs, and other structures...
, among the ruins of a Buddhist temple at Polonnaruwa
Polonnaruwa
The second most ancient of Sri Lanka's kingdoms, was first declared the capital city by King Vijayabahu I, who defeated the Chola invaders in 1070 AD to reunite the country once more under a local leader.-History:While Vijayabahu's victory and shifting of Kingdoms to the more strategic Polonnaruwa...
and the island's southern coastline.
Andy Taylor
Andy 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....
recalled in his memoirs that the shooting at the temple was very tense, since the country was on the verge of civil war
Sri Lankan civil war
The Sri Lankan Civil War was a conflict fought on the island of Sri Lanka. Beginning on July 23, 1983, there was an on-and-off insurgency against the government by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam , a separatist militant organization which fought to create an independent Tamil state named Tamil...
and the temple's monks were impatiently waiting for their leader to arrive and address a large political gathering. The band members all initially refused to do the scene where an elephant sprays water from its trunk onto one of them due to its homoerotic overtones; they finally settled on John Taylor since he was the band's pinup boy. He would be teased about it for years afterwards.
A live version of the song was released in 1984. That night, Simon LeBon dedicated it to Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye
Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. , better known by his stage name Marvin Gaye, was an American singer-songwriter and musician with a three-octave vocal range....
, who had been fatally shot the previous day. The video was taken from 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...
's Oakland, California
Oakland, California
Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...
concerts that were filmed for the Arena (An Absurd Notion)
Arena (An Absurd Notion)
Arena is a concept concert video filmed during the course of Duran Duran's 1984 Sing Blue Silver North American Tour in support of the album Seven and the Ragged Tiger.-Background:...
.
B-sides, bonus tracks and remixes
The UK release of "Save a Prayer" was backed with a remixRemix
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 ....
of "Hold Back the Rain".
Complete list of mixes
- "Save a Prayer" - 5:34
- "Save a Prayer [Single Version]" - 5:24
- "Save a Prayer [Video Version]" - 6:03
- "Save a Prayer [Australian Promo Edit]" - 4:10
- "Save a Prayer [Brazilian Edit]" - 4:04
- "Save a Prayer [US Single version]" - 3:44
- "Save a Prayer [Special Edited version]" - 3:55
- "Save a Prayer [Japanese Single version]" - 4:00
- "Save a Prayer [Thunder in Our Hearts remix]" - 7:17 (This is an unofficial remix, though much loved and sought after by fans)
Covers, samples, and media references
The song has been covered by Kate WalshKate Walsh (singer)
Kate Walsh is an English singer from Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex.A graduate of the Brighton Institute of Modern Music, her first album was Clocktower Park , released in 2003 by Kitchenware Records. The album was named for a meeting place in her home town. In 2007, she released her second album, Tim's...
, Tony Hadley
Tony Hadley
Tony Hadley is an English pop singer-songwriter, occasional stage actor and radio presenter who gained celebrity as the lead vocalist for the 1980s band Spandau Ballet.-Early life:...
, Shut Up and Dance
Shut Up and Dance
For the hit 1994 single by Aerosmith, see "Shut Up and Dance ." For the British hip hop/house music group, see Shut Up and Dance ....
(titled as Save It 'Til The Mourning After), Eve's Plum
Eve's Plum
Eve's Plum was a New York City-based alternative rock band who recorded in the 1990s. The band was fronted by Colleen Fitzpatrick. Eve's Plum released two albums and numerous singles on 550/EpicRecords, before breaking up in 1998.- Forming :...
, Polyanna, Dune
Dune (German band)
Dune is a German Rave/Happy Hardcore/Techno/progressive trance band, not to be confused with the Danish rock band, Dúné. The band took its name from the Dune series of science fiction novels by Frank Herbert.- History :...
, Oliver Haze, 56K featuring Beejay, the Push Kings, Louis XIV and Marcos Marin by Projeto Set Band. The Christian band Sonseed
Sonseed
Sonseed was a Catholic pop band formed at the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Brooklyn, New York in the late 1970s. The line-up included Sal Polichetti ; his then-wife Patricia Costagliola ; Frank Franco ; and Nicky Sciarra . Anne Lessing was also involved in the band from the very start...
recorded a version, with lyrics modified to reflect a more explicitly religious feeling, for their unreleased album Just Can't Get Enough (Of Jesus!!!).
The main riff of "Save a Prayer" can be recognised playing throughout the last 3 minutes of the U2
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
song 'Salomé [Zooromancer Remix] released in 1992 on the single Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses
Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses
"Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses" is the fifth track on U2's 1991 album, Achtung Baby. It was released as the album's fifth and final single in 1992.-Writing and recording:...
.
In 2007, it was referenced in the lyrics of the song by Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys are an English indie rock band. Formed in 2002 in High Green, a suburb of Sheffield, the band currently consists of Alex Turner , Jamie Cook , Nick O'Malley and Matt Helders...
, "Teddy Picker" from their album Favourite Worst Nightmare
Favourite Worst Nightmare
Favourite Worst Nightmare is the second studio album by English indie rock band Arctic Monkeys that was first released in Japan on 18 April 2007 before being released around the world. Recorded in east London's Miloco Studios with producers James Ford and Mike Crossey, the album was preceded by the...
: "I don't want your prayer, save it for the morning after".
In 2007, the song was featured on the episode, "Justice" of the crime drama, Cold Case.
It was sampled by the Bloodhound Gang
Bloodhound Gang
Bloodhound Gang is a Collegeville, Pennsylvania-based American comedy band, although it began as a rap group and gradually changed its genre throughout the years...
over the chorus of their song "Mama Say".
On January 27, 2009, the song was featured on the episode, "Roxy St. James" of the popular show, Nip/Tuck
Nip/Tuck
Nip/Tuck is an American drama series created by Ryan Murphy, which aired on FX in the United States. The series focuses on McNamara/Troy, a plastic surgery practice, and follows its founders, Sean McNamara and Christian Troy...
.
Bubblegum pop star Tommy Page
Tommy Page
Tommy Page is an American singer, best known for his 1990 hit single, "I'll Be Your Everything."-Career:...
sampled the song on his "Ten to Midnight" album, reworked as "Only My Imagination (Save a Prayer)."
Chart positions (1982)
| 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 ... |
2 |
| 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... |
2 |
| 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... |
56 |
| Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... (1985) |
16 |
Live version
"Save a Prayer (Live)", an edit from the live album Arena, was released as b-side of the single "Save a Prayer" (US Single Version) in the United States in January 1985. The single peaked at #16 on the Billboard Hot 100Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
for the week ending 16 March 1985.
The release was accompanied by a new live video, drawn from footage shot in 1984 for the concert film Arena
Arena (An Absurd Notion)
Arena is a concept concert video filmed during the course of Duran Duran's 1984 Sing Blue Silver North American Tour in support of the album Seven and the Ragged Tiger.-Background:...
.
12": EMI / 12 EMI 5327 (UK)
- "Save a Prayer" - 5:25
- "Hold Back The Rain (Remix)" [extended] - 7:05
Other appearances
- 1984 Arena
- 1987 The Secret Policeman's Third Ball
- 1987 Now Smash HitsNow Smash HitsNow That's What I Call Music, Smash Hits was a compilation album released in 1987. The album is part of the Now! series, and is a collaboration with Smash Hits magazine, a successful pop music based magazine at the time...
- 1989 Decade: Greatest HitsDecade: 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...
- 1993 "Ordinary WorldOrdinary World"Ordinary World" is the first single from Duran Duran's self-titled 1993 album, better known as The Wedding Album. The song peaked at No. 3 in the American charts and No. 6 in the British charts...
" single - 1998 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...
- 1999 Now That's What I Call Music!Now That's What I Call Music!Now That's What I Call Music! is a series of various artists compilation albums released in the United Kingdom and Ireland by Polygram /EMI/Sony Music/Virgin Records ; spinoff series were later introduced in South Africa and many other countries worldwide, including the United States...
: 1982 - 2001 RioRio (album)Rio is the second studio album by the British rock band Duran Duran, originally released worldwide on 10 May 1982. It reached #2 in the UK and #1 in Australia....
(reissue) - 2003 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" ....
- 2004 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 Live from LondonLive from London (Duran Duran)Live from London is a concert film by the British group, Duran Duran. It was filmed during the course of the last two of five sold-out nights at Wembley Arena in April 2004, during the band's first global tour after the reunion of the band's original five members.The concert features hits from...
- 2009 RioRio (album)Rio is the second studio album by the British rock band Duran Duran, originally released worldwide on 10 May 1982. It reached #2 in the UK and #1 in Australia....
(2CD Collector's Edition) - 2009 Live at Hammersmith '82!Live at Hammersmith '82!Live at Hammersmith '82! is a live album by the band Duran Duran. Originally recorded at the Hammersmith Odeon on , it was released by EMI Records on as a CD/DVD double pack....
Personnel
Duran Duran:- 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