Violence Of Summer
Encyclopedia
"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. The lack of success for "Violence of Summer" would shadow the band for the next few years, until 1993's "Ordinary World
" brought them a new lease of life.
song, with ringing piano
-like chords over a slick bass underpinning. Lyrically, the song plays with familiar Duran themes: of fleeting romance in the face of sexual politics, and mars-meets-venus peculiarities between the genders. Le Bon continues to set these preoccupations into more realist scenarios, challenging himself to leave behind the opaque mysticism of the band's first three albums.
Also worth noting lyrically, is this tracks return to the U.S.-inspired lyrics of Notorious: "going South where her mother writes", and "breaking heads in the sugar shack" (which references the cover art of Marvin Gaye
's I Want You.)
It was released 23 July 1990 in the UK, and 11 August in the US.
's interest had shifted to younger bands, and their format was changing in any case. VH1
was friendlier, but was more interested in the band's classic videos than in their current products. Duran Duran found it increasingly difficult to get a new video played where the public could see it.
The video for "Violence of Summer" was filmed in Paris by the young directing duo Big TV! (more conventionally known as Andy Delaney and Monty Whitebloom). The band, with paler skin and shorter hair than before, plays energetically on a set constructed to look like a bumper-car rig (mirroring the amusement park theme of the album sleeve), while models (including Tess Daly
) in platinum blonde
wigs hang about outside looking seductive. Newly muscular guitarist Warren Cuccurullo
is almost unrecognizable to fans who were accustomed to his formerly waif-like appearance.
The b-side, "Throb" is an ambient instrumental remix of Liberty album track "My Antarctica". The use of a remixed album track would repeat with the inclusion of "Water Babies", a remix of "All Along the Water" on the "Serious" single.
album would receive upon its release the following month.
CD: Part of "Singles Box Set 1986-1995
Apart from the single, "Violence of Summer" has also appeared on:
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...
, and the first single from the 1990 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.
Having finished the 1980s with 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...
singles compilation, Duran Duran found the 1990s a new challenge, in which success would initially elude them. The lack of success for "Violence of Summer" would shadow the band for the next few years, until 1993's "Ordinary World
Ordinary 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...
" brought them a new lease of life.
About the song
"Violence of Summer" is a bright, simple rockRock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
song, with ringing piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
-like chords over a slick bass underpinning. Lyrically, the song plays with familiar Duran themes: of fleeting romance in the face of sexual politics, and mars-meets-venus peculiarities between the genders. Le Bon continues to set these preoccupations into more realist scenarios, challenging himself to leave behind the opaque mysticism of the band's first three albums.
Also worth noting lyrically, is this tracks return to the U.S.-inspired lyrics of Notorious: "going South where her mother writes", and "breaking heads in the sugar shack" (which references the cover art of 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....
's I Want You.)
It was released 23 July 1990 in the UK, and 11 August in the US.
Music video
The end of the 1980s marked a profound change in Duran Duran's video fortunes. MTVMTV
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....
's interest had shifted to younger bands, and their format was changing in any case. VH1
VH1
VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
was friendlier, but was more interested in the band's classic videos than in their current products. Duran Duran found it increasingly difficult to get a new video played where the public could see it.
The video for "Violence of Summer" was filmed in Paris by the young directing duo Big TV! (more conventionally known as Andy Delaney and Monty Whitebloom). The band, with paler skin and shorter hair than before, plays energetically on a set constructed to look like a bumper-car rig (mirroring the amusement park theme of the album sleeve), while models (including 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...
) in platinum blonde
Platinum Blonde
Platinum Blonde may refer to:* Platinum Blonde , a 1931 film starring Jean Harlow* Platinum Blonde , a Canadian New Wave music band, popular in the 1980s* Platinum blonde, a color of hair...
wigs hang about outside looking seductive. Newly muscular guitarist Warren Cuccurullo
Warren Cuccurullo
Warren 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...
is almost unrecognizable to fans who were accustomed to his formerly waif-like appearance.
B-sides, bonus tracks and remixes
This was the first Duran Duran single that EMI really promoted with a mixture of formats. Across two 12" singles, a 7" single, cassette and CD single, seven versions of "Violence of Summer" were released, as well as a limited edition poster.The b-side, "Throb" is an ambient instrumental remix of Liberty album track "My Antarctica". The use of a remixed album track would repeat with the inclusion of "Water Babies", a remix of "All Along the Water" on the "Serious" single.
Chart positions
The single didn't do well on the charts, even with its myriad of mixes and release formats, which foreshadowed the lukewarm reception the 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:...
album would receive upon its release the following month.
- #20 UK Singles ChartUK Singles ChartThe 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 ...
- #64 Billboard Hot 100Billboard Hot 100The 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...
- #36 Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play
- #13 Billboard Modern Rock TracksModern Rock TracksAlternative Songs is a music chart in the United States that has appeared in Billboard magazine since September 10, 1988. It lists the 40 most-played songs on modern rock radio stations, most of which are alternative rock songs...
- #3 Federation of the Italian Music IndustryFederation of the Italian Music IndustryThe Federation of the Italian Music Industry is an umbrella organization that keeps track of virtually all aspects of the music recording industry in Italy....
- #29 The Swiss Top 30
7": Parlophone DD 14 (UK)
- "Violence of Summer (Love's Taking Over) (7" Mix)" – 3:30
- "Violence of Summer (Love's Taking Over) (The Story Mix)" – 3:18
12": Parlophone 12 DD 14 (UK)
- "Violence of Summer (Love's Taking Over) (The Power Mix)" – 4:56
- "Violence of Summer (Love's Taking Over)" – 4:20
- "Violence of Summer (Love's Taking Over) (The Story Mix)" – 3:18
- Released with a poster.
12": Parlophone 12 DDX 14 (UK)
- "Violence of Summer (Love's Taking Over) (Rock Mix)" – 4:23
- "Violence of Summer (Love's Taking Over) (The Dub Sounds of a Powerful Mix)" – 4:45
- "Throb" – 4:25
CD: Parlophone CD DD 14 (UK)
- "Violence of Summer (Love's Taking Over)" – 4:20
- "Throb" – 4:25
- "Violence of Summer (Love's Taking Over) (Power Cutdown)" – 4:01
- "Violence of Summer (Love's Taking Over) (The Story Mix)" – 3:18
CD: Capitol C2-15612 (US)
- "Violence Of Summer (Love's Taking Over) (The Power Mix)" - 4.56
- "Violence Of Summer (Love's Taking Over) (Dub Mix)" - 4.51
- "Violence Of Summer (Love's Taking Over) (Rock Mix)" - 4.23
- "Violence Of Summer (Love's Taking Over) (The Story Mix)" - 3.18
- "Throb" - 4.25
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
- "Violence of Summer (Love's Taking Over) (7" Mix)" – 3:30
- "Violence of Summer (Love's Taking Over) (The Story Mix)" – 3:18
- "Violence of Summer (Love's Taking Over) (The Power Mix)" – 4:56
- "Violence of Summer (Love's Taking Over)" – 4:20
- "Violence of Summer (Love's Taking Over) (Rock Mix)" – 4:23
- "Violence of Summer (Love's Taking Over) (The Dub Sounds Of A Powerful Mix)" – 4:45
- "Violence of Summer (Love's Taking Over) (Power Cutdown)" – 4:01
- "Throb" – 4:25
Other appearances
Due to its lack of chart success, "Violence of Summer" has failed to appear on the compilation Greatest.Apart from the single, "Violence of Summer" has also appeared 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) - 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