Anniversary

Album: Future Past (2021)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Childhood friends, bassist John Taylor and keyboardist Nick Rhodes formed Duran Duran in 1978, when they became the resident band at Birmingham's Rum Runner nightclub. Drummer Roger Taylor joined the following year and vocalist Simon Le Bon in 1980. The four were still playing together in 2021, and "Anniversary" celebrates their longevity. John Taylor told The Sun the track "not only commemorates our ability to stay together for 40 years but tips the hat to any partnership and friendship that has stayed together."
  • "Anniversary" commemorates the 40th anniversary of John Taylor, Nick Rhodes, Roger Taylor and Simon Le Bon making music together. Built into the track are Easter eggs of previous Duran Duran hits for the fans to discover. Here are three we found:

    The song's New Wave opening nods to tracks from their early albums like "Night Boat" and "New Moon On Monday."

    John Taylor's bass echoes his playing on "Wild Boys."

    The "Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo"s reference the band's 2004 track "Taste Of Summer."
  • Blur's Graham Coxon plays guitar on the track. He also helped the band write the song.
  • London-based DJ and remixer Erol Alkan co-produced the song with Duran Duran. Alkan has worked on music by The Killers, Depeche Mode and Hot Chip.
  • Artist, photographer and filmmaker Alison Jackson directed the video. Jackson uses cleverly styled lookalikes to explore the cult of celebrity as we see Duran Duran throw a weekend party for some famous friends. Shot at the 11th century Belvoir Castle, the clip shows the band mixing it with the likes of Elton John, Daniel Craig, Lady Gaga, Dolly Parton and Queen Elizabeth II.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Stand By Me: The Perfect Song-Movie Combination

Stand By Me: The Perfect Song-Movie CombinationSong Writing

In 1986, a Stephen King novella was made into a movie, with a classic song serving as title, soundtrack and tone.

Modern A Cappella with Peder Karlsson of The Real Group

Modern A Cappella with Peder Karlsson of The Real GroupSong Writing

The leader of the Modern A Cappella movement talks about the genre.

Jeff Trott

Jeff TrottSongwriter Interviews

Sheryl Crow's longtime songwriting partner/guitarist Jeff Trott reveals the stories behind many of the singer's hits, and what its like to be a producer for Leighton Meester and Max Gomez.

Michael Schenker

Michael SchenkerSongwriter Interviews

The Scorpions and UFO guitarist is also a very prolific songwriter - he explains how he writes with his various groups, and why he was so keen to get out of Germany and into England.

Loudon Wainwright III

Loudon Wainwright IIISongwriter Interviews

"Dead Skunk" became a stinker for Loudon when he felt pressure to make another hit - his latest songs deal with mortality, his son Rufus, and picking up poop.

Little Big Town

Little Big TownSongwriter Interviews

"When seeds that you sow grow by the wicked moon/Be sure your sins will find you out/Your past will hunt you down and turn to tell on you."