Duran Duran – Careless Memories (UK 12″)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1981

“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 No. 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 bands 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.

The song “Khanada” (pronounced “keh-NAY-duh”) 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 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’s “Fame”. However, the “Careless Memories” 12″ version fades out at 3:44 seconds, the 7″ version three seconds earlier at 3:41. The 7″ version is included in the “Singles Box Set 1981-1985” but runs to 3:44 as it includes three seconds of silence after the fade out. The album version has a cold end.

SIDE A:
Careless Memories 3:46
Written-By – Duran Duran

SIDE B:
Fame 3:18
Written-By – Alomar*, Bowie*, Lennon*

Khanada 3:27
Written-By – Duran Duran

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: EMI ‎– 12EMI 5168, EMI ‎– 12 EMI 5168
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Single
Country: UK
Released: 1981
Genre: Electronic, Rock, Pop
Style: New Wave, Synth-pop

CREDITS:
Photography By – Peter Ashworth
Producer – Colin Thurston

NOTES:
B2 styled with diacritics as “KHĀ̑NĀDĂ” on back sleeve and labels.

Assorted Images ®

Find the 12″ on DISCOGS

VINYL RESTORATION BY:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net

EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon 2M Bronze
Isolation: Auralex Acoustics ISO-Tone Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck 
Phono Pre-amp:
Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Tube:
Tung-Sol 12AX7 TubeGold Pins
Soundcard:
Novation Audiohub 2×4 Audio Interface
Record Cleaning:
VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans:
Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner

SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2, ocenaudio
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

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Gaijin
Gaijin
July 16, 2018 12:48 pm

Hi Paul,

Revisiting this page because it’s the only place that I have seen KHĀ̑NĀDĂ wrtten as it appears on the sleeve. Very interested to learn how you got that right and whether it can be done in lower case text,

TYVM

Hope to see some of the missing b-sides & 12″ versions here sometime, but you do so much already that it seems you have your hands full. All The Best

Muff Diver
Muff Diver
May 20, 2018 4:36 pm

All new to me.
Thank you, Paul!

Harry3
January 28, 2018 9:06 pm

khanada is possibly my favourite DD track. Remember trying to hunt it down before the internet… good ol’ days. Thanks much Paul!

Rob
Rob
January 23, 2018 11:35 pm

Very good early single by the band. One of my favorites and should have been a bigger hit.

John
John
January 23, 2018 8:53 pm

Duran Duran are my all time favourite band, they always deliver the goods, either studio or when playing live, and it’s always a pleasure when you post anything from this band Paul. Careless Memories their 2nd single, only reached 37 in the UK charts. Personally I think this was a great track with fantastic dark lyrics and if you invert the stereo, you are greeted with this chilling continuous sound from Nick’s synth and Andy’s guitar thrashing away. Fame is the first of many Bowie covers from Duran, and a great version of it. Khanada another great b-side, DD really… Read more »

VanceMan
January 23, 2018 8:14 pm

This song is my favorite Duran Duran moment. Thank you so much for sharing!

Peter
Peter
January 23, 2018 3:45 pm

Thx Paul. It’s too bad indeed the band didn’t give this track a “Night Version” treatment. But there is an attempt (IMHO a very good one) to that treatment on You Tube, made by a fan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5VCFw_qA5I

John
John
Reply to  Peter
January 23, 2018 8:57 pm

RESQ85 has created some fantastic mixes of Duran Duran.

Jermajesty
Jermajesty
Reply to  Peter
January 24, 2018 12:48 pm

I don’t normally like fan mixes, but that one is pretty spot on.

Mike C.
Mike C.
January 23, 2018 3:36 pm

Simply awesome. Thank you!!’

Rafael Cova
Rafael Cova
January 23, 2018 2:43 pm

woooow Thanks Paul, great song, one of my favourite Duran Duran songs

negative1
January 23, 2018 12:56 pm

excellent choice, and a classic single from duran duran.

its too bad there is no remix of this song because it could have
used one.

i like both the b-sides. although fame is kind of embarrassing to listen
to as a cover of david bowie.

khanada is a much more interesting song, but simons voice sounds very
different.

i dont think they played them live either.

thanks again paul for the history, and comprehensive details
about the songs, its good for collectors that notice those things.

later
-1

NKelly
NKelly
January 23, 2018 12:35 pm

Wonderful. I suggested this 12″ in August. You’re not far off of completing Duran! How about my personal favourite ‘New Moon on Monday’? Many thanks for this great 12!

Goodguy
Goodguy
Reply to  DjPaulT
January 24, 2018 11:35 am

I’d also be on board for NMOM, but I’d sooner love to see the US Promo 12″ of Save A Prayer, or more obscure 80s promos.

Omar
Omar
January 23, 2018 11:57 am

Thanks Paul.