BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1982
35 years of “RIO”!
“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”. The track opens with a somewhat eerie synthesizer riff which plays in the background throughout the song.
It was not originally issued as a single in the United States, although the music video was very popular on MTV. A special US single version was finally released in January 1985 and reached #16 on the Billboard Hot 100.
As well as being a commercial success, the song has received critical acclaim. AllMusic journalist Donald A. Guarisco described the song in a retrospective review, as being “a lilting epic”. He wrote: “The music maintains the stormily romantic quality of the lyric by combining meditative verses with an aching chorus that swells and ebbs in a way that perfectly captures the song’s heartbreak.”
The UK release of “Save a Prayer” was backed with a remix of “Hold Back the Rain”.
SIDE A:
Save A Prayer 5:25
SIDE B:
Hold Back The Rain (Remix) 7:04
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: EMI – 12 EMI 5327
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Single, 45 RPM
Country: UK
Released: Aug 1982
Genre: Electronic, Pop
Style: Synth-pop
CREDITS:
Producer – Colin Thurston
Sleeve – Assorted Images
Written-By – Duran Duran
NOTES:
Manufactured in U.K.
Find the 12″ on DISCOGS
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 12AX7ECC803-S Gold Electron Tube
Soundcard: ESI Juli@
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
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
hi Paul. I heard “save a prayer”. The track has problems with balance? Left channel.
too bad duran duran never made a real mix of this song.
hold back the rain is a much better song, and remix.
for those asking about a surround sound mix of the album, it would
be horrible and gimmicky as most of them are. if it was intended to
be in stereo, thats how it should be remembered.
later
-1
Although I don’t want to make this entire comment section about FunWithVinyl but it still breaks my heart when ever I visit the site to see that page. Had some great music on their as well that I never got a chance to discover, makes me cherish this site more.
Many thanks for this longer version, have to admit I only ever had the single mix but probably my favourite DD song. Many thanks.
Yes, “FunWithVinyl” is closed. And I do remember him posting something along the lines of “Prince Is Dead And So Am I”, or something like that. And what Joey wrote is accurate. I read his post before he closed it. He was very sad that Prince had passed away, and most of the music he posted was Prince’s music, or artists related to Prince. He wrote that he was going to keep the sire up. But apparently he took it down.
The minimal clues in the artwork are amazing, with the “cross” in the front cover and that “raining” lines for the B-side in the back.
One another note, thought I would mention that I noticed today that the website “Fun With Vinyl” has closed. I enjoyed visiting that website once in awhile. Sad to see it gone.
One of the most memorable tracks from Duran Duran. Let them hits keep coming and as Memory Boy said about Funwithvinyl it’s a tragedy that a good site has gone but thank god we still got Burning the Ground.
Why did he close did he give a reason or just shut down out of the blue? I have not spoken to him in years.
He had written a post detailing his disillusionment about the music after Prince died and he felt burnt out on the blog and it felt more like a job… He made it seem like he might be taking a break. I don’t think he gave any warning about closing it…
On a brighter note. Thanks for the excellent post. An absolute classic.
Simply one of the MOST iconic tracks from the 80’s, Duran Duran’s “Save A Prayer”. Right up there with the greatest and the best! Thanks for adding this to your collection. I agree with everybody here, this song is one of Duran Duran’s greatest.
You’re welcome memoryboy 🙂
got this for 45 cents about 15 years ago, such a steal. thanks for the rip!
You’re welcome SIDNEYLOOPER 🙂
RIO is still my favourite Duran Duran album, each track is a classic. This is an album that I never tire of listening, New Religion being my most played track. It would be nice if they could release RIO in 5.1, I think this album would be great in surround sound. Thanks Paul for another fantastic post…..”My Own Way” (Instrumental version) exists on Digital Download, but did it originally exist on Vinyl ? Carnival was a cool EP of Duran RIO’s 12″s especially the Japanese/Tawainese release. The early remasters done in 2010 were terrible, you really put a lot of… Read more »
A 5.1 mix would be cool John.I have the Japanese “Carnival” edition and will be posting it in the future I am planning to do a series of Japanese singles 🙂
i mentioned it in my own way post, that the instrumental is available on a promo 12 inch from the uk.
later
-1
Often imitated, never duplicated. The ONLY version! Thank you very much. FLACy goodness, mmm-mmm-mmm! 🙂
You’re welcome Mike C. 🙂
I bought this back then..
My only Duran Duran purchase!
Thanks as always for the rip Paul! 🙂
You’re welcome Ex15 🙂
Awesome! All these years, and I’ve never heard the full version. Only the single version that’s included on the greatest Hits compilations. FINALLY, I get to hear the full song!
Actually, this is the UK single version (5:25), which is slightly shorter that the original album version (5:33).
Actually, even the album version is an edited version.
The full unedited version of the song was used for the video.
So playing the video (found on Greatest DVD and as an extra on the Live at Hammersmith Odeon DVD). It clocks in at 6’03”, making it even more epic
What a joy to see this Duran Duran classic. Great memories from the summer of 82!
Thanks in abundance Paul 🙂
You’re welcome Junior 🙂
Blissful. Thanks Paul. Easily in the top 5 DD songs.
You’re welcome Omar 🙂
Quite simply a masterpiece. Thank you Paul.
You’re welcome Roy 🙂
My favorite Duran song! Thank you so much Paul. Quality vinyl transfer as always!
You’re welcome FrankieP 🙂
Overjoyed by your addition of this onto your discography, Paul. This has always been a favorite song of mine by Duran Duran. It’s achingly beautiful.
Thanks,
Jeff
Thank you Jeff 🙂