Burning The Ground Exclusive 1987
“Skin Trade” is the second single from Duran Duran’s Notorious album and the band’s 15th single in total. It was released in January 1987, reached #22 on the UK Singles Chart, and #39 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The music for “Skin Trade” was written long before Simon LeBon finally finished the lyrics. The title for the song was derived from the Dylan Thomas book Adventures in the Skin Trade which John Taylor had on him during the recording of the album. It was shortened to “Skin Trade” and LeBon eventually wrote the melody and lyrics for the track while spending an evening in Taylor’s Upper West Side Manhattan apartment. The lyrics reflect on how everyone is selling themselves, and “there’s a little hooker in each of us”.
The single was quite a departure for the band. Simon LeBon sang in falsetto, Le Bon admits he was channeling The Rolling Stones lead singer Mick Jagger on their song “Emotional Rescue”. A horn section played a prominent role in the track, as played by The Borneo Horns. The band persevered with the single and many aspects of their future business took inspiration from “Skin Trade”. They called their publishing company Skin Trade Music Ltd. and the Notorious tour was called the “Strange Behaviour Tour” (a reference to that line of the song). Likewise, a 1987 remix EP and a 1999 double CD collection of remixes were also called Strange Behaviour.
Andy Taylor was no longer an official member of Duran Duran by that time, but he was credited as a session guitarist on this song, although apparently, he did not participate in the recordings. Meanwhile, the new guest musicians, Steve Ferrone and Warren Cuccurullo played the drums and lead guitars respectively. Nile Rodgers played some lines of the rhythm guitar.
In a retrospective review of the single, AllMusic journalist Donald A. Guarisco praised the song. He wrote: “The music lends contrast to the angry tone of the lyrics by creating a sultry, mellow melody that juxtaposes verses with a soft, hypnotic ebb and flow with an ever-ascending chorus that revs up the song’s inherent drama.”
The b-side to “Skin Trade” was the only original b-side released during the Notorious era. Entitled “We Need You”, it was written and recorded in 1986 while the band awaited the return of Andy Taylor for a recording session. It was the first recording to feature just the three remaining members of Duran Duran – Nick Rhodes, John Taylor, and Simon Le Bon.
Two further mixes of “Skin Trade” (S.O.S. Dub & Parisian Mix) were completed, but not released commercially during the “Skin Trade” release cycle. They appeared on a US 12″ promo and on a UK 12″ promo, backed with remixes of the next single “Meet El Presidente”. The “Parisian Mix” was also released on the promo-only Master Mixes EP.
SIDE A:
Skin Trade (Stretch Mix) 7:41
Mixed By – Daniel Abraham
Remix – Larry Levan
SIDE B:
Skin Trade (Album Version) 5:57
Mixed By – Daniel Abraham
We Need You 2:51
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
Year | Single | Chart | Position |
---|---|---|---|
1987 | Skin Trade | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #39 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Capitol Records – V-15274
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Single
Country: US
Released: 1987
Genre: Electronic, Pop
Style: Synth-pop
CREDITS:
Designed At – Manhattan Design
Engineer – Daniel Abraham
Producer – Duran Duran, Nile Rodgers (tracks: A, B1)
Written-By – Taylor, Rhodes, Le Bon*
NOTES:
Recorded in England.
…i love the smell of vinyl in the morning…
Find the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net
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Thank you for continuing your Duran posts.
FYI These exist: https://www.discogs.com/master/1600200-Various-Maxi-Mega-Mobile-Master-Massive-Madness-Mammoth-Multiple-Monster-Mixology
Thus the SOS mix did see a contemporaneous CD release. 😉
One of my favorite remixes of all time without a doubt based on when it was released. Still pumps me up to this date and makes me swoon when Simon sings. Thank you!
I was not aware the Paradise Garage legend Larry Levan remixed DD. Can’t wait to listen later.
Thanks Paul 🙂
There we are 🙂 Fabulous, marvelous, awesome.
I cannot really tell you why Skin Trade moved and moves me that much. When I heard it for the first time it just hit me and I guess it still is my favourite DD single. I do not have the promo 12-inch with the extra mixes, only as a download in ok quality. But maybe that will change one day (hint-hint).
Thank you for this great upload in great quality, as always.
And now I will play “Skin Trade” again 😉
You’re welcome, Song And Dance I got your hint 🙂
You’re really knocking them out of the park this week! Thanks for “Skin Trade”! Another phenomenal song from my favorite DD album. I played this 12″ single a whole lot back when it first came out. It’s fantastic to have a really excellent transfer of this song!
Thank you, David G. 🙂
Every time I listen to your Duran Duran uploads, I’m reminded of how much I miss the 80s.
It’s funny how we humans never seem to fully appreciate how good things are during the present. One day those times are suddenly gone. Then all we’re left with is memories and sometimes not even that.
Thank you, Paul, for the Duran Duran memory triggers 😉
Hey Muff Diver (BYW, I love your name!! Lip Smacking Good!!!),
Very well put. Our DjPaulT does give us our memories with a brand new sheen to them that I for one never thought possible!
Have a nice day!
Jeff
You’re welcome, Muff Diver I miss those days too. I am just happy that I can bring back some of that for everyone 🙂
When I first heard “Skin Trade” off the “Notorious” album, it wasn’t my favourite, I wanted “American Science” as the second single, when “Skin Trade” got released, the song grew on me, and in less than a week I just loved the song so much and played it non stop, Duran Duran had made a wise choice plus the B-Side “We Need You” was such a lovely ballad and the video were great too…..Stretch Mix and Parisian Mix were fantastic mixes. Great post Paul, I’m also really enjoying Duran Duran’s new tracks “Tonight United” and “Velvet Newton”, from the Isle… Read more »
I am going to have to seek out the entire shows John I have only seen bits here and there. I always wanted “American Science” to be a single as well but I am very happy “Skin Trade” was released 🙂
Awesome! Now this definitely hasn’t been posted before! But i have a question… The ‘Notorious’ post which you said had not been posted before actually had been. Did you know that? The ‘Notorious’ ‘Latin Rascals’ US 12″ had that mix (Latin Rascals) plus all 3 from the US 12″ of ‘Notorious’ that you recently posted!!
That is because I added the “Extended Mix” as a bonus. I will be giving the “Latin Rascals” 12″ a new transfer soon. Sorry for the confusion.
Cool no worries mate! Looking forward to the ‘Latin rascals’ repost!!
loving this duran duran uploads! Thanks a lot for sharing this gem Paul! =)
You’re welcome, Marc 🙂
This is a song I love more and more each time it is played! I just adore this period for Duran Duran. The singles and the remixes were outstanding. Thanks for posting this Paul.
Jeff
You’re welcome, Jeff. I think the unreleased mixes for “Skin Trade” are better than this one The “Parisian Mix” and “S.O.S. Dub” which appear on the Master Mixes set, and the “Meet El Presidente” 12″ promo.
You know and have the best stuff Paul!! You always surprise and delight us with all the best mixes and things! I love these Duran Duran mixes because they have some of the most fabulous edits in them and you know how much I love my edits!!!
Jeff
The Parisian Mix also appeared on the 3″ CD of All She Wants Is in 1988!
I love Skin Trade I always felt it was DD’s tribute to Prince because of Simon’s voice technique and the music. I remember seeing the video being aired on BET which was a time when a lot of artists were going through a funk phase a lot of other artists would do these days thanks for posting.
I agree with you Robert “Skin Trade” is a treasure one of Duran Duran’s finest. 🙂
This might be my favorite Duran cut and remix. Thanks
You’re welcome, Raymond 🙂