BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1984
“The Wild Boys” is the twelfth single by Duran Duran, released in October 1984.
The song was the only studio track on the live album Arena, and was produced by Nile Rodgers, who had previously remixed the single “The Reflex”. It was recorded at the end of July 1984 at Maison Rouge studios in London.
“The Wild Boys” became one of the band’s biggest hits, reaching #2 on the American Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks, behind “Out of Touch” by Hall & Oates and “Like a Virgin” by Madonna and also hitting #1 on the Cash Box Top 100 chart. It peaked at #2 on the UK Singles Chart, and also reached the top position in Germany and on the Canadian CHUM Chart.
It became the band’s biggest charting single in Australia, reaching #3. The band’s parent album, “Arena”, was certified Double Platinum in the United States.
The idea for the song came from longtime Duran Duran video director Russell Mulcahy, who wanted to make a full-length feature film based on the surreal and sexual 1971 novel The Wild Boys: A Book Of The Dead by William S. Burroughs. He suggested that the band might create a modern soundtrack for the film in the same way that Queen would later provide a rock soundtrack for Mulcahy’s 1986 movie Highlander. Singer Simon Le Bon began writing some lyrics based on Mulcahy’s quick synopsis of the book, and the band created a harsh-sounding instrumental backdrop for them.
The single was issued with six separate collectible covers – one featuring each individual band member and one of the band collectively.
The B-side, “(I’m Looking For) Cracks In The Pavement (Live)”, was recorded at the 5 March 1984 show at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto. This is the same concert where the video for “The Reflex” was filmed.
SIDE A:
The Wild Boys (Wilder Than Wild Boys) (Extended Mix) 8:00
Producer – Nile Rodgers
SIDE B:
The Wild Boys (45) 4:16
Producer – Nile Rodgers
(I’m Looking For) Cracks In The Pavement (1984) 4:09
Engineer [Live Recording] – George Tutko
Engineer, Mixed By – Jason Corsaro
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | The Wild Boys | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #2 |
| 1984 | The Wild Boys | U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play | #27 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: EMI – S14-102
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Maxi-Single, 45 RPM
Country: Japan
Released: 21 Nov 1984
Genre: Electronic, Pop
Style: Synth-pop
CREDITS:
Engineer – Jason Corsaro
Photography By [Front] – Francesco Scavullo
Producer, Arranged By, Written-By – Duran Duran
Sleeve [Sleeve Producer] – Assorted Images
NOTES:
Track B2 recorded live on tour 1984.
Mastered at Masterdisk.
From the LP “ARENA”
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: Brother MFC-6490CW Professional Series 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
Is there any way you would consider reupping this gem? I have the remix, but not in your superb quality!
Great share!
The Wild Boys (Wilder Than Wild Boys) (Extended Mix) 😉
Thank you!
Thank you Paul! More classic Duran 12 inch singles please in the new year!
Oh and please, if you can also get to the Japanese Stayin’ Alive 12 inch single and Rick Dees comedy album I sent you about 3 years ago.
Thanks and have a great Christmas and New Years!
I just realized that the US 12″ omits the first beat from the A-side. It’s so great to have a complete copy of the song after all these years!
I listened carefully the intro of this japanese 12″
and it seems to still miss the first beat
(like the cd version on “Strange Behaviour”).
Thanks for the input.
Hmm? It does match the CD version you mention, beginning with an electronic kick drum. But the US & Canadian 12″s do not open with the kick; they start a half-beat later.
I was at that M.L.Gardens show in Toronto wayyyyy back in ’84.
Good god I am old.
Thanks Paul. Waiting for the next DD, maybe the remixes of Electric Barbarella ??? ;o)
Wow Paul!! So jazzed that you posted this classic by “Duran Squared” as it’s one of my favorites by them. And I so agree with Fred from up above in that they should have had a dub and bonus beats and more mixes done to the track. This track is fierce and ferocious. I did get to read the William S. Burroughs book and it is indeed a surreal and explicit sexual tale that’s for sure. That Burroughs is amazingly shocking!! And you know, all because of you, now when I hear “Wild Boys” I keep on thinking of Annabella’s… Read more »
Love it Paul.
So happy to see this. Would love to see more of the classic Duran singles and remixes done with your expertise. “Hungry Like The Wolf”, “Union Of The Snake”… so happy to see this and that it includes the single version. Thank you.
Duran Duran are still one of my favourites, I’ve seen them live many times and really enjoyed their last album Paper Gods, One of those bands who continue to create fab music.
Check out one of their newer trackes Paul, It’s called As Seen From A Distance, and is on a limited edition of Paper Gods (Vinyl Factory Box Set).
Wooow! Now this is such a treat!
Thank you!!!!
I always felt this remix/12″ should have had more mixes…especially a dub and a bonus beats or instrumental of the remix. Granted, the Labels/Bands really only started offering multiple mixes in 1985. Duran Duran was notorious (pun intended) for releasing only 1 mix of their 90% of their hits. Very missed opportunities I felt.
Thanks for the rip, Paul!!
I agree Fred big missed opportunity for this record and several other DD records from this era.
Apparently, it IS Christmas!! Thanks, Paul!
You’re welcome. Merry Christmas Jon!