Burning The Ground Exclusive
NEW 2025 Transfer!
NEW Meticulous Audio Restoration!
Original post date: December 22, 2016
In late 1984, Duran Duran unleashed “The Wild Boys,” a pounding, futuristic anthem that marked a darker turn for the band and became one of their most iconic singles of the era. The track was conceived as part of a proposed film project based on the William S. Burroughs novel The Wild Boys: A Book of the Dead, with the idea pushed by director Russell Mulcahy (who had helmed many of the band’s most lavish videos). While the film never came to fruition, the song and its accompanying video pushed boundaries—and budgets—at the time.
Produced by the legendary Nile Rodgers, “Wild Boys” was the only studio track on the band’s live album Arena and perfectly fused the band’s pop sensibility with Rodgers’ cutting-edge production and dancefloor sensibilities. The result was a sonic assault of heavy synths, aggressive guitar stabs, tribal drums, and Simon Le Bon’s defiant vocal delivery.
The Extended Mix takes the drama up several notches, building the tension with a long, cinematic intro that recalls the dystopian atmosphere of the video. The breakdowns and effects-laden passages give the song more room to breathe and further highlight Rodgers’ intricate production.
Chart-wise, “Wild Boys” was a smash. It reached #2 in both the US and UK, blocked from the top in the US by Hall & Oates’ “Out of Touch.” It also gave Duran Duran their first #1 in Germany and South Africa, proving the band’s international staying power as they transitioned from New Romantic heartthrobs into global pop powerhouses.
Fun fact: Simon Le Bon nearly drowned during the filming of the video, which featured the band tied to a windmill and submerged in a water tank. It’s a miracle the band made it out intact—both literally and figuratively.
The B-side, “(I’m Looking For) Cracks In The Pavement (Live),” was recorded during the band’s 5 March 1984 show at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto. This is the same concert where the video for “The Reflex” was filmed—capturing the band at the height of their early-’80s hysteria with screaming fans and high-voltage energy. The live track offers a grittier, rawer take on the Seven and the Ragged Tiger album cut, giving fans a peek into the band’s powerful live presence during their Sing Blue Silver tour.
“Wild Boys” remains a touchstone of mid-80s maximalism: all attitude, danger, and style. It’s the sound of a band pushing their limits—and taking us along for the ride.
SIDE A:
The Wild Boys (Wilder Than Wild Boys) (Extended Mix) 8:00
Producer – Nile Rodgers
SIDE B:
The Wild Boys (45) 4:18
Producer – Nile Rodgers
(I’m Looking For) Cracks In The Pavement (1984) 4:10
Engineer [Live Recording] – George Tutko
Engineer, Mixed By – Jason Corsaro
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
OBI Strip: Near Mint
Insert: 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″, 45 RPM, Maxi-Single
Country: Japan
Released: Nov 21, 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:
From the LP “ARENA”
Track B2 was recorded live on tour 1984.
Mastered at Masterdisk.
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon 2M Black PnP MkII
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
DAC: Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 25 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: 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)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!
Password: burningtheground
You can help show your support for this blog by donating using PayPal. I appreciate your help.
I’m taking a short break from my Shep Pettibone run to fill a few requests. The first is another rare gem to add to my “Closet 80s” series—a track that never got its due but still shines in all the right ways.
