Larkin, Colin (2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (5th conciseed.). Omnibus Press. ISBN 978-0-85712-595-8. Nonetheless, this chronological list encapsulates a body of work that – despite the ever-changing line-ups – shows a band that survived and thrived thanks to that rare ability to adapt, and with unabated confidence. To further distance themselves from their earlier incarnation, the band decided to stylise how they spelt their name, shortening it to the single word "Duranduran" and vocalist Simon Le Bon grew his hair out.

Lyrically, the album holds a more mature and intense passion focusing on love, lost innocence, death, and religion: "Too Late Marlene" deal with regret following the end of a romantic relationship, "All She Wants Is" focuses on materialism in a more dominant feel, "I Don't Want Your Love" as about someone who strives for attention but does not want a relationship, "The Edge of America" serves a metaphor on the band's wavering popularity and poor chart success, and "Do You Believe in Shame" goes for a more personal tone on death as the song actually pays tribute to three people close to the band that they lost at the time: artist Andy Warhol who died suddenly in early 1987, producer Alex Sadkin who was killed in a car crash a few months later, and Daniel Miles, a longtime friend of Le Bon who died of a heroin overdose during the recording of Big Thing. On the album's linear notes, the band decided to write personal dedications which was the first time in the band's history they would do such.At times they could do no wrong; at times the critics bayed for blood and at times fans were left scratching their heads, but storms were ridden and dog days overcome.

From shining pop classics that are impossible to ignore to moonlit treasures that are far subtler in their persuasion, there’s plenty here for most tastes in our Top 40 Duran Duran songs.

Catalog

While the album and the first two singles did quite well in the charts, the relative failure of the third single " Do You Believe in Shame?" killed off any chance for a fourth single from the album. A house version of Drug (It's Just a State of Mind)" which had been recorded with producer Marshall Jefferson in April 1989 had been tentatively slated as that single. Duran Duran were one of my favorite bands as a kid, yet going through their catalogue as an adult, I keep finding myself disappointed. Stubborn, ostentatious, experimental and above all very, very talented, Duran Duran will no doubt surprise us once more when the next project comes around. Top 40 Duran Duran songs 40 Sunset Garage, 2015 In 1988 the musical climate was changing, veering to a more dance-based groove. Duran Duran were known primarily as an early 80s new wave synthpop act, and the band was sitting at a career crossroads; Big Thing was their stab at maintaining musical credibility. And while most commentators would suggest the band’s early period – at the vanguard of both New Wave sounds and New Romantic style – as the outright pinnacle, we’d propose that there’s a range of lofty musical peaks dotted throughout their later career (and one later single, in particular, that outdoes them all).