Duran Duran - Girls on Film demo 1979

[1SirMachinery]

Don't they use a harmonica on "Is there something I should Know"? Sounds pretty awesome to me.

[mikew4001]

The harmonica solo is great, yes!

[GreekGuy9999]

This singer is beyond horrible. And thank GOD DD never used a harmonica in their LeBon releases. A harmonica with an accompanying synth? What was next? A jaw harp alongside a string quartet?

[gowalkingathinline]

yikes!!!After hearing this I know why they sent the singer packing and hired Simon in his place.

If not for the familiar chorus line I wouldn't have recognized this tune at all.

[42bluey]

@gowalkingathinline eeeeeeeeeeeekkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk blah blah yeah no wonder they got rid of him

[DJMimzy]

is that Stephen Duffy singing?

[SCK912]

What in the hell is this???

[junetwo68]

I don't like the singer.

[42bluey]

@junetwo68 tell me about it eeeeeeeeeeeeekkkkkkkkkkkkk thank god simon is in

[revpunk1977]

Best version IMO

[GreekGuy9999]

@revpunk1977 You are NUTS!

[42bluey]

@GreekGuy9999 lmao

[acr08807]

OK, I respect that.

[Mistysmudge1]

To be honest it is only the chorus that is girls on film and that is all really, as the lyrics are totally different, as is the tune.

[JeremyThirlby]

Last time I heard this was at Nick Bates (Rhodes) Parents living room shortly after it was recorded- sounds a bit early Ultravox / Japan. Andy was a great Frontman. I was at all the shows when it was that line up. B'ham Uni celler bar when his white suite got covered with tomato ketcup by the Rugby team and they kept on playing. We had to rush to get the gear off stage before we got beaten up. They certainly had the last laugh- except Andy of course.

[TheNouveauxdecadence]

@JeremyThirlby

WOW.lucky you!

[acr08807]

@JeremyThirlby I think it's sooooooo cool that you were Nick Bates' maid.

[JeremyThirlby]

@acr08807 Maid ? That would suggest I kissed ass. I didn't, which is no doubt why I have no contact with the Durans since 1981.

[Whitelight786]

JT plays lead guitar on this version

[Whitelight786]

Duran recorded this demo at the same studio as UB40 recorded their early work.

[ScenesFromPalacio]

Frikkin' great. track..FAR cooler and more interesting than the famous version...Andy Wickett should get some money or acknowledgement off them..They'd never have been famous without his songs to kick start them..

[vmanoover]

@ScenesFromPalacio They paid Andy something like 3000 pounds for the rights and ownership of the song before it was completed and released. I don't think Andy thought it would become so famous.

[dashstepp]

Is this Simon Coley on vocals?

Pretty cool version though

[mattyg3838]

@dashstepp It's Andy Wickett....Simon Coley was a bassist for a short time, I believe. Anyone have any idea what the duran duran icon is in the picture above???

[TheJimbonjovi]

@mattyg3838 All i Know is that John Made It

[vmanoover]

@TheJimbonjovi Actually, Andy Wickett wrote the lyrics and when Simon joined they paid Andy for the rights of the song.

[TheJimbonjovi]

@vmanoover i know that

[Whitelight786]

@vmanoover And they payed him to give Le Bon singing lessons .

[gh9448]

@Whitelight786 Just like someone needs to be PAID to give you spelling lessons-PAID, not PAYED.

[acr08807]

@gh9448 It's "just as" someone needs to be PAID, not "just like."

[MarcusDolby]

Great stuff! Thanks!

[kray97]

This is a completely different version of the song, Basic structure...bass line is still there....the rest is totally different, even more uptempo.

I like it.

[kray97]

Sounds like Roxy Music...not that there's nothing wrong with that.

[ROGERBELTRAN]

Thanks God SIMON came to save the DAY!!!!

[emeraldstream]

WHOA.........cooler than the original

[SRGots]

Wow thank you for posting this.

[lys84]

ah oui, ca change de la version finale. en effet

[saburoemon]

whoa

[TheJimbonjovi]

Next year andy taylor comes in to the band and johns the guitar in this demo

[ultrachrome13]

@TheJimbonjovi .....Im with you....

[stevekuzmyak]

I agree! They should remake this one! I don't think I've ever heard such a dramatic evolution in a song. Got more? Post it, pleaze.

[heloisamariani]

I like it but I think Simon's version of the song is better!And with this version,they wouldnt have been the sucess they are today!

[stars7803]

This version is coooool. I love it cuz its early Duran Duran before they became Duran Duran. I would LOVE to hear this version in concert!!!!!!!!!! :)

[nuromantik80]

This song is edgyer than the Lebon version. Andy Wickett gives them a punk sound. I like this version alot. Anything Duran is great. This song really descibes them as being CHIC meets the SEX PISTOLS.. Duran Duran rules FOREEVER!!!

[todosalamierda]

@nuromantik80 I have to agree with you. This is edgy and powerful, but according to several sources, several songs were modified and remixed to fit the American market, at least that's what happened with Rio, and i can imagine they did the same with GOF.

Anyway, i love both versions. I wish they'd remake this one, keeping the edgy elements of this but adding some of the improved sound that Mark Ronson's been talking about when asked about the new album.

[mattyg3838]

Seems like they did a complete overhaul of the lyrics after Simon LeBon came onboard...anyone have the lyrics for this demo version?

I know hindsight is always 20/20, but Wickett's voice was not a good fit. I honestly think they would have been a one-hit wonder if he remained lead singer.

Aside from that, Simon Colley was excellent on base and John plays a mean lead guitar....Roger is solid as always and Nick is just a machine!

[makowals]

Love the actual music, but man is Andy Wickett off key, holy mackerel.

[jademm]

The chorus is strong and that is what carried over. However, Simon's lyrics and voice is what makes this tune a tour de force. Still, I think this is a good demo that's worth listening to and provides some insight into the evolution of a classic song.

[mimsy12]

thank you thank you thank you for posting this!!! never had heard it before!!! love it!

[MrSeatcordoba]

Just Great and a rocky sound!

[IIIIdepechemodeIIII]

this has/had a killer guitar riff on it, though. i like this one as much as the simon/duran version.

[Jesuscger]

What was Duran Duran's lineup at this time?

[IIIIdepechemodeIIII]

@Jesuscger i'm not sure, but i think it was andy wickett, john taylor, nick rhodes, and, umm, well...joe the plummer? no no..(shrugs) maybe andy taylor and roger taylor just joined, not sure. i'd have to research that one,bro.

[evad520]

@IIIIdepechemodeIIII Simon Colley was the 4th member at this time.

[DuranieCrowdie4Life]

I like the one with Simon LeBon better but I guess I am so used to that one since I've heard it all of my life...lol. Thank you for posting this for us.

[diadexxus]

I was ***HOPING*** Someone had the original Demo out there!!! THANK YOU!!!!

[rob92376]

Sounds awesome.

[nintendojuggalo]

Strange but cool.

[lolitasanos80s]

Graeat!!

Thankx for this!