Duran Duran - Arcadia - "Election Day" - Redmond, WA, July 5, 2009

This is the first time since 1989 that Duran Duran has performed the Arcadia single "Election Day." It is also the first time the song has been performed live with all members of Arcadia (Simon, Nick, and Roger) present, as Roger had quit before the song was ever performed live. The audio was recorded by me, while the video footage comes from four other fans.

[@muteharmony]

2024 and this song is still just gorgeous.

[@Rick.Grayson]

I don’t think Duran knows how well loved Arcadia is.

[@fredlemon4881]

That album took me places ive never found anywhere else.

[@evieraotacon]

Simons' voice will always be genuine. To hear this song today live is a real TREAT!!! What I would give for it to be 1985 again.

[@BigBass-xf5yi]

That Arcadia album “so red the rose” is such a complete and amazing album. And this performance is excellent

[@FFab-DD68]

80's decade produced the best music EVER.

[@freewilliam93]

This is the most underrated song of the 80's.

[@drewrosecrans9728]

It rule in 85 when I was 18 years old and rule today in2024 glad I got to see this project back in 85!

[@Victorygirl2000]

For them to be able to reproduce that song years later that we'll is amazing. Simon's amazing voice never changes. I have always appreciated how they are down to earth and show their fun sides! Still crazy about Duran Duran after 30 years!

[@energybengt]

Yes ... in fact, Simon sounds better than he used to in live performances. I know he had an episode of nodes on the vocal chords for a while there ... but this was before that, I believe. They sound fantastic ... because they are playing with joy and less ego than they did when they were young perhaps? Love Duran Duran. A very special group ... with an energy that is bigger than the component members. :)

[@Victorygirl2000]

Such amazing emotion producing songs as well. Gosh, what'd I'd give to meet him. I've really been smitten with him like no other entertainer since the age of 13 and that's 30 years! Never wrote a fan letter, never able to go to a concert or anything like that, just owned all the tapes from Duran and Arcadia and enjoyed it so much.

[@energybengt]

Yes, me too. Simon's lyrical expression, and his sense of being has always drawn me. I like all the band members, but am most intrigued by Simon, Nick and Roger. They were my first favorite band ... and still are. There is something about Duran Duran that expresses SOMETHING nameless for me. He is certainly someone I would like to be around or talk with/ ask questions of. I finally got to see them in 2005 when they re-united, and then again on the Red Carpet Massacre tour. They feel like part of me, it's rather curious. :)

[@ColtraneTaylor]

And he sings it the same with the same magic. Wild kind of loo-ook ...

[@ColtraneTaylor]

@@energybengt "Simon's lyrical expression, and his sense of being has always drawn me. " I feel the same!

[@Hansprivate]

Considering this was probably shot on a cell phone the sound is insanely good!

[@9936252722]

I recorded the sound separately on a MiniDisc recorder and edited it on.

[@andrewcolleypropertiesreal1941]

Arguably the best Duran song ever🙂

[@arricammarques1955]

Arcadia, 1985 solo record.

[@earthtraderssaga]

The Best Album Duran Duran Never Made!

[@ZoeBushell-bi6pg]

Not a Duran Duran song, was an Arcadia song - Arcadia was Simon, Nick & Roger.

[@MannyRosa]

Still watching February 21, 2020! Who’s with me?

[@mantra3000]

Damn that song has such a heavy and elegant swagger to it.

[@findJLF]

Great comment

[@cdst8888]

Great to hear this live! The whole Arcadia album was great! It's a shame they only made one album.

[@9936252722]

Would be nice if they came back!

[@Victorygirl2000]

Simon, being an actor from the start, had a great sense of how to communicate emotion through words. They were brilliant in using Simon's wonderful abstract poetry, saying something that sounds artistic and romantic and seductive, all the while leaving meanings open for the individual to interpret based on their own frame of reference, so as to inject oneself into the song. And when you add amazing artistry in the music and stunning visuals, I think that's why so many personally feel so attached to their music.

[@bengtjericho1395]

Wow! Rachel, I feel the same. Beautifully put. Simon is under-rated as a lyricist I imagine .... but then, who cares?! What I do feel is that his lyrical expression and harmonic sensibility has a resonance in the mind's eye and beyond, don't you feel? There's something very special about Duran Duran .... I really can say that I love them and their music they've shared with us.

[@tommyj1811]

one of my favorite songs of all time.

[@9936252722]

A rare treat to hear live.

[@MJKimball1]

I call this one Arcadia album the dark side of Duran Duran - still in the 80's

[@RedRobbie07]

So great that DD performed Election Day. Sounds good and that back up singer rocked the Grace Jones part. Well done boys (and girl!). :-)

[@daviedlebonnie7721]

Anna Ross

[@matkenobi7227]

Saw them play this in 86' they also did Some like it Hot. Fucking amazing show. Arcadias So Red the Rose is my favorite album ever made.

[@dalemassage1]

Love that album and wish they’d do a smaller tour in smaller venues as Arcadia!

[@marcosaraya1109]

Simon's voice is impressive in this one. i thought for a moment that it was playback. that should be a complement. so Red the Rose was packed with amazing songs like this one

[@flitzflitty1402]

Such a timeless song... Could be a hit today!

[@mattma96]

FlawLESS live performance~~~

[@redfishradical]

That was actually far & away my fave song by any of the boys. And DAMN if Duran didn't knock this out of the freaking park! Ironically literally 5-10min. from where I grew up & spent a ton of time hanging out LOL!

[@manicstreetpreacher200]

That was great. The big man's voice is great on this. They should do 'Missing' someday. If they can find it. (Groan!)

[@groofoot]

... or maybe 'Goodbye Is Forever' ....

[@euskedyzestoa2008]

Never knew the meaning of this song but I danced to it many times at the Baby’O ACAPULCO yes sir!!

[@johna837]

Still in love with Duran and Arcadia all these years later. Ageless talent and creativity.

[@mariflame1821]

First time I see this video. Wow, the song and Simon sounded as good as the studio version! Awesome!!!!

[@NAIVADA]

That was a great rendition! Simon Lebon is an awesome songwriter, always loved his voice too

[@KittyCatFurbabiesMaria1972]

Shame he's rude to fans though - and JT too

[@pennymariemyers4475]

NAIVADA Simon has the most recognizable voice in music.

[@mikerandall3819]

@@KittyCatFurbabiesMaria1972 not my experience but there you go

[@catherineatkinson6519]

Good live version of the song one of their best songs

[@carlosarias2142]

I'm watching this in 2017...and its still so exiting like for the very first time I heard it...Loooove Durana Duran.

[@thomassharoniard4629]

Each time I hear : '' Shoudn't be asking wild and scheming... '' a multitude of shivers are crossing through my skin

[@dianamaurer613]

I will always remember seeing the video when it premiered on mtv so epic the song and video. Saw it live in 1987 at shoreline outstanding.

[@christianneitzel]

Dominique Brown rocks on this one, total respect for the original recording, well done Dom! 🙏🏻

[@manuelnunez8802]

I'd love to find a live version of Duran Duran performing Arcadia's "Goodbye is Forever." Arcadia was basically Duran Duran but with only three of the five members, including Simon. That's why it sounds like a Duran Duran album.

[@lisazaragoza1548]

Love you Duran Duran you guys sound so great see you soon stay safe wild boys

[@winjo7162]

Duran Duran top class lads👀🤩🎹🎹🐈‍⬛🐾⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@bengtjericho1395]

so funky to see John playing a keyboard for the bassline here too. I think the original track was cut with Nick Egan playing a fretless bass, yeah? Just some trivia I recall from liner notes! I remember all my Duran Duran moments .... probably the happiest light in my life all the way til now .... they've been an inner flame or something. This is a great rendition of this song. The Arcadia album was lush and moody ... almost like a Duran album. I remember being pleased with it's release, as I didn't totally groove to The Power Station, though it did grow on me.

[@NYLove001]

😘🌹🎶🎸🎹🎤💝 * Love You GUYS ~ GREETINGS FROM NEW YORK..Rob New York 😘✌️🌹💖🎶

[@pmmrfan9892]

Simply BRILLIANT! One of my FAVES!!!!

[@Nick715]

Simon is killing it! Awesome.

[@billfloyd67]

wow what a great song love it!

[@birdiehope8231]

Arcadia lp is loved by prog lovers too

[@tallcoolone09]

Holy shit! That was good!!

[@apestasguey]

Awesome musicians

[@cristianbatelli5873]

Lebon the best of the 80's!

[@BertKrus]

On heavy rotation here: Arcadia - So Red The Rose 2010 reissue CD 2

[@asharozario]

Simon's voice is gold. And way to go Anna getting your Grace Jones on!

[@dianamaurer613]

I love that John plays that unique instrument on this song.

[@ihazdashcam]

A keytar is not unique. It was the big thing back in the 80s.

[@nightfall9371]

It’s used to produce the synth-bass sound in the song since there isn’t a bass guitar in this song

[@ColtraneTaylor]

@@ihazdashcam A keytar is embarrassing, not unique.

[@ihazdashcam]

@@ColtraneTaylor First, I didn't say it was embarrassing. In fact, I said it was not unique. Third, it's not embarrassing. It was a big deal back in the 80s. It's a way to play keys, and move around instead of being stuck in one place.

[@ColtraneTaylor]

@@ihazdashcam I know you didn't say it. *I* am the one saying it.

[@raquelreboucas7789]

In january, 1990 at Hollywood Rock Festival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Duran Duran (with all Arcadia inside) performed this song. I know because I was there. Fantastic.

[@toddhardinmoviestar]

Rog was retired then, so not all Arcadia inside...

[@soccredude]

Much love! Thanks for this.

[@leoray1234]

'Pull my shirt off and pray' pure poetry and sex

[@MrSilksoul]

lray1234 The song had nothing to do with sex, but a revolution. Him saying pull his shirt off and pray is a biblical reference to renting / tearing off your shirt to show humility before praying to God.

[@leoray1234]

MrSilksoul I think you're right, but I also think those teenybopper and former teenybopper girls aren't thinking of religion when he says that lol

[@MrSilksoul]

lray1234 Valid point. That's because most are brainwashed idiots lol.

[@sandraduranie1975]

Love of my Life!!

[@avanesi12311967]

Great song.

[@СимаБарсукова]

Молодец!Дедушка Саймон! Так держать!

[@citoyennedmonde]

I was there as well. It had been a while since I had listened to the album. Been on a continuous loop ever since! Love this song!!

[@loreshimmy]

Amo este tema, romántico, sensible y sexy. Y su voz, imperecedera.

[@wmnawillameana9418]

I've always loved this song by Simon, Roger, Nick, and Grace Jones (BTW nice Grace Jones impersonation)

[@42bluey]

@MissNovemberTuesday like wow who would think duran duran would play arcadia songs how cool is that:)

[@ll108]

awsomeeeee!!!!! OMG still the same

[@gynandroidhead]

Thanks for posting.

[@mariangelarusso1506]

Wow!!! 🙏❤️😍😍😍😍

[@Fer78]

great voice

[@jonnathanmetalic]

Q bárbaros son unos chingones todavía

[@randytorrez6858]

RANDY JUDAH TALK 🎼❤️

[@rottenpeaches3861]

John and a piano guitar, 'nough said. Hahaha! seriously, this is awesome! i would have pay a LOT to see that live!

[@ScrittiSparkle]

loved it,thank you x

[@astropioneer3296]

Wish Duran would mix in more Arcadia live on occasion. Not a horrible version. You'd think Nick could have easily supplied the punchy horn and orchestra hits this song requires, but they were strangely muted or missing. Simon absolutely nails the vocal, though!

[@9936252722]

Yes, a very welcome treat!

[@AndreaElizabethGarciaAltamiran]

Los mejores Durán duran

[@fabianfranco5245]

A esta canción se la debe escuchar de bien.!!!

[@mattheweldredge9880]

Awesome

[@mariainesvargasojeda915]

Fantástico

[@shanemills7047]

His voice fits the song really well. I'm surprised they don't play it more on live concerts, especially now that Andy's out of the way.

[@reins6895]

I think people are so mean towards Andy, I think Andy is just as much a part of Duran as the rest of them.. I know they had conflicts w each other , but he is still a part of Duran Duran I feel . What do you mean " now that Andy is out of the way?" Do you think he dislikes Arcadia?

[@drewbyj]

amazing.....love the bass...I would have paid a million bucks to see this

[@dickyboyryw]

They do mate.

[@annunakiarzu5733]

His voice never changed still good as ever. Unlike Bono from U2

[@c4sb2008]

Awesome! Thank!

[@TarciaKishi]

I love it!!

[@waxwaine]

keyboardman use a Microkorg and an Alesis Andromeda. That's very extreme but powerfull at the same time. Thanks for the video, great song don't care who's the owner

[@fortheloveoftunes]

So sad to see almost everyone filming the concert instead of being in part of it - enjoying/capture it deep in their souls!

[@9936252722]

I only recorded the audio and took other people's videos to edit.

[@drewbyj]

love the hands above the head at the 2:30 mark,,,,like the video

[@imusicsean]

Well done!

[@efeunoalot]

As a matter of fact, they've performed it live in Rio '85.

[@roch9940]

Great!!!

[@katherine8020]

If they get Grace Jones out for this in 2021....yayyy!!

[@rifk1741]

Simon says it's the first time that *this band* has played this song live..and he's right...the earlier performance in Rio 88 was the DD incarnation with Warren and not Roger.

[@MrSilksoul]

Rif2020 It's when they split. The group with Simon was Arcadia, the other half of the group formed what was called The Power Station.

[@rifk1741]

MrSilksoul Thank you, but Arcadia and Power Station were formed and disbanded before 1988/89. The point I was making that Duran Duran have performed ED as Duran Duran before this show but the lineup of the band was different (no Dom or Roger) and that's why SLB must be correct when he says it's the first time "this band" is performing it.

[@RastaSaiyaman]

No problem glad to help out. ^_^

[@wellylhakim3619]

COOL :) I LIKE THIS VIDEO

[@rottenpeaches3861]

oh ok thanks! i didnt knew the english name of it :)

[@denmasAnom7]

Mantap 🇮🇩🇮🇩

[@ihazdashcam]

One of my favorites........ especially that bass line. I know it was Nick on keys for the original, but it was still great. Wonder why they were having John say Nick's line of "So restless indeed" instead of Nick doing it. Either way, John missed the cue.

[@nightfall9371]

You can see him looking at him and shrugging then doing it himself

[@Rob-Slot]

😲

[@skatoad]

That woman did a nice Grace Jones. Is that Jon Hamm on sax? :)

[@MissNovemberTuesday]

Simon Willescroft on sax.

[@henryperrier7285]

Simon chante sur le play back snif grâce Jones n’est pas là 😅

[@usafirefly7967]

There's something on this song expression....

[@MissNovemberTuesday]

Thanx so much! I was there (2nd row in front of Dom) and I was so excited when I saw they were going to perform this! I snuck a picture of a setlist before the show and looked it over. I was so glad to be there for this. Nice audio, by the way. Do you have more from this show or Vegas or Costa Mesa from that round?

[@Motleyleppard101]

Simon I love ya but this wasn't the first time you performed it, the first time was in '88 in rio

[@RastaSaiyaman]

That's a "Keytar"

[@bobdreamzzz4181]

Amazing how they were able to play this very over produced song LIVE! Sounds good but I wish they could have brought all that theatrical drama from the video on stage.. Simon looks like he is dressed for church Where is the GOTH???!

[@americanrockbands4228]

+Bob Dreamzzz Goth???

[@MissNovemberTuesday]

The Arcadia look was decidedly more alternative and "goth"y than they normally look.

[@xoxxobob61]

Yes ! If you look at the video of this song it had elements of Goth in it.

[@ToSpeakIsASin1982]

I have nearly the entire Redmond show edited like this. Just have not got around to rendering it. Some are not as good (not as much footage available). I just recorded the audio.

[@MissNovemberTuesday]

Did you ever finish that video? I was there and would love footage and the whole show live. I would also just be happy with the audio, if not.

[@9936252722]

@@MissNovemberTuesday I have lost all the other video. I do not know if I still have the audio. :-(

[@RSMAFULL]

as it is called singer who sings like Grace Jones? 3:39

[@MissNovemberTuesday]

Her name is Anna Ross. She is working on a solo album. It can be ordered on PledgeMusic. www.pledgemusic.com/projects/annaross

[@RSMAFULL]

Thank you very much, I will be waiting for your work!