FIRST TIME HEARING Ordinary World by Duran Duran | REACTION

[@lebby4ever]

This song is a REAL MASTERPIECE! My fave one, with Save a prayer and The Chauffeur. The sense of melancholy it gives me is unique and extraordinary ❤

[@billw715]

I get not comprehending some Duran Duran lyrics in some of their songs but this song's lyrics could not be more obvious & straightforward, mate.

[@Lemarcus03]

This is definitely a goosebumps song

[@jpatherton2415]

best pop song ever written

[@annewoodard6803]

THIS is why Duran Duran is an iconic band.

[@saboteur1001]

Gosh, I liked your reaction, your sensitivity to the melody. That was fantastic. Looking at you I remembered myself listening to this for the 1st time. Thanks!

[@liannel1370]

The lyrics is about his best friend that killed him self. It's about hid struggle to feel ordinary again

[@JOHNNYSGIRL1960]

He overdosed.

[@danielpapp7869]

This song can easily make me cry... Masterpiece! This lyric actually makes a lot of sense. Simon wrote that about his struggles after his good friend David took his own life. There are 2 more breathtaking songs about the loss of his friend: Do you belive in shame? and Out of my mind, which both are very underrated masterpieces!❤

[@annon.9557]

This is one of the finest compositions, ever, and a genuine masterpiece. So glad to hear more people discovering the creative juggernaut that is Duran Duran. Maybe read the lyrics again with the music, and it will make more sense to you.

[@michaelp2776]

This is one of my favorite Duran Duran songs. It was released in 1993. Simon Le Bon was 33 or 34 here. Simon Le Bon and I have the same birthday, October 27.

[@njg247]

Hi Seph, this song came out in 1993 and it's safe to say it was a global supernova hit that was universally recognised as one of, if not, their finest song ever. It was era defining. It relaunched them and they've been on the GOATS radar ever since in the 21st Century. Simon wrote this as a tribute to a dear friend who died.

[@billw715]

It was released in 1992 to be accurate. The song, fundamentally, is about Le Bon still processing the loss of his childhood & close friend, David Miles, who had passed away five years prior in 1986 to writing "Ordinary World" in 1991. The song is not only inspired by Miles but it is also influenced by The Gulf War (1990-1991). "Ordinary World" is the second part in a trilogy of songs that centers around Le Bon & Miles' passing. The first song was written soon after Miles' death & it is called, "Do You Believe In Shame?" found on Duran Duran's "Big Thing" album released in 1988 & also as a single in 1989. The song can also be found on the motion picture soundtrack for the film "Tequila Sunrise" starring Michelle Pfeiffer. "Out Of My Mind" concludes the trilogy & was released in 1997 as a single from Duran Duran's "Medazzaland" album in 1997. The track was also the main theme for the motion picture "The Saint" starring Val Kilmer.

[@njg247]

@@billw715 Thanks for the correction. Now I think of it, I remember it was the summer I graduated that this song invaded my senses!

[@billw715]

@@njg247 You're welcome. Just to be even more precise... since Duran Duran's previous album released in 1990, Liberty, was the band's first commercial failure, Duran Duran's record label, Capitol Records, leaked Ordinary World to a radio station in Jacksonville, Florida in the fall of 1992. The track became a hit & Capitol Records had to move the release date of the song, unexpectedly of course due to its immediate success, to December 1992 in the U.S., while it's UK release was in January 1993. Come Undone, their followup single, was released in late March 1993.

[@njg247]

@@billw715 Yes, that time is loaded with memories for me. Kind of a golden era that lasted about two years.

[@ShirleyCampbell-u5t]

This song saved my life

[@jomc6734]

These are the most straightforward Duran Duran lyrics in the history of Duran Duran lyrics.

[@celiabonwick6785]

I LOVE THIS SONG!

[@BlinkFM]

These lyrics are not at all hard to interpret. Video and lyrics do so well go together. This has been said to be one of the best pop songs ever written. Simply sad and beautiful. Somehow I will survive. Thanks for doing this reaction. Perhaps look at the lyrics and replay the video. Not only goosebumps but tears as well.

[@kevinrakow380]

In fairness, I really liked the song but didn't listen all that closely when I bought the CD. But, once you experience great loss, this song hits really hard in a beautiful way. I remember throwing this album in the CD player while driving up the interstate/motorway on a gorgeous autumn evening a couple of months after my partner passed away and having to pull over after listening to this song. It really hit home. And yes, I did find my new ordinary world. Not quite as magical but it certainly is good.

[@Duraffinity]

This one is about trying to move on after a tragedy. How to feel "normal" again after losing someone important to you. In Simon's case, this is the second of three songs he wrote about losing a really close friend to a drug overdose. I really do recommend looking up the lyrics for this one. It might seriously even be Simon's magnum opus! *edited to add: The video has less to do with the song and more to do with the album artwork and style. It's from their 1993 self-titled album commonly known as "The Wedding Album" because of the sepia-tone wedding photos on the cover (of each band member's parents). A lot of the collage elements in the video are also in a similar style to the artwork in the album booklet as well.

[@colin8877]

I bloody love It when this comes on the radio.

[@jlcmsw]

Duran Duran are still putting on concerts in 2024. Two of my Duran favs are Love VooDoo and Come Undone. I think they’re in this album.

[@billw715]

Ordinary World was released in 1992. The song, fundamentally, is about Le Bon still processing the loss of his childhood & close friend, David Miles, who had passed away five years prior in 1986 to writing "Ordinary World" in 1991. The song is not only inspired by Miles but it is also influenced by The Gulf War (1990-1991). "Ordinary World" is the second part in a trilogy of songs that centers around Le Bon & Miles' passing. The first song was written soon after Miles' death & it is called, "Do You Believe In Shame?" found on Duran Duran's "Big Thing" album released in 1988 & also as a single in 1989. The song can also be found on the motion picture soundtrack for the film "Tequila Sunrise" starring Michelle Pfeiffer. "Out Of My Mind" concludes the trilogy & was released in 1997 as a single from Duran Duran's "Medazzaland" album in 1997. The track was also the main theme for the motion picture "The Saint" starring Val Kilmer.

[@Pilutta100]

Wonderful. Try some Arcadia next. Simon and Nick did a very nice project. Hugs from Sweden.

[@AndrewSkinburn]

This is a perfect pop song. Never get tired of it.

[@TimothySmiths]

Really the lyrics to this song make much more sense than many others of theirs do.. specially if you know why the song was written.

[@lobotomy007]

and finally some more duran duran! it's about time!

[@Duraffinity]

I highly recommend checking out "Come Undone" and "Too Much Information" from this same album!

[@SheenaRea]

Been waiting for this one Seph. *It's such a beautiful song!!!!!* Thanks very much!! ❤❤❤❤Have a fantastic day, friend!

[@damirpozgaj2296]

Masterpiece.......

[@christianibendorf9086]

You don't have to explain it, we all feel it. ;-)

[@storiedworlds6261]

I remember thinking that Duran Duran would never escape the 80s, then this album came out with this song and Come Undone, and I was thoroughly impressed. This was around the same time Depeche Mode’s SOFAD came out, and I was in musical heaven.

[@lesliedaubert1411]

Simon Le Bon wrote this about a close friend who took his own life. Simon grieving. Some other songs are about him grieving about his friend that he misses.

[@conny53]

Great reaction, i was a huge fan back in the days , but is still love to hear them, thanks ❤

[@balovett]

This song was the band's big come-back single, released in 1992. Duran Duran had fallen into relative obscurity after releasing the embarrassingly bad LIBERTY record in 1990. In fact this song was so huge and has continued to receive so much regular airplay throughout the intervening years, that when you said "Oh wait..." at the beginning of the song, I was almost certain you were going to say, "I know this one!" (0:23) It's undeniably an awesome song, one of their finest. Simon's vocal in the chorus really soars, pushing his limits for sure. Simon is harmonizing with himself in the break-down verse you highlight here. And as others have said, Simon is singing about the loss of one of his closest friends, trying to make sense of it. "Ordinary World" received so much play during and since its release that I have completely O.D.'d on it, unfortunately. It has become a staple of their live set on their never-ending touring. Btw, I love your vocalizations during the choruses! But that "heart attack" comments scare me! Don't die, Seph! Please!

[@billw715]

This isn't a comeback song & the band was not into some "relative obscurity." Liberty (1990) was Duran Duran's "first" commercial album failure released before The Wedding album (1993), which includes "Ordinary World"; however, Duran Duran's "Big Thing" album (1988) released prior to "Liberty" went Gold in the US & silver in the UK. "Big Thing" had two hit singles with "I Don't Want Your Love" peaking at #4 in the US. In addition, this track & "All She Wants Is" both reached #1 in the U.S. & European dance charts. Having one unsuccessful album in-between two successful one's doesn't constitute a comeback. It's a bump in the road. Duran Duran was barely absent from the charts during this interim. "Violence Of Summer" from the "Liberty" album was not the hit song that Duran Duran was accustomed to but the single did reach the US Billboard Hot 100 & peaked at #64. In the UK, this song peaked at #20 & their followup single, "Serious" reached #48. The band Santana is apropos for a having a comeback. Their last successful album with a hit song was in 1982. They released four albums thereafter & didn't achieve success again until 1999. This is the definition of a comeback. And, the "Liberty" album was not embarrassingly bad either. There are some beautiful songs on this album such as "Liberty," "Serious" & "My Antarctica."

[@balovett]

@@billw715 Nice defense, brother! We differ on LIBERTY, but I'm with you on BIG THING. That album has some of my all-time favorites on it, including some real hidden gems like "Too Late Marlene," "Palomino," and "Land." Those tunes just slay me.

[@billw715]

@@balovett Thank you & agree that "Too Late Marlene," "Palomino," and "Land" are great tracks off of Big Thing album. "Palomino" is one of my favorites off the album. I'd put "My Antarctica" off of the Liberty album into the same category with the aforementioned tracks. These aren't the typical "hit" songs but more so considered "album" tracks, which are at times equally as strong as some hit songs by the band.

[@lebby4ever]

Welcome back!! ❤❤❤😂🎉😂🎉🎉

[@neon__citizen]

Beautiful song

[@kev6333]

Jarbled is now officially a word seph. Specially used to describe duran lyrics 😂😂. I did like this for about a week but constant airplay over weeks and weeks on the radio killed it for me .gives me chills for a different reason (cold ones )😢

[@SephPlays]

Omg OVERPLAY! This is a genuine thing! Even the most incredible songs can become sooooo monotonous in your brain if you play them to much!

[@sebzematik]

I'm still getting goosebumps after all this time. From the early 90s on the lyrics do make much more sense, try "Sin Of The City" from the same album for example, or "Too Much Information". I really enjoy your Duran reactions, keep them coming!

[@billw715]

Both are awesome songs with "Too Much Information" being a pop-rocker song & "Sin Of The City," with it's song structure being a bit more sonically cerebral.

[@Stacy55ish]

Their best song.

[@ronfarney6477]

This is Duran Duran massive huge hit back in 1992-3 from the wedding album 🎉🎉🎉right Simon lebon Voice amazing Vocals cords fantastic brilliant awesome amazing epic 🎉🎉🎉Simon wrote this about a very close friend who sadly passed away ok this was DD2 which all Duranies called it due to this single was massive huge around the globe bigger then sum of Duran Duran singles which were also massive huge as you now buddy right listen to come on done off the same album it's streamed nearly 250 million plays on KZbin I'll help you with this one also he wrote this for is lllllllluuuulllllyyyyy beautiful wife Yasmin lebon been married newly 39 years this year he wrote it for a surprise for her birthday in 1993 he rang her played it to her and she cried ok helpful information for you lol enjoy

[@brianelza9807]

More Duran Duran please. We need a Duran Duran list to go with the Elvis list!

[@stroszekFailure]

Ey Seph, I CAN'T BELIEVE you haven't reacted yet to The Wild Boys by Duran... With video please please!!!

[@SephPlays]

I'll react to it soon, ive actually got quite a few requests for that song 😄

[@benjaminraaphorst6893]

This song is as beautiful as you looking handsome in this video 😊

[@depecheddurand]

Now listen to My antarctica , its pretty equal to the ordinary world in my opinion but never was released as a single.

[@RITWINS]

Although later in their careers, this was their best song IMO.

[@billw715]

1992 is later in their careers? Sure. However, later in their careers would suitably be now not eleven years after their first single was released, really.

[@RITWINS]

@@billw715 Still one of their later releases surely ?

[@eamonconnelly8029]

@@RITWINS Since the band has been around since 1978 and since this is 2024, when you write "Although later in their careers in their careers," I am thinking something closer to now or worst case scenario, something in this century. So agree with Bill. I'd say this song was written earlier in their careers since it was written 33 years ago.

[@RITWINS]

@@eamonconnelly8029 @SephPlays These guys are picking an argument with someone called Roger Taylor about a Duran Duran song. Are they crazy ?

[@eamonconnelly8029]

@@RITWINS Don't comprehend your reply. Who is picking an argument? And who is picking an argument with someone called Roger Taylor? And, who is picking an argument with someone called Roger Taylor about a Duran Duran song?

[@Glynn1965]

Not sure if you’ve heard Come Undone (similar era) - my favourite later Duran song

[@SephPlays]

No i haven't yet. I'll add it to my list :D

[@JOHNNYSGIRL1960]

It came out in 1992/1993.

[@cloverfield911]

1992/1993 Video refers to "The Wedding Album"

[@ComposerJoakimS]

If you think this is good, wait 'til you hear Come Undone 😎

[@rickardlindstrom4921]

Fantastic DD-song, only overshadowed by “Come Undone” on the same album. The studio version of “Come Undone” is amazing but also the live-version with the Lamya (RIP), from Soul ll Soul.

[@SpaceLime]

Come Undone is definitely one of their best but I would place Ordinary World above it. Only topped / pared by Save A Prayer

[@billw715]

Both songs are great but Ordinary World is overshadowed by Come Undone? Come Undone is unique & unlike other songs released in the era: however, Ordinary World is a stronger song that was a global hit. Hardly overshadowed.

[@celiabonwick6785]

I'm Autistic and can relate it to how I fit in in a neurological world.

[@enta2]

Duran Duran has always been to me what George Michael was to people 😆 I don't understand them, they don't understand me. One even told me I was crazy if I liked it

[@kh2099-z5f]

The lyrics do make sense. Read them

[@Hal-x7l]

Can I request that you wear a tank top once in awhile, please.

[@BlackScorpio-np3yu]

You don't understand this lyrics.. come on.. you didn't,cause you were more focus in the girls hat.. and where is the reaction of the 1984 remaster version The Wild Boys?

[@lobotomy007]

how can you say these lyrics doesn't make much sense?

[@OmarJimenez-hk2gu]

DEPECHE MODE SO CRUEL

[@annick7194]

Seph, these hats were very fashionable in the ‘90 😉😂. I used to be a big fan of DD in the early ‘80s, with at least 20 posters on the walls in my room and everything 😅. Their lyrics never made any sense to me (but English isn’t my first language). This is their best song but for me they sound outdated. And let’s be honest, Simon isn’t the best singer ever. They are still loved in the UK, but only the UK… Today, for me, the ‘80s are DM off course (their lyrics have always made sense to me, though ambiguous at times 😉), but also the Cure, the Joy Division, New Order, Tears for Fears, INXS, Prince, U2 and even the Simple Minds…

[@eveningglow2608]

Definitely not only in the UK

[@aimeebella1]

They are selling out shows in the U.S. so they must be doing something right here too! Simon’s song lyrics are more like images and how the words flow together. It’s like looking at modern art and open to interpretation. The imagery in The Chauffeur comes to mind. As for Simon’s voice, he certainly doesn’t have a typical singing voice but he has a sweet pocket that is uniquely his. When he stays in that pocket, he can do amazing things. This song is one of those examples.

[@annick7194]

@@aimeebella1 not in Europe anymore (the main land). We even never hear them on the radio 🤷‍♀️.

[@aimeebella1]

@@annick7194 Very little airplay here either but they have gained a new generation of fans this time around.