1981 single by Duran Duran
"My Own Way" is the fourth single by English new wave band Duran Duran, originally released on 16 November 1981.
The single was a follow up to the UK top 5 hit "Girls on Film", and was another hit, peaking at #14 on the UK Singles Chart and at #10 in Australia.
Despite its success, the single has often been cited by the band as one of their least favourite and is rarely played live.[1]
The band subsequently re-recorded "My Own Way" for inclusion on their second album, Rio. The newer album version dispenses with the "disco" feel of the single version in favour of a more electronic style.[citation needed]
Background
The single release of "My Own Way" has a fast tempo and "disco strings" arranged by Richard Myhill and Duran Duran.[citation needed]
A slower version was later recorded for the Rio album, with slightly different lyrics. This version dispensed with the disco strings in favour of a new wave style with echoing synths and was later remixed by David Kershenbaum for the Carnival EP, and this altered track appeared on the American re-issue of the Rio album on vinyl and cassette late in 1982. All CD pressings of Rio have used the original UK album mix.[citation needed]
Music video
The video for "My Own Way" was directed by Russell Mulcahy,[citation needed] who also directed several other videos for Duran Duran.
B-sides
The B-side of the UK 7-inch was "Like an Angel". The B-side of the UK 12-inch was "Like an Angel" and the "night" version of "My Own Way".
Versions and remixes
- Manchester Square demo (4:38) – recorded on 12 December 1980, this version saw official release on the expanded 2009 rerelease of the Rio album.
- Single version (3:40) – the original commercially released recording, from October 1981
- Night version (6:32) – the UK 12-inch version. Owing to the lack of sampling technology at the time, the 7-inch backing track was copied and the tape physically spliced to extend it, then fresh overdubs were added.
- Instrumental version (6:32) – the night version, minus the vocals. Initially appearing on a UK promo 12-inch, it was made available as a download-only supplement to the 2009 Rio re-release.
- UK album version (4:49) – completely rerecorded during the Rio album sessions, in early 1982
- Brazilian edit (3:42) – the UK album version, faded just over a minute early. It appeared on the Brazil-only Rio 7-inch EP.
- Carnival EP/US album remix 4:31 – the UK album version, remixed by David Kershenbaum for the US market. This version also appeared on the B-side of the UK Rio 12-inch, labelled simply "remix" and with a 5-second longer fade.
Covers and samples
In 2002, "My Own Way" was sampled by José Nunez, American music remixer and producer, for the dance song "Air Race", which became a sizeable club and airplay hit.
