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{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2013}}
{{Other uses|Reflex (disambiguation)}}
{{Other uses|Reflex (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox single
{{Infobox single
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| Album = [[Seven and the Ragged Tiger]]
| Album = [[Seven and the Ragged Tiger]]
| B-side = "[[Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)]]" <small>(Live)</small><br>"[[New Religion]]" <small>(Live)</small>
| B-side = "[[Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)]]" <small>(Live)</small><br>"[[New Religion]]" <small>(Live)</small>
| Released = 16 April 1984 <small>(Worldwide)</small><br>21 April 1984 <small>(US)</small>
| Released = April 1984 <small>(Worldwide)</small><br>April 1984 <small>(US)</small>
| Format = [[Gramophone record|7"]], [[12-inch single|12"]], [[Compact Disc single|CD Single]]
| Format = [[Gramophone record|7"]], [[12-inch single|12"]], [[Compact Disc single|CD Single]]
| Recorded = 1983
| Recorded = 1983
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}}}}
}}}}


"'''The Reflex'''" is the eleventh [[Single (music)|single]] by [[Duran Duran]], released worldwide on 16 April 1984.
"'''The Reflex'''" is the eleventh [[Single (music)|single]] by [[Duran Duran]], released worldwide on April 1984.


The song was heavily remixed for single release and was the third and last to be taken from their third album ''[[Seven and the Ragged Tiger]]''.
The song was heavily remixed for single release and was the third and last to be taken from their third album ''[[Seven and the Ragged Tiger]]''.


==Song history==
==Song history==
"The Reflex" became the band's most successful single. It was their second single to top the [[UK singles chart]], after "[[Is There Something I Should Know?]]" in 1983, topping the chart on 5 May, and would prove to be their last UK #1. The single entered the charts in America on 21 April 1984 at #46 and went on to become Duran Duran's first of two singles to hit #1 on the US [[Billboard Hot 100]] (for 2 weeks) on 23 June 1984 (see [[1984 in music]]), and became a huge hit internationally. (Their only other single to hit #1 in the US was the title song to the [[A View to a Kill (film)|James Bond film]] [[A View to a Kill (song)|"A View to a Kill"]].) It was also the first of two songs that kept "[[Dancing in the Dark (Bruce Springsteen song)|Dancing in the Dark]]" by [[Bruce Springsteen]] out of the top spot, (The other one being [[Prince (entertainer)|Prince]]'s smash hit [[When Doves Cry]]). The band wanted it to be the lead single from ''Seven and the Ragged Tiger'', but their label didn't like the warbling singing during the "why don't you use it" segments, thinking this would hinder its success as a stand-alone single track.
"The Reflex" became the band's most successful single. It was their second single to top the [[UK singles chart]], after "[[Is There Something I Should Know?]]" in 1983, topping the chart on May, and would prove to be their last UK #1. The single entered the charts in America on 21 1984 at #46 Duran Duran's first of two singles to hit #1 on the US [[Billboard Hot 100]] (for 2 weeks) on June 1984 (see [[1984 in music]]), and a huge hit internationally. (Their only other single to hit #1 in the US was the title song to the [[A View to a Kill (film)|James Bond film]] [[A View to a Kill (song)|"A View to a Kill"]].) It was also the first of two songs that kept "[[Dancing in the Dark (Bruce Springsteen song)|Dancing in the Dark]]" by [[Bruce Springsteen]] out of the top spot, (The other one being [[Prince (entertainer)|Prince]]'s [[When Doves Cry]]). The band wanted it to be the lead single from ''Seven and the Ragged Tiger'', but their label didn't like the warbling singing during the "why don't you use it" segments, thinking this would hinder its success as a stand-alone single track.


The remixes for both the 7" and 12" singles were done by [[Nile Rodgers]], of [[Chic (band)|Chic]] fame. It was his first work with the band, and he would later go on to produce "[[The Wild Boys (song)|The Wild Boys]]" single as well as the album ''[[Notorious (Duran Duran album)|Notorious]]'' (1986) and several tracks on ''[[Astronaut (Duran Duran album)|Astronaut]]'' (2004).
The remixes for both the 7" and 12" singles were by [[Nile Rodgers]], of [[Chic (band)|Chic]] fame. It was his first work with the band, and he would later go on to produce "[[The Wild Boys (song)|The Wild Boys]]" single as well as the album ''[[Notorious (Duran Duran album)|Notorious]]'' (1986) and several tracks on ''[[Astronaut (Duran Duran album)|Astronaut]]'' (2004).


Producer Ian Little recalls the sound Nick Rhodes came up with on his [[Roland Jupiter-8]] keyboard: "...whenever I hear that [[Steelpan|steel-drum]] part it always brings a smile to my face because it's so out of tune. Steel drums always are, but it was exactly right in terms of rhythm and tone. So a wood-block sound was mixed in to make it even more percussive and, successfully, it did the job."<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jul04/articles/classictracks.htm |title= CLASSIC TRACKS: 'The Reflex' |author= Richard Buskin |work= Soundonsound.com |publisher= SOS Publications Group |date= July 2004 |accessdate= 28 July 2013}}</ref>
Producer Ian Little the sound Nick Rhodes came up with on his [[Roland Jupiter-8]] keyboard: "...whenever I hear that [[Steelpan|steel-drum]] part it always brings a smile to my face because it's so out of tune. Steel drums always are, but it was exactly right in terms of rhythm and tone. So a wood-block sound was mixed in to make it even more percussive and, successfully, it did the job."<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jul04/articles/classictracks.htm |title= CLASSIC TRACKS: 'The Reflex' |author= Richard Buskin |work= Soundonsound.com |publisher= SOS Publications Group |date= July 2004 |accessdate= July 2013}}</ref>


==Music video==
==Music video==
The video for "The Reflex" was shot during the ''Sing Blue Silver'' tour at [[Maple Leaf Gardens]] in [[Toronto]], Ontario on 5 March 1984. Director [[Russell Mulcahy]] filmed some of the closeup footage in the indoor arena that afternoon, and the rest was filmed live during that evening's concert.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.durandurantimeline.com/years/1984.html |title= The Duran Duran Timeline: 1984 |publisher= Durandurantimeline.com |accessdate= 28 July 2013}}</ref>
The video for "The Reflex" was shot during the ''Sing Blue Silver'' tour at [[Maple Leaf Gardens]] in [[Toronto]], Ontario on March 1984. Director [[Russell Mulcahy]] filmed some of the closeup footage in the indoor arena that afternoon, and the rest was filmed live during that evening's concert.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.durandurantimeline.com/years/1984.html |title= The Duran Duran Timeline: 1984 |publisher= Durandurantimeline.com |accessdate= July 2013}}</ref>


"The Reflex" is primarily a concert video, accurately portraying Duran Duran's ''Sing Blue Silver'' tour performance style. However, in keeping with the band's insistence that their videos "never be ordinary", the video screen above the stage displayed bits of naked models wearing collars and chains illuminated with [[black light]], occasionally interrupted by computerized video [[white noise]]. At one point, a waterfall appears to pour out of the video screen above the stage to soak the audience. The [[computer graphics]] used to achieve this were typical at the time, but rapid advancement in the field quickly made the effect look dated.
"The Reflex" is primarily a concert video, accurately portraying Duran Duran's ''Sing Blue Silver'' tour performance style. However, in keeping with the band's insistence that their videos "never be ordinary", the video screen above the stage displayed bits of naked models wearing collars and chains illuminated with [[black light]], occasionally interrupted by computerized video [[white noise]]. At one point, a waterfall appears to pour out of the video screen above the stage to soak the audience. The [[computer graphics]] used to achieve this were typical at the time, but rapid advancement in the field quickly made the effect look dated.
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==B-sides, bonus tracks and remixes==
==B-sides, bonus tracks and remixes==
In addition to the 4:26 single remix, the 12" also included an extended remix of The Reflex. The live [[b-side]] "[[Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)]]" is a cover of a [[Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel]] song, recorded 16 November 1982 at [[Hammersmith Odeon]] in London, with lead Rebel [[Steve Harley]] joining the band onstage.
In addition to the 4:26 single remix, the 12" also included an extended remix of The Reflex. The live [[b-side]] "[[Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)]]" is a cover of a [[Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel]] song, recorded November 1982 at [[Hammersmith Odeon]] in London, with lead Rebel [[Steve Harley]] joining the band onstage.


A second live b-side released on the US single, "New Religion", was recorded 7 February 1984 at [[The Forum (Inglewood, California)|The Forum]] in [[Los Angeles]]. This is not the same live version that appears on the ''[[Arena (Duran Duran album)|Arena]]'' album.
A second live b-side released on the US single, "New Religion", was recorded February 1984 at [[The Forum (Inglewood, California)|The Forum]] in [[Los Angeles]]. This is not the same live version that appears on the ''[[Arena (Duran Duran album)|Arena]]'' album.


==Covers, samples, and media references==
==Covers, samples, and media references==
[[Cover version]]s have been recorded by [[Less than Jake]]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-duran-duran-tribute-album-mw0000028915 |title= The Duran Duran Tribute Album review at Allmusic |work= [[AllMusic|Allmusic]] |publisher= [[Rovi Corporation]]
[[Cover version]]s have been recorded by [[Less than Jake]]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-duran-duran-tribute-album-mw0000028915 |title= The Duran Duran Tribute Album review at Allmusic |work= [[AllMusic|Allmusic]] |publisher= [[Rovi Corporation]]
|accessdate= 28 July 2013}}</ref> and the duo of [[Kylie Minogue]] and [[Ben Lee]].<ref>{{cite web|title= UnDone: The Songs of Duran Duran review at Allmusic |url= http://www.allmusic.com/album/undone-the-songs-of-duran-duran-mw0000709741 |work= [[AllMusic|Allmusic]] |publisher= [[Rovi Corporation]] |accessdate= 28 July 2013}}</ref>
|accessdate= July 2013}}</ref> and the duo of [[Kylie Minogue]] and [[Ben Lee]].<ref>{{cite web|title= UnDone: The Songs of Duran Duran review at Allmusic |url= http://www.allmusic.com/album/undone-the-songs-of-duran-duran-mw0000709741 |work= [[AllMusic|Allmusic]] |publisher= [[Rovi Corporation]] |accessdate= July 2013}}</ref>


The song is part of the "[[List of "Weird Al" Yankovic polka medleys#"Hooked on Polkas"|Hooked on Polkas]]" medley on the ''[[Dare To Be Stupid]]'' album, by [["Weird Al" Yankovic]].
The song is part of the "[[List of "Weird Al" Yankovic polka medleys#"Hooked on Polkas"|Hooked on Polkas]]" medley on the ''[[Dare To Be Stupid]]'' album by [["Weird Al" Yankovic]].


The song has also been featured in the soundtracks for the movies ''[[American Wedding]]'' (2003) and ''[[Corky Romano]]'' (2001), as well as an episode of the short-lived 2002 television series ''[[That '80s Show]]'' in which bassist [[Nigel John Taylor|John Taylor]] made a guest appearance.
The song has also been featured in the soundtracks for the movies ''[[American Wedding]]'' (2003) and ''[[Corky Romano]]'' (2001), as well as an episode of the short-lived 2002 television series ''[[That '80s Show]]'' in which bassist [[Nigel John Taylor|John Taylor]] made a guest appearance.
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The song is also featured in the video game ''[[Saints Row 2]]'' as part of its 1980s radio station.
The song is also featured in the video game ''[[Saints Row 2]]'' as part of its 1980s radio station.


A chain of 1980s-themed nightclubs in the UK is named after the song.<ref>{{cite web|title= Reflex, the 80s Bar for Uptown Girls... and Boys |url= http://www.reflexbars.co.uk/ |publisher= Reflexbars.co.uk |archivedate= 23 November 2011 |accessdate= 12 October 2013 |archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20111123072358/http://www.reflexbars.co.uk/}}</ref> The Birmingham branch is located directly opposite the former site of the [[Rum Runner (nightclub)|Rum Runner]], Duran Duran's early home base.<ref>{{cite web|title= Reflex, the 80s Bar |url= http://www.reflexbars.co.uk/reflexbroadstreet/ |publisher= Reflexbars.co.uk |archivedate= 11 November 2011 |accessdate= 12 October 2013 |archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20111111224101/http://www.reflexbars.co.uk/reflexbroadstreet/}}</ref>
A chain of 1980s-themed nightclubs in the UK is named after the song.<ref>{{cite web|title= Reflex, the 80s Bar for Uptown Girls... and Boys |url= http://www.reflexbars.co.uk/ |publisher= Reflexbars.co.uk |archivedate= November 2011 |accessdate= October 2013 |archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20111123072358/http://www.reflexbars.co.uk/}}</ref> The Birmingham branch is located directly opposite the former site of the [[Rum Runner (nightclub)|Rum Runner]], Duran Duran's early home base.<ref>{{cite web|title= Reflex, the 80s Bar |url= http://www.reflexbars.co.uk/reflexbroadstreet/ |publisher= Reflexbars.co.uk |archivedate= November 2011 |accessdate= October 2013 |archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20111111224101/http://www.reflexbars.co.uk/reflexbroadstreet/}}</ref>


==Chart positions==
==Chart positions==

[[File:Duranduran reflex picturedisc.jpg|thumb|right|alt=caption|"The Reflex" 12" picture disc, featuring similar tiger iconography to the ''Seven'' album cover]]
{|class="wikitable sortable"
{|class="wikitable sortable"
!Chart (1984)
!Chart (1984)
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|align="center"|4
|align="center"|4
|-
|-
{{singlechart|Austria|11|artist=Duran Duran|song=The Reflex|accessdate=28 July 2013}}
{{singlechart|Austria|11|artist=Duran Duran|song=The Reflex|accessdate=July 2013}}
|-
|-
{{singlechart|Flanders|1|artist=Duran Duran|song=The Reflex|accessdate=28 July 2013}}
{{singlechart|Flanders|1|artist=Duran Duran|song=The Reflex|accessdate=July 2013}}
|-
|-
|Belgium ([[VRT Top 30]] Flanders)<ref>{{cite web|url= http://top30-2.radio2.be/#/song-info/2433 |title= The Reflex - DURAN DURAN |work= VRT |publisher= Top30-2.radio2.be |language= Dutch |accessdate= 28 July 2013}} Hoogste notering in de top 30 : 1</ref>
|Belgium ([[VRT Top 30]] Flanders)<ref>{{cite web|url= http://top30-2.radio2.be/#/song-info/2433 |title= The Reflex - DURAN DURAN |work= VRT |publisher= Top30-2.radio2.be |language= Dutch |accessdate= July 2013}} Hoogste notering in de top 30 : 1</ref>
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|1
|-
|-
|Canada ([[RPM (magazine)|''RPM'' 50 Singles]])<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.6755&type=1&interval=20&PHPSESSID=u9874ano8k0c5b6bkp4r8qrbp3 |title= Top Singles - Volume 40, No. 15, June 16 1984 |publisher= Library and Archives Canada |accessdate= 4 June 2013}}</ref>
|Canada ([[RPM (magazine)|''RPM'' 50 Singles]])<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.6755&type=1&interval=20&PHPSESSID=u9874ano8k0c5b6bkp4r8qrbp3 |title= Top Singles - Volume 40, No. 15, June 16 1984 |publisher= Library and Archives Canada |accessdate= June 2013}}</ref>
|align="center"|3
|align="center"|3
|-
|-
|Europe ([[European Hot 100 Singles|Eurochart Hot 100]])<ref name="tsort">{{cite web|url= http://tsort.info/music/kjgxc2.htm |title= Song artist 102 - Duran Duran |author= Steve Hawtin et al. |publisher= Tsort.info |accessdate= 26 June 2013}}</ref>
|Europe ([[European Hot 100 Singles|Eurochart Hot 100]])<ref name="tsort">{{cite web|url= http://tsort.info/music/kjgxc2.htm |title= Song artist 102 - Duran Duran |author= Steve Hawtin et al. |publisher= Tsort.info |accessdate= June 2013}}</ref>
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|1
|-
|-
{{singlechart|France|15|artist=Duran Duran|song=The Reflex|accessdate=28 July 2013}}
{{singlechart|France|15|artist=Duran Duran|song=The Reflex|accessdate=July 2013}}
|-
|-
{{singlechart|Germany2|8|artist=Duran Duran|song=The Reflex|accessdate=28 July 2013}}
{{singlechart|Germany2|8|artist=Duran Duran|song=The Reflex|accessdate=July 2013}}
|-
|-
|Ireland ([[Irish Recorded Music Association|IRMA]])<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.irishcharts.ie/search/placement |title= The Irish Charts - All there is to know |publisher= [[Irish Recorded Music Association|IRMA]] |accessdate= 28 July 2013}} Only one result when searching "The Reflex"</ref>
|Ireland ([[Irish Recorded Music Association|IRMA]])<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.irishcharts.ie/search/placement |title= The Irish Charts - All there is to know |publisher= [[Irish Recorded Music Association|IRMA]] |accessdate= July 2013}} Only one result when searching "The Reflex"</ref>
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|1
|-
|-
|Italy ([[Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana|FIMI]])<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.hitparadeitalia.it/hp_yends/hpe1984.htm |title= I singoli più venduti del 1984 |work= HitParadeItalia |publisher= Creative Commons |language= Italian |accessdate= 28 July 2013}}<br>60. The Reflex - Duran Duran [#11]</ref>
|Italy ([[Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana|FIMI]])<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.hitparadeitalia.it/hp_yends/hpe1984.htm |title= I singoli più venduti del 1984 |work= HitParadeItalia |publisher= Creative Commons |language= Italian |accessdate= July 2013}}<br>60. The Reflex - Duran Duran [#11]</ref>
|align="center"|11
|align="center"|11
|-
|-
{{singlechart|Dutch40|1|artist=Duran Duran - The Reflex|accessdate=28 July 2013}}
{{singlechart|Dutch40|1|artist=Duran Duran - The Reflex|accessdate=July 2013}}
|-
|-
{{singlechart|Dutch100|1|artist=Duran Duran|song=The Reflex|accessdate=28 July 2013}}
{{singlechart|Dutch100|1|artist=Duran Duran|song=The Reflex|accessdate=July 2013}}
|-
|-
{{singlechart|New Zealand|6|artist=Duran Duran|song=The Reflex|accessdate=28 July 2013}}
{{singlechart|New Zealand|6|artist=Duran Duran|song=The Reflex|accessdate=July 2013}}
|-
|-
|Poland ([[Polish Music Charts|Polish Singles Chart]])<ref>{{cite web|url= http://lp3.polskieradio.pl/utwor/artykul621,394_refleks.aspx |title= REFLEKS - Duran Duran |work= Nowe Media, Polskie Radio S.A. |publisher= LP3.polskieradio.pl |accessdate= 28 July 2013}}</ref>
|Poland ([[Polish Music Charts|Polish Singles Chart]])<ref>{{cite web|url= http://lp3.polskieradio.pl/utwor/artykul621,394_refleks.aspx |title= REFLEKS - Duran Duran |work= Nowe Media, Polskie Radio S.A. |publisher= LP3.polskieradio.pl |accessdate= July 2013}}</ref>
|align="center"|7
|align="center"|7
|-
|-
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{{singlechart|Switzerland|10|artist=Duran Duran|song=The Reflex}}
{{singlechart|Switzerland|10|artist=Duran Duran|song=The Reflex}}
|-
|-
{{singlechart|UK|1|date=1984-05-05|accessdate=28 July 2013}}
{{singlechart|UK|1|date=1984-05-05|accessdate=July 2013}}
|-
|-
|US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.allmusic.com/album/seven-and-the-ragged-tiger-mw0000189726/awards |title= Seven and the Ragged Tiger awards at Allmusic |work= [[AllMusic|Allmusic]] |publisher= [[Rovi Corporation]] |accessdate= 31 May 2013}}</ref>
|US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.allmusic.com/album/seven-and-the-ragged-tiger-mw0000189726/awards |title= Seven and the Ragged Tiger awards at Allmusic |work= [[AllMusic|Allmusic]] |publisher= [[Rovi Corporation]] |accessdate= 31 2013}}</ref>
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|1
|}
|}
Line 192: Line 193:
| before = "[[Hello (Lionel Richie song)|Hello]]" by [[Lionel Richie]]
| before = "[[Hello (Lionel Richie song)|Hello]]" by [[Lionel Richie]]
| title = [[List of number-one singles from the 1980s (UK)|UK number-one single]]
| title = [[List of number-one singles from the 1980s (UK)|UK number-one single]]
| years = 5 May 1984 – 26 May 1984
| years = May 1984 – May 1984
| after = "[[Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go]]" by [[Wham!]]
| after = "[[Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go]]" by [[Wham!]]
}}
}}
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| before = "[[Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)]]" by [[Phil Collins]]<br>"Automatic" by The Pointer Sisters
| before = "[[Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)]]" by [[Phil Collins]]<br>"Automatic" by The Pointer Sisters
| title = [[Irish Singles Chart]] [[Number-one singles in 1984 (Ireland)|number-one single]]
| title = [[Irish Singles Chart]] [[Number-one singles in 1984 (Ireland)|number-one single]]
| years = 12 May 1984 – 19 May 1984<br>2 June 1984
| years = May 1984 – May 1984<br>June 1984
| after = "[[Automatic (Pointer Sisters song)|Automatic]]" by [[The Pointer Sisters]]<br>"[[Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go]]" by [[Wham!]]
| after = "[[Automatic (Pointer Sisters song)|Automatic]]" by [[The Pointer Sisters]]<br>"[[Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go]]" by [[Wham!]]
}}
}}
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| before = "[[I Want to Break Free]]" by [[Queen (band)|Queen]]
| before = "[[I Want to Break Free]]" by [[Queen (band)|Queen]]
| title = [[List of Dutch Top 40 number-one singles of 1984|Dutch number-one sngle]]
| title = [[List of Dutch Top 40 number-one singles of 1984|Dutch number-one sngle]]
| years = 9 June – 14 July 1984
| years = June – July 1984
| after = "[[Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go]]" by [[Wham!]]
| after = "[[Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go]]" by [[Wham!]]
}}
}}
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| before = "[[Time After Time (Cyndi Lauper song)|Time After Time]]" by [[Cyndi Lauper]]
| before = "[[Time After Time (Cyndi Lauper song)|Time After Time]]" by [[Cyndi Lauper]]
| title = [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] [[List of Hot 100 number-one singles of 1984 (U.S.)|number-one single]]
| title = [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] [[List of Hot 100 number-one singles of 1984 (U.S.)|number-one single]]
| years = 23 June 1984 – 6 July 1984
| years = June 1984 – July 1984
| after = "[[When Doves Cry]]" by [[Prince (artist)|Prince]]
| after = "[[When Doves Cry]]" by [[Prince (artist)|Prince]]
}}
}}

Revision as of 20:48, 22 November 2013

For other uses, see Reflex (disambiguation).
"The Reflex"
Song
B-side"Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)" (Live)
"New Religion" (Live)

"The Reflex" is the eleventh single by Duran Duran, released worldwide on April 16, 1984.

The song was heavily remixed for single release and was the third and last to be taken from their third album Seven and the Ragged Tiger.

Song history

"The Reflex" became the band's most successful single. It was their second single to top the UK singles chart, after "Is There Something I Should Know?" in 1983, topping the chart on May 5, and would prove to be their last UK #1. The single entered the charts in America on April 21, 1984 at #46, became Duran Duran's first of two singles to hit #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 (for 2 weeks) on June 23, 1984 (see 1984 in music), and was a huge hit internationally. (Their only other single to hit #1 in the US was the title song to the James Bond film "A View to a Kill".) It was also the first of two songs that kept "Dancing in the Dark" by Bruce Springsteen out of the top spot, (The other one being Prince's "When Doves Cry"). The band wanted it to be the lead single from Seven and the Ragged Tiger, but their label didn't like the warbling singing during the "why don't you use it" segments, thinking this would hinder its success as a stand-alone single track.

The remixes for both the 7" and 12" singles were created by Nile Rodgers, of Chic fame. It was his first work with the band, and he would later go on to produce "The Wild Boys" single as well as the album Notorious (1986) and several tracks on Astronaut (2004).

Producer Ian Little recalled the sound Nick Rhodes came up with on his Roland Jupiter-8 keyboard: "...whenever I hear that steel-drum part it always brings a smile to my face because it's so out of tune. Steel drums always are, but it was exactly right in terms of rhythm and tone. So a wood-block sound was mixed in to make it even more percussive and, successfully, it did the job."[1]

Music video

The video for "The Reflex" was shot during the Sing Blue Silver tour at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Ontario on March 5, 1984. Director Russell Mulcahy filmed some of the closeup footage in the indoor arena that afternoon, and the rest was filmed live during that evening's concert.[2]

"The Reflex" is primarily a concert video, accurately portraying Duran Duran's Sing Blue Silver tour performance style. However, in keeping with the band's insistence that their videos "never be ordinary", the video screen above the stage displayed bits of naked models wearing collars and chains illuminated with black light, occasionally interrupted by computerized video white noise. At one point, a waterfall appears to pour out of the video screen above the stage to soak the audience. The computer graphics used to achieve this were typical at the time, but rapid advancement in the field quickly made the effect look dated.

Keyboard enthusiasts have taken special note of the Fairlight CMI (the first digital sampling synthesiser) that Nick Rhodes operated with a light pen in this video, and throughout the tour.

Some symbolic scenes from the official video were taken and later mixed with the alternate version shown in the band's concert film Arena (An Absurd Notion); in the final segment when the band, the crowd and even the fans undertake the final and crucial battle against the evil Dr. Durand Durand.

B-sides, bonus tracks and remixes

In addition to the 4:26 single remix, the 12" also included an extended remix of "The Reflex". The live b-side "Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)" is a cover of a Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel song, recorded November 16, 1982 at Hammersmith Odeon in London, with lead Rebel Steve Harley joining the band onstage.

A second live b-side released on the US single, "New Religion", was recorded February 7, 1984 at The Forum in Los Angeles. This is not the same live version that appears on the Arena album.

Covers, samples, and media references

Cover versions have been recorded by Less than Jake[3] and the duo of Kylie Minogue and Ben Lee.[4]

The song is part of the "Hooked on Polkas" medley on the 1985 Dare To Be Stupid album by "Weird Al" Yankovic.

The song has also been featured in the soundtracks for the movies American Wedding (2003) and Corky Romano (2001), as well as an episode of the short-lived 2002 television series That '80s Show in which bassist John Taylor made a guest appearance.

The song is also featured in the video game Saints Row 2 as part of its 1980s radio station.

A chain of 1980s-themed nightclubs in the UK is named after the song.[5] The Birmingham branch is located directly opposite the former site of the Rum Runner, Duran Duran's early home base.[6]

Chart positions

caption
"The Reflex" 12" picture disc, featuring similar tiger iconography to the Seven album cover
Chart (1984) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[7] 4
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[8] 11
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[9] 1
Belgium (VRT Top 30 Flanders)[10] 1
Canada (RPM 50 Singles)[11] 3
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[12] 1
France (SNEP)[13] 15
Invalid chart entered Germany2 8
Ireland (IRMA)[14] 1
Italy (FIMI)[15] 11
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[16] 1
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[17] 1
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[18] 6
Poland (Polish Singles Chart)[19] 7
Spain (AFYVE)[20] 14
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[21] 10
UK Singles (OCC)[22] 1
US Billboard Hot 100[23] 1

Track listing

"The Reflex" was the second Duran Duran single to feature a personalised group catalogue number in the UK, DURAN 2.

  • 7" Single (UK)
  1. "The Reflex" — 4:20
  2. "Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)" [live] — 4:54
  • 12" Single (UK)
  1. "The Reflex (Dance Mix)" — 6:35
  2. "The Reflex" [7" version] — 4:20
  3. "Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)" [live] — 4:54
  • 7" Single (U.S.)
  1. "The Reflex (Dance Mix)" [edit] — 4:25
  2. "New Religion (Live in L.A.)" — 4:52
  1. "The Reflex" — 4:20
  2. "Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)" [live] — 4:54
  3. "The Reflex (Dance Mix)" — 6:35

Notes

  • The edited Dance Mix is the same as the regular 7" version.

Other appearances

Apart from the single, "The Reflex" has also appeared on:

Albums:

Singles:

  • Capitol Gold Cuts (1990)

Videos:

Video games:

Personnel

Duran Duran are:

Also credited:

  • Michelle Cobbs — backing vocals
  • B J Nelson — backing vocals
  • Raphael Dejesus — percussion
  • Mark Kennedy — percussion
  • Andy Hamilton — Sax solo (album version)
  • Alex Sadkin — producer
  • Ian Little — producer
  • Nile Rodgers — remixer
  • Jason Corsaro — remix engineer

References

  1. ^ Richard Buskin (July 2004). "CLASSIC TRACKS: 'The Reflex'". Soundonsound.com. SOS Publications Group. Retrieved July 28 2013. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  2. ^ "The Duran Duran Timeline: 1984". Durandurantimeline.com. Retrieved July 28 2013. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  3. ^ "The Duran Duran Tribute Album review at Allmusic". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved July 28 2013. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  4. ^ "UnDone: The Songs of Duran Duran review at Allmusic". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved July 28 2013. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  5. ^ "Reflex, the 80s Bar for Uptown Girls... and Boys". Reflexbars.co.uk. Archived from the original on November 23 2011. Retrieved October 12 2013. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |archivedate= (help)
  6. ^ "Reflex, the 80s Bar". Reflexbars.co.uk. Archived from the original on November 11 2011. Retrieved October 12 2013. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |archivedate= (help)
  7. ^ David Kent (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970-1992. Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  8. ^ "Duran Duran – The Reflex" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved July 28 2013.
  9. ^ "Duran Duran – The Reflex" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved July 28 2013.
  10. ^ "The Reflex - DURAN DURAN". VRT (in Dutch). Top30-2.radio2.be. Retrieved July 28 2013. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help) Hoogste notering in de top 30 : 1
  11. ^ "Top Singles - Volume 40, No. 15, June 16 1984". Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 4 2013. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  12. ^ Steve Hawtin; et al. "Song artist 102 - Duran Duran". Tsort.info. Retrieved June 26 2013. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Explicit use of et al. in: |author= (help)
  13. ^ "Duran Duran – The Reflex" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved July 28 2013.
  14. ^ "The Irish Charts - All there is to know". IRMA. Retrieved July 28 2013. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help) Only one result when searching "The Reflex"
  15. ^ "I singoli più venduti del 1984". HitParadeItalia (in Italian). Creative Commons. Retrieved July 28 2013. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
    60. The Reflex - Duran Duran [#11]
  16. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Duran Duran - The Reflex" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved July 28 2013.
  17. ^ "Duran Duran – The Reflex" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved July 28 2013.
  18. ^ "Duran Duran – The Reflex". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved July 28 2013.
  19. ^ "REFLEKS - Duran Duran". Nowe Media, Polskie Radio S.A. LP3.polskieradio.pl. Retrieved July 28 2013. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  20. ^ Fernando Salaverri (2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  21. ^ "Duran Duran – The Reflex". Swiss Singles Chart.
  22. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 28 2013.
  23. ^ "Seven and the Ragged Tiger awards at Allmusic". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved May 31 2013. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
Preceded by UK number-one single
May 5 1984 – May 26 1984 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
"Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)" by Phil Collins
"Automatic" by The Pointer Sisters
 Irish Singles Chart number-one single
May 12 1984 – May 19 1984
June 2 1984 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Dutch number-one sngle
June 9 – July 14 1984 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Billboard Hot 100 number-one single
June 23 1984 – July 6 1984 		Succeeded by
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