Duran Duran’s “Notorious”: Funk, Fire, and a Fresh Start
When Duran Duran dropped “Notorious” on 20 October 1986, it wasn’t just a new single—it was a statement. The band had slimmed down to a trio—Simon Le Bon, John Taylor, and Nick Rhodes—after Roger and Andy Taylor exited. That shake-up could’ve spelled trouble, but instead, it sparked reinvention. With Nile Rodgers (of Chic fame) producing and playing guitar, the band leaned into funk and dance-rock, ditching the synth-heavy shimmer of their earlier new wave sound.
The track was recorded between June and September 1986, mostly at Abbey Road Studios. Rodgers brought in drummer Steve Ferrone and the Borneo Horns to round out the groove. The result? A slick, confident jam that still slaps.
“No-no-notorious!” and the Bite Behind the Beat
The song kicks off with that unforgettable chant—“No-no-notorious!”—and never lets up. Lyrically, it’s cryptic but loaded. Lines like “Spare your seedy judgments / Who says they’re part of our lives?” and “Fools run rings to break up something they’ll never destroy” hint at defiance and frustration. Simon Le Bon later admitted that the lyric “Who really gives a damn for a flaky bandit?” was aimed at Andy Taylor, whose departure had been messy. But the track doesn’t wallow—it struts.
Lights, Camera, Attitude
The music video, shot in a Manhattan warehouse by Peter Kagan and Paula Greif, is a grainy black-and-white Super-8 fever dream. It’s fast-cut, handheld, and stylish, with the trio performing alongside Nile Rodgers and dancers choreographed by Paula Abdul. Christy Turlington makes an early appearance in outdoor scenes, and a still from the shoot became the album’s cover. It’s part fashion shoot, part jam session, and all swagger.
Chart Heat and Remix Culture
“Notorious” hit No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, held off the top spot only by The Bangles’ “Walk Like an Egyptian.” It reached No. 7 in the UK and topped charts in Italy, Greece, and Canada. The single came in multiple formats, including two separate 12″ versions—one with a Nile Rodgers extended mix, the other remixed by The Latin Rascals. It also popped up in megamixes like “Notoriousaurus Rex” and “Burning the Ground.”
In 2000, Puff Daddy sampled the track for “Notorious B.I.G.”—a posthumous tribute to Biggie Smalls—proving the song’s influence stretched far beyond the ’80s.
Why It Still Works
“Notorious” was Duran Duran’s pivot point. It proved they could evolve, adapt, and still deliver a hit. The funk groove is tight, the brass is bold, and the attitude is unmistakable. It’s not just a song—it’s a flex. Decades later, it still sounds fresh. And that “no-no-notorious” hook? Still impossible to ignore.
