Duran Duran – “Burning the Ground”:
A Decade in Four Minutes
Let’s talk about Duran Duran’s “Burning the Ground,” a pretty cool way they marked the end of the 1980s. Released on December 4, 1989, this wasn’t just a new single; it was a sonic time capsule, a huge mash-up of their greatest hits, all stitched together into one seamless, celebratory retrospective.
A Decade in a Dash
“Burning the Ground” was cooked up by John Jones with help from Dee Long and Chris Potter. They were actually recording their next studio album, Liberty, downstairs at Olympic Studios when they put this together. The track is a whirlwind of samples and blended elements from a whole decade of Duran Duran classics, including “The Reflex,” “Notorious,” “Wild Boys,” “Save a Prayer,” “Rio,” “Skin Trade,” and “Hungry Like the Wolf.” It’s a non-stop ride of hooks, chants, and all those signature sounds that defined the band’s rise to superstardom.
Even though it was made to promote the Decade compilation album, “Burning the Ground” wasn’t actually included on it. That makes it a really unique, standalone release.
Chart Performance and Reception
On the charts, “Burning the Ground” reached No. 31 in the UK and a strong No. 2 in Italy, but it didn’t chart in the US. While it wasn’t a massive commercial hit, it definitely gained a cult following and is now recognized as a clever and nostalgic tribute to the band’s incredible journey.
The B-side, “Decadance,” was another cool megamix. This one was more instrumental and club-oriented, featuring extended samples and grooves from the same era.
Visuals and Legacy
The music video, directed by Adrian Martin, perfectly mirrored the song’s collage style. It featured a mix of clips from Duran Duran’s past videos, concert footage, and even striking imagery of burning rainforests and space shuttles. It was a visual metaphor for both looking back and moving forward, a reflection of where they’d been and where they were headed.
Though it’s rarely been performed live and was never re-released, “Burning the Ground” remains a favorite among fans and a fascinating piece of late-’80s remix culture. It’s a cool reminder that even as Duran Duran looked to the future, they knew how to honor their past—with plenty of style, swagger, and a killer beat.