“Election Day” is the debut single by Arcadia, a side project formed by three members of Duran Duran—Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, and Roger Taylor—during the band’s brief hiatus in the mid-1980s. Released in October 1985 with “She’s Moody and Grey, She’s Mean and She’s Restless” on the B-side, the song served as the lead single from Arcadia’s only album, So Red the Rose, and stands as one of the more ambitious and atmospheric pop songs of the era.
Arcadia was created as a vehicle for the more artful and experimental tendencies of its members, in contrast to the more rock-oriented direction taken by The Power Station, the other Duran Duran offshoot formed at the same time. “Election Day” is a perfect representation of Arcadia’s musical vision—moody, sophisticated, and steeped in dense layers of production.
“Election Day” combines synth-driven textures with funk-inflected bass lines, dramatic percussion, and a cinematic sense of arrangement. Simon Le Bon’s distinctive vocals shift between poetic narration and melodic phrases, weaving through a song that is both cryptic and sensual. The track features additional spoken-word vocals by Grace Jones, whose surreal, whispered lines add a mysterious and provocative edge to the song’s already enigmatic tone.
Lyrically, “Election Day” is abstract and symbolic rather than overtly political. The title may suggest political themes, but the lyrics are more focused on personal transformation, desire, and power dynamics. The song plays with ideas of choice and consequence, framed within a dreamlike atmosphere that resists straightforward interpretation.
“Election Day” was a commercial success, particularly in the UK and the U.S. It peaked at number 7 on the UK Singles Chart and number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, making it the most successful release from Arcadia and a significant hit in its own right. The song also topped the singles chart in Italy.
It was accompanied by a lush, highly stylized music video directed by Roger Christian. It was inspired by Jean Cocteau’s 1946 film, La Belle et la Bête—was shot in and around Paris in late September 1985.
Although Arcadia released only one album, “Election Day” remains a standout single from the mid-1980s. It showcased a more experimental and avant-garde side of the Duran Duran universe and has since earned a reputation as one of the most intriguing and enduring tracks from that period. The song continues to be celebrated by fans for its rich atmosphere, compelling visuals, and the way it captures the twilight glamour and introspective tone of a band temporarily stepping outside the spotlight—only to create something truly unforgettable.