Duran Duran – “My Own Way”:
A Hit They’d Rather Forget?
Released on November 16, 1981, it was their fourth single and a commercial success, reaching No. 14 in the UK and even No. 10 in Australia. But despite that, it’s almost like the band would rather forget it ever happened.
A Disco Detour
This single version of “My Own Way” was recorded pretty quickly after their first trip to the U.S. It was produced by Colin Thurston and featured these really fast, disco-infused strings, arranged with Richard Myhill. The band later admitted they were aiming for a Donna Summer kind of vibe but felt they totally missed the mark. John Taylor, the bassist, straight up called it their “most blatant disco song,” while drummer Roger Taylor even labeled it a “problem child.” Ouch!
The Rio Version: A Second Chance
When it came time to record the iconic Rio album in early 1982, the band gave “My Own Way” a complete overhaul. They slowed it down, ditched those disco strings, and added a much funkier, more atmospheric groove. This reworked version, with some slightly changed lyrics and a shout-out to NYC’s famous Peppermint Lounge, is widely considered the superior one. It even got remixed later by David Kershenbaum for the Carnival EP and the U.S. release of Rio.
Video, B-Sides, and Legacy
The music video, directed by Russell Mulcahy, featured flamenco dancers and even a parrot. However, it definitely didn’t have the cinematic grandeur that would become a hallmark of later Duran Duran videos. The B-side, “Like an Angel,” on the other hand, became a real fan favorite. Despite its early chart success, “My Own Way” was conspicuously absent from the band’s Decade and Greatest compilations, and they rarely play it live.
Still, it’s a fascinating piece of their history—a perfect snapshot of a band right in the middle of a major transition, caught between their New Romantic beginnings and the global superstardom that Rio was about to unleash.