“Hungry Like the Wolf” is a song by the British new wave band Duran Duran, released in May 1982 as the lead single from their second studio album, “Rio.”. It is one of the band’s most iconic tracks and was a key part of their commercial breakthrough. The song was written by the members of Duran Duran: Simon Le Bon, John Taylor, Roger Taylor, Andy Taylor, and Nick Rhodes. It was produced by Colin Thurston.
“Hungry Like the Wolf” was recorded during the sessions for Duran Duran’s second album, “Rio,” at AIR Studios in London. The band’s aim was to create a song that combined their distinctive new wave sound with infectious pop hooks. The song was influenced by the burgeoning synthesizer-based music of the time, as well as by the band members’ exposure to various musical styles. The lyrics of “Hungry Like the Wolf” are inspired by the imagery of a predator pursuing its prey, which is used as a metaphor for romantic and sexual pursuit. Lead singer Simon Le Bon’s lyrics are filled with vivid and sensual imagery, conveying a sense of urgency and desire. The song’s chorus, with its repetitive “I’m on the hunt, I’m after you,” reinforces the theme of relentless pursuit.
The music video for “Hungry Like the Wolf,” directed by Russell Mulcahy, is almost as famous as the song itself. Filmed in Sri Lanka, the video features the band members in a series of adventurous and exotic scenarios, with Simon Le Bon portrayed as a hero in a jungle setting. The narrative of the video loosely follows the song’s theme of pursuit, with Le Bon chasing and being chased through lush landscapes. The high-production values and cinematic quality of the video were groundbreaking for the time, and it received heavy rotation on MTV. The video’s success helped propel the song and the band to international fame.
“Hungry Like the Wolf” was a significant commercial success. In the United States, it reached number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming Duran Duran’s breakthrough hit in the US. In Canada, the song reached the top of RPM singles chart. In the UK, it peaked at number 5 on the UK Singles Chart. The song also performed well in other markets, solidifying Duran Duran’s status as one of the leading acts of the new wave era.