Duran Duran – “Lonely in Your Nightmare”:
A Dreamlike Plea Wrapped in Shadows and Style
This song isn’t one of the big, flashy hits, but it’s one of their most atmospheric and emotionally powerful. Released in 1982, its haunting vibe, poetic lyrics, and unforgettable visuals have given it a lasting place in the hearts of fans.
A Plea from the Shadows
Written by the entire original lineup—that’s Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, John Taylor, Andy Taylor, and Roger Taylor—and produced by Colin Thurston, “Lonely in Your Nightmare” is a slow-burn ballad. It trades the band’s usual high-energy glam for a more intimate, introspective feel. Le Bon’s lyrics are a raw plea to someone feeling isolated: “Because you’re lonely in your nightmare, let me in.”
The track is instantly recognizable by John Taylor’s beautiful fretless bass, which gives it a moody, almost minimalist feel. The U.S. album version, which was remixed by David Kershenbaum, even adds some extended instrumental sections and a few extra lyrics that aren’t on the original UK album.
Two Videos for One Song
In classic Duran Duran style, they gave this track not one, but two music videos, both directed by the legendary Russell Mulcahy.
Original Sri Lanka Version (1982): This one was filmed during that same epic trip to Sri Lanka that gave us the videos for “Hungry Like the Wolf” and “Save a Prayer.” It features model Vanya Seager in gauzy, dreamlike scenes with Simon Le Bon, frolicking on beaches and lounging in a bed. It’s visually stunning but a bit thin on plot.
Revised London/Sri Lanka Hybrid (1983): The band later re-edited the video for their video album, adding a new black-and-white framing story set in a dusty London apartment. Here, Simon looks through old Polaroids, treating the Sri Lanka footage as a series of bittersweet memories or dreams of a lost love. This version gives the video a much stronger emotional story. Other band members make brief, moody cameos, including a blink-and-you-miss-it shot of Nick Rhodes looking famously annoyed, a nod to his well-documented discomfort with the whole jungle filming experience.
A Quiet Classic
Though it wasn’t a major single, “Lonely in Your Nightmare” grew into a fan-favorite. Its noir romance, introspective lyrics, and lush visual palette made it an early sign of Duran Duran’s depth beneath the pop surface. Unlike many hits of the era, it chooses intimacy over urgency — and that’s part of why it endures.
Duran Duran – Lonely In Your Nightmare – Lyrics