Duran Duran – “Meet El Presidente”:
Funk, Fashion, and a Flash of Politics
By 1987, Duran Duran was already a household name, thanks to their iconic music videos and catchy synth-pop. But with their fourth studio album, Notorious, the band was clearly shaking things up. “Meet El Presidente” is a perfect example of that evolution. This track, released as the third and final single from the album, really brought the funk, some subtle political vibes, and a killer horn section to the forefront.
A Fresh Sound for a New Era
Co-written by Simon Le Bon, John Taylor, and Nick Rhodes, and produced by the legendary Nile Rodgers (yes, that Nile Rodgers!), “Meet El Presidente” definitely marked a departure from their earlier, glammier pop sound. The song leaned heavily into funk rock and dance, featuring punchy brass from The Borneo Horns, layered percussion, and a super slick rhythm section. Fun fact: it was also Duran Duran’s first-ever CD single release, showing they were ready to embrace new tech!
The lyrics are pretty cryptic and satirical, with lines like “Hell has no fury like a young girl’s ego” and “She blew your money on taking that cruise.” It’s almost certainly a commentary on power, image, and how media can twist things. Simon Le Bon himself even called it the album’s “political flagship” during a 1987 appearance on Soul Train.
The Video & How it Landed
The music video, directed by Peter Kagan and Paula Greif, was a more stripped-down, black-and-white concert-style shoot. It was filmed in Super 8 during rehearsals for the Strange Behaviour tour, ditching the exotic flair of their past videos for a rawer, funkier feel that matched the song.
As for the charts, “Meet El Presidente” didn’t quite hit the heights of some of their earlier mega-hits. It topped out at No. 24 in the UK and No. 70 in the US. It did a bit better in parts of Europe, hitting No. 13 in Belgium and No. 10 in Italy. Still, it totally showed off the band’s willingness to experiment and grow beyond their established sound.
Lasting Impact & Different Mixes
The single came with a bunch of cool remixes, including the “Presidential Suite” and “Meet El Beat” versions. These really highlighted different elements like the percussion and backing vocals, giving the track a more club-friendly vibe and hinting at the direction Duran Duran would explore on their very next album, Big Thing.
Even if it wasn’t their biggest chart-topper, “Meet El Presidente” remains a super interesting piece of the Duran Duran story – a bold blend of funk, fashion, and a dash of political commentary, all wrapped up in a brassy package.