"Ordinary World" is a song by the English pop rock band Duran Duran, released on 19 December 1992 by Capitol as the first single from their second self-titled album (1993), commonly known as the Wedding Album. It was later released in the UK by EMI and Parlophone on 18 January 1993.[4] The ballad, both written by the band and co-produced with John Jones, topped the US BillboardTop 40/Mainstream chart, the Canadian RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart, and the Italian Singles Chart. It also peaked at number three on the BillboardHot 100, number two in Iceland and Sweden, and number six on the UK Singles Chart. The song's music video was directed by Nick Egan and filmed in California.
The group wanted to have the time to be creative without spending hundreds of thousands of pounds in a studio. They asked me if I thought we could make a record in a living room. My response was that we certainly could.[6]
– John Jones, April 1993
Pre-production and writing process
In early 1991, Duran Duran began working on "Ordinary World" in guitarist Warren Cuccurullo's home studio "Privacy", a departure from their usual practice of recording in expensive commercial studios.[6] According to bassist John Taylor, this marked the first time the band entered the studio with most of the material already written and arranged, rather than composing during the recording process.[6] This shift allowed them to work without the pressure of studio time constraints.[6]
The writing process began with a simple acoustic guitar demo.[6] As Simon Le Bon recalls, the band quickly developed the song's chorus, and the rest of the composition came together within days.[6] The song's theme, inspired by the phrase "ordinary world," reflects the band's search for normalcy in a chaotic world.[6] The demo, featuring basic instruments like a drum machine, bass, keyboard pads, and vocals, was recorded in a couple of passes.[6] The band then began refining the demo, intentionally keeping some rough edges to shape the final version.[6]
Recording process
Once the basic structure was established, the band entered the recording phase.[6] The process was highly collaborative, with all members contributing ideas and sounds in real time.[6] Cuccurullo added a prominent guitar part on his Steinberger guitar, while keyboardist Nick Rhodes contributed textures with synthesisers, including the Roland D50.[6]
The production team, led by engineer and producer John Jones, worked primarily in digital formats, using an AkaiMG1214 console, along with the Atari ST and Notator sequencing software.[6] This setup allowed for efficient synchronisation of their ideas and helped the band experiment with different textures and arrangements.[6] The recording environment was fluid, with the band revisiting earlier ideas and adjusting the track as it evolved.[6]
Overdubs and vocal recording
As the song began to take shape, the band moved on to overdubbing.[6] The main additions included bass guitar and lead vocals.[6] The vocal recording process was organic, with Le Bon standing in the centre of the room while the band provided input and harmonies.[6] The lead vocals were recorded in multiple passes, with Le Bon emphasising the importance of timing over perfect tuning.[6] He explained that "flat singing" gave the track a laid-back and natural sound, which became a defining feature of the song.[6]
Session musicians also played a role in the recording process, particularly drummer Steve Ferrone.[6] The band initially created a drum machine rhythm at Privacy Studios but later decided to use live drums recorded by Ferrone at Maison Rouge Studios in London.[6] To integrate Ferrone's live drums with the pre-recorded tracks, the band mixed down the existing elements, transferred the mix to an AkaiDD1000 digital disk recorder, and synchronised it to a timecode.[6] This ensured the live drums fit perfectly with the pre-recorded material.[6]
After completing the live drum recordings, the band and Jones continued refining the track's remaining elements.[6] Rhodes and Jones worked on perfecting the string and keyboard parts at Maison Rouge, making final adjustments to the arrangements.[6] Additional tweaks to the drum and acoustic guitar parts were made using the Akai DD1000.[6]
Mixing
After the bulk of the recording was completed, the song entered the mixing stage.[6] Initially, the band attempted to mix the track themselves using a combination of home studio equipment and a newly installed DDA DMR12 desk.[6] However, after realising they weren't capturing the desired sound, they sought professional help.[6] International efforts were made by Steve MacMillion in the U.S., Jones and Dee Long in the UK, and even Queen's producer David Richards in Switzerland, but none of the mixes satisfied the band.[6]
Eventually, the band turned to David Leonard at Townhouse Studios in London, whose mix was initially chosen for release.[6] However, Richards, who had worked on some of their earlier material, listened to Leonard's mix and decided to try another version.[6] The band preferred this version, which became the final mix used for the single and included on the album.[6]
The lyrics of "Ordinary World" address themes of grief, resilience, and the search for normalcy following personal loss.[7][8] Written by Simon Le Bon, the song reflects his emotional response to the death of his close friend David Miles, who passed away from a drug overdose in 1986.[7] It is the second of three Duran Duran songs Le Bon wrote about Miles, following "Do You Believe in Shame?" from Big Thing (1988) and preceding "Out of My Mind" from Medazzaland (1997).[7][9] Le Bon stated that it's about "somebody who feels that he's suddenly woken up in a bit of a crazy world and wants to regain the ordinary world that he once knew—something that he can recognise and feel comfortable with".[6] Kristi York Wooten of Paste described the lyrics as a "desire to find normalcy after the shock and grief of loss".[8] According to Al Melchior of American Songwriter, the lyrics express the depth of Le Bon's sorrow while maintaining a sense of hope for eventual healing.[7] Donald A. Guarisco of AllMusic observed that the lyrics of "Ordinary World" portray a man coping with the pain of a breakup by reconnecting with the outside world.[10] He also highlighted that it adopts a straightforward and mature tone, differing sharply from the vibrant and playful language found in earlier hits like "The Reflex".[10]
Structured with vivid imagery in the verses, an introspective pre-chorus, and a hopeful chorus, the song's lyrics progress through emotional stages of grief and resilience. The opening lines "Came in from a rainy Thursday / On the avenue / Thought I heard you talking softly" set the song with vivid imagery of disorientation and longing.[7] Melchior says that Le Bon uses this scene to depict a moment of emotional upheaval, attempting to ground himself by turning on "the lights, the TV, and the radio", only to admit that he "can't escape the ghost of you".[7] Melchior interprets this as a depiction of Le Bon's internal conflict, capturing the tension between memory and reality.[7]
This disorientation deepens in the pre-chorus, where Le Bon reflects on the world as it was when Miles was alive: "What has happened to it all? / Crazy, some'd say / Where is the life that I recognise? / Gone away".[7]Annie Zaleski of Ultimate Classic Rock interprets this as Le Bon recognising that "going back to how things used to be isn't possible" and focuses on a protagonist grappling with this irreversible change.[9]
The chorus reflects Le Bon's efforts to move forward, expressing a determination to rebuild his life despite the lingering pain: "But I won't cry for yesterday / There's an ordinary world / Somehow I have to find".[7] Le Bon explained that the lyrics were his way of saying goodbye to Miles: "I wanted to say goodbye, and that's why I said, 'But I won't cry for yesterday...' that I want to live in now, and I will carry on and I will survive. That really was my way of burying my friend instead of trying to keep him alive in my own heart, but with sadness and loss."[11] Zaleski describes Le Bon's voice in the chorus as "soaring with hope and optimism" as he resolves to find a way forward, emphasising the line, "I will learn to survive".[9] Melchior notes that the word "somehow" conveys the uncertainty inherent in this process, underscoring the challenges of finding stability after loss.[7] This sentiment recurs throughout the song, reinforcing the central theme of resilience.[7]
In the second verse, Le Bon recalls a conversation with Miles, referencing past tensions between them: "Pride's gone out the window / 'Cross the rooftops, gone away / Left me in the vacuum of my heart".[7] Le Bon juxtaposes this personal reflection with a broader perspective in the third verse: "Here beside the news of holy war and holy need / Ours is just a little sorrowed talk".[7] Le Bon interprets these lines as situating personal grief within the context of global struggles, emphasising the shared human experience of loss.[8] Steve Malins, in his biography of Duran Duran, notes that the verse reflects the song's broader context, written during the Gulf War in Iraq.[12] According to Malins, it captures "the sense of shock and insecurity experienced by most people who watched the horrific televised images of war and poverty."[12] This connection between personal and global crises is echoed by Rhodes, who remarked that "instinctively we all want to get back to something simple and peaceful."[12] Similarly, Taylor described the "ordinary world" as representing the innocence of childhood, explaining, "When you're a kid, the big philosophical questions are: 'Is it going to snow this Christmas and am I going to get what I want for my birthday?'"[12]
Release and reception
"Ordinary World" was first leaked by Capitol Records to a few US radio stations in mid-1992, months ahead of its intended release date.[9][12] In August 1992, Radio & Records reported that a Tampa station received a cease and desist order after playing the song before its official debut.[9] Despite this, the response to the leak was overwhelming, with DJs reporting hundreds of listener calls within the first day.[12] Capitol decided to rush-release the track, and it officially debuted in the US on 19 December 1992.[12] The song made its first chart appearance at number 23 on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks chart the week of 26 December, eventually peaking at number two.[9] It reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100, number one on the Mainstream Top 40,[9] and number six on the UK singles Chart following its release in the UK by EMI and Parlophone on 18 January 1993.[4]
Among contemporary reviews, J. D. Considine of The Baltimore Sun remarked on the song's unexpected success, calling it "nothing short of miraculous."[13]The Independent described the track as "a classic of transcendent beauty,"[14] while Cathi Unsworth of Melody Maker characterized it as "sober, melancholy, and absurdly touching."[15] Tony Fletcher for Newsday stated that the "excellently crafted" ballad shows the group "to be capable of delivering the goods. And as an added irony for a band that was introduced by MTV when radio wouldn't touch it, this particular song exploded across radio's many formats before a video was even made."[16] Ann Powers from New York Times declared it as "a smooth yet pathos-ridden ballad".[17] Sam Wood from Philadelphia Inquirer called it a "sober ballad".[18] Peter Howell from Toronto Star remarked that the "ethereal" debut single "has all the earmarks of an unstoppable radio hit".[19] Mark Jenkins from The Washington Post found that such ballads as "Ordinary World" "achieve melodic sufficiency".[20]
In a retrospective review, Donald A. Guarisco of AllMusic described it as having "a warm ballad feel," blending "elegant verses full of entrancing repeating-note hooks with a rousing chorus built on soaring runs of ascending notes." Guarisco also highlighted Simon Le Bon’s vocal delivery as "rich in emotion but tastefully restrained".[10] Andrea Odintz of Rolling Stone described the song as "dreamy" and compared its emotional effect to Duran Duran's earlier hit "Save a Prayer".[21]
Music video
Directed by Nick Egan, the music video for "Ordinary World" was filmed at the Huntington Gardens in San Marino, California, just before Christmas.[22] The production took place in two parts. The band's performance scenes were shot on a white stage, followed by a week-long break during which projections of the footage were prepared.[22] The second shoot returned to the Huntington Gardens, utilising its themed landscapes, including the Cactus Gardens, as a backdrop.[22]
Egan described his vision for the video as "showing that the world is anything but ordinary".[22] To achieve this, he gave the band an omnipresent, dreamlike role in the story of a couple's wedding day by projecting their performance footage onto the garden scenes.[22] Egan said, "I purposefully wanted to create a surreal environment, very much like Federico Fellini", citing Juliet of the Spirits as inspiration for the video's surreal aesthetic.[22] This influence is evident in elements like the bride's lampshade-style hat, which Egan described as "directly inspired by Fellini".[22] Other elements include the bride's reimagined tuxedo dress inspired by a Giorgio Armani fashion show, which Egan altered from black to white.[22]
A scene from the original cut of the "Ordinary World" music video, featuring the wedding band concept that was ultimately removed.
An early concept of the video included Duran Duran appearing as an older wedding band, symbolising their future selves.[22] However, the idea was ultimately cut, as Egan recalled, "I don't think the idea of the band members ending up playing at weddings was considered a successful end for Duran Duran."[22] The shoot concluded in a rainstorm, with crew members wrangling equipment through nearly a foot of water.[22]
B-sides, bonus tracks and remixes
"My Antarctica", a song from the band's previous album Liberty, featured as the main B-side of the "Ordinary World" single.
Many other older singles were also used as B-sides. To capitalise on the success of "Ordinary World" and the new Duran Duran fans it was finding, EMI used the single's release to lure these new fans to the band's back catalogue. This mini-Decade was spread over the two CD singles released during the campaign.
Other mixes
There were several other versions of "Ordinary World" released:[23]
The "Single Version" or "Single Mix" was a differently mixed and edited version, sent to radio stations, used for the promotional video, and available on the CD single release in certain countries outside the US.
The "Acoustic Version" was more correctly the "Acoustic Mix" and was created using the studio guitar and vocal tracks and adding specially arranged string orchestration. An alternative live acoustic performance was recorded at the 15 May "No Ordinary Tour" live performance at Tower Records in Hollywood, which was simulcast to Hard Rock Cafés around the world. This live version was found on a number of "Ordinary World" releases outside the UK, most notably the Canadian and American cassette single and featured additional musicians, Gerry L and AD'A. It would eventually be released in the UK on the first CD single for "Come Undone".
The "AC Edit" was featured on a US promo CD that came packaged with the Decade album.
A live version recorded on Simon Mayo's Radio 1 show featured as a B-side to the band's later 1995 single "White Lines".
An extended version recorded at Sony Studios in New York City for Hard Rock Live was included on a promotional 2-track CD in June 2000 by the band's new label Hollywood Records, running at 6:08.
British electronic music group Aurora released a trance version of "Ordinary World" featuring Irish singer-songwriter Naimee Coleman in 2000. This version, released on 11 September that year, charted at No. 5 in the United Kingdom, No. 6 in Ireland, and No. 47 in Germany. In the United States, it appeared on the BillboardHot Dance Club Play chart, peaking at No. 37 in June 2001.
^Ordinary World (UK cassette single sleeve). Duran Duran. Parlophone. 1993. TCDD 16, 7243 8 80217 4 6.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Ordinary World (UK CD1 liner notes). Duran Duran. Parlophone. 1993. CDDDS 16, 7243 8 80218 2 1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Ordinary World (UK CD2 liner notes). Duran Duran. Parlophone. 1993. CDDDPD 16, 7243 8 80217 2 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Ordinary World (US CD single liner notes). Duran Duran. Capitol Records. 1992. C2 0777 7 15894 2 3.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Ordinary World (US & Canadian cassette single sleeve). Duran Duran. Capitol Records. 1992. 4KM 0777 7 44908 4 9.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Ordinary World (Australian CD single liner notes). Duran Duran. Parlophone, EMI Records. 1993. 7243 8 80457 2 8.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Ordinary World (UK cassette single sleeve). Aurora. Positiva Records. 2000. TCTIV-139, 7243 8 89324 4 8.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Ordinary World (UK 12-inch single vinyl disc). Aurora. Positiva Records. 2000. 12TIV-139, 7243 8 89324 6 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Ordinary World (European CD single liner notes). Aurora. EMI Records. 2000. 7243 889421 2 6.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Ordinary World (Australian CD single liner notes). Aurora. U-Music. 2000. UM12007CD.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
