Election Day

Election Day was the first single released by the Duran Duran off-shoot band, Arcadia. It was released by Parlophone Records in October 1985.

About the song
When Smash Hits published the lyrics in their magazine, they published the complete lyric, which included a verse that was subsequently dropped from the released version of the song:

Don't even try to induce, In all my restrain there's no hesitation  All the signs on the loose 'cause sanity's rare this end of the hard day  Shadows are crawling out of the subway  Any way that you choose in every direction just to confuse me

Music video
The dark and moody video — with Gothic imagery inspired by Jean Cocteau's 1946 film, La Belle et la Bête — was shot in and around Paris in late September 1985. It was directed by Roger Christian.

B-sides, bonus tracks and remixes
The B-side, "She's Moody And Grey, She's Mean And She's Restless", is an instrumental version of "Election Day". The title comes from the first verse of "Election Day".

There were a total of four mixes for "Election Day" - 'the single version', 'Cryptic Cut No Voice', 'Consensus' and 'Cryptic Cut / Fact and Story'. Of these, the promo-only "Cryptic Cut / Fact and Story" was the most difficult to find. It eventually surfaced on the remix bootleg "Heaven's Eyes".

A further fifth mix "Early Rough Mix" was released on the 12" for The Flame".

This was the first Duran Duran related single to have more than one remix of the lead track, a feat that would continue on "Notorious" a year later.

Covers, samples, & media references
"Election Day" is still popular with televised election coverage in the US.

This is also the only song that was performed live. On Duran Duran's 'Strange Behaviour' tour, they did a medley of "Election Day" and the Power Station single "Some Like It Hot".

7": Parlophone / NSR 1 (UK)

 * 1) "Election Day [single version]" (4:30)
 * 2) "She's Moody And Grey, She's Mean And She's Restless" (4:28)


 * B-side is an instrumental version of "Election Day"

12": Parlophone / 12 NSR 1 (UK)

 * 1) "Election Day [Consensus Mix]" (8:39)
 * 2) "Election Day [single version]" (4:30)
 * 3) "She's Moody And Grey, She's Mean And She's Restless" (4:28)

12": Parlophone / 12 NSRA 1 (UK)

 * 1) "Election Day [Cryptic Cut No Voice Mix]" (8:27)
 * 2) "Election Day [single version]" (4:30)
 * 3) "Election Day [Consensus Mix]" (8:39)

12": Townhouse / PSLP393 (UK)

 * 1) "Election Day [Cryptic Cut / Fact and Story Mix]" (9:06)


 * 1-sided UK promo

Other appearances
Albums:
 * So Red the Rose (1985)

Singles:
 * "The Flame" (1986)

Videos:

Personnel
Arcadia are:
 * Simon Le Bon - vocals
 * Nick Rhodes - keyboards
 * Roger Taylor - drums

Also credited:
 * Alex Sadkin - producer and engineer
 * Grace Jones - Guest Vocalist