Careless Memories

"Careless Memories" is the second single by Duran Duran, released 20 April, 1981 from their eponymous debut album Duran Duran.

About the song
Since the single's release it has come to light that the decision to release it was EMI's. After the single stalled at #37 in the charts, the label decided to let Duran Duran choose their own singles. (Incidentally, the next single, "Girls on Film" peaked at #5).

The menacing and energetic song was an early fan and band favorite in live shows, but was gradually squeezed out over the years by more successful hits.

Music video
The video, rarely seen as the single was deemed a failure, was shot in Soho and directed by Perry Haines, who went on to form i-D Magazine. It was included in the Duran Duran video album released in 1983.

The band resurrected the song to play live during their reunion shows in 2004 and 2005. The song was accompanied on video screens behind the stage by a unique anime-style video, featuring stylized versions of the band members fighting giant monsters, spaceships, and destroying a skyscraper labelled "EMI" for "Endangered Music Industry".

B-sides, bonus tracks and remixes
The song "Khanada" (pronounced "keh-NAY-duh") was included as the b-side to the single and is deemed by some as superior to the a-side. It is reported to have been written for fashion designer Jane Kahn who owned, with partner Patti Bell, the [Hurst street] shop "Kahn & Bell" where Duran Duran (and numerous other clubgoers of the day) shopped for clothes. (It has nothing to do with Canada.)

"Careless Memories" is one of three original-era singles that didn't include a remix of the title track, the other two being "Save A Prayer" and "A View To A Kill". To compensate for this, EMI issued a bonus B-side on the 12", a faithful cover of David Bowie's "Fame".

In Japan, these two b-sides were released on the Nite Romantics EP, along with night versions of "Girls on Film" and "Planet Earth".

Track Listing
Release information pertains to UK release only.

7": EMI EMI 5168

 * 1) "Careless Memories" (3:53)
 * 2) "Khanada" (3:17)

12": EMI 12 EMI 5168

 * 1) "Careless Memories" (3:53)
 * 2) "Fame" (3:11)
 * 3) "Khanada" (3:17)

CD: Part of "Singles Box Set 1981-1985" boxset

 * 1) "Careless Memories" (3:53)
 * 2) "Khanada" (3:17)
 * 3) "Fame" (3:11)

Other appearances
When the song "Is There Something I Should Know" was issued as a single in the US, "Careless Memories" was placed on the flipside. The song was also a live staple throughout the 1980s, as evidenced on the live album Arena.

A live version of "Careless Memories" recorded in December 1981 at the Hammersmith Odeon in London was released in 1982 as the b-side to "Hungry Like The Wolf".

Perhaps due to its poor charting, "Careless Memories" was one of the few singles left off the Decade hits collection released in 1989.

Apart from the single, "Careless Memories" has also appeared on:

Albums:
 * Duran Duran (1981)
 * Arena (1984)
 * Singles Box Set 1981-1985 (2005)

Singles:
 * "Hungry Like the Wolf" (1982)

Personnel
Duran Duran are:
 * Simon Le Bon - vocals
 * Nick Rhodes - keyboards
 * John Taylor - bass guitar
 * Roger Taylor - drums
 * Andy Taylor - guitar

Also credited:
 * Colin Thurston - producer and engineer