| Big Thing | |
| |
| song by Duran Duran | |
|---|---|
| Released | 18 October 1988 |
| Genre | Pop |
| Length | 3:41 minutes |
| Label | Capitol, EMI |
| Writer(s) | Taylor, Rhodes, Le Bon, |
| Producer(s) | Duran Duran Jonathan Elias Daniel Abraham |
| Duran Duran | |
"Big Thing" is a song by Duran Duran, and the eponymous first track of their album Big Thing released by Capitol-EMI on 18 October 1988.
About the song[]
Lyrics seem to suggest feeling pressured to conform to the music industry, where bands must put out hits in order to stay relevant, and receive a Power Rotation on the radio, to achieve greater success. There seems to be obvious innuendos regarding the lyrics and beating on one's manhood.
You can be forgiven if you got the wrong idea about this song, which contains the lyrics, "Give me the friction, and watch me make it." Lead singer Simon LeBon explained to Control magazine: "A lot of people think 'Big Thing' is about penises, but 'Big Thing' wasn't written like that. It's a song about the record industry, about airplay, about success. It's 'This is our new album and it's a big thing! Here it comes!' We were being flippant. We realized the connection people will make, but it doesn't bother us. Some people will say it goes to show we still haven't grown up. Others will just laugh."[1]
Apparently a good number of people [thought] it a reference to the size of a particular human body part. But it was meant to be sort of an introductory statement about the album – here's the next big thing! "For me, it is one of the worst lyrics we have ever written," Simon Le Bon later admitted, "so bad in fact, that perhaps it justifies all the criticism that has ever been levelled at us!" [2]
Like its position on the album, the song was often first in the setlist of their 1989 Big Live Thing Tour, after Simon Le Bon had read out his "God" speech.
The song was remixed in a House music style for 7" and 12" versions, released as a promotional single, limited to radio stations and clubs, in order to promote the album. The remix features a bubblegum bass line and a piano; which delivers an upbeat solo during the middle-8. Both mixes were re-issued on the x2 CD 2010 Deluxe Edition of the album, on CD #2.
Song versions[]
- "Big Thing" (Nocymb) - 3:41 [means it contains no cymbal crashes]
- "Big Thing (Accapella)" - 4:09 [demo]
- "Big Thing (7" Remix)" - 3:55 [EMI number: YOUR 1]
- "Big Thing (12" Remix)" - 6:41
Personnel[]
Duran Duran are:
- Simon Le Bon - vocals
- John Taylor - bass guitar
- Nick Rhodes - keyboards
With:
- Warren Cuccurullo - guitar
- Steve Ferrone - drums
- Jonathan Elias - keyboards (additional)
- Patrick Bourgoin - saxophone
- Stan Harrison - trumpet
- Mac Gollehon - trumpet
- Lew Soloff - trumpet
- Glenn Ferris - trombone
- Marc Chantereau - percussion
- Carole Fredericks - backing vocals
- Joniece Jamison - backing vocals
Lyrics[]
Get it up, get it out, get it in time Hang it up, hanging out, hanging on a big thing Move it in, move it out, move up the line Bang it up, bang it out, banging on a big thing Brothers and sisters, let me hear it (Get it up, get it on, get it in time) Give me the green light and watch me move it (Move it up, move it out, move up the line) This is temptation Power rotation Give me the friction and watch me make it (Make it up, making out, making it slide) So glad you came along This time you won't be wrong You love to turn it on And you're not the only one Get it up, get it out, get it in time Hang it up, hanging out, hanging on a big thing Move it in, move it out, move up the line Bang it up, bang it out, banging on a big thing Brothers and sisters, we can take it (Shake it up, shake it out, shake it all the time) Give me the suction and we can stake it (Lick it up, suck it up, stick it outside) This is temptation (Station) Power rotation (To the station) Give me the playlist and watch me eat it (Eat it up, beat it up, beat it in time) So glad you came along This time you won't be wrong You love to turn it on And you're not the only one Get it up, get it out, get it in time Hang it up, hanging out, hanging on a big thing Move it in, move it out, move up the line Bang it up, bang it out, banging on a big thing - (So glad you came along) (This time you won't be wrong) (You love to turn it on) And you're not the only one Get it up, get it out, get it in time Hang it up, hanging out, hanging on a big thing Move it in, move it out, move up the line Bang it up, bang it out, banging on a big thing Get it up, get it out, get it in time Hang it up, hanging out, hanging on a big thing Move it in (move it in), move it out, (move it up) move up the line (the line) Bang it up, bang it out (band it out), banging on a big thing (banging on a big thing) Get it up, (Get it UP!), get it out, get it in time (Get it in Time!) Hang it up, hanging out, hanging on a big thing Move it in, (Move it UP!), move it out, move up the line (Move up the Line!) Bang it up, (you know), bang it out, banging on a big thing (you're banging on a big thing!)
Misheard Lyrics[]
Give me the suction and we can take it