| Secret Oktober | |
| |
| song by Duran Duran | |
|---|---|
| Released | 17 October 1983 |
| Recorded | 1983 |
| Genre | New wave, synthpop |
| Length | 2:47 minutes |
| Label | Capitol, EMI |
| Writer(s) | Duran Duran |
| Producer(s) | Duran Duran Alex Sadkin |
| Duran Duran | |
"Secret Oktober" is a song by Duran Duran, written for and released as the B-side to their ninth single "Union of the Snake" by Capitol-EMI on 17 October 1983.
Song Development[]
Nick Said : "It's always been a fan favorite. It was something that Simon and I did uh late one night with Alex sadin when we were making the third album. Uh and Union of the snake had been sent off to the record label. These were in times way before we had faster means of communication so you had to make a master tape make a copy of it put the tape in a FedEx send it off we were in Australia. So I think it had to go to New York to Bob Ludwig to go and get the thing mastered. And uh it was a big process, and it got there, and they called us and said 'Where's the B Side?', because of course for a single you needed a B Side. We didn't have one. We had nothing finished. So I said 'Simon well we're just going to have to stay up later aren't we and make something.' And we wrote Secret October in that night. Finished it, mixed it, and sent it off in the morning."[1]
Ask Katy trivia[]
"Hi Katy, i was just wondering what the song "Secret Oktober" was about? It is one of my all time fav’s… also, did Simon choose the title because his birthday is in October?? thanks, Lainie"
- "Hi Laine. I went right to the source:"
- "It’s one of mine too. It’s about escaping on yer birthday. whoosh s"
"Hi Katy - I know there have been a number of "Secret Oktober" questions answered, but I have one more (which I don’t think was asked): I’ve heard that Simon and Nick wrote the song very quickly (perhaps in one night) because a deadline for a "Union of the Snake" B-side was fast approaching - is that true? Thanks, and keep up the great work on the site! Jason"
- "Thanks for thanking me Jason. Yes, there have been many "Secret Oktober" questions, but Simon felt this one deserved an answer, as well:"
- "Yes, it’s true; S.O. was written, recorded and mixed inside 24 hours."
Katy, I remember that there was a book around the time of Seven and the Ragged Tiger that had an illustrated (drawn by Simon I believe) with the words for the song. It is ingrained in my memory as the words were like a snake inside the belly of a body. I remember this and a few other tid-bits on songs like "[I'm Looking for] Cracks In The Pavement"; that song - along with "Secret Oktober" - can be found in that book brought me to writing poetry" Is that book, The Book Of Words?
Other facts[]
In an October 2021 interview [at 00:45:37], Simon remarks that "Secret Oktober" is one of his favourite songs that he has written. He goes on to say that it was written close to his birthday -- October 27, 1958, which is a birthday month and day he shares with his father.
Song versions[]
- Musician Michael Ash Sharbaugh recorded a cover of Duran Duran's "Secret Oktober" in the 2020s; it contains a bed of 'orchestral' elements that are very similar to the Duran Duran original, but adds a slight hip-hoppy-ness and features environmental sound effects throughout. And, of course, Ash Sharbaugh tips a hat to bassist John Taylor by adding a bass guitar. It can be found on Apple Music, Spotify, and elsewhere. "Secret Oktober" - 2:47
An extended, drastically altered version of the song was debuted live on the 1998 Latest and Greatest Tour, taking a much softer and ambient sound. The song ran for over six minutes and featured a new verse not present on the original B-side version. This was the first time the song had ever been performed live.
Danse Macabre Version[]
| Secret Oktober 31st | |
| |
| Song by Duran Duran | |
|---|---|
| Released | 27 Oct 2023 |
| Format | Download |
| Genre | Folk Ballad |
| Length | 4:22 |
| Writer(s) | Duran Duran |
| Producer(s) | Duran Duran |
| Duran Duran | |
Secret Oktober 31st was released on 27th October 2023, from the bands 16th studio album, Danse Macabre. It is a reworking of the original song, with more use of string instruments, and orchestral accompaniment.
Nick said: "“Secret Oktober” has never actually been on an album, so [I said] instead of just doing a copy, why don’t we make it something special? I had this musical box that I had bought years ago that I wanted to use on something that I could program. It started out from that once I figured out we could make that pattern. Simon didn’t like it for a while because I had changed some of the chords underneath it on how it worked with the melody. He had a very good point on some of it, so we battled over that for a while until we came to a compromise on the ones that really worked. As ever with the band, our arguments usually end up making a song stronger.
Andy played on all of the original Duran tracks that appear on the new album. Actually, on “Secret Oktober,” he’s not on the original. Back then, it was just Simon and I. We had to do it overnight for the B-side for “Union of the Snake” and nobody else was around, so we just made something and that was that. With Andy playing on it this time, it was nice to bring the whole thing round into this circle. " [2]
Personnel[]
Duran Duran are:
- Simon Le Bon - vocals
- Nick Rhodes - keyboards
- John Taylor - bass guitar
- Andy Taylor - guitar
- Roger Taylor - drums
Lyrics[]
Wise on a birthday party
In a world full of surprising fireworks
And sudden silence
Lies on a stranger's bed
The new day breaks like a speeding train, or an old friend
Ever expected, but never knocking
Holding your own in a battered car
All night parties, cocktail bars, and smile
When the butterfly escapes the killing jar
Sure eyes awake before the dancing is over
Wise or naked in secret Oktober..
Freefall on a windy morning shore
Nothing but a fading track of footsteps
Could prove that you'd ever been there
Spoken on a cotton cloud
Like the sound of gunshot taken by the wind
And lost in distant thunder
Racing on a shining plain
Tomorrow you'll be content to watch
As the lightning plays along the wires and you'll wonder
(chorus x2)
[1998 Version]
So I.. walk out to the shore
And step into the cool cool waves
I feel the sun burn down on my head like honey
I feel the sun burn down on my head like honey
Burn on me!