Tonight United

	Tonight United
single by Duran Duran
Released	24 September 2021
Format	Download
Genre	Dance Anthem
Length	3:07
Writer(s)	Duran Duran
Producer	Giorgio Moroder
Official Video

"Tonight United" is the fourth single from the album Future Past by Duran Duran, released by Tape Modern and BMI on 24 September 2021. ℗ 2021 Tape Modern under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC.

About the Song[]

Tonight United is an uplifting Dance Ballad, with anthemic tones and shades of Funk. Tonight United is the second song on the album Future Past to be produced by the famous Italian keyboardist and producer Giorgio Moroder. The lyrics are about people coming together.

John commented that he was asked to fill in one section with a funky bass bridge, and when he played it, everyone's jaws dropped.

Roger said: "We called this the 'banger' of the album. Thanks to Giorgio, it has the feel of an early Duran floor-filler. He was so cool to work with, and such an influence, I said recently that it was like working with God himself, and it was!!!!". (Source).

Music Video[]

Tonight United has been released as a visualiser video online; where the song is played along with a blue tinted pulsating image; taken from the album artwork. The image is of a person holding themselves, whilst someone else holds their arm around their shoulder; perhaps as a way to represent a persons self-reliance, autonomy and independence, but also support.

Lyrics[]

Hey now! if you are, a child of, the world
Born to, build bridges, and tear down, the walls.
We watch the outmode, of the old order
We make a song road, to cross all borders.

Naaaa! Na-na-naa! na-na-nah na-na-nah, Unite
Naaaa! Na-na-naa! na-na-na-nah, naa-na-nah Tonight

If you wanna make a difference, 
If you wanna see your future, coming 'round
You gotta see it from a distance
Gotta do it walking barefoot on the ground

You and I tonight, no way to fight it, we come together, Tonight United
You and I tonight, no way to fight it, we come together, Tonight United
Naaaa! Na-na-naa! na-na-nah na-na-nah, Unite
You and I tonight, no way to fight it, we come together, Tonight United
Naaaa! Na-na-naa! na-na-na-nah, naa-na-nah Tonight
You and I tonight, no way to fight it, we come together, Tonight United

Do-hoo Do-hoo  Do-hoo Do-Hooo

You and I tonight, no way to fight it, we come together, Tonight United
You and I tonight, no way to fight it, we come together, Tonight United
Naaaa! Na-na-naa! na-na-nah na-na-nah, Unite
You and I tonight, no way to fight it, we come together, Tonight United
Naaaa! Na-na-naa! na-na-na-nah, naa-na-nah Tonight
You and I tonight, no way to fight it, we come together, Tonight United

Ohhh

Naaaa! Na-na-naa! na-na-nah na-na-nah, Unite
You and I tonight, no way to fight it, we come together, Tonight United
Naaaa! Na-na-naa! na-na-na-nah, naa-na-nah Tonight
You and I tonight, no way to fight it, we come together, Tonight United

Song Meaning[]

The surface meaning conjures images of a party. Tonight, we come together as a tribe - a humanity. United in song, life, and dancing.

The first sub meaning seems to appeal to one's own humanity. If we are a child of the world, we must have been born from a long family in the past. We were born to develop the world, to build bridges and walls physically, as well as implications with other people. We watch the last generation fade. If we are to make a difference, we must see the future coming around, as seen from a distance. "Walking barefoot" may imply 'putting down ones roots'. The song is about grasping the moment, and sowing/casting seeds into the future. Making a song/idea/love grow, to cross all borders.

The second sub meaning is a political one, "We watch the outmode, of the old order", likely represents the hostility of the citizens of the world towards their respective governments, after a succession of crises. "Born to build bridges and tear down the walls", seems to imply that people could develop a new idea of security within themselves, based on personal freedom of choice. It is an anti-hatred, anti-separatist idea; where prejudice and racism are replaced by a union. It is interesting that the song 'Union of the Snake' carried a similar message of a union moving through the borderlines. After the opening ceremony of the 2022 Commonwealth Games, John noted "This is why wrote the song", in reference to bringing people together as one.

The third sub meaning is one of the more obvious, given that both of the first and second layers point towards it. "No Way to Fight it, You and I Tonight, We Come Together". The song is about finding someone special and making a family. "We come together" can be taken in the same sense of the phrase as The Beatles song of the same name; and carries a similar meaning. Except this time it isnt just about intercourse, but as a means to bare children.

The fourth sub meaning, considered the Core meaning. Simon is thankful for his children, and grandchildren; some of whom where living at that time in the cottage at the bottom of the Le Bon's garden; where his Mother Anne used to live. He wants everybody to have as great a family and life as he has. He wants people, all over the world, across all borders, to aspire to that kind of productive union.