My Own Way (song) explained

My Own Way
Cover:My Own Way.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Duran Duran
B-Side:Like an Angel
Released:16 November 1981
Recorded:October 1981
Studio:Townhouse (London)
Genre:
Length:
  • 3:39 (single version)
  • 3:43 (Brazilian edit)
  • 4:49 (album version)
  • 6:34 (night version)
Label:
Producer:Colin Thurston
Prev Title:Girls on Film
Prev Year:1981
Next Title:Hungry Like the Wolf
Next Year:1982

"My Own Way" is the fourth single by English new wave band Duran Duran, originally released on 16 November 1981.

The single was a follow up to the UK top 5 hit "Girls on Film", and was another hit, peaking at #14 on the UK Singles Chart and at #10 in Australia.Despite its success, the single has often been cited by the band as one of their least favourite and is rarely played live.[1]

The band subsequently re-recorded "My Own Way" for inclusion on their second album, Rio. The newer album version dispenses with the "disco" feel of the single version in favour of a more electronic style.

Background

The single release of "My Own Way" has a fast tempo and "disco strings" arranged by Richard Myhill and Duran Duran.

A slower version was later recorded for the Rio album, with slightly different lyrics. This version dispensed with the disco strings in favour of a new wave style with echoing synths and was later remixed by David Kershenbaum for the Carnival EP, and this altered track appeared on the American re-issue of the Rio album on vinyl and cassette late in 1982. All CD pressings of Rio have used the original UK album mix.

Music video

The video for "My Own Way" was directed by Russell Mulcahy, who also directed several other videos for Duran Duran.[2]

B-sides

The B-side of the UK 7-inch was "Like an Angel". The B-side of the UK 12-inch was "Like an Angel" and the "night" version of "My Own Way".

Versions and remixes

Formats and track listings

7": EMI / EMI 5254 United Kingdom

  1. "My Own Way" (single version) – 3:39
  2. "Like an Angel" – 4:41

12": EMI / 12 EMI 5254 United Kingdom

  1. "My Own Way" (night version) – 6:31
  2. "Like an Angel" – 4:41
  3. "My Own Way" (short version) – 3:39

CD: Part of Singles Box Set 1981–1985

  1. "My Own Way" (short version) – 3:39
  2. "Like an Angel" – 4:41
  3. "My Own Way" (night version) – 6:31

CD: Part of Rio (2009 Collectors Edition)

  1. "My Own Way" (Carnival remix) – 4:29

CD: Part of Rio (2009 Collectors Edition) (digital download/streaming)

  1. "My Own Way" (instrumental) – 6:35

Charts

Year-end charts

Year-end chart performance for "My Own Way"! Chart (1982)! Position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[4] 80

Covers and samples

In 2002, "My Own Way" was sampled by José Nunez, American music remixer and producer, for the dance song "Air Race", which became a sizeable club and airplay hit.

Personnel

Duran Duran

Technical

Notes and References

  1. http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23483349-5006024,00.html Herald Sun (Australia) - Interview with Duran Duran (2008)
  2. Duran Duran timeline - 1982 . 1982 . duranduran.com . March 2, 2024 .
  3. Book: Kent, David . . David Kent (historian) . Australian Chart Book . . 1993 . 0-646-11917-6.
  4. Web site: National Top 100 Singles for 1982 . . . 445 . 3 January 1983 . 22 January 2023 .