Union of the Snake
"Union of the Snake" | ||||
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Single by Duran Duran | ||||
from the album Seven and the Ragged Tiger | ||||
B-side | "Secret Oktober" | |||
Released | 17 October 1983 | |||
Recorded | 1983 | |||
Studio | AIR (Montserrat, Caribbean) | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 4:20 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) |
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Duran Duran singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Union of the Snake" on YouTube |
"Union of the Snake" is the ninth single by English new wave band Duran Duran, released on 17 October 1983.
It was the
Reception
B-sides, bonus tracks and remixes
The B-side to "Union of the Snake" was the atmospheric piece "Secret Oktober", a collaboration between keyboardist Nick Rhodes and Le Bon. Forty-eight hours before "Union of the Snake" was due to be pressed in the US, the band were informed that they didn't have a B-side for the single, neither did the band have any material that was appropriate for the B-side. So Rhodes, Le Bon and producer Sadkin set out to work on "Secret Oktober" at 301 Studios in Sydney, Australia (where the Seven and the Ragged Tiger album was being completed); it had been written, recorded and mixed within the 24-hour period they had to meet the deadline.[3][4]
Also included on the 12" single was an extended remix of the single, titled the "Monkey" mix.
Formats and track listings
7" single: EMI / EMI 5429 United Kingdom
- "Union of the Snake" – 4:24
- "Secret Oktober" – 2:48
12" single: EMI / 12 EMI 5429 United Kingdom
- "Union of the Snake" (Monkey mix) – 6:27
- "Union of the Snake" – 4:24
- "Secret Oktober" – 2:48
7" single: Capitol / B-5290 United States
- "Union of the Snake" – 4:20
- "Secret Oktober" – 2:44
12" single: Capitol / 8567 United States
- "Union of the Snake" (Monkey mix) – 6:22
- "Union of the Snake" – 4:20
- "Secret Oktober" – 2:44
- The "Monkey" mix is also known as the "Extended" mix or the "Super" mix.
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Certifications and sales
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Canada (Music Canada)[22] | Gold | 50,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[23] | Silver | 250,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
Cover versions
In 2018, the song was covered by
Personnel
Duran Duran
- Simon Le Bon – vocals
- Andy Taylor – guitar
- John Taylor – bass guitar
- Roger Taylor – drums
- Nick Rhodes – keyboards
Additional musicians
- Andy Hamilton – soprano and tenor saxophone
- Raphael Dejesus – percussion
- Mark Kennedy – percussion
- Michelle Cobbs – backing vocals
- B.J. Nelson – backing vocals
Technical
- Alex Sadkin – producer
- Ian Little – producer
References
- ^ "Music: Top 100 Songs | Billboard Hot 100 Chart". billboard.com. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
- ^ "Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. 29 October 1983. p. 10. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
- ^ "Memories Of Sydney". duranduran.com. 26 March 2008.
- ^ Brandle, Lars (22 January 2018). "10 Essential Duran Duran Deep Cuts". billboard.com. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
- ^ a b "Kent Music Report – National Top 100 Singles for 1983". Kent Music Report. Retrieved 22 January 2023 – via Imgur.com.
- ^ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Archived from the original on 29 June 2015. Retrieved 27 June 2015.
- ^ "Song artist 60 - Duran Duran". tsort.info. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Union of the Snake". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
- ^ "Classifiche". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Retrieved 6 April 2024. Select "Singoli" in the "Tipo" field, type "Duran Duran" in the "Artista" field and press "cerca".
- ^ "Duran Duran – Union of the Snake". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
- ^ "Duran Duran – Union of the Snake". VG-lista. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
- ^ "SA Charts 1965–March 1989". Retrieved 4 September 2018.
- ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
- ^ "Duran Duran: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
- ^ "Billboard Hot 100 – Week of December 24, 1985". Billboard. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
- ^ "Top 100 1984-01-14". Cashbox Magazine. Archived from the original on 1 October 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2015.
- ^ "Top Selling Singles of 1983 | The Official New Zealand Music Chart". nztop40.co.nz. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
- ^ "Top 100 1983 - UK Music Charts". uk-charts.top-source.info. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
- ^ "Top 100 Year End Charts: 1983". Cashbox Magazine. Archived from the original on 11 September 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
- ^ "Top 100 Singles of 1984 – Volume 41, No. 17, January 05 1985". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Archived from the original on 9 May 2016. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
- ^ "Talent Almanac 1985: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 96, no. 51. 22 December 1984. p. TA-19.
- ^ "Canadian single certifications – Duran Duran – Union of the Snake". Music Canada. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
- ^ "British single certifications – Duran Duran – Union of the Snake". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
- ^ "Riverdale season 2 soundtrack". WaterTower Music.