Arena (Duran Duran album)

1984 live album by Duran Duran

Arena

Live album by

Duran Duran

Released| 12 November 1984 (1984-11-12)
Recorded| "Around the world 1984"
Genre|

* New wave
* pop rock

Length| 47:54
Label| Parlophone
Producer|

* Duran Duran
* Nile Rodgers

Duran Duran chronology
| Seven and the Ragged Tiger
(1983)  | Arena
(1984)  | Notorious
(1986)

|
|

Singles from  Arena

1. "The Wild Boys"
Released: 22 October 1984[1]

Arena is a live album by the English pop rock band Duran Duran, released on 12 November 1984 by Parlophone. In 2004, the album was reissued on CD in remastered form with two bonus tracks.

Arena was Duran Duran's first live album, released at the peak of their commercial success in late 1984. It included one new song, the studio recorded "The Wild Boys", which as a single was a worldwide hit, reaching no. 2 in both the UK and the US.[2]

Arena was released together with a number of corresponding releases, including the conceptual concert film Arena (An Absurd Notion), a documentary tour book and a board game. An edited version of the film with just the live performances, As the Lights Go Down, was also released. Arena marked the last album release featuring the complete original five-piece line-up of the band.[2]

## Critical reception

[edit]

Professional ratingsReview scores

Source| Rating
AllMusic| [3]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music| [4]
Rolling Stone| [5]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide| [6]
Smash Hits| 7/10[7]
Spin Alternative Record Guide| 2/10[8]

Upon its release, Smash Hits reviewer Dave Rimmer criticised the album for its lack of "any kind of live feeling", but still gave it a 7 out 10 rating for its "competent" content.[7]

## Track listing

[edit]

All tracks are written by Duran Duran

Side oneNo.| Title| Length

|
|

1.| "Is There Something I Should Know?"| 4:34
2.| "Hungry Like the Wolf"| 4:01
3.| "New Religion"| 5:37
4.| "Save a Prayer"| 6:12
5.| "The Wild Boys" (New Studio Track)| 4:18

Side twoNo.| Title| Length

|
|

6.| "The Seventh Stranger"| 5:05
7.| "The Chauffeur"| 5:23
8.| "Union of the Snake"| 4:09
9.| "Planet Earth"| 4:31
10.| "Careless Memories"| 4:07

2004 remastered CD bonus tracksNo.| Title| Length

|
|

11.| "Girls on Film"| 5:59
12.| "Rio"| 5:55

## Personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Arena.[9]

### Duran Duran

[edit]

* Simon Le Bon \- lead vocals, ocarina on "The Chauffeur"
* Nick Rhodes \- keyboards, synthesizers, sound effects, backing vocals
* Andy Taylor \- guitars, backing vocals
* Roger Taylor \- drums, percussion
* John Taylor \- bass guitar, backing vocals

### Additional musicians

[edit]

* Andy Hamilton
* Raphael DeJesus
* B.J. Nelson
* Charmaine Burch

### Technical

[edit]

* George Tukto – engineering (tracks 1–4, 6–10)
* Jason Corsaro – engineering (all tracks); mixing (tracks 1–4, 6–10)
* Duran Duran – production (tracks 1–4, 6–10)
* Nile Rodgers – production (track 5)

### Artwork

[edit]

* Assorted Images – sleeve production
* Mike Owen – outer photography

|

## Charts

[edit]

### Weekly charts

[edit]

Weekly chart performance for Arena | Chart (1984–1985)  | Peak
position

|

Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)[10] | 8
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[11] | 7
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)[12] | 10
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[13] | 5
European Albums (Music & Media)[14] | 1
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[15] | 8
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[16] | 1
Italian Albums (Musica e dischi)[17] | 1
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[18] | 3
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[19] | 16
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[20] | 16
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[21] | 4
UK Albums (OCC)[22] | 6
US Billboard 200[23] | 4

### Year-end charts

[edit]

1984 year-end chart performance for Arena | Chart (1984)  | Position

|

Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)[24] | 75
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[25] | 63
UK Albums (Gallup)[26] | 31
1985 year-end chart performance for Arena Chart (1985)  | Position

|

Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)[27] | 72
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[28] | 33
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[29] | 25
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[30] | 32
UK Albums (Gallup)[31] | 73
US Billboard 200[32] | 61

## Certifications and sales

[edit]

Certifications and sales for Arena Region  | Certification | Certified units/sales

|
|

Argentina  | —  | 60,000[33]
Canada (Music Canada)[34] | 2× Platinum  | 200,000^
Germany (BVMI)[35] | Gold  | 250,000^
Netherlands (NVPI)[36] | Gold  | 50,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[37] | Platinum  | 15,000^
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[38] | Gold  | 50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[39] | Platinum  | 300,000^
United States (RIAA)[40] | 2× Platinum  | 2,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "BPI".
2. ^ a b "November 1984: Duran Duran Step Into the Arena". rhino.com. 15 November 2022.
3. ^ "Arena – Duran Duran". AllMusic.
4. ^ Larkin, Colin (2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (5th concise ed.). Omnibus Press. ISBN 978-0-85712-595-8.
5. ^ Sheffield, Rob (24 June 2004). "Duran Duran: Arena : Music Reviews". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 4 November 2007. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
6. ^ Sheffield, Rob (2004). "Duran Duran". The Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Simon & Schuster. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8.
7. ^ a b "Rimmer, Dave (22 November 1984). "Album Reviews". Smash Hits. Vol. 6, no. 24\. p. 25\. ISSN 0260-3004.
8. ^ Weisbard, Eric; Marks, Craig, eds. (1995). Spin Alternative Record Guide. New York City: Vintage Books. pp. 119–120\. ISBN 0-679-75574-8.119-120&rft.pub=Vintage+Books&rft.date=1995&rft.isbn=0-679-75574-8&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Arena+(Duran+Duran+album)" class="Z3988">
9. ^ Arena (liner notes). Duran Duran. Parlophone. 1984. DD2.`{{cite AV media notes}}`: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
10. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 97\. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
11. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Duran Duran – Arena" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
12. ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 9630". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
13. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Duran Duran – Arena" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
14. ^ "European Top 100 Albums" (PDF). Eurotipsheet. Vol. 2, no. 4\. 28 January 1985. p. 9\. OCLC 29800226 - via World Radio History.
15. ^ Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.
16. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Duran Duran – Arena" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
17. ^ "Classifiche". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Retrieved 29 May 2022. Select "Album" in the "Tipo" field, type "Duran Duran" in the "Artista" field and press "cerca".
18. ^ "Charts.nz – Duran Duran – Arena". Hung Medien. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
19. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Duran Duran – Arena". Hung Medien. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
20. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Duran Duran – Arena". Hung Medien. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
21. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Duran Duran – Arena". Hung Medien. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
22. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
23. ^ "Duran Duran Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
24. ^ "Top 100 Albums of 1984". RPM. Vol. 41, no. 17\. 5 January 1985. p. 8\. ISSN 0033-7064 - via Library and Archives Canada.
25. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 1984" (in Dutch). Dutch Charts. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
26. ^ "Top 100 Albums (January 3–December 29, 1984)" (PDF). Music Week. 26 January 1985. p. 42\. ISSN 0265-1548 - via World Radio History.
27. ^ "RPM's Top 100 Albums of 1985". RPM. Vol. 43, no. 16\. 28 December 1985. p. 14\. ISSN 0033-7064 - via Library and Archives Canada.
28. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 1985" (in Dutch). Dutch Charts. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
29. ^ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts – 1985" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
30. ^ "Top Selling Albums of 1985". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
31. ^ "Top 100 Albums (January 5–December 28, 1985)" (PDF). Music Week. 18 January 1986. p. 11\. ISSN 0265-1548 - via World Radio History.
32. ^ "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on 11 April 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
33. ^ Smirnoff, Miguel (19 April 1986). "International - Argentina" (PDF). Cash Box. p. 32. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
34. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Duran Duran – Arena". Music Canada. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
35. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Duran Duran; 'Arena')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
36. ^ "Dutch album certifications – Duran Duran – Arena" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved 4 August 2018. Enter Arena  in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 1986 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
37. ^ "New Zealand album certifications – Duran Duran – Arena". Recorded Music NZ. 27 January 1985. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
38. ^ Salaverrie, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (PDF) (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Madrid: Fundación Autor/SGAE. p. 918\. ISBN 84-8048-639-2. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
39. ^ "British album certifications – Duran Duran – Arena". British Phonographic Industry. 16 March 1985. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
40. ^ "American album certifications – Duran Duran – Arena". Recording Industry Association of America. 5 February 1985. Retrieved 30 July 2018.

## External links

[edit]

* Arena at Discogs (list of releases)

* v
* t
* e

Duran Duran

* Nick Rhodes
* John Taylor
* Roger Taylor
* Simon Le Bon

* Stephen Duffy
* Andy Taylor
* Warren Cuccurullo
* Sterling Campbell

Studio albums|

* Duran Duran
* Rio
* Seven and the Ragged Tiger
* Notorious
* Big Thing
* Liberty
* Duran Duran (The Wedding Album)
* Thank You
* Medazzaland
* Pop Trash
* Astronaut
* Red Carpet Massacre
* All You Need Is Now
* Paper Gods
* Future Past
* Danse Macabre

Live albums|

* Arena
* Live at Hammersmith '82!
* A Diamond in the Mind: Live 2011

Compilations,
EPs and remixes|

* Carnival
* Master Mixes
* Decade
* Night Versions: The Essential Duran Duran
* Greatest
* Strange Behaviour
* The Essential Collection
* Singles Box Set 1981–1985
* The Singles 1986–1995
* From Mediterranea with Love

Singles|

* "Planet Earth"
* "Careless Memories"
* "Girls on Film"
* "My Own Way"
* "Hungry Like the Wolf"
* "Save a Prayer"
* "Rio"
* "Is There Something I Should Know?"
* "Union of the Snake"
* "New Moon on Monday"
* "The Reflex"
* "The Wild Boys"
* "A View to a Kill"
* "Notorious"
* "Skin Trade"
* "Meet El Presidente"
* "I Don't Want Your Love"
* "All She Wants Is"
* "Do You Believe in Shame?"
* "Burning the Ground"
* "Violence of Summer (Love's Taking Over)"
* "Serious"
* "Ordinary World"
* "Come Undone"
* "Too Much Information"
* "Perfect Day"
* "White Lines (Don't Do It)"
* "Out of My Mind"
* "Electric Barbarella"
* "Someone Else Not Me"
* "(Reach Up for The) Sunrise"
* "What Happens Tomorrow"
* "Nice"
* "Falling Down"

Videography|

* Duran Duran Video 45
* Duran Duran
* Dancing on the Valentine
* Sing Blue Silver
* Arena (An Absurd Notion)
* 6ix by 3hree
* Decade
* Greatest
* Live from London
* Live at Hammersmith '82!
* A Diamond in the Mind: Live 2011
* Duran Duran: A Hollywood High

Related artists|

* Arcadia
* Neurotic Outsiders
* The Devils
* The Power Station
* Swahili Blonde
* TV Mania
* John Frusciante
* Dominic Brown

Related articles|

* Discography
* Songs
* Awards and nominations
* Reportage
* Tours
* All You Need Is Now
* Duran Duran's charity concert at Villa Park 1983
* Making Patterns Rhyme
* Drum
* Eilean
* Yasmin Le Bon
* Amber Le Bon

Authority control databases |

* MusicBrainz release group

|

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