Skin Trade (song)
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"Skin Trade" is a song by the English
pop rock Pop rock (also typeset as pop/rock) is a fusion genre and form of rock music characterized by a strong commercial appeal, with more emphasis on professional songwriting and recording craft, and less emphasis on attitude than standard rock musi ...
band
Duran Duran Duran Duran () are an English pop rock band formed in Birmingham in 1978 by singer Stephen Duffy, keyboardist Nick Rhodes and guitarist/bassist John Taylor (bass guitarist), John Taylor. After several early changes, the band's line-up settled ...
, released in January 1987 as the second single from their fourth studio album, '' Notorious'' (1986). It showcased a drastic change from their previous singles, with R&B influences, brass solos and funk guitar riffs, in addition to a
Prince A prince is a male ruler (ranked below a king, grand prince, and grand duke) or a male member of a monarch's or former monarch's family. ''Prince'' is also a title of nobility (often highest), often hereditary, in some European states. The ...
-style falsetto from lead vocalist
Simon Le Bon Simon John Charles Le Bon (born 27 October 1958) is an English singer. He is best known as the lead vocalist and lyricist of the new wave band Duran Duran and its offshoot Arcadia. Le Bon has received three Ivor Novello Awards from the Briti ...
. "Skin Trade" was praised by contemporary critics, but was the first commercial failure in Duran Duran's career, stalling at number 22 on the UK Singles Chart and at number 39 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, but was a success in other countries. It nonetheless continues to see radio airplay and was commended by critics as one of the best songs from ''Notorious'', with praise for the production and performances.


Background

"Skin Trade" marked a mature change in the sound of Duran Duran, moving away from their soft
synth-pop Synth-pop (short for synthesizer pop; also called techno-pop; ) is a music genre that first became prominent in the late 1970s and features the synthesizer as the dominant musical instrument. It was prefigured in the 1960s and early 1970s b ...
style into a more
urban Urban means "related to a city". In that sense, the term may refer to: * Urban area, geographical area distinct from rural areas * Urban culture, the culture of towns and cities Urban may also refer to: General * Urban (name), a list of people ...
sound. A prominent brass section played by the Borneo Horns was featured, with elements of funk guitar and scaled-back synths. Lead singer
Simon Le Bon Simon John Charles Le Bon (born 27 October 1958) is an English singer. He is best known as the lead vocalist and lyricist of the new wave band Duran Duran and its offshoot Arcadia. Le Bon has received three Ivor Novello Awards from the Briti ...
also sang in a
Prince A prince is a male ruler (ranked below a king, grand prince, and grand duke) or a male member of a monarch's or former monarch's family. ''Prince'' is also a title of nobility (often highest), often hereditary, in some European states. The ...
-style falsetto. He later admitted he was inspired by
the Rolling Stones The Rolling Stones are an English Rock music, rock band formed in London in 1962. Active for over six decades, they are one of the most popular, influential, and enduring bands of the Album era, rock era. In the early 1960s, the band pione ...
'
Mick Jagger Sir Michael Philip Jagger (born 26 July 1943) is an English musician. He is known as the lead singer and one of the founder members of The Rolling Stones. Jagger has co-written most of the band's songs with lead guitarist Keith Richards; Jagge ...
on their song "
Emotional Rescue ''Emotional Rescue'' is the fifteenth studio album by the English rock band the Rolling Stones, released on 23 June 1980 by Rolling Stones Records. Following the success of their previous album, '' Some Girls'', their biggest hit to date, the ...
".
Steve Ferrone Stephen A. Ferrone (born 25 April 1950) is an English drummer. He is known as a member of the rock band Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers from 1994 to 2017, replacing original drummer Stan Lynch, and as part of the "classic lineup" of the Aver ...
and
Warren Cuccurullo Warren Bruce Cuccurullo (born December 8, 1956) is an American musician, songwriter, restaurant owner, and former bodybuilder who first worked with Frank Zappa during the 1970s. He was also a founding member of Missing Persons in the 1980s. In 1 ...
played the drums and lead guitars respectively, with producer
Nile Rodgers Nile Gregory Rodgers Jr. (born September 19, 1952) is an American musician, songwriter, guitarist and record producer. The co-founder of Chic, he has written, produced, and performed on records that have sold more than 750 million albums and 1 ...
also playing some rhythm guitar on the single.


Packaging

Two covers for the "Skin Trade" single exist. The original French and Canadian "bum" sleeves for "Skin Trade" with gold lettering for the titles were withdrawn after retailers refused to distribute it due to its depiction of nudity. This was the band's intended sleeve design but only Canada and France were able to use it.
EMI EMI Group Limited (formerly EMI Group plc until 2007; originally an initialism for Electric and Musical Industries, also referred to as EMI Records or simply EMI) was a British transnational conglomerate founded in March 1931 in London. At t ...
would respond to this by creating a "clean cover" which was a simple red sleeve. Copies of the recalled "bum" sleeve exist, but are now a rare collectors item.


Critical reception

"Skin Trade" received positive reviews from contemporary critics upon its release, with some drawing comparisons to
Prince A prince is a male ruler (ranked below a king, grand prince, and grand duke) or a male member of a monarch's or former monarch's family. ''Prince'' is also a title of nobility (often highest), often hereditary, in some European states. The ...
. ''
Cash Box ''Cashbox'', also known as ''Cash Box'', is an American music industry trade magazine, originally published weekly from July 1942 to November 1996. Ten years after its dissolution, it was revived and continues as ''Cashbox Magazine'', an online ...
'' praised Le Bon's "Prince like vocal" and Nile Rodgers' production calling the song, "the most compelling, funky moment of the band's ''Notorious'' LP". William Shaw of ''
Smash Hits ''Smash Hits'' was a British music magazine aimed at young adults, originally published by EMAP. It ran from 1978 to 2006, and, after initially appearing monthly, was issued fortnightly during most of that time. The name survived as a brand ...
'' called the song "fairly magnificant" and praised Le Bon's performance. The single release was "Single of the Forthnight" in ''Smash Hits'', "Duran Duran are awesomely clever. Just when there are a rash of Duran Duran imitations nudging into the charts, they come up with a song that doesn't sound like the old Duran Duran at all, but sounds much, much better", Lola Borg wrote. "They've been taking lessons from Prince as this is seriously um... funky, and they sleaze and grind their way through some interesting, dodgy-sounding lyrics". Retrospectively, some have called it a mature standout in Duran Duran's discography.
AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All-Music Guide and AMG) is an American online database, online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on Musical artist, musicians and Mus ...
journalist Donald A. Guarisco wrote that, "Duran Duran's recording is fuelled by funky but gently layered guitar textures and subtle drum work that push its groove along, plus some atmospheric synth textures on the chorus. The result was a perfect blend of slow-dance textures and adult social critique." John Bergstrom of ''
PopMatters ''PopMatters'' is an international online magazine of cultural criticism that covers aspects of popular culture. ''PopMatters'' publishes reviews, interviews, and essays on cultural products and expressions in areas such as music, television, ...
'', despite criticizing the songwriting on the album lauded the song as, "arguably among the best Duran Duran have ever released, putting familiar appeals to fame and sexuality in a new, genuinely funky context." ''
The Guardian ''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper. It was founded in Manchester in 1821 as ''The Manchester Guardian'' and changed its name in 1959, followed by a move to London. Along with its sister paper, ''The Guardian Weekly'', ''The Guardi ...
'' music journalist
Alexis Petridis Alexis Petridis (born 13 September 1971) is an English journalist. He is the head Rock music, rock and pop music critic for ''The Guardian'', and a regular contributor for ''GQ''. In addition to his music journalism for the paper, he has written ...
ranked it as one of Duran Duran's greatest songs, writing: "Skin Trade sounds more impressive now than it did on release. It’s hard not to admire the boldness of the sonic shift; the sleazy ambience works."


Commercial performance

"Skin Trade" was Duran Duran's first commercial failure as it stalled at number 22 on the UK Singles Chart and number 39 in the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. Not only did it fail to replicate the success of " Notorious": it became the first single since their initial releases that failed to at least break the Top 10 in either side of the Atlantic. It was a commercial success in some countries, such as Belgium where it reached number 9 on the charts, number 10 in Italy, and 14 in the Netherlands. Poor sales of both the ''Notorious'' album and "Skin Trade" would consequently shadow the band for years to come until the success of 1992's " Ordinary World" as Duran Duran struggled to maintain their mainstream success in the late 1980s.


Music video

The video for "Skin Trade" was directed by duo Peter Kagan and Paula Greif who previously filmed the video for "Notorious" and premiered on
MTV MTV (an initialism of Music Television) is an American cable television television channel, channel and the flagship property of the MTV Entertainment Group sub-division of the Paramount Media Networks division of Paramount Global. Launched on ...
in March 1987. Footage of the three-piece band performing was treated with a
rotoscope Rotoscoping is an animation technique that animators use to trace over motion picture footage, frame by frame, to produce realistic action. Originally, live-action film images were projected onto a glass panel and traced onto paper. This pr ...
, adding vivid colors to details like a person's eyes or jewelry. Like so many other Duran Duran videos, "Skin Trade" included a female, with supermodel
Tatjana Patitz Tatjana Patitz (25 May 1966 – 11 January 2023) was a German fashion model. She achieved international prominence in the 1980s and 1990s representing fashion designers on runways and in magazines such as ''Elle (magazine), Elle'', ''Harper's B ...
's image being rotoscoped and her dancing figure was superimposed on several different vividly colored abstract backgrounds. Drummer
Steve Ferrone Stephen A. Ferrone (born 25 April 1950) is an English drummer. He is known as a member of the rock band Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers from 1994 to 2017, replacing original drummer Stan Lynch, and as part of the "classic lineup" of the Aver ...
and guitarist
Warren Cuccurullo Warren Bruce Cuccurullo (born December 8, 1956) is an American musician, songwriter, restaurant owner, and former bodybuilder who first worked with Frank Zappa during the 1970s. He was also a founding member of Missing Persons in the 1980s. In 1 ...
, who would later become a full member of the band in 1989 after the tour supporting '' Big Thing'', appear in the video but are rarely seen.


B-side and remixes

The B-side to "Skin Trade", "We Need You" was the only original B-side released during the ''Notorious'' era, being written and recorded in 1986 while the band awaited the return of guitarist Andy Taylor who left the band by the time the single was released. It was the first recording to feature just the three remaining members of Duran Duran: Simon Le Bon,
Nick Rhodes Nick Rhodes (born Nicholas James Bates; 8 June 1962) is an English keyboardist and producer, best known as a founding member and the keyboardist of the band Duran Duran. He has also been the only constant member of the group since their 1978 ...
, and
John Taylor John Taylor, Johnny Taylor or similar is the name of: Academics *John Taylor (Oxford), Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University, 1486–1487 * John Taylor (classical scholar) (1704–1766), English classical scholar *John Taylor (English publisher) ...
. Two further mixes of "Skin Trade" (the "S.O.S. dub" and the "Parisian" mix) were completed, but were initially not released commercially. They appeared on the US and UK 12″ promos, backed with remixes of their next single "
Meet El Presidente "Meet ''El Presidente''" is a song by the English pop rock band Duran Duran, released on 13 April 1987 as the third and final single from their fourth studio album, '' Notorious'' (1986). It reached number 24 in the UK Singles Chart and stalled ...
". The "Parisian" mix was also released on the exclusive '' Master Mixes'' EP before seeing its commercial release on the UK and US 3″ CD singles for " All She Wants Is".


Formats and track listings


7″: EMI / TRADE 1 United Kingdom

# "Skin Trade" (radio cut) – 4:26 # "We Need You" – 2:49


12″: EMI / 12 TRADE 1 United Kingdom

# "Skin Trade" (Stretch mix) – 7:36 # "Skin Trade" (album version) – 5:58 # "We Need You" – 2:49 *These tracks were also released on cassette (TC TRADE 1) in a video style box with the original, banned sleeve.


7″: Capitol / B-5670 United States

# "Skin Trade" (radio cut) – 4:26 # "We Need You" – 2:49


12″: Capitol / V-15274 United States

# "Skin Trade" (Stretch mix) – 7:36 # "Skin Trade" (album version) – 5:58 # "We Need You" – 2:49


CD: ''The Singles 1986–1995'' box set

# "Skin Trade" (radio cut) – 4:25 # "We Need You" – 2:49 # "Skin Trade" (Stretch mix) – 7:36 # "Skin Trade" (album version) – 5:58


Personnel

Duran Duran *
Simon Le Bon Simon John Charles Le Bon (born 27 October 1958) is an English singer. He is best known as the lead vocalist and lyricist of the new wave band Duran Duran and its offshoot Arcadia. Le Bon has received three Ivor Novello Awards from the Briti ...
– vocals *
John Taylor John Taylor, Johnny Taylor or similar is the name of: Academics *John Taylor (Oxford), Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University, 1486–1487 * John Taylor (classical scholar) (1704–1766), English classical scholar *John Taylor (English publisher) ...
– bass guitar *
Nick Rhodes Nick Rhodes (born Nicholas James Bates; 8 June 1962) is an English keyboardist and producer, best known as a founding member and the keyboardist of the band Duran Duran. He has also been the only constant member of the group since their 1978 ...
– keyboards Additional musicians *
Warren Cuccurullo Warren Bruce Cuccurullo (born December 8, 1956) is an American musician, songwriter, restaurant owner, and former bodybuilder who first worked with Frank Zappa during the 1970s. He was also a founding member of Missing Persons in the 1980s. In 1 ...
– guitars *
Nile Rodgers Nile Gregory Rodgers Jr. (born September 19, 1952) is an American musician, songwriter, guitarist and record producer. The co-founder of Chic, he has written, produced, and performed on records that have sold more than 750 million albums and 1 ...
– guitars *
Steve Ferrone Stephen A. Ferrone (born 25 April 1950) is an English drummer. He is known as a member of the rock band Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers from 1994 to 2017, replacing original drummer Stan Lynch, and as part of the "classic lineup" of the Aver ...
– drums *The Borneo Horns – horns *Curtis King – background vocals *Brenda White-King – background vocals *
Tessa Niles Tessa Margaret Niles ( ''née'' Webb; born 27 January 1961) is an English singer, best known as a backing singer for a wide variety of contemporary artists. She began her professional singing career in 1979. Early life and career Niles began h ...
– background vocals *Cindy Mizelle – background vocals Technical *
Nile Rodgers Nile Gregory Rodgers Jr. (born September 19, 1952) is an American musician, songwriter, guitarist and record producer. The co-founder of Chic, he has written, produced, and performed on records that have sold more than 750 million albums and 1 ...
– producer *Duran Duran – producer *Daniel Abraham – remixer, engineer and mixer *
Larry Levan Lawrence Philpot (July 20, 1954 – November 8, 1992), known as Larry Levan ( ), was an American DJ best known for his decade-long residency at the New York City night club Paradise Garage, which has been described as the prototype of the moder ...
– remixer ("Stretch" mix)


Charts


Weekly charts


Year-end charts


References

{{Authority control 1986 songs 1987 singles Duran Duran songs Song recordings produced by Nile Rodgers Songs written by Simon Le Bon Songs written by John Taylor (bass guitarist) Songs written by Nick Rhodes