Election Day (song)

Infobox Single |
Name = Election Day

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Caption = 7" single sleeve
Artist = Arcadia
from Album = So Red the Rose
B-side = "She's Moody and grey..."
Released = October 1985
Format = 7", 12"
Recorded = Studio de la Grande Armee, Paris
Genre = Dance, New Wave
Length = 4:30
Label = Parlophone - NSR1
Writer = Arcadia
Producer = Alex Sadkin
Chart position =
* #6 (US Billboard Hot 100)
* #7 (UK Singles Chart)
Last single =

This single = "Election Day"
(1985)
Next single = "Goodbye Is Forever"
(1986)

"Election Day" was the first single released by the Duran Duran off-shoot band, Arcadia. It was released by Parlophone Records in October 1985 and subsequently hit the top ten on both sides of the Atlantic, peaking at #6 in the U.S. and #7 in the UK, but was the most successful in Ireland, peaking at #5 and in Italy, peaking at #1 (also reaching the Top 25 in Germany). Along with the Arcadia members, "Election Day" features Grace Jones on vocals and speech segments.

About the song

When Smash Hits published the lyrics in their magazine, they published the complete lyric, which included a verse that was subsequently dropped from the released version of the song:

"Don't even try to induce, In all my restrain there's no hesitation " "All the signs on the loose 'cause sanity's rare this end of the hard day " "Shadows are crawling out of the subway " "Any way that you choose in every direction just to confuse me"

Music video

The dark and moody video — with Gothic imagery inspired by Jean Cocteau's 1946 film, "La Belle et la Bête" — was shot in and around Paris in late September 1985. It was directed by Roger Christian. There was a short cameo appearance by William S. Burroughs. A documentary film was made on the filming and production of the music video. [ [http://youtube.com/watch?v=EXVl5fSRPWQ "Filming Election Day"] - September 1985, Paris, France. Video.]

B-sides, bonus tracks and remixes

The B-side, "She's Moody And Grey, She's Mean And She's Restless", is an instrumental version of "Election Day". The title comes from the first verse of "Election Day".

There were a total of four mixes for "Election Day" - 'the single version', 'Cryptic Cut No Voice', 'Consensus' and 'Cryptic Cut / Fact and Story'. Of these, the promo-only "Cryptic Cut / Fact and Story" was the most difficult to find. It eventually surfaced on the remix bootleg "Heaven's Eyes".

A further fifth mix "Early Rough Mix" was released on the 12" for "The Flame".

This was the first Duran Duran related single to have more than one remix of the lead track, a feat that would continue on "Notorious" a year later.

Covers, samples, & media references

"Election Day" is still popular with televised election coverage in the US.

This is also the only song that was performed live. On Duran Duran's 'Strange Behaviour' tour, they did a medley of "Election Day" and the Power Station single "Some Like It Hot".

Track listing

7": Parlophone / NSR 1 (UK)

# "Election Day" (Single version) - 4:30
# "She's Moody And Grey, She's Mean And She's Restless" - 4:28

* B-side is an instrumental version of "Election Day"

12": Parlophone / 12 NSR 1 (UK)

# "Election Day" (Consensus Mix) - 8:39
# "Election Day" (Single version) - 4:30
# "She's Moody And Grey, She's Mean And She's Restless" - 4:28

12": Parlophone / 12 NSRA 1 (UK)

# "Election Day" (Cryptic Cut No Voice Mix) - 8:27
# "Election Day" (single version) - 4:30
# "Election Day" (Consensus Mix) - 8:39

12": Townhouse / PSLP393 (UK)

# "Election Day" (Cryptic Cut / Fact and Story Mix) - 9:06

* 1-sided UK promo

Other appearances

Albums:
* "So Red the Rose" (1985)

Singles:
* "The Flame" (1986)

Videos:

Personnel

Arcadia are:
*Simon Le Bon - vocals
*Nick Rhodes - keyboards
*Roger Taylor - drums

Also credited:
*Alex Sadkin - producer and engineer
*Grace Jones - guest vocalist

References

External links

* [http://youtube.com/watch?v=e5hzxTmjnqo Simon Le Bon and Nick Rhoades being interviewed on Arcadia and the theme of Election Day] - filmed at the time of the release of Election Day in 1985.