Save a Prayer

"Save a Prayer"
Single by Duran Duran
from the album Rio
B-side	"Hold Back the Rain"
Released	9 August 1982
Format	7", 12"
Recorded	AIR Studios, London 1982
Genre	New Wave Synthpop
Length	5:33 (Album Version) 5:24 (Single Version)
Label	EMI
Writer(s)	Duran Duran
Producer	Colin Thurston
Duran Duran singles chronology
"Hungry Like the Wolf" (1982) Save a Prayer (1982) "Rio" (1982)

"Save a Prayer" is the sixth single by Duran Duran, released on 9 August 1982.

The soft, seductive ballad was the third single from the band's second album Rio. It became Duran Duran's biggest hit to date (at the time) in the UK Singles Chart, reaching #2, held out of the top spot by Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger".

It was not originally issued as a single in the United States, although the video was very popular on MTV. However, a live version from the Arena album was released in January 1985 and reached #16 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Music video

The video was filmed by director Russell Mulcahy among the jungles, beaches, and temples of Sri Lanka in April, 1982. Scenes were filmed atop the ancient rock fortress of Sigiriya, among the ruins of a Buddhist temple at Polonnaruwa and the island's southern coastline.

A live version of the song was released in 1984. That night, Simon LeBon dedicated it to Marvin Gaye, who had been fatally shot the previous day. The video was taken from Duran Duran's Oakland, California concerts that were filmed for the Arena (An Absurd Notion).

B-sides, bonus tracks and remixes

The UK release of "Save a Prayer" was backed with a remix of "Hold Back the Rain".

Complete list of mixes

1. "Save a Prayer" - 5:34
2. "Save a Prayer [Single Version]" - 5:24
3. "Save a Prayer [Video Version]" - 6:03
4. "Save a Prayer [Australian Promo Edit]" - 4:10
5. "Save a Prayer [Brazilian Edit]" - 4:04
6. "Save a Prayer [US Single version]" - 3:44
7. "Save a Prayer [Special Edited version]" - 3:55
8. "Save a Prayer [Japanese Single version]" - 4:00
9. "Save a Prayer [Thunder in Our Hearts remix]" - 7:17 (This is an unofficial remix, though much loved and sought after by fans)

Covers, samples, and media references

The song has been covered by Tony Hadley, Shut Up And Dance (titled as Save It 'Til The Mourning After), Eve's Plum, Polyanna, Dune, Oliver Haze, 56K featuring Beejay, the Push Kings, Louis XIV and Marcos Marin by Projeto Set Band. The Christian band Sonseed recorded a version, with lyrics modified to reflect a more explicitly religious feeling, for their unreleased album Just Can't Get Enough (Of Jesus!!!).

The main tune of 'Save a Prayer' can be recognised in the song 'Salomé (Zooromancer edit)' released in 1992 by U2 as the 3rd track on the single of 'Who's gonna ride your wild horses'.

In 2007 it has been referenced in the lyrics of the song by Arctic Monkeys, "Teddy Picker" from their album Favourite Worst Nightmare: "I don't want your prayer, save it for the morning after".

In 2007, the song was featured on the episode, "Justice" of the crime drama, Cold Case.

It was sampled by the Bloodhound Gang over the chorus of their song "Mama Say".

it was also covered by mellow toy.2004

On January 27, 2009, the song was featured on the episode, "Rocky St. James" of the popular show, Nip/Tuck.

Bubblegum pop star Tommy Page sampled the song on his "Ten to Midnight" album, reworked as "Only My Imagination (Save a Prayer).

Chart positions (1982)

Live version

"Save a Prayer (live)" was released as a single from the live album Arena in the United States in January of 1985, backed with the original UK single version of "Save a Prayer". It peaked at #16 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. on 2 February 1985.

The release was accompanied by a new live video, drawn from footage shot in 1984 for the concert film Arena.

Track listing

7": EMI / EMI 5327 (UK)

1. "Save a Prayer" - 5:25
2. "Hold Back The Rain (Remix)" - 3:58

12": EMI / 12 EMI 5327 (UK)

1. "Save a Prayer" - 5:25
2. "Hold Back The Rain (Remix)" [extended] - 7:05

Other appearances

• 1984 Arena
• 1987 The Secret Policeman's Third Ball
• 1987 Now Smash Hits
• 1989 Decade: Greatest Hits
• 1993 "Ordinary World" single
• 1998 Greatest
• 1999 Now That's What I Call Music!: 1982
• 2001 Rio (reissue)
• 2003 Singles Box Set 1981-1985
• 2004 Singles Box Set 1986-1995
• 2005 Live from London
• 2009 Rio (2CD Collector's Edition)
• 2009 Live at Hammersmith '82!

Personnel

Duran Duran:

• Simon Le Bon - vocals
• Nick Rhodes - keyboards
• John Taylor - bass guitar
• Roger Taylor - drums
• Andy Taylor - guitar

Also credited:

• Colin Thurston - producer and engineer

References

• Save A Prayer at BBC's Sold on Song
• VH1: Duran Duran videos - see a clip from the "Save A Prayer" video
• The Duran Duran Timeline: 1982
• The Duran Duran Timeline: 1985
• Save a Prayer music video