Duran Duran has debuted a new cover version of the Electric Light Orchestra hit “Evil Woman.” The track also will appear on the upcoming expanded edition of the New Wave legends’ 2023 album, Danse Macabre.
The new rendition of “Evil Woman” finds Duran Duran adding a bit of synth and disco flourishes to ELO’s classic tune. The ELO original peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the U.K. singles chart in 1975.
[Buy Duran Duran Concert Tickets]
The cover is available now as an advance digital track. In addition, an animated companion video for the tune can be viewed now at Duran Duran’s official YouTube channel.
The video features a variety of spooky imagery. There are skeletons dancing at a club, a vampire, a witch, and the Frankenstein monster and his bride, and more.
[RELATED: Duran Duran’s Social Media Guru Offers Tips and Discusses Co-Hosting a SiriusXM Show With Simon Le Bon]
“Evil Woman” is one of multiple bonus tracks that will be featured on the Danse Macabre De Luxe album. The expanded reissue, which can be pre-ordered now, will be released digitally and via streaming services on Friday, October 11. Danse Macabre De Luxe also will be issued on CD and as a vinyl box set on October 25. The digital and CD version of the album will feature three extra songs. The box set will feature three LPs, one of which includes seven bonus tracks.
Other bonus tunes include a reworked version of Duran Duran’s 1984 hit “New Moon on Monday,” “New Moon (Dark Phase).” That track features a guest appearance by the band’s original lead guitarist, Andy Taylor.
Duran Duran released Danse Macabre in October 2023. The album was envisioned as a celebration of Halloween. It boasts a collection of scary-themed tunes that include a mix of Duran Duran originals, new versions of older songs by the group, and select covers. Among the latter are Billie Eilish’s “Bury a Friend,” Talking Heads’ “Psycho Killer,” The Rolling Stones’ “Paint It Black,” and The Specials’ “Ghost Town,” and Siouxsie and the Banshees’ “Spellbound.”
The album included appearances by Taylor, Chic’s Nile Rodgers, Måneskin bassist Victoria De Angelis, and ex-Duran Duran guitarist Warren Cuccurullo.
Nick Rhodes on Danse Macabre De Luxe
In a new statement, founding Duran Duran keyboardist Nick Rhodes explained the band’s motivation behind releasing Danse Macabre’s expanded version.
“When we released our Danse Macabre project last year it was born from a spontaneous decision to pull together a record which celebrated the madness and joy of Halloween,” he noted. “In doing so, we unlocked an unexpected box of curiosity and creativity, which led us to reimagine some of our older songs, record cover versions of some of our favourites, and write several new pieces.”
Rhodes continued, “This year, the inspiration was somehow still lingering, and I loved the idea of expanding the collection, because we could… Why not add some of the songs that we considered initially now that we had the luxury of a little more time? This thought resulted in another new song, a cover of the ELO classic, ‘Evil Woman,’ and a remake of ‘New Moon on Monday.’”
The Danse Macabre De Luxe vinyl box set also includes several additional tracks which make it even more special. This somehow feels like justice for vinyl collectors!”
Duran Duran’s Upcoming Tour Plans and Halloween Show
In conjunction with the release of Danse Macabre De Luxe, Duran Duran has scheduled a brief U.S. trek. The seven-date East Coast outing runs from an October 21 concert in Allentown, Pennsylvania, through a November 2 show in Manchester, New Hampshire.
As part of the tour, Duran Duran will play a special “Danse Macabre” Halloween concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The show, which is expected to become an annual tradition, will be filmed for future release.
Tickets for Duran Duran’s concerts are available now via a variety of outlets, including StubHub.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Local News
Comments / 0