Album: Duran Duran (1981)

Charted: 5

License This Song 

• See them walking hand in hand across the bridge at midnight
  Heads turning as the lights flashing out are so bright
  Then walk right out to the four line track
  There's a camera rolling on her back
  On her back
  And I sense a rhythm humming in a frenzy
  All the way down her spine
  
  Girls on film, girls on film
  Girls on film, girls on film
  
  Lipstick cherry all over the lens as she's falling
  And miles of sharp blue water coming in where she lies
  The diving man's coming up for air
  'Cause the crowd all love pulling dolly by the hair
  By the hair
  And she wonders how she ever got here
  As she goes under again
  
  Girls on film (two minutes later)
  Girls on film
  Girls on film (got your picture)
  Girls on film
  
  Wider, baby, smile and you've just made a million
  Fuses pumping live heat twisting out on a wire
  Take one last glimpse into the night
  I'm touching close, I'm holding bright
  Holding tight
  Give me shudders in a whisper
  Take me up 'til I'm shooting a star
  
  Girls on film (she's more than a lady)
  Girls on film
  Girls on film (two minutes later)
  Girls on film
  Girls on film (see you together)
  Girls on film
  Girls on film (see you later)
  Girls on film Writer/s: Andy Taylor, John Taylor, Nick Rhodes, Roger Taylor, Simon Le Bon
  Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 13

• Padraig from Nowhere In ParticularAlmost every band has two best songs. One is the song that, in the macrocosm of the entire pop music universe, is their most outstanding contribution, the one that lifts it as closely as it is possible near the sphere of the all-time greats. In Duran Duran's case that tune might very well be The Reflex, this absolute barnstormer of a pop song that is rooted surprisingly deeply in R&B. And then there is the other best one, the one that shines in the microcosm of the band in terms of who they are, what they wanted to do and how they pulled it off. Duran Duran's other best one, the one for the aficionados, is Girls on Film. Alex Petridis in The Guardian got it straight to the point: it is indeed "as close as they got to achieving their original “Chic-meets-the-Sex-Pistols” blueprint".
  
  What makes this even better is that the version to go for is not the Album/Single recording, but the lesser known and a-pure-joy-to-discover Extended Night Version, done for the long rendition of their raunchy music video that was to be played exclusively in Night Clubs. It came at a time when the technology available to them and their producer wasn't as advanced as to just use the existing take and add some loops. Instead, they recorded a completely new version with an arrangement so markedly different that it might just as well be a separate song altogether - one that is similarly slick, but with even more drive. Even a lot more drive. It is absolutely glorious. To this aficionado, it is their best work by a country mile.
• Shaun Lee from Pittsburgh, PaIf you think about the video, this was the reason why Playboy TV (then The Playboy Channel) decided to do the whole Playboy's Hot Rocks program in the first place with the uncensored version.
• Griffo from Brumsorry but simon did not write the song, it was written by andy wickett, a member of the band before simon le bon joined. andy was paid 600 uk pounds for the song when he left the band.
• Duran Duran FactsWho writes these facts? "The group was known for dating models, so they had plenty of firsthand accounts to draw from. It was written by the five members of the band."
  
  Simon Le Bon was/is the lyricists so he wrote the lyrics. The song title had been around before Duran Duran were even famous. And, the band weren't dating models at the time. This was their third single from their first album. Yes, some of the members dated models but that came later.
• John from Washington, DcBetween the video and the lines like "wider baby", "shuddering...I'm shooting a star" and "see you together", this song is either cleverly walking the line between exploitation and criticism of porn, or hypocritically trying to have it both ways. I'd have to say it's the former, and it's actually a great song. Probably the only one this group can claim amongst a lot of nonsense.
• Paul from Geelong, Australiadoes anyone know the girls in the video. i have a feling they were all page 3 girls.
• Aaron from Columbus, OhThe "Big Hair" guy was Nick Rhodes, the keyboardist. He had flaming red hair, and in the early 80's it was big!
• Andrew from London, EnglandOne of life's little mysteries that will remain unsolved until the end of time: what on Planet earth was the music appeal of Duran Duran?
• Annabelle from Eugene, OrI bet you when people first saw the video for "Girls On Film", they probably gasped in shock as they stared at those naked girls. Aside from that, lots of girls probably had the hots for Simon LeBon! By the way, which one of Duran Duran's band members is "The One With The Big Hair"? The reason I ask this is because when I asked my Dad which band member of Duran Duran was his favorite Band Member, his answer was, "The one with the Big Hair".
• James from Albuquerque, Nmohhhh, i loved that video. Duran Duran is the bomb diggity
• Katie from Memphis, TnThe version of the song played on the unedited video is the Night Version. At the time, sampling didn't exist so the band actually went back into the studio and wrote and performed a whole new arrangement for the song. They did this on all their early remixes.
• Karsh from London, Englandthis song was used as the opening theme to a japanese animation series "Speed Grapher"
• Pete from Nowra, Australiathe video was the best Jerry, the best

More Songfacts:

Mr. Tambourine ManBob Dylan

Bob Dylan's original version of "Mr. Tambourine Man," released on his album Bringing It All Back Home, has no tambourine, just guitars and harmonica.

Suck It and SeeArctic Monkeys

The Arctic Monkeys 2011 song "Suck It and See" is titled after a British saying meaning you should try something to see if you like it.

Nobody Does It BetterCarly Simon

"Nobody Does It Better" by Carly Simon was used in the film The Spy Who Loved Me. It was the first James Bond song not named after the movie.

Looking For A New LoveJody Watley

The phrase "Hasta la vista, baby" was popularized in the 1987 Jody Watley song "Looking For A New Love," four years before Arnold Schwarzenegger said it in the movie Terminator 2: Judgment Day.

Killing An ArabThe Cure

"Killing An Arab" by The Cure was inspired by Albert Camus' book The Stranger.

I Will SurviveGloria Gaynor

There was only one Grammy ever given for Best Disco Recording. It went to "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor.

Editor's Picks

Supertramp founder Roger HodgsonSongwriter Interviews

Roger tells the stories behind some of his biggest hits, including "Give a Little Bit," "Take the Long Way Home" and "The Logical Song."

AdeleFact or Fiction

Despite her reticent personality, Adele's life and music are filled with intrigue. See if you can spot the true tales.

Thomas DolbySongwriter Interviews

He wrote "She Blinded Me With Science" so he could direct a video about a home for deranged scientists.

Kim Thayil of SoundgardenSongwriter Interviews

Their frontman (Chris Cornell) started out as their drummer, so Soundgarden takes a linear approach when it comes to songwriting. Kim explains how they do it.

Why Does Everybody Hate Nu-Metal? Your Metal Questions AnsweredSong Writing

10 Questions for the author of Precious Metal: Decibel Presents the Stories Behind 25 Extreme Metal Masterpieces

British InvasionFact or Fiction

Go beyond The Beatles to see what you know about the British Invasion.