The Reflex


"The Reflex" is the eleventh single by the English pop rock band Duran Duran, released on 16 April 1984. The song was heavily remixed by Nile Rodgers and Jason Corsaro for the single release. It was the third and last to be taken from their third studio album Seven and the Ragged Tiger. The single became the band's first to reach the top of the Billboard Hot 100 and their second to top the UK Singles Chart. On Billboard's chart, it also became the first of two songs blocking Bruce Springsteen's "Dancing in the Dark" from reaching number one.

Critical reception

Cash Box wrote: "Spotlighting the slick vocals of Simon Le Bon and the tight Euro-pop rhythms set to a funk beat, 'The Reflex' will certainly cause a stir for current fans and it will probably reach a new, more dance oriented crowd."

Music video

Main photography of the music video for "The Reflex" took place during the Seven and the Ragged Tiger tour at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on 5 March 1984. Director Russell Mulcahy filmed some of the close-up footage in the indoor arena that afternoon, and the band's performance was filmed live during that evening's concert.

B-sides, bonus tracks and remixes

In addition to the 4:26 single remix, the 12" also includes an extended remix of "The Reflex". The live B-side "Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)" is a cover version of a Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel song, recorded 16 November 1982 at Hammersmith Odeon in London, England, with lead Rebel Steve Harley joining the band onstage.
A second live B-side released on the U.S. single, "New Religion", was recorded on 7 February 1984 at the Forum in Los Angeles, California. This is not the same live version that appears on the album Arena.

Formats and track listings

7": EMI / Duran 2 United Kingdom
  1. "The Reflex" – 4:20
  2. "Make Me Smile " – 4:54
12": EMI / 12 Duran 2 United Kingdom
  1. "The Reflex" – 6:35
  2. "The Reflex" – 4:20
  3. "Make Me Smile " – 4:54
7": Capitol / B-5345 United States
  1. "The Reflex" – 4:25
  2. "New Religion" – 4:52
  • The "dance mix—edited" version is the same version as the regular 7".
12": Capitol / V-8587 United States
  1. "The Reflex" – 6:35
  2. "The Reflex" – 4:25
CD: Part of Singles Box Set 1981–1985
  1. "The Reflex" – 4:20
  2. "Make Me Smile " – 4:54
  3. "The Reflex" – 6:35

Charts

Year-end charts

, "The Reflex" was the fourth-most streamed Duran Duran song in the UK.

Cover versions

Cover versions have been recorded by Less Than Jake and the duo of Kylie Minogue and Ben Lee.