'Laughably conceited': Simon LeBon slams musicians for talking politics
Simon Le Bon thinks musicians talking about politics are "laughably conceited" and looking for credibility.
Simon Le Bon thinks musicians talking about politics are "laughably conceited".
The Duran Duran frontman feels his job is to "maintain positivity and help people have a good time, and believes the artists who want to "remind everyone" about the negatives in the world are just looking for credibility.
He told The Sunday Times' Culture magazine: “Look, there’s always bad s*** happening.
“But that doesn’t mean good things don’t happen. I do not want everything to be about the Strait of Hormuz. We have got to maintain positivity, but there are some artists who feel that they have to remind everyone that it’s shit, and that doing so makes them more credible.”
When it was suggested artists want to show they care, he added: “And that they have agency. Which is unrealistic, really, and laughably conceited.
"There is always politics, but people need a good time. People need to have sex, have babies. Otherwise it’s the end of the human race. And we can be part of that positivity.”
In 1988, Duran Duran did release a political track, The Edge of America, and while its lyrics may feel timely now, the band won't be playing it on their upcoming US tour.
Simon said: “But the thing about American politics is that America chose the person they want to lead the country, and whether we like him or not, we have to respect that.
“That’s the choice of the American people, and we don’t go out of our way to offend anybody.”
Nick Rhodes added: “We’re doing a big festival. It’s probably not the right vibe.”
The Rio hitmakers were always keen to cultivate a glamorous image, and the band believe their love of artists such as David Bowie and Roxy Music were a reaction to their upbringings in industrial Birmingham.
Roger Taylor said: “It was a total retaliation against what we went through in the Seventies.
“Growing up in Birmingham was pretty grim. The city was in industrial decline — you would get ready to go to school in candlelight and so glam was a saviour for kids like us.
"This aspirational scene ran parallel to the grim reality and we were just copying our idols, really.”
Recalling sharing a rehearsal space with fellow Brummies UB40, he added: “But while they were singing about being on the dole, we were writing Girls on Film.”
