Duran Duran are big fans of Diana Ross’ 1980 hit Upside Down. 

The track was released one year before the group rocketed into the charts with their eponymous debut album, featuring the hit singles Planet Earth and Girls on Film. 

They were originally inspired by punk music but struck gold with a new wave direction – which, according to frontman Simon Le Bon, was inspired by Ross.

“Punk affected our musical style, our way of dressing; it affected me lyrically massively — the single biggest lyrical influence on me was Patti Smith,” he told Vogue. “That album ‘Horses’ was a punk rock album.

“But then something happened between us and punk: It went into a slightly more austere kind of style where everybody wore black, and the album covers were monochrome. It all got a bit dull.”

Drummer Roger Taylor added: “We also started looking back a little bit as well, to Bowie and Roxy Music. 

“The whole glam thing became a part of the scene, and Kraftwerk became a big part of the scene as well — and all of that filtered through the new things that people were doing.”

However, Simon revealed Upside Down was a turning point for Duran Duran, as it gave them the freedom to explore more diverse sounds. 

“We listened to it, and it just seemed like: We can have that. We can have that as well as the punk sensibilities,” he said. 

Duran Duran landed their highest UK chart placement in 17 years with their latest album ‘Future Past’ this week, debuting at No. 3 following a chart battle with Elton John.

In a review of the album, Retro Pop called ‘Future Past’ “the group’s strongest album in years” and a record that “opens new musical possibilities for Duran Duran”. 

‘Future Past’ is available on CD and vinyl.