Duran Duran is the group's self-titled debut studio album, originally released in 1981 through EMI. Influenced by artists such as David Bowie, the Human League, Japan and Chic, Duran Duran features a mixture of synthesiser-led pop tunes and more atmospheric tracks, with elements of disco, punk and dance. Vocalist Simon Le Bon's cryptic lyrics cover topics from youthful torment and confusion to the band's goals and ambitions.
Three singles appeared for the album, each promoted with music videos, which helped the album reach number three in the UK and remain in the top 100 for 118 weeks. The sexually-provocative video for "Girls on Film" was controversial, and generated publicity for the new MTV channel in the United States.