With Duran Duran’s 12th LP, Red Carpet Massacre, out now, the lead singer reflects on 25 years in the music biz. 

As told to Ben Detrick We brought [Timbaland and Justin Timberlake] on board because it adds a different kind of talent, something new to play with. And we had an amazing time making this record… But we don’t think of it as relying on somebody else [to make a contemporary hit record]. In our business you don’t judge people or yourself by your age. It’s what you can create when you’re in the studio. That was how we measured ourselves, and we found that we came up quite well.

I’m happy the [’80s] revival includes us… But I don’t feel it’s the be-all end-all of Duran Duran and our careers. There are some people who look back and think that the high point of their lives was in their twenties, and they keep going back to that. Then there are other people who are willing to put themselves on the line and not be embarrassed by growing old and be happy and have a good time. I definitely don’t give a fuck.

I think there is an interesting situation where black artists can sing about “bitches” and “hoes”… But rock bands have to be very careful about being politically correct. The public perception is a little bit fucked up. There’s a lot of moralizing by people who don’t really know—they just count the swear words. You always have people that are trying to govern art, and they’re fighting a losing battle. Kids listen to what they want, thank God!

I don’t think it’s necessary to be taken seriously. We’ve had songs that make people think, and we’ve had songs to make people get up and dance… But some people might like one aspect of Duran Duran, and some people might like another. It’s not for me to tell people what they ought to think.

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