Hungry Like The Wolf
Duran Duran
Unleashing the Animal Within: A Dive into Duran Duran's 'Hungry Like The Wolf'
Duran Duran's 'Hungry Like The Wolf' is a vivid portrayal of desire and pursuit, wrapped in the metaphor of a wolf hunting its prey. The song, released in 1982, became one of the band's biggest hits and a defining track of the New Wave era. The lyrics paint a picture of a city at night, full of sensory experiences that heighten the feeling of a chase. The repeated phrase 'I'm on the hunt, I'm after you' conveys a sense of urgency and primal instinct, which is reinforced by the song's driving beat and catchy melody.
The metaphor of the wolf is central to the song's theme. It symbolizes raw, animalistic desire, and the pursuit of something with relentless determination. The wolf's hunger is not just for food but for the thrill of the chase and the satisfaction of capturing its target. This can be interpreted as a metaphor for human desire, whether it be for love, passion, or another form of fulfillment. The sensory descriptions, such as 'smell like a sound' and 'mouth is alive, juice's like wine,' blur the lines between the senses, creating a surreal and intense experience that mirrors the confusion and excitement of desire.
Culturally, 'Hungry Like The Wolf' reflects the 1980s' fascination with excess, glamour, and the blending of the wild with the urban. Duran Duran, known for their stylish music videos and fashion-forward image, encapsulated the spirit of the decade with this song. It's a track that invites listeners to embrace their own inner wildness and the instinctual parts of human nature that society often encourages us to tame.