Skin Trade (song)

"Skin Trade"
Single by Duran Duran
from the album Notorious
B-side	"We Need You"
Released	January 1987 (1987-01) (US) 9 February 1987 (1987-02-09) (UK)[1]
Recorded	June–September 1986
Studio	Abbey Road (London)
Genre	White soul R&B[2] funk
Length	5:58 (album version) 4:27 (radio version) 7:20 (S.O.S. dub) 7:45 (Stretch mix) 8:09 (Parisian mix)
Label	EMI Capitol
Songwriter(s)	Simon Le Bon John Taylor Nick Rhodes
Producer(s)	Nile Rodgers
Duran Duran singles chronology
"Notorious" (1986) "Skin Trade" (1987) "Meet El Presidente" (1987)
Music video
"Skin Trade" on YouTube
Alternative cover
The original, banned sleeve

"Skin Trade" is a song by the English pop rock band Duran Duran, released in January 1987 as the second single from their fourth studio album, Notorious (1986). It showcased a drastic change from their previous singles, with R&B influences, brass solos and funk guitar riffs, in addition to a Prince-style falsetto from lead vocalist Simon Le Bon.

"Skin Trade" was praised by contemporary critics, but was the first commercial failure in Duran Duran's career, stalling at number 22 on the UK Singles Chart and at number 39 on the Billboard Hot 100, but was a success in other countries. It nonetheless continues to see radio airplay and was commended by both critics and fans as one of the best songs from Notorious, with praise for the production and performances.