The week of June 30, 1984, belonged to New Wave band Duran Duran, whose ‘The Reflex’ gave them their first #1 hit in the U.S. I would have guessed that honor belonged to ‘Hungry Like the Wolf,’ but that song peaked at #3 a couple of years earlier.
Fans have speculated about the meaning of ‘The Reflex’ since it was released, with popular theories suggesting it is about gambling, addiction, or ejaculation. Simon Le Bon has never clarified one way or the other.
This song has the dubious distinction (along with Prince’s ‘When Doves Cry’) of keeping Brice Springsteen’s ‘Dancing in the Dark’ from topping the charts. Springsteen’s classic sat at #2 for a full month but never reached the top spot. It was the closest The Boss would ever come to a #1 hit.
You’ve gone too far this time
But I’m dancing on the Valentine
I tell you somebody’s fooling around
With my chances on the danger line
I’ll cross that bridge when I find it
Another day to make my stand, oh woah
High time is no time for deciding
If I should find a helping hand, oh woah
[Refrain]
Oh, why don’t you use it?
Try not to bruise it
Buy time, don’t lose it
Oh, why don’t you use it?
Try not to bruise it
Buy time, don’t lose it
[Chorus]
The reflex is a lonely child who’s waiting by the park
The reflex is in charge of finding treasure in the dark
And watching over lucky clover, isn’t that bizarre?
And every little thing the reflex does
Leaves you answered with a question mark
[Verse 2]
I’m on a ride, and I want to get off
But they won’t slow down the roundabout
I sold the Renoir and TV set
Don’t wanna be around when this gets out
[Refrain]
So why don’t you use it?
Try not to bruise it
Buy time, don’t lose it
Oh, why don’t you use it?
Try not to bruise it
Buy time, don’t lose it
[Chorus]
The reflex is a lonely child, he’s waiting in the park
The reflex is in charge of finding treasure in the dark
And watching over lucky clover, isn’t that bizarre?
And every little thing the reflex does
Leaves an answer with a question mark
[Instrumental Break]
[Refrain]
So why don’t you use it?
Try not to bruise it
Buy time, don’t lose it
Oh, why don’t you use it?
Try not to bruise it
Buy time, don’t lose it
[Chorus]
The reflex is a lonely child who’s waiting by the park
The reflex is in charge of finding treasure in the dark
And watching over lucky clover, isn’t that bizarre?
And every little thing the reflex does
Leaves me answered with a question mark
Oh, the reflex, what a game, he’s hiding all the cards
The reflex is in charge of finding treasure in the dark
And watching over lucky clover, isn’t that bizarre?
And every little thing the reflex does
Leaves you answered with a question mark
Meet Me In Montauk 
I really liked “Rio” and kinda liked “Hungry Like the Wolf,” but that’s about where my appreciation for Duran Duran ended. This song, in particular, just annoyed me. And how dare it keep “Dancing in the Dark” from reaching number 1!
Thanks for reminding me about Duran Duran. Time to give their catalog a re-listen…
How dare it indeed! I absolutely love Dancing in the Dark and love the video too!