Duran Duran: The Reflex Meaning

Song Released: 1984

The Reflex Lyrics

The Reflex
The Reflex
The Reflex

You've gone too far this time
And 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...

1. anonymous

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   Apr 18th 2022 !⃝

   Obviously, "the reflex" he's talking about is an erection. C'mon people. I understood this instantly as soon as I heard it as a little girl in the 80s, when this was playing on the radio all the time. I mean, I hadn't experienced an erection, but I knew that an erection was a biological reflex and that a Valentine was a common symbol for a woman's VJ and buttocks. Dancing on a Valentine is clearly a sexual act. If there was any doubt about the meaning, it was removed by the bit where he lewdly pleads for someone to "use it" but not to "bruise it" - to be wanked, essentially. This song is Duran Duran's "Longview". Way too much information.
2. anonymous

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   Nov 28th 2019 !⃝

   Every one mentions what Simon meant by the song. In reality, John and Andy Taylor wrote the song. I heard it could be about gambling addiction. I can see that.
3. anonymous

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   Mar 4th 2018 !⃝

   I don't think they knew what they were saying, but I interpret it from a non-dual perspective. The reflex is an only child - our conditioning is our "reflex" and it is the conditioning of separation, the "only child". We are looking over the four leaf clover - interpreted as: missing our treasure. The don't abuse it, don't bruise it stuff could be in regards to ego, identity, illusion, etc.
4. anonymous

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   Feb 26th 2017 !⃝

   It's about his heroin addiction
5. anonymous

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   Aug 19th 2016 !⃝

   I think it's about trusting yourself to do the right decisions and trusting your reflexes instead of over thinking.
6. anonymous

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   Aug 17th 2014 !⃝

   This song is about Simon's sex addiction.

   This interpretation has been marked as poor. view anyway
7. anonymous

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   Jun 8th 2014 !⃝

   The Song's Lyrics Are (Very) Puzzling To Most Listeners. Lead Vocalist Simon Le Bon Said He Has No Clue What The Song Means.
8. anonymous

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   Jul 14th 2011 !⃝

   "A true reflex is a behavior which is mediated via the reflex arc"
   
   Is about using your brain not your penis.
   
   About reflecting, finding treasures in the dark which is analyzing facts and leaving the answers with question marks.
   
   "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
   Every little thing the reflex does
   Leaves you answered with a question mark"
   
   I don't believe that all songs from those years have to have a significant meaning, but in the case of "The Reflex" I believe it does.
9. anonymous

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   Jun 10th 2011 !⃝

   This song has tons of rumors of what its about. mainly about drugs or male pleasuring himself. The pleasuring himself I think Cyndi Lauper is partially to blame because of her song She bop with the "Danger zone lyric" where in the reflex its "Danger light" But anyways the band said it was recorded over two bottles of wine. They were drunk while writing it. its just randomness, or a song you can decide yourself what the song meaning for your life or just how you take the song means overall.
10. anonymous

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    Jan 23rd 2011 !⃝

    Totally male's reflect of sexual arousement, and what he thinks how to deal with it. But most of all, use it, play with it, yet don't bruise it.
11. anonymous

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    Aug 4th 2010 !⃝

    i think they just cut a load of words out of a newspaper, threw them on the floor and read how they landed.
    
    i think they did this for most if not all of their songs

    This interpretation has been marked as poor. view anyway
12. anonymous

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    Jun 23rd 2010 !⃝

    This song came out when I was a 15 and I remember there being a lot of controversy about it when the video hit MTV because the song was said to be about male masturbation.
    
    There's no real mystery it's pretty literal
    
    "You've gone too far this time"
    (His date says he's going too far)
    
    But I'm dancing on the valentine
    (During close-contact dancing with her)
    
    I tell you somebody's fooling around
    With my chances on the dangerline
    (He's about to get kicked to the curb for getting an erection while dancing)
    
    I'll cross that bridge when I find it
    Another day to make my stand
    (He knows he's not going to have sex with her today and doesn't want to ruin his chance of another go at it on another date)
    
    High time is no time for deciding
    If I should find a helping hand
    (It would be better to masturbate before going out on a date with the reluctant girlfriend than to be stuck out on a date in an awkward situation.)
    
    CHORUS
    So why don't you use it?
    Try not to bruise it
    (obvious reference to male masturbation)
    
    Buy time don't lose it
    (he's going to buy time with his date who doesn't want to go further, by masturbating when she's not around, instead of losing it when they're making out)
    
    The reflex is an only child he's waiting in the park
    (masturbation is something you do solo)
    
    The reflex is in charge of finding treasure in the dark
    (masturbation helps you find orgasms in the dark)
    
    And watching over lucky clover isn't that bizarre
    (voyeurism and masturbation reference)
    
    Every little thing the reflex does
    Leaves you answered with a question mark
    (Masturbation leaves him fulfilled even when the possibility of sex with another person is still a question mark)
    
    I'm on a ride and I want to get off
    (He's having sex and he wants to have an orgasm)
    But they won't slow down the roundabout
    (But the motion is too quick)
    I sold the radio and the TV set
    Don't want to be around when this gets out
    (He wouldn't want to admit it, but he just masturbated to have an orgasm)
    
    CHORUS
    
    Oh the reflex what a game he's hiding all the cards
    (Refers to having an edge through masturbation)
    
    The reflex is in charge of finding treasure in the dark
    And watching over lucky clover isn't that bizarre
    Every little thing the reflex does
    Leaves you answered with a question mark
13. anonymous

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    Jun 10th 2010 !⃝

    I have to agree with an earlier assessment that the song is basically written by someone on drugs. The lyrics are vague, and the references are completely aloof. I'm a fan of Duran but I'm not sure a lot of work went into this. I think Simon just wanted to seem eccentric and mysterious. Most of Durans lyrics are about women but this one is an oddball. Fortunately the rest of the band put together great music as always.
14. anonymous

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    Mar 20th 2010 !⃝

    The reflex is about the ability to be reflexive? What you can do with your mind to find new truths and potentiality beneficial realities from any past situation e.g. 'the reflex is in charge of finding treasure in the dark' and 'Oh the reflex what a game he's hiding all the cards'
    
    'So why don't you use it?
    Try not to bruise it
    Buy time don't lose it'
    means if you are aware of your own capacity to do this, why not use it, use it constructively and make time 'truly yours' by not giving up this power. It will eventually disappear completely if not used!
    
    'Every little thing the reflex does
    Leaves you answered with a question mark'
    the nature of truth seeking inquiry concludes in more questions!
    
    'And watching over lucky clover isn't that bizarre'
    If your mode of being is to live in hope, knowing that there are better possible realities 'out there' they just need to be found and maintained, then this act doesn't appear foolish to you.
    
    'The reflex is an only child he's waiting in the park'
    the reflexive capacity in itself is synonymous to a child desperately wanting to play and is surrounded by all the tools or ingredients he/she needs to do so. What your actually playing around with though is reality itself making it what you want to it to be.
    
    ONE LOVE (hope you find this to)
15. anonymous

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    Dec 14th 2009 !⃝

    It's about getting an erection, plain and simple. An erection is a reflex. No deep metaphors. It's an only child down there alone. Now that has an erection should he find a helping hand or just whack it him self? It's in charge of finding treasure in the dark... When he's about to get laid, watching over lucky clover when he's gonna get lucky. Unfortunately sometimes it happens at embarrassing moments which leave him with a question mark. He doesn't want to be around when the news gets out that he had a boner in public. -Rufuss

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