On the 'VH1' show "True Spin", 'Duran Duran' explained that "Rio" is a metaphor for America, and the song expressed their desire to succeed there, which they did. The wordplay is interesting, as "Rio" is sung as if it's a girl's name, and the word conjures images of the popular and glamorous Brazilian city, which goes with the exotic image the band was cultivating. The lyrics clearly state, however, "from mountains in the North down to the Rio Grande", which is the span of America.
The Rio Grande river separates the US from Mexico. A few studio tricks were employed to get a distinctive sound for this song. The synthesizer was hooked up to an "arpeggiator", which is a tool that creates an 'arpeggio' effect by automatically stepping through a sequence of notes. Also, keyboard player Nick Rhodes made the sound at the beginning of the song by placing some metal rods on the strings of a grand piano, playing the instrument, then recording the sound backwards.
(The girl who laughs in the song was the girlfriend of Nick at the time.) The video did a great deal to frame the image of 'Duran Duran' as international superstars. Shot off the coast of Antigua while the band were vacationing there (they got along so well at the time they even holidayed together!), they appeared wearing expensive suits while riding a yacht. The character 'Rio' appears as an exotic-looking woman (sometimes wearing body paint), being the object of their affections.
The colourful video stood out on 'MTV', which didn't have many videos at the time and played it often. Directed by Russell Mulcahy, who did most of the band's videos around this time, the script was written around the yacht scenes because one of their managers decided he wanted to go yachting in Antigua, and, since the band were already there, went with them to shoot the video! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rio_%28song%29
They were well marketed - especially in the USA, their album cover was by Patrick Nagel - famed for his artwork in Playboy Magazine. The whole thing was pretty slick, and somewhat connecting with the me me me Wall Street Gordon Gecko thing, the suits and looks of Miami Vice...
For me, in the Eighties, ridiculous, but in hindsight, cool, as regards performance and production. Fabulous, clean, tight sound, even by today's standards.
11 Comments (since 28 May 2015)
leejohnson
On the 'VH1' show "True Spin", 'Duran Duran' explained that "Rio" is a metaphor for America, and the song expressed their desire to succeed there, which they did. The wordplay is interesting, as "Rio" is sung as if it's a girl's name, and the word conjures images of the popular and glamorous Brazilian city, which goes with the exotic image the band was cultivating. The lyrics clearly state, however, "from mountains in the North down to the Rio Grande", which is the span of America.
leejohnson
The Rio Grande river separates the US from Mexico. A few studio tricks were employed to get a distinctive sound for this song. The synthesizer was hooked up to an "arpeggiator", which is a tool that creates an 'arpeggio' effect by automatically stepping through a sequence of notes. Also, keyboard player Nick Rhodes made the sound at the beginning of the song by placing some metal rods on the strings of a grand piano, playing the instrument, then recording the sound backwards.
leejohnson
(The girl who laughs in the song was the girlfriend of Nick at the time.) The video did a great deal to frame the image of 'Duran Duran' as international superstars. Shot off the coast of Antigua while the band were vacationing there (they got along so well at the time they even holidayed together!), they appeared wearing expensive suits while riding a yacht. The character 'Rio' appears as an exotic-looking woman (sometimes wearing body paint), being the object of their affections.
leejohnson
The colourful video stood out on 'MTV', which didn't have many videos at the time and played it often. Directed by Russell Mulcahy, who did most of the band's videos around this time, the script was written around the yacht scenes because one of their managers decided he wanted to go yachting in Antigua, and, since the band were already there, went with them to shoot the video! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rio_%28song%29
rumn8tr
One of my favorite bands - still kicking around and putting out new stuff too!
daved
They were well marketed - especially in the USA, their album cover was by Patrick Nagel - famed for his artwork in Playboy Magazine. The whole thing was pretty slick, and somewhat connecting with the me me me Wall Street Gordon Gecko thing, the suits and looks of Miami Vice...
pez
The business. They somehow managed to be both ridiculous and cool at the same time.
rickydicky49
Wow this is a busy song!
leejohnson
For me, in the Eighties, ridiculous, but in hindsight, cool, as regards performance and production. Fabulous, clean, tight sound, even by today's standards.
Kid_Dada
My first favorite song, the song that got me into pop music. That bass line is still one of my favorites.
daved
@Kid_Dada The bass line makes it