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Rio

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work

Rio · After their 1981 debut and the hit Girls on Film, Duran Duran wrote the follow-up in a nightclub in Birmingham and in a remote château in France. EMI doubled the budget. Recording took place from January to March 1982 at AIR Studios in London, with producer Colin Thurston. Bassist John Taylor came up with the title.

The band experimented more than before, with vibraphone, marimba and even the sound of a lit cigarette and cracking ice cubes. Rio is new wave and synth-pop with influences from disco and funk. Saxophonist Andy Hamilton played the solo on the title track. The Chauffeur came about on the spot in the studio and is entirely electronic. The cover, painted by Patrick Nagel, is regarded as one of the best ever. The videos helped set off the MTV revolution. Reviews were at first mixed; later the record gained a reputation as timeless and as the band's best work.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to The Chauffeur and notice the electronic sounds: the track was conceived in the studio and contains the sound of a cracking ice cube.

Track list

  1. 1Rio (Single Edit)5:15Apple Music ↗
  2. 2The Chauffeur (Blue Silver)3:51Apple Music ↗
  3. 3Rio (Part II)5:32Apple Music ↗
  4. 4My Own Way (Carnival Version)4:37Apple Music ↗
  5. 5Rio [2009 Remaster]5:37Apple Music ↗
  6. 6Rio (US Remix) [2009 Remaster]5:25Apple Music ↗
  7. 7Rio (Night Version) [2009 Remaster]6:40Apple Music ↗
  8. 8The Chauffeur (Blue Silver) [Early Version] [2009 Remaster]3:54Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗

Categories: Albums and songs