Rio
Duran Duran Lyrics


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Moving on the floor now, babe
You're a bird of paradise
Cherry ice cream smile
I suppose it's very nice
With a step to your left and a flick to the right
You catch that mirror way out west
You know you're something special
And you look like you're the best

Her name is Rio and she dances on the sand
Just like that river twisting through a dusty land
And when she shines, she really shows you all she can
Oh Rio, Rio dance across the Rio Grande

I've seen you on the beach
And I've seen you on TV
Two, of a billion stars
It means so much to me
Like a birthday or a pretty view
But then I'm sure that you know it's just for you

Her name is Rio and she dances on the sand
Just like that river twisting through a dusty land
And when she shines, she really shows you all she can
Oh Rio, Rio dance across the Rio Grande

Hey now (woo)
Look at that did he nearly run you down
At the end of the drive the lawmen arrive
You make me feel alive, alive, alive

I'll take my chance 'cause luck is on my side
Or something, I know what you're thinking
I'll tell you something, I know what you're thinking

Her name is Rio and she dances on the sand
Just like that river twists across a dusty land
And when she shines, she really shows you all she can
Oh Rio, Rio dance across the Rio Grande

Her name is Rio, she don't need to understand
And I might find her if I'm looking like I can
Oh Rio, Rio hear them shout across the land
From mountains in the north, down to the Rio Grande

Doo doo doo doo doo doo




Doo doo doo doo doo doo
Doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo

Overall Meaning

The song, Rio by Duran Duran, is an upbeat and catchy pop tune that has enjoyed immense popularity since its release in 1982. The melody is infectious but the lyrics aren't so straightforward - the song tells the story of a girl named Rio who dances on the sand and shines like a star. The opening verses describe her moving gracefully on a dance floor, where she catches everyone's attention with her radiant smile and confident charm. When the chorus comes along, the song takes on a more ethereal vibe, as it likens Rio to a twisting river that navigates through dusty land. Her radiance shines bright like the star she is, and she's the embodiment of energy and glory. She dances across the Rio Grande, leaving a trail of admirers in her wake.


The second verse of the song takes on a more introspective tone, as the singer expresses how he has seen Rio on the beach and on TV. She’s just like one of the billion stars we see in the night sky, but she exudes something special that makes her stand out. It’s like a pretty view or a birthday present that holds so much significance to us. The lyrics highlight how Rio has captured the imagination of so many people around the world, which accounts for her immense popularity. The chorus repeats again, emphasizing how Rio is a free spirit that doesn't need to understand, but just like a rising star, one can find her by looking up.


Line by Line Meaning

Moving on the floor now, babe
As you gracefully dance, it's clear you're feeling good


You're a bird of paradise
You exude beauty in a way that's pure and natural


Cherry ice cream smile
Your cheerful expression is something to be savored and enjoyed


I suppose it's very nice
It's a simple pleasure that we all can appreciate


With a step to your left and a flick to the right
Your movements are fluid and confident, making a lasting impression


You catch that mirror way out west
You've got a sense for style and an eye for detail that's truly impressive


You know you're something special
You're fully aware of your unique, undeniable allure


And you look like you're the best
You carry yourself with an air of sophistication and effortless grace


Her name is Rio and she dances on the sand
She's carefree and full of life, personifying the city's spirit


Just like that river twisting through a dusty land
Her movements are fluid and dynamic, echoing Rio's geography


And when she shines, she really shows you all she can
In moments of true joy, her radiance shines brightest


Oh Rio, Rio dance across the Rio Grande
Her energy and spirit embody the city's vitality and vibrancy


I've seen you on the beach
I've witnessed your stunning beauty in a natural setting


And I've seen you on TV
You've captured my attention and sparked my imagination through media


Two, of a billion stars
While you may be one of many famous people, you still stand out in my eyes


It means so much to me
Your presence in the world is a source of inspiration and joy for me


Like a birthday or a pretty view
You're a fleeting moment of beauty, like a special day or scenic panorama


But then I'm sure that you know it's just for you
The beauty of who you are is something that's entirely yours, and can't be duplicated


Hey now (woo)
I'm taking notice, and ready to engage


Look at that did he nearly run you down
I'm noticing these little details about our surroundings, and trying to protect you


At the end of the drive the lawmen arrive
We're both pushing boundaries and taking some risks


You make me feel alive, alive, alive
I'm feeling more passionate and connected to the world through you


I'll take my chance 'cause luck is on my side
I'm willing to take calculated risks since I feel like I have good fortune on my side


Or something, I know what you're thinking
I'm not totally sure what's going on, but I have a sense of what you're thinking and feeling


I'll tell you something, I know what you're thinking
I understand you in a way that makes me feel confident and closer to you


Her name is Rio and she dances on the sand
She's a symbol of freedom and movement, vivacious and captivating


Just like that river twists across a dusty land
Her movements are unpredictable and exciting, like Rio's winding currents


And when she shines, she really shows you all she can
When she's feeling happy and fulfilled, her light shines brightest


Oh Rio, Rio dance across the Rio Grande
She's a beacon of hope and joy, expressing Rio's verve and passion


Her name is Rio, she don't need to understand
She's comfortable in her own skin and doesn't require other's validation or approval


And I might find her if I'm looking like I can
I'm inspired and motivated to seek out this sense of liberation and inner peace


Oh Rio, Rio hear them shout across the land
Her exuberant voice echoes across the city, inspiring others to follow suit


From mountains in the north, down to the Rio Grande
Her influence is felt throughout the region, from the highest peak to the fertile lowlands


Doo doo doo doo doo doo
This joyful, carefree melody reflects the song's themes of liberation and uplifting energy


Doo doo doo doo doo doo
It's a musical refrain that reinforces the song's message of joyful abandon and free-spiritedness


Doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo
A playful, sense of joy and optimism infuses this repeated melody, inviting listeners to join in the celebration




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Andy Taylor, Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, John Taylor, Roger Taylor

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@gmail4218

AMAZING FACTS:

In 1982, the British media dubbed Duran Duran the "Fab Five" because teen girls had not been so enthusiastic about.a band since the Beatles.

The band was the most played on MTV from 1982 to 1984.

They were the first major MTV artist to use 35MM film and professional directors for their videos.

The group was formed in 1978 by 17-year-old John Taylor and 15-year-old Nick Rhodes. LeBon joined in 1980.

Three of the bandmates met as workers in a bar. The entire band ended up performing there, where they were discovered.

The band was Princess Diana's favorite.

All of the band's members were straight, unlike the majority of other 1980's male pop stars.

Three of the band's members had the same last name despite not being related to one another.

The bandmates entered their own lookalike contests and actually lost once.

Nick Rhodes scored 780 on his math SAT's.

The three Taylors have worked as studio musicians for major artists such as Madonna and Stevie Wonder.

Most of the band's hits were written as poems by Simon LeBon at age 16 to 17.

The bandmates performed their own stunts. While filming the video for "Save a Prayer" in Sri Lanka, Andy Taylor fell from a tree into a lake, swallowed some of the polluted water, and was hospitalized for an infection from it.

LeBon almost drowned while filming the video for "Wild Boys" but a navy diver saved his life. LeBon denies it but several witnesses say otherwise.

Starting at age six, the photogenic LeBon starred in several major television commercials.

Milton Bradley made a Duran Duran board game called "Arena", the name of the band's 1984 live album.

All band members except Nick Rhodes did not want to wear makeup and unisex clothes but their manager talked them into it.

LeBon was born in 1958, the same year as Prince, Michael Jackson, and Madonna.



All comments from YouTube:

@subaruairbag

Was praying for a daughter and got confirmed today, was driving home with the wife and this song came on, we will be naming her Rio ❤

@jeremywilliams8909

Congrats to Duran Duran on being part of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class of 2022! So very well deserved.

@actarusfleed6607

They fully deserve it 100000000%

@davidschlessinger9945

and overdue

@theunconventionalist....7226

Fosho.....

@diogeneslantern18

@@davidschlessinger9945 For sure. Phenomenal band. Absolutely professional and the vanguards of their time.

@jenniferjones188

One of my favourite bands of the 80s so well deserved ... class

34 More Replies...

@bjs001001

John Taylor is a sick bassist. The bass line in this song is just masterful.

@artboz6711

he s cute extremely attractive all of em r❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

@frankt285

He added a fusion jazz line to the song...😮😮

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