Created by Nick Rhodes (keyboards) and John Taylor (bass) in Birmingham, England in 1978, it later add took in Roger Taylor (drums), Andy Taylor (guitar), and Simon Le Bon (lead vocals). The band has sold more than 100 million records over their more than 40 years of existence, making them one of the best-selling groups in history.
Their songs are often vivid, hook-laden pieces dance pop that have fared well on the radio, but what many remember best about Duran Duran is their iconic music videos. Though many of the videos were tongue-in-cheek, the band has never quite escaped the glamorous and decadent 'jet set' image that their early videos projected. Their flashy outfits and strident, art rock influenced music showed an immense debt to 70s English glam artists such as David Bowie and Roxy Music, yet the band grasped a sense of their own identity and became one of the keystones of the new romantic movement.
Their first singer and one of their original founding members was Stephen Duffy, and their original bassist was Simon Colley. Several drummers and guitarists were subsequently tried, as well as a handful of vocalists, after Duffy left Duran Duran early in 1979. The band felt that they had something special with vocalist Simon Le Bon, and the group smashed into the pop scene shortly afterwards when "Planet Earth", their debut single, was released on 2 February 1981.
"Planet Earth" became an immediate hit in the band's native U.K., reaching #12 on the U.K. Singles Chart on 21 February, and it did even better in Australia, hitting #8 there. Being Duran Duran's first Top 10 hit anywhere in the world, the song showed the group's interest in international stardom. The band's eponymous debut album came out promptly afterwards in June 1981. 'Duran Duran' hit #3 on the album charts and remained in the U.K. Top 100 for 117 weeks, achieving platinum status by December 1982. The initial United States release failed to generate much interest at first, but the group was a British sensation due to their strident mix of pop rock and electronic music.
Music videos for hit singles "Planet Earth" and "Careless Memories" were filmed in December 1980. As they also experienced considerable success with "Girls on Film", which hit #5 on the UK Singles Chart and #11 on the Australian Singles Chart, the group firmly grasped the opportunity to make a name for themselves in musical television. As their fame grew, some fans worried that Duran Duran could have peaked too early. They headed into AIR Studios in London in early 1982 anxious to somehow top themselves.
Band member John Taylor came up with the new album's title, 'Rio', as a product of his fascination with the flaunting sexuality and diverse atmosphere of Brazil. He later said, "Rio, to me, was shorthand for the truly foreign, the exotic, a cornucopia of earthly delights, a party that would never stop." The band had their own plans and ambitions for promotion and reunited with director Russell Mulcahy (who was behind the video for "Planet Earth") to plan out the release of a full length 'video album'— eleven videos in total. Totally dedicated to on-site filming, guitarist Andy Taylor even contracted a tropical virus and ended up hospitalized, thankfully getting better relatively quickly.
'Rio' was, simply, a commercial juggernaut. The band's second studio album, originally released worldwide on 10 May 1982, reached #2 in the UK and #1 in Australia. Massively popular in the U.S., it earned a gold disc on 1 March 1983 and went platinum on 26 April 1983, eventually reaching double-platinum status. As songs such as "Hungry Like the Wolf" and "Rio" received considerable airplay, critical acclaim also grew for the release. With MTV heavily playing the band's music videos, the album is still held as one of the best new wave albums ever. In April 2013, 'Rio' was even voted #3 in BBC Radio 2's 'Top 100 Favourite Albums of all time' list.
In 1985, Duran Duran performed "A View To A Kill" for the the James Bond film of the same name. The song appeared in the movie's title sequence and was also a best-selling single in its own right. In 1987, "Out Of My Mind" was featured at the end credits of the drama film 'The Saint' as well.
Like Depeche Mode, Duran Duran was among the earliest bands to work on their own remixes. From the very beginning, the band had a keen sense of style, and worked with stylist Perry Haines and fashion designers such as Kahn & Bell and Antony Price to build a sharp and elegant image, soon growing beyond the ruffles and sashes of the pirate-flavoured New Romantic look.
Although the group never disbanded, it went through several line-up changes over the years - American guitarist Warren Cuccurullo (formerly of Missing Persons) was also a member of the band from 1989 to 2001, and drummer Sterling Campbell was a member from 1989 to 1991. John Taylor, Roger Taylor and Andy Taylor all returned in 2001 and created a stir among music media and the band's fans. Duran Duran released the first album from the reunited line-up, Astronaut, in 2004, which was in turn followed up by many sold out shows in England, most notably Wembley Arena, where a live DVD of the tour was filmed in 2004/2005.
In October of 2006, it was announced on Duran Duran's website that Andy Taylor had left the band. The band's latest album, 'Red Carpet Massacre' was released in November 2007. They performed the album live in New York City on Broadway at the Barrymore Theater, for what was originally scheduled as an unprecedented 10-night run. A stage hand union strike shortened the run by a few nights, but Duran Duran were able to re-schedule the shows elsewhere. They went on to tour the world, ending their successful run in December of 2008.
2008 also saw the release of a new DVD that documents the making of their now-classic "Rio" album (called "Classic Albums: Rio (Collector's Edition)"), and a book called "Would Someone Please Explain?"- a compilation of questions from the "Ask Katy" area of their popular website.
Duran Duran returned at the end of 2010 with their 13th album, the digital and self-released album All You Need Is Now which debuted at number one on the iTunes charts in many countries (including the USA). The physical version of the album will be released with bonus tracks in February 2011. The album was produced by Mark Ronson.
2015 saw the band return with the album Paper Gods, which was led by the single "Pressure Off" featuring Janelle Monae and Nile Rodgers. The album was the band's first top 10 chart success in the U.S. in over 20 years, and also reached number 5 in the U.K.
Official Websites:
http://www.duranduran.com
http://twitter.com/duranduran
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Duran-Duran
http://www.youtube.com/DuranDuran
http://www.youtube.com/07duranduran
http://www.myspace.com/duranduran
Rio
Duran Duran Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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