In more recent times she has collaborated again with Davey (who is also her husband) and Co. Kerry based musicians (Seamus Begley, Éilís Ní Chinneide, Laurence Courtney, Daithí Ó Sé, Eoin Begley)to produce a unique body of work based on local poet Caoimhin O Cinneide's poetry which they converted into a group of songs and they now perform these as a band called Beal Tuinne. Rita has also been performing with other musicians such as Liam O'Flynn, Arty McGlynn, Neil Martin, Sean Keane, Noel Eccles and Shaun Davey in a new venture called The Funeral Band. She has also been performing in a quartet with her husband Shaun Davey and guitarist Gerry O'Beirne and concertina player Eoin Begley.
Rita has sung for and with many of the great names in Irish music including Shaun Davey, Bill Whelan, Donal Lunny, Andy Irvine, Christy Moore, Luka Bloom and Jimmy McCarthy. She has also sung songs for theatre, television and film including The Deer's Cry for 'Who Bombed Birmingham' and Todavia Cantamos for 'The Tailor of Panama'. She has sung in many great venues including the National Concert Hall, Dublin, The Albert Hall, London and Chicago Symphony Centre, Chicago.
Rio
Rita Connolly Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm seeing the sound of the sea
My feet have come loose from their moorings
And I'm feeling quite wonderfully free
And I think I will travel to Rio
Using the music for flight
There's nothing I know of in Rio
And it's only a whimsical notion
To fly down to Rio tonight
I probably won't fly down to Rio
But then again I just might
There's wings to the thought behind fancy
There's wings to the thought behind play
And dancing to rhythm of laughter
Makes laughter the rhythm of rain
And I think I will travel to Rio
Using the music for flight
There's nothing I know of in Rio
But it's something to do with the night
And it's only a whimsical notion
To fly down to Rio tonight
I probably won't fly down to Rio
But then again I just might
I feel such a sense of well-being
The problems have come to be solved
And what I thought was proper in battle
I see now was proper for love
And I think I will travel to Rio
Using the music for flight
There's nothing I know of in Rio
But it's something to do with the night
And it's only a whimsical notion
To fly down to Rio tonight
I probably won't fly down to Rio
But then again I just might
And I think I will travel to Rio
Using the music for flight
There's nothing I know of in Rio
But it's something to do with the night
And it's only a whimsical notion
To fly down to Rio tonight
I probably won't fly down to Rio
But then again I just might
The song "Rio" by Rita Connolly is a contemplative piece about the desire to travel to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The singer tells of feeling free and unrestricted, as though their feet have become loose from their moorings. They hear the light and see the sound of the sea, and decide to use music as a means of transportation.
The city of Rio de Janeiro is painted as a mysterious and alluring destination, particularly at night. The singer acknowledges that they don't know much about Rio, but are drawn to it nonetheless. The phrase "only a whimsical notion" suggests that this desire is perhaps fleeting or impractical, but the singer remains open to the possibility of following through on their urge to visit the city.
The song also touches on themes of joy and resolution. The singer feels a sense of well-being and believes that their problems have been solved. They reflect on how their perception of what is important in life has shifted, realizing that what they once thought was "proper in battle" is actually "proper for love." Overall, the song is an exploration of the beauty and allure of wanderlust and the transformative power of music.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm hearing the light from the window
I am experiencing the beauty of the sunlight coming in through the window
I'm seeing the sound of the sea
I am experiencing the beauty of the sound of the sea as if I can see it
My feet have come loose from their moorings
I am feeling free from my troubles and worries
And I'm feeling quite wonderfully free
I am feeling immensely happy and free
And I think I will travel to Rio
I am considering traveling to Rio
Using the music for flight
I will use music as a means to escape and travel to Rio in my mind
There's nothing I know of in Rio
I don't have any specific reason to go to Rio
But it's something to do with the night
Perhaps the allure of the Rio nightlife is what makes it appealing
And it's only a whimsical notion
The idea of going to Rio is only a fanciful idea, not a serious plan
To fly down to Rio tonight
Perhaps I will travel to Rio in my imagination, but not literally tonight
I probably won't fly down to Rio
It's unlikely that I will actually go to Rio
But then again I just might
However, there's still a chance that I might go to Rio after all
There's wings to the thought behind fancy
Creative and imaginative thoughts can give us wings and help us soar
There's wings to the thought behind play
Having fun and playing can also inspire and uplift us
And dancing to rhythm of laughter
Dancing and moving to the rhythm of laughter can be an incredibly joyful experience
Makes laughter the rhythm of rain
The experience of laughter can be as refreshing and renewing as a rain shower
I feel such a sense of well-being
I feel a deep and profound sense of contentment and peace
The problems have come to be solved
My problems have been put into perspective and feel less overwhelming
And what I thought was proper in battle
What I thought was necessary to win a battle
I see now was proper for love
I now realize that what I thought was necessary to win actually comes from a place of love
Using the music for flight
Again, I will use music as a way to escape and travel to Rio in my imagination
But then again I just might
And who knows, maybe I'll actually make the trip to Rio someday after all
Contributed by Mason L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.