Another 1982 album that I know only through its hit singles, Duran Duran’s Rio is considered one of the first and best New Wave records.
I’m familiar with the title track (today’s SOTD), ‘Hungry Like the Wolf’ and ‘Save a Prayer’ but that’s it. The videos for those songs earned heavy rotation in MTV’s early days, helping propel the band to stateside success.
The album had a rockier history than those hits would suggest, however. Its original version didn’t make much of a splash in the U.S., despite selling well in the U.K., so several songs were remixed as dance tracks and released on an EP titled Carnival. Years later, the original lineup was remastered and made available in the U.S. on CD.
In fact, I just ordered that CD on Amazon for a very reasonable $3.50. Worth it just to own the three hits, if you ask me, and I’ll get to hear the rest of the album to boot.
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 she 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 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
Do do do do do do do do do do
Do do do do do do do do do do do do
Meet Me In Montauk 
Like you, my familiarity with Duran Duran came from those early mtv videos. With the exception of “Rio,” though, I never got into their sound. This was mostly based on my general dislike for Simon Lebon’s (over) singing. It was perhaps the first, but not the last, Brritish New Wave pop singers who I did not like. “Rio,” however, with its funky bass line and catchy chorus overcame Lebon’s singing style.