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Duran Duran released Rio 41 years ago on May 10, 1982

ByRenee Hansen|
Duran Duran At Photo Studio In Tokyo
Duran Duran At Photo Studio In Tokyo | Koh Hasebe/Shinko Music/GettyImages

On May 10, 1982, the English new wave band Duran Duran released their second album, Rio, by EMI Records. Their sophomore album would be more experimental than their previous release and comprised of many up-tempo numbers with a few synth ballads. This album is considered a tremendous commercial success and reached number two in the United Kingdom and topped the Billboard charts in the US at number six.

The best thing about Duran Duran's Rio is there isn't a bad song on the album. The entire album is full of synth-pop songs with catchy choruses. No wonder they were such a hit in the early '80s when synthesizers were the hot instrument of the day. In the MTV era, Duran Duran came on the scene with these amazing songs and then backed them up with videos that were practically mini-movies.

Rio saw the band branch out with experimental sounds, including the sound of a cigarette being lit and cracking ice cubes. They also introduced new instruments, with singer Simon Le Bon playing the vibraphone on “New Religion,” the ocarina on “The Chauffeur,” and marimba on “Last Chance on the Stairway.” Saxophonist Andy Hamilton, who toured with Duran Duran for years, played the outstanding sax solo on “Rio.” 

Duran Duran's choruses' are catchy and often full of ridiculous but oh-so-likable lyrics. Who knows what they meant, but no one cared. They were earworms and easy to sing along to.

"“And the sun beats down bedding heavy behind/The front of your dress all shadowy lines/And the droning engine throbs in time/With your beating heart”."
The Chauffuer Duran Duran

Songs included on Duran Duran Rio:

  • "Rio"
  • "My Own Way"
  • "Lonely in Your Nightmare"
  • "Hungry Like the Wolf"
  • "Hold Back the Rain"
  • "New Religion"
  • "Last Chance on the Stairway"
  • "Save a Prayer"
  • "The Chauffer"

Duran Duran 2023 Tour

Duran Duran's 2023 tour, Future Past, will feature special guests Nile Rogers & Chic plus Bastille. They will tour North America after recently finishing the UK & Ireland leg. During their September 22 performance in Queen, New York, they will also be joined by Grace Jones.

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