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Rio Lyrics

Wow!
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 T.V.
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

Hey now (wow), look at that. Did he really 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
I tell you 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
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
26 Meanings

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Cover art for Rio lyrics by Duran Duran

This is about the band's first trip to the USA back in 1981. Basically Rio, as well as being the Rio Grande is the personification of the country. Typical of Simon's lyrics at the time, only he knows what he's actually singing about ("You catch that mirror way out west"???)

@feduciary I think the 'catch the mirror way out west' might mean a road trip heading east and looking into the rear view mirror and catch the mirror reflecting the disappearing west. Just thinking out loud...

Cover art for Rio lyrics by Duran Duran

Duran Duran actually cleared this up on VH1's True Spin.

The meaning of the song is their Love of America.

"You know your something special and you look like your the best". That is them stating how America is considered to be one of the best countries. (Even though many dis-agree)

"And when she shines she shows you all she can" America always comes through and comes out on top. It is there way of saying we do good.

"From mountains in the North down to the Rio Grande". It doesn't get much more plain.

Also you have to think about an Artist and their obsession with America. America is where an Artist wants to be big. The Beatles became imortal when they stepped off that plane in America. America is an Artist's promised land.

Also they said on the show they love America so much they are still here.

That is correct. This song is about Duran Duran's love of America. This song is classic and will be forever be part of my DNA...

Cover art for Rio lyrics by Duran Duran

Yeah, the girl symbolizes their desire to conquer America. I also thought that the river could be like a mirage because it flows "through a dusty land".

Cover art for Rio lyrics by Duran Duran

i love this song, which is kinda weird considering my playlist is full of stuff like darkthrone, slayer, and cannibal corpse.

Cover art for Rio lyrics by Duran Duran

I always figured it was about kidnapping a supermodel/pornstar. The first two verses are him obsessing in a John Hinckley-loves-Jodie Foster way, believing that him seeing her everywhere ("I've seen you on the beach and I've seen you on TV") is a sign and her sex-kitten attitude is meant just for him, and in the "at the end of the drive, the lawmen arrive, you make me feel alive...I'll take my chance, cuz luck is on my side or something..." is the thrill he's feeling after abducting this model/pornstar and running from the cops.

Otherwise, how do the verses about police arriving fit in with a love for a woman or America?

Hate to say it but I think your right, that is the only explanation I can think of that matches all of the lyrics.

Hate to say it but I think your right, that is the only explanation I can think of that matches all of the lyrics.

Not only that but the last verse it would make sense it was talking about people looking for her from the north to the south, but my brain has a resistance to thinking that because then it would be a truly horrible song but then again it also fits.

Cover art for Rio lyrics by Duran Duran

At this moment, the lyrics above are for "View to a Kill", instead of "Rio"! Correct lyrics on "Rio [DVD]".

Lyric Correction
Cover art for Rio lyrics by Duran Duran

"With a step to your left and a flick to the right You catch that mirror way out west..."

The Statue of Liberty is stepping out with her left foot and she's holding the torch up with her right hand.

Cover art for Rio lyrics by Duran Duran

oooh duran duran! gotta love them.

Cover art for Rio lyrics by Duran Duran

oooh duran duran! gotta love them.

Cover art for Rio lyrics by Duran Duran

awesome duran duran.

 
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