Rio

The lyrics, written by Simon Le Bon, explore the idea of pursuing dreams and relationships. The title Rio was the idea of bassist John Taylor, seeking to capture the optimistic and exotic feeling the band perceived in the music. The cover art, by Patrick Nagel and Malcolm Garrett, evokes the aesthetic of 1950s cigarette packaging. The band recorded music videos for many of the songs, which contributed to the explosion of MTV in the 80s. The album had a significant impact in the UK, reaching number two and staying on the charts for over a hundred weeks. In the United States, after a remix by Capitol Records to adapt it for local radio, Rio also had a long run on the Billboard charts, reaching sixth place.

The recording of Rio took place at AIR Studios in London, under the production of Colin Thurston. Interestingly, the first song recorded for this project was My Own Way, in October 1981, which was also released as a single that same year. The version that appears on the album is different from the single's. Another standout track is Hungry Like the Wolf, which was released as a single in May 1982 and reached fifth place on the UK charts. The album cover, with its distinctive purple color, became a widely recognized image. The lyrics of Hold Back the Rain, for example, address bassist John Taylor's experiences related to a demanding lifestyle. The band also worked with producer David Kershenbaum on remixes for twelve-inch singles, which were compiled on an EP called Carnival.