"Rio" is a song written and sung by American musician Michael Nesmith.[1] Included on his 1977 album From a Radio Engine to the Photon Wing, it was released as a single.[2] Although the single was not a hit in the US, "Rio" became Nesmith's most successful solo single in other countries.
| "Rio" | |
|---|---|
| Single by Michael Nesmith | |
| from the album From a Radio Engine to the Photon Wing | |
| Released | 1977 |
| Recorded | 1977 |
| Songwriter(s) | Michael Nesmith |
| Producer(s) | Michael Nesmith |
Popular interest in the song's music video rather than the song itself led Nesmith to consider creating television programming consisting of music videos.[2] Nesmith sent a proposal he called "Popclips", which was picked up by then cable television operator Nickelodeon.[2] In a 2013 interview published in Rolling Stone, Nesmith said of the "Rio" music video, "I said to people, 'It's a promotional film' ... The answer was that I simply needed to complete the equation. 'Radio is to records as television is to video.' Then it was like, 'Of course!' and thus MTV was born."[3]
Charts
edit| Chart (1977) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report)[4] | 4 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[5] | 20 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[6] | 4 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[7] | 28 |
References
edit- ^ Amorosi, A.D. (December 21, 2021). "Michael Nesmith Remembered Through His Best Songs — With and Without the Monkees". Variety. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
- ^ a b c Lewis, Randy (February 7, 1992). "Nesmith Was Also a Music Video Pioneer". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
- ^ Greene, Andy (July 10, 2013). "Q&A: Michael Nesmith on His Recommitment to the Monkees". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
- ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. p. 214. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ "Michael Nesmith – Rio" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
- ^ "Michael Nesmith – Rio". Top 40 Singles.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.