Duran Duran-"Rio"

As was also the case for the group's preceding hit, "Hungry Like The Wolf", "Rio" was released twice as a 45. Both of these cases didn't have too much elapsed time in between the two issues. And, like with "Hungry...", "Rio" became a Top 40 hit in its 2nd 45 release. Out initially in December 1982, as Harvest 5175, my promo 45 for this release has both a listed and actual time of (4:34), on both sides. But this issue of the 45 did not chart at all. However, 3 months later, it was re-released with a different mix, on Capitol 5215, and has both a listed and actual time of (3:57). This was the version that made the Top 40. The database currently states that "dj copies of this 45 ran (4:34)". I believe that statement actually refers to the earlier, Harvest non-hit 45 version. Because I do, in fact, have a promo 45 copy for the "hit" Capitol 5215 release, which features the listed and actual (3:57) commercial version on both sides. But because this situation is rather unusual, and a lot of stations still had that Harvest promo 45 laying around, it still might be worthwhile to retain some mention of this (4:34) version, if only for clarification purposes. Frequently, radio would get a 2nd promo 45 version of a song in. I believe some smaller stations (ones that didn't have Capitol record reps badgering them, attempting to clarify which 45 contained the "hit" mix) might have felt it was simply a "play whichever version you prefer" situation, who knows...

There are a number of database CDs where the 4:43 version of Duran Duran's "Rio" contains the following comment: "this is neither the dj 45, commercial 45 nor the LP version".

If I'm not mistaken, these discs in question contain the original non-hit 45 version. So if I may suggest a more precise comment for the 4:43 CD appearances, it would be: "original 45 version but not the hit 45 version".

I didn't realize that, Pat. Thanks for the clarification.

Nope, I was thinking "Hungry"...lol. The Night version and original edit were at least similar if not identical mixes, no? Anyway, I'm going off topic. I sent you an email Aaron. :)

The only edited version I knew of Rio chopped off the intro and the instrumental section prior to the sax solo. Are these both Night Mixes? Perhaps I've never heard the 1982 Mix.

I'll have to take back my earlier statement about the 4:34 promo 45 being an edit of the "Night Version." That's not accurate, either. In fact, I just realized that there is a UK 12" version and a separate "Night Version" that was issued on the European Carnival EP. This song has a TON of different versions, but here's what I've gathered so far.

5:12 Part 1 (from the original UK 12" single and later issued on the Duran Duran CD singles box set)
4:34 non-hit US 45 version (an edit of Part 1; not available on CD to my knowledge; pressed on both stock and promo 45s)
5:24 US LP version
3:58 hit US 45 version (an edit of the 5:24 US LP version; first issued on Rhino's New Wave Hits Vol. 9 CD)
5:36 UK LP version (different mix from 5:24 US LP version; appears on Decade)
6:43 "Night Version" (same mix as 5:24 US LP version and 3:58 US 45 version, but extended; appears on Essential Night Versions CD)

Edited by aaronk