I Go To Rio
Encyclopedia
"I Go to Rio" is a popular song written by Peter Allen
and Adrienne Anderson
, and performed by Allen. It became a signature song
of Allen, as well as being covered by Peggy Lee
and Pablo Cruise
, among others, in addition to being subject to multiple soundtrack
inclusions.
. In 1977, it was successfully released as a single in Australia, where it was Number 1 for five weeks, and was the sixth top-selling single in Australia in that year. The song was covered by Peggy Lee
on her 1977 album Peggy
, as well as by noted French singer Claude François
, in French translation, in 1978. In 1979, it became a hit in the United States for the band Pablo Cruise
. In 1980, it was featured on an episode of The Muppet Show
, in which Diana Ross
guest-starred. In 1982, it was covered by TISM
under the name "I Go to Werribee" with slightly different lyrics. In 2008, the song was covered by Australian guitarist Tommy Emmanuel
, on his live album Center Stage
.
The song has also been featured in a number of movie soundtracks
, including One Crazy Summer
(1986), Dominick and Eugene
(1988), The Fabulous Baker Boys
(1989), Muriel's Wedding
(1994), Hotel Sorrento
(1995) and Strange Bedfellows
(2004).
The melody of the opening piano riff of the song has been re-used by Mystic/The Sacados in "Ritmo de la Noche", well as Safri Duo's cover, and Coldplay
in "Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall
".
Peter Allen
Peter Allen was an Australian songwriter and entertainer. His songs were made popular by many recording artists, including Elkie Brooks, Melissa Manchester and Olivia Newton-John, with one, Arthur's Theme, winning an Academy Award in 1981...
and Adrienne Anderson
Adrienne Anderson
Adrienne Anderson is an American songwriter, most notable for being the co-writer of "Could It Be Magic", among other Barry Manilow songs, as well as being the co-writer of signature songs for Dionne Warwick and Peter Allen ....
, and performed by Allen. It became a signature song
Signature song
A signature song is the one song that a popular and well-established singer or band is most closely identified with or best known for, even if they have had success with a variety of songs...
of Allen, as well as being covered by Peggy Lee
Peggy Lee
Peggy Lee was an American jazz and popular music singer, songwriter, composer, and actress in a career spanning six decades. From her beginning as a vocalist on local radio to singing with Benny Goodman's big band, she forged a sophisticated persona, evolving into a multi-faceted artist and...
and Pablo Cruise
Pablo Cruise
Pablo Cruise is a pop/rock band currently composed of David Jenkins , Cory Lerios , Steve Price and Larry Antonino . Formed in 1973, the band released eight studio albums over the next decade, during which time four singles reached the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart...
, among others, in addition to being subject to multiple soundtrack
Soundtrack
A soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying and synchronized to the images of a motion picture, book, television program or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack of a film or TV show; or the physical area of a film that contains the...
inclusions.
History
The song was first released in 1976, on Peter Allen's fourth studio album, Taught by ExpertsTaught By Experts
Taught By Experts is the fourth studio album by Peter Allen. It spawned the hit "I Go To Rio". The album featured such musicians as Thom Rotella, Jerome Richardson, Lesley Gore, and Dusty Springfield.-Track listing:#"Puttin' Out Roots" 3:32...
. In 1977, it was successfully released as a single in Australia, where it was Number 1 for five weeks, and was the sixth top-selling single in Australia in that year. The song was covered by Peggy Lee
Peggy Lee
Peggy Lee was an American jazz and popular music singer, songwriter, composer, and actress in a career spanning six decades. From her beginning as a vocalist on local radio to singing with Benny Goodman's big band, she forged a sophisticated persona, evolving into a multi-faceted artist and...
on her 1977 album Peggy
Peggy (Peggy Lee album)
Peggy is a 1977 album by Peggy Lee. It was arranged and conducted by Pete Moore.-Track listing:#The Hungry Years #Here Now Peggy is a 1977 album by Peggy Lee. It was arranged and conducted by Pete Moore.-Track listing:#The Hungry Years (Neil Sedaka, Howard Greenfield)#Here Now Peggy is a 1977 album...
, as well as by noted French singer Claude François
Claude François
Claude François was a French pop singer, songwriter and dancer. He wrote "Comme d'habitude," the original version of "My Way."-Early life:...
, in French translation, in 1978. In 1979, it became a hit in the United States for the band Pablo Cruise
Pablo Cruise
Pablo Cruise is a pop/rock band currently composed of David Jenkins , Cory Lerios , Steve Price and Larry Antonino . Formed in 1973, the band released eight studio albums over the next decade, during which time four singles reached the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart...
. In 1980, it was featured on an episode of The Muppet Show
The Muppet Show
The Muppet Show is a British television programme produced by American puppeteer Jim Henson and featuring Muppets. After two pilot episodes were produced in 1974 and 1975, the show premiered on 5 September 1976 and five series were produced until 15 March 1981, lasting 120 episodes...
, in which Diana Ross
Diana Ross
Diana Ernestine Earle Ross is an American singer, record producer, and actress. Ross was lead singer of the Motown group The Supremes during the 1960s. After leaving the group in 1970, Ross began a solo career that included successful ventures into film and Broadway...
guest-starred. In 1982, it was covered by TISM
TISM
TISM was a seven piece anonymous alternative rock band from Melbourne, Australia. The group was formed in 1982 and enjoyed a large underground/independent following. Their third album Machiavelli and the Four Seasons reached the Australian national top 10 in 1995...
under the name "I Go to Werribee" with slightly different lyrics. In 2008, the song was covered by Australian guitarist Tommy Emmanuel
Tommy Emmanuel
William Thomas "Tommy" Emmanuel AM is an Australian guitarist, best known for his complex fingerpicking style, energetic performances and the use of percussive effects on the guitar. In the May 2008 and 2010 issues of Guitar Player Magazine, he was named as "Best Acoustic Guitarist" in their...
, on his live album Center Stage
Center Stage (Tommy Emmanuel album)
Center Stage is a live album by the Australian musician Tommy Emmanuel, released in 2008. It contains two CDs, and is the 21st album he released.- First CD :#The Finger Lakes #Papa George #Train to Duesseldorf #I Go To Rio...
.
The song has also been featured in a number of movie soundtracks
Soundtrack
A soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying and synchronized to the images of a motion picture, book, television program or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack of a film or TV show; or the physical area of a film that contains the...
, including One Crazy Summer
One Crazy Summer
-Production:Several locations on Cape Cod, Massachusetts were used for the film: Barnstable High School , Hyannis West Elementary School , the Woods Hole, Martha's Vineyard And Nantucket Steamship Authority ferry dock in Woods Hole, where the characters board the ferry, and the motorcycle gang...
(1986), Dominick and Eugene
Dominick and Eugene
Dominick and Eugene is a 1988 American drama film directed by Robert M. Young about twin brothers, Dominick and Eugene. Dominick has an intellectual disability due to an accident in his youth. The film was directed by Robert M...
(1988), The Fabulous Baker Boys
The Fabulous Baker Boys
The Fabulous Baker Boys is a 1989 American romantic drama musical film written and directed by Steve Kloves, and starring real life brothers Jeff Bridges and Beau Bridges as two brothers struggling to make a living as lounge jazz pianists in Seattle...
(1989), Muriel's Wedding
Muriel's Wedding
Muriel's Wedding is a 1994 Australian-French romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by P. J. Hogan. The film, which stars actresses Toni Collette, Rachel Griffiths, Sophie Lee, and Bill Hunter, focuses on the socially awkward Muriel whose ambition is to have a glamorous wedding and improve...
(1994), Hotel Sorrento
Hotel Sorrento
Hotel Sorrento is a 1995 Australian drama film directed by Richard Franklin. Three sisters reunite in the sleepy Australian town of Sorrento after a ten year hiatus. One of the three has written a book called Melancholy which is a thinly disguised version of their lives...
(1995) and Strange Bedfellows
Strange Bedfellows (2004 film)
Strange Bedfellows is a 2004 Australian film starring Paul Hogan and Michael Caton as heterosexual men who pass themselves off as a homosexual couple in order to get financial benefits from the government...
(2004).
The melody of the opening piano riff of the song has been re-used by Mystic/The Sacados in "Ritmo de la Noche", well as Safri Duo's cover, and Coldplay
Coldplay
Coldplay are a British alternative rock band formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland at University College London. After they formed Pectoralz, Guy Berryman joined the group as a bassist and they changed their name to Starfish. Will Champion joined as a...
in "Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall
Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall
"Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall" is a song by English alternative rock band Coldplay. It was released on 3 June 2011, as a digital download except in the United Kingdom where it was released on 5 June 2011. It was released as the lead single from their fifth studio album, Mylo Xyloto. The song...
".