Rio (Michael Nesmith song)

"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 (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

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

1. Amorosi, A.D. (December 21, 2021). "Michael Nesmith Remembered Through His Best Songs — With and Without the Monkees". Variety. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
2. Lewis, Randy (February 7, 1992). "Nesmith Was Also a Music Video Pioneer". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
3. Greene, Andy (July 10, 2013). "Q&A: Michael Nesmith on His Recommitment to the Monkees". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
4. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. p. 214. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
5. "Michael Nesmith – Rio" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
6. "Michael Nesmith – Rio". Top 40 Singles.
7. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.