Only a Dream in Rio

Album: That's Why I'm Here (1985)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Taylor wrote this song about his experience performing at the inaugural Rock in Rio festival in 1985. The 10-day festival drew well over a million fans, and featured performances by Queen, AC/DC, Scorpions, Iron Maiden, and many top local musicians. (There more more mellow acts - including George Benson - on the two days Taylor performed).

    Performing at the festival, Taylor was struck by the enthusiasm and engagement of the crowd, which sang along to his tunes. This experience marked a turning point in Taylor's life, as he was once again struggling with drug addiction and had been in and out of rehab. He says coming off the stage, he felt like he finally "landed on his feet" and was able to get sober for good.
  • In the middle of this song, Taylor repeats the lyrics in Portuguese, the official language of Brazil. In this section he is accompanied by the Brazilian musicians Eliane Elias, Kenia Gould, and Zbeto. Taylor's trumpet player Randy Brecker also sings on this part.
  • The "Concrete Christ" Taylor mentions is the famous Christ the Redeemer statue that overlooks the city of Rio.

Comments: 3

  • Larry Holder from CaliforniaJames Taylor is my brother of another mother
  • Dave from So CalDoug is correct. The Portuguese lyrics are a lovely Brazilian celebration of the sun as "mother."
  • Doug from Maine In the middle of the song, Taylor does not repeat the lyrics in Portuguese. He adds altogether different lyrics.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary Machine

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary MachineSong Writing

Fiona's highly-anticipated third album almost didn't make it. Here's how it finally came together after two years and a leak.

Lace the Music: How LSD Changed Popular Music

Lace the Music: How LSD Changed Popular MusicSong Writing

Starting in Virginia City, Nevada and rippling out to the Haight-Ashbury, LSD reshaped popular music.

Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues

Justin Hayward of The Moody BluesSongwriter Interviews

Justin wrote the classic "Nights In White Satin," but his fondest musical memories are from a different decade.

Phone Booth Songs

Phone Booth SongsSong Writing

Phone booths are nearly extinct, but they provided storylines for some of the most profound songs of the pre-cell phone era.

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney Princesses

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney PrincessesSong Writing

From "Some Day My Prince Will Come" to "Let It Go" - how Disney princess songs (and the women who sing them) have evolved.

Adele

AdeleFact or Fiction

Despite her reticent personality, Adele's life and music are filled with intrigue. See if you can spot the true tales.