What key is "Rio" in?

"Rio" by Duran Duran is in the key of E with a tempo of 138 BPM. Difficulty: medium.

Is "Rio" easy to play on piano?

This arrangement is rated medium. It requires comfort with chord shapes and basic hand independence. Expect 1-2 weeks of regular practice for a confident performance.

Can I play "Rio" without reading sheet music?

Yes. Our player offers a falling-notes mode (Synthesia-style) and a beginner mode with color-coded keys — both let you play along without reading traditional notation.

What chords are used in "Rio"?

This arrangement of "Rio" uses 16 chords: A, Am7, Apow, Asus2, B, C, C#m, Cmaj, +8 more.

How long does it take to learn "Rio" on piano?

2–4 weeks of consistent practice (20–30 min/day) for an intermediate player. Drill the tricky passages in isolation first.

What other songs by Duran Duran can I play here?

Try "THE REFLEX", "COME UNDONE", "ORDINARY WORLD". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Lyrics

Mov ing on the floor now, babe, you’re a (Am7)bird of par a (C5)dise.

Cher ry ice cream smile, I sup (A)pose it’s ver y nice.

With a (Em7)step to your left and a (C)flick to the right, you catch that mir ror way out (C5)west.

You know you’re (C)some thing spe cial and you (A)look like you’re the (C5)best.

Her name is (B)Ri o and she (D)danc es on the sand,

just like that (B)riv er twist ing (D)through a dust y land.

And when she (B)shines, she real ly shows you all she (A)can.

Oh, Ri o, (B)Ri o, dance a (D)cross the Ri o (A5)Grande.

I’ve seen you on the (C)beach and I’ve seen you on T (C5)V,

two

of a bil lion stars.

It means so (Em7)much to me,

like a birth day or a pret ty view.

But then, I’m (C)sure that you (A)know it’s just for you.

(A5)Grande.

Hey now, woo, look at that.

Did he near ly run you down?

At the (Em)end of the drive the (C)law men ar rive.

(A)You make me feel a live, a live, a live.

I’ll take my chance,

’cause (Cmaj13)luck is on my (Em)side or some thing.

I (C)know what you’re think ing.

I’ll (A)tell you some thing: I (C)know what you’re think ing.

Her name is (B)Ri o and she (D)danc es on the sand,

just like that (B)riv er twists a (D)cross the dust y land.

And when she shines, she real ly shows you all she (A)can.

Oh, Ri o, (B)Ri o, dance a (D)cross the Ri o (A5)Grande.

Her name is (B)Ri o; she don’t (D)need to un der stand.

And I might (B)find her if I’m (D)look ing like I can.

Oh, Ri o, Ri o, hear them shout a cross the (A)land,

the moun tains (B)in the north down (D)to the Ri o (A5)Grande.

(A5)Grande.

Rio by Duran Duran

Easy piano arrangement in the key of E at 138 BPM. Difficulty: medium. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

About “Rio”

What key is "Rio" in?: "Rio" by Duran Duran is in the key of E with a tempo of 138 BPM. Difficulty: medium.
Is "Rio" easy to play on piano?: This arrangement is rated medium. It requires comfort with chord shapes and basic hand independence. Expect 1-2 weeks of regular practice for a confident performance.
Can I play "Rio" without reading sheet music?: Yes. Our player offers a falling-notes mode (Synthesia-style) and a beginner mode with color-coded keys — both let you play along without reading traditional notation.
What chords are used in "Rio"?: This arrangement of "Rio" uses 16 chords: A, Am7, Apow, Asus2, B, C, C#m, Cmaj, +8 more.
How long does it take to learn "Rio" on piano?: 2–4 weeks of consistent practice (20–30 min/day) for an intermediate player. Drill the tricky passages in isolation first.
What other songs by Duran Duran can I play here?: Try "THE REFLEX", "COME UNDONE", "ORDINARY WORLD". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.