Back from Rio


Back from Rio is the sixth studio album by American singer-songwriter, guitarist and co-founder of The Byrds Roger McGuinn. It was released on January 8, 1991, more than a decade after McGuinn's previous solo album, Thunderbyrd. The album was issued following the release of the Byrds box set and musically it leans on the sound of The Byrds thanks to McGuinn's ringing 12-string electric guitar and vocal contributions from ex-Byrds members David Crosby and Chris Hillman. Also prominent on the album are Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, with Petty co-authoring and duetting with McGuinn on the album's lead single "King of the Hill". In addition, several members of the Heartbreakers provide musical backing on a number of the album's tracks. Other prominent songwriters on the album—besides McGuinn and his wife Camilla—are Elvis Costello, Jules Shear and Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics.
The album was generally well received by music critics and it peaked at #44 on the Billboard 200 album chart.
Two singles were drawn from the album: "King of the Hill" and "Someone to Love", which peaked at #2 and #12 respectively, on the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
In Europe, Back from Rio was released in February 1991 and featured different cover artwork.

Track listing

Side one

  1. "Someone to Love" – 3:32
  2. "Car Phone" – 4:33
  3. "You Bowed Down" – 3:52
  4. "Suddenly Blue" – 3:49
  5. "The Trees Are All Gone" – 3:51

    Side two

  6. "King of the Hill" – 5:27
  7. "Without Your Love" – 3:59
  8. "The Time Has Come" – 3:45
  9. "Your Love Is a Gold Mine" – 4:06
  10. * Includes "Back from Rio Interlude"
  11. "If We Never Meet Again" – 4:28

    Personnel