Only a Dream in Rio by James Taylor

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

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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.

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