Our Favorite River Songs
There are few things at American Rivers we argue over as much as the question: what is the best river song?
There are few things at American Rivers we argue over as much as the question: what is the best river song?
Traditionalists prefer the classic takes on “Ol’ Man River” or “Song of the Coulee Dam.” Old (and young) hippies swear by the Grateful Dead’s “Black Muddy River.” Pop-music lovers swim down Billy Joel’s “River of Dreams.” And millennials prefer current offerings, like Dar Williams’ newest, “Today and Everyday.”
Me? I am a neoclassical river-song lover. Led Zeppelin’s cover of “When the Levee Breaks” is a perennial classic. “Pain Lies on the Riverside” and LIVE’s anthemic drumming spoke to me in college. But my current favorite is Joni Mitchell’s iconic “River.” I’m fairly certain Joni didn’t intend that song to be about an actual river, but the rules about what makes a best “river” song are pretty loose, right?
Here are some other current favorites from our staff:
“In African American spiritual music, water (especially rivers) symbolizes safety, rebirth and the challenges we endure. This roots song is one of the latest in that long tradition. For me, it symbolizes the obstacles that we as African Americans face, but also the many moments of joy, love and triumph that are often hidden or ignored by popular media.” – Janae Davis, Associate Director of Conservation, South Carolina
“Proud Mary” — Creedence Clearwater, Ike & Tina Turner
“This song speaks to me with its rolling style and river imagery. Traveling, going with the flow: ‘You don’t have to worry if you got no money. People on the river are happy to give.’ I love road trips, and this song has that sense of adventure, of meeting new people, new towns and an easy-does-it simplicity. I sing along loudly and badly to any version.” – Pat Callahan, Director of Philanthropy, California
“Going Down to the River” — Doug Seegers
“Growing up, the rivers and creeks outside Austin were my sanctuary. They were my place to explore, grow and simply be a kid. This song reminds me that whatever is going on in your life, you can always go down to the river and be rejuvenated.” – Brandon Parsons, Associate Director of Restoration, Washington
“The River” — Bruce Springsteen
“I can relate to this East Coast, blue-collar, coming-of-age story that is somehow sad, sweet and hopeful all at the same time. It talks about the river as a place where we go for freedom, celebration and respite, in a way that rings true to me and reminds me of what’s most important in life.” – Jen Adkins, Director of Clean Water Supply, Pennsylvania
The great thing about river songs is that the lyrics can be about anything. Yes, some are obviously about a memorable place in the songwriter’s life. Cripple Creek, the Green River, Yellow River, Kern River, Black River, Tennessee River and the James River all come to mind.
But then there are songs that actually have very little to do with rivers at all. We like to lump them onto lists like this for fun. A number of artists have done “Take Me to the River” and “Moon River,” both take on relationship melodrama. “Satan’s River” is either a gospel-country duet from Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton or a metaphor for the climate change crisis. And then there is Patti Smith’s take on a river song, which is what Willie Nelson must do after being on the “Whiskey River.” (If you don’t get the reference, well….)
What makes a good river song is decided by the listener. We’ve been collecting river songs in a YouTube playlist over the years. Do you have a favorite? Are we missing something? Drop us a comment, or hit us up on social, we’d love to hear what you think are the all-time top river songs.
35 responses to “Our Favorite River Songs”
Evangeline by Emmylou Harris with the Band
Shenandoah, Moon River, Deep River, Peace Like a River, Down to the River to Pray, Ol’ Man River (love the old classics & folktunes)
“American Rivers” by Tom Russell tops my list. “Rivers” by Aly Tadros and “Down the River” by Chris Knight are up there, too.
River Man, Nick Drake. Haunting and beautiful.
Crazy River, Robbie Roberson….. cool tune
Somehow the Dead’s masterpiece- Brokedown Palace- was overlooked. One sweet line “listen to the River sing sweet songs, to rock my soul”. Beautiful song 🙂
“Sometimes A River” by String Cheese Incident – fantastic song!
Folksinger Linda Allen’s “Lady River” on her CD ” Lay It Down: Images of the Sacred” ℗ 1996 October Rose Productions …
Laughing River (Greg Brown)
Laughing River Running (Tish Hinojosa)
By the Rio Grande (Tish Hinojosa)
River (Take Me Along) (Bill Stains and covered by Tish Hinojosa)
Wind River and You (Eliza Gilkyson)
Before the Great River Was Tamed (The Rifters and recently covered by Eliza Gilkyson)
“Let the River Run” by Carly Simon written for the opening of Mike Nichol’s film, “Working Girl.”
Nishnabotna by C.W. McCall
Two great songs I didn’t see here: 1) The River by Garth Brooks and 2) Deep River Blues (by Haul and Oates, originally by Doc Watson)
Long Hot Summer Day by Turnpike Troubadours.
Just Around The River Bend
“You can’t step in the same river twice”
How true…..
Annie Lennox or Talking Heads version of “Take Me To The River”
“Roll on Columbia” by Woody Guthrie..,but then I was born in the Big Bend Country….or as it was called originally, Che Wana Illahee!
Yes for sure! AND Staines, “So Sang the River”.
Like a River by Bishop Briggs j
River Man by Nick Drake
“River” by Bill Staines. Life and the River.
“River” by Bill Staines A song of life led by the River.
Bill Stains song “River” is beautiful.
River, take me along in your sunshine, sing me a song
Ever moving and winding and free
You rolling old river, you changing old river
Let’s you and me, river, run down to the sea
John Prine’s “Green River”
Down to the River to Pray – Alison Krauss
River – Bill Stains
This might surprise you, but Judy Garland’s 1963 live performance of Old Man River will blow (some of) you away!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FLaMmGL6PU
“Down the Deep River” by Okkervill River and “Flood Song” by Quiet Hollers
Louisiana
Randy Newman
Al Green and/or Talking Heads – Take me to the River
“River Run” by Canadian singer-songrwriter James Keelaghan.
“Val’s Cabin,” by bluegrass great Laurie Lewis. Inspired by the loss of California’s Stanislaus River.
Great List! I would include:
“Take Me To The River”, Talking Heads 1980/ Al Green 1974
https://youtu.be/3RHZEzVUBPk
https://youtu.be/vGD8aQ2GKr0
“Ferry Cross The Mersey”, Gerry Marsden/Gerry and the Pacemakers. https://youtu.be/08083BNaYcA
“Oh, Shenandoah”, AKA “Across The Wide Missouri” Traditional folk. Various lyrics. Various recordings. Tennessee Ernie Ford, Van Morrison and the Chieftans, Bruce Springsteen (Seeger Sessions), Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, Harry Belafonte. Carmen Dragon Orchestra….
Broke down palace-Grateful Dead
Try Save Me by John Dunnigan. https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=M8MytRIHgGs&list=PL-NDPH90EItZgbY7VK8on880KIUBEJcKt
Joni Mitchell’s “River” belongs on the list, if it’s not already… Thanks for these great links!
Black Water by the Doobie Brothers