Joni Mitchell’s “River” has become, in many ways, a Christmas standard. To be honest, I’ve never quite understood this because the song is really quite depressing… and who wants to be depressed during the Christmas season?
I guess the fact that the song opens with “Jingle Bells” makes the connection to Christmas that much more concrete. But really, the song is depressing. “I wish I had a river I could skate away on” doesn’t exactly evoke the happy-happy-joy-joy feeling we get from “Fa la la la la la la la la!!!!”
Despite this, however, “River” is here to stay during this time of year, and countless artists have embraced the song. I frankly do not know how many times the song has been covered, but it has GOT to be more than fifty times, EASY.
Make that fifty-one, because Ol’ Swap here covered it, too.
Anyhow, I love this song.
“River” is off of Mitchell‘s 1971 album, Blue. The album hit #15 on the Billboard charts and, according to a 1979 Rolling Stone interview, it was probably her most personal. Joni states here that, “The Blue album, there’s hardly a dishonest note in the vocals. At that period of my life, I had no personal defenses. I felt like a cellophane wrapper on a pack of cigarettes. I felt like I had absolutely no secrets from the world and I couldn’t pretend in my life to be strong. Or to be happy. But the advantage of it in the music was that there were no defenses there either.”
The song is a reflection on a failed relationship… it’s Christmas time, and well, I guess the protagonist really likes to get sad during this time of year. The “river” represents a way out… a way out of all the emotion that this person just can’t escape from if they remain where they are.
My guess is that this person was the reason for the breakup, as Joni sings:
I’m selfish and I’m sad
Now I’ve gone and lost the best baby
That I ever had
The lines “I made my baby cry” or “I made my baby say goodbye” finish off each chorus as well, which is another indication that they forced the separation.
In my opinion, the worst breakups are the ones where you know it was your fault. There’s no one to blame but yourself, and you can drive yourself CRAZY trying to fix what simply cannot be fixed. You can do what you can to convince the other person that you’ve changed, that you’ll do everything “right,” but in the end, they still don’t want you back.
The only way to really start over is to leave completely and find another place to set down in.
This feeling of regret floods this song, and even though Mitchell never really describes the river aside from calling it “wide,” one can’t help but imagine a porcelain river winding through an untouched snow covered path, going anywhere but here.
The song was never released as a single, yet it has become one of her most popular songs. And every Christmas I can’t help myself… I wanna hear the song.
So today I’ve dug out as many versions of the song that I have. There are some gems here, especially Robert Downey, Jr.’s version. Who knew he could sing so well? Sixpence None The Richer’s version was one that I had absosmurfly no idea I had. Ah, the mysteries of life…
For your enjoyment (hopefully), I’ve also posted my own version of “River” as well. I based it on Indigo Girls’ performance, as that one hit me the hardest. I hope you dig it!!! If you don’t, please don’t give me crap about it… I’m fragile.
Your Dig-It Downloads: (right click links to download)
Download: River (Joni Mitchell)
Buy Joni Mitchell on Amazon
Buy Joni Mitchell on iTunes
Download: River (Swapmeet Louie)
Buy Swapmeet Louie in our Store
Buy Swapmeet Louie on iTunes
Download: River (Robert Downey, Jr.)
Buy Robert Downey, Jr. on Amazon
Buy Robert Downey, Jr. on iTunes
Download: River (Indigo Girls)
Buy Indigo Girls on Amazon
Buy Indigo Girls on iTunes
Download: River (Heart)
Buy Heart on Amazon
Buy Heart on iTunes
Download: River (Allison Crowe)
Buy Allison Crowe on Amazon
Buy Allison Crowe on iTunes
Download: River (Sarah McLachlan)
Buy Sarah McLachlan on Amazon
Buy Sarah McLachlan on iTunes
Download: River (Sixpence None The Richer)
Buy Sixpence None The Richer on Amazon
Buy Sixpence None The Richer on iTunes
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No crap from me about your singing! :) Love it!
Heart – wasn’t expecting the strings, and nobody sings like those Wilson girls! Why can’t I sing like that?
Allison Croww – love the piano intro, I misread the name (it’s early) and I was expecting Allison Krause’s (?spell) voice!
Sarah McLachlan – I sure hope angels have voices like hers!
I’ve never heard of Sixpence None the Richer – the voice sounds familiar – just a great song, it works for so many singing styles.
Bit O Covers is just about my favorite feature here!! Ryan Adam’s never covered this? (sorry, I just can’t do a crap-free post, I tried)!
At the risk of sounding biased and gushy, yours is my favorite. I can be biased though right? And I LOVE Sarah’s version, she has such an amazing voice.
The “Blue” album probably was one of Joni’s most sad albums. Rumor has it she had broken up with James Taylor and that the title song “Blue” was to him. Joni is one of my MOST FAVORITE songwriters/poets of all time. Such a way with words. There’s this wonderful site that has listed a massive amount of her song lyrics. I go there and read when I need inspiration. Check it out sometime.
http://jonimitchell.com/musician/alpha.cfm
Thanks for the very interesting covers of River. I must add that my favourite remains Martin Tielli’s (of The Rheostatics) version which appeared on the Joni Mitchell tribute album “Back to the Garden”. I recall seeing it performed on some late night Canadian talk show and being left stunned by the originality and beauty of ghis interpretation. Supporting musicians included Hugh March and Rob Pilch both long time veterans of the Canadian music scene.
Check it out.
PS Great blog!
You probably know Sixpence None The Richer’s song “Kiss Me” from that one movie. You know, “that one” (aka I’m too lazy to look it up)? I think it was pretty popular on radio too.
Thank you for all the different versions! This is such a pretty, pretty song – it was really interesting to listen all in a row and see how each artist changed it up in their own way. Love the Indigo Girls’ version. The harmonies in Heart’s version are very pretty… and yeah, who knew Robert Downey Jr. could sing? Not bad at all!
And your version is my favorite! Beautiful. Thanks for sharing!
Funny how you can like so many artists, yet not be aware of things they’ve done….I’m talkin’ about the covers here from Indigo Girls and Heart. Had no idea those existed.
The Sarah cover is a favorite of mine…..always takes me to a different place when it comes up on my Ipod.
a) breakups are rarely the fault of only one person; but
b) man, did you nail the right lyrics to post, that is the essence.
What a heartwrenching song.
Hah! I have a Christmas playlist and the cover I have of “River” is by Rachael Yamagata, a beautiful version. Funny how everyone has their own take on a song. This type of song suits your voice, Tommy, and your guitar is distinct.
Sixpence None The Richer sang the song “Kiss Me” that was a hit back in… uh… 1999. They also did the remake of “There She Goes.” I’m sure you know those songs!!!!
Aw, thank you! (NOT blushing, but raising my arms like Rocky did, saying “YES!”)
thank you for the lyric link! I do think “Blue” is one of the saddest records…
I honestly have not heard that version before! I will have to check itout… thanks!!!!
MY version is your favorite??? Stop it!!! :) (more, more!)
Glad I was able to introduce you to some new music from familiar artists! That whole Wintersong album by Sarah is spectacular.
It is a heartwrenching song, indeed. I love the imagery in the song, even though there really isn’t that MUCH of it within the lyric. I guess that’s what makes Mitchell such a good writer!
Ah! I forgot about that version! Thank you for reminding me!!!
And thank you!
You didn’t include my favorite version! It’s by Amy Kuney and just released this week.
http;//www.myspace.com/amykuney
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHGX89xv7hg
Just came out on iTunes today :)
Thanks for the downloads, I still have your version from last year (which like I said I think is so beautiful) But I’m really happy to get Sarah’s version too…I love her so much and keep meaning to buy her “Wintersong” cd. And I didn’t know Robert could sing…Did ya hear he got a Golden Globe nomination for his supporting role in Tropic Thunder? LOL
You know what is funny….I downloaded your version last year and I had never heard it before that. At first I thought it was YOUR song. I fell in love with it. Then I realized on my itunes it said it was from “bit o covers” so I looked it up and was surprised to see it wasnt your song hehe!! SOOOO I heard your version FIRST and like it the most! HONEST! :) They are all nice though. Thanks!
Ah, Joni Mitchell. I love that she got a big mention in Love, Actually (one of my favorite new-ish Christmas movies). Emma Thompson: “Joni Mitchell taught your cold British wife about love.” Alan Rickman: “I should write to her sometime and thank her.” (or something like that)
And Robert Downey Jr. can sing: http://www.robertdowneyjrmusic.com/
Thanks to a friend that I turned on to your site here and who knows that I have trouble with downloads because of friggin’ dialup I got to listen to all the versions of River. My friend made me a CD of all of them and gave it to me for Christmas :) I must say I was really moved by your rendition of this song Tommy. You did an awesome job!
ooops! Forgot my name LOL!