River (song)

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For the Natalie Merchant song, see River (Natalie Merchant song).

"River" is a song by Joni Mitchell, from her 1971 album Blue. Although never released as a single, it has become one of Mitchell's most famous songs.

In the song, Mitchell ruminates on the recent breakup of a romantic relationship. Christmas is nearing, and Mitchell longs to escape her emotional bonds, openly wishing "I wish I had a river / I could skate away on," a river so long she "could teach my feet to fly." Furthermore, Mitchell's Canadian past is reflected upon, as her current warm (presumably Californian) climes do not offer her that ice or that chance.

Keeping with the Christmas theme of the lyrics, the song begins with an interpolation of the traditional Christmas song "Jingle Bells".

[edit] Covers

Although merely set near Christmastime rather than being about Christmas as such, the song has become something of a modern Christmas standard. "River" is one of the most widely covered songs in Mitchell's oeuvre, frequently appearing on albums of Christmas music by pop, folk and jazz artists. In the 2000s "River" would be rediscovered by the plethora of radio stations adopting the all-Christmas-music holiday programming format.

Artists who have performed the song include Tori Amos, Michael Ball, Kathy Brier, Betty Buckley, Nick Buzz, Rosanne Cash, Holly Cole, Shawn Colvin, Allison Crowe, Robert Downey, Jr., Renee Fleming,Liam Frost, Grace Notes, Heart, Indigo Girls, Ben Jelen, k.d. lang, Barry Manilow, Aimee Mann, Sarah McLachlan, Robert Mosci, Jill O'Hara, Beth Orton, Madeleine Peyroux , Dianne Reeves, Linda Ronstadt, Anne Runolfsson, Janis Siegel, James Taylor, Travis, and Rachael Yamagata.