Songs About Rivers
A river can be a peaceful yet powerful force. People are drawn to rivers for different reasons, but no matter what, rivers spark emotions. Perhaps that’s why so many musicians have written or performed songs about rivers. Below are just a few of those river songs.
River - Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
Isbell is a master songwriter. River, from his latest album Reunions, is yet another example. (Bonus: Also check out the cover of I Follow Rivers that he did with his wife, Amanda Shires.)
River - Leon Bridges
From his 2015 debut album, this soulful ballad was also featured in HBO’s Big Little Lies.
The River - Bruce Springsteen
The title track from Bruce Springsteen’s first number one album, the River was inspired by his sister and brother-in-law. As he does in so many of his songs, Springsteen speaks to working class America, with the river offering hope.
Wait By the River - Lord Huron
Released just three years ago, Wait By the River brings an old school vibe to this Lord Huron love song.
Rivers and Roads - The Head and the Heart
A song about missing those close to you, this tune has been particularly fitting the past year. A staple at their live shows, Rivers and Roads is also the title of the band’s recently released full-length film chronicling their 2019 rooftop concert at Seattle’s Pike Place Market.
Take Me to the River - Al Green/Talking Heads
Whether you prefer Al Green’s 1974 original or the cover versions by Syl Johnson or Talking Heads that came out just a few years later, this song is a classic.
Find the River - R.E.M.
The final track Automatic for the People is one of R.E.M.'s most beautiful songs. “Find the River” is about life, and it’s the perfect ending to a great album.
Cuyahoga - R.E.M.
You can never have enough R.E.M., so we’re putting two of their songs on our list of great tunes about rivers. This environmentally and socially conscious song from Lifes Rich Pageant addresses pollution in the Cuyahoga River and the treatment of native Americans throughout history.
Feels Like Home - Caamp
Several of Caamp’s songs reference rivers and the outdoors. It’s hard to just pick one, but we’re going to go with Feels Like Home, the first track on their 2019 album By and By. (Also check out Vagabond and Down the River.)
Down by the Water - The Decemberists
We won’t go so far as to include three R.E.M. tunes on our list of songs about rivers, but how about one that was inspired by them? The Decemberists have said Down by the Water was heavily influenced by R.E.M. (and the studio version even features guitarist Peter Buck).