Top 115 Songs about Rivers

Rivers can often appear quiet and serene, somewhere to take the family on a sunny afternoon. But, they can sometimes have another aspect to their character. And a rather unpleasant one at that. 

They can swell up and overflow, causing damage to property. The larger rivers have been known to cause destruction and endless misery for those caught with them. One could say their actions can mirror life’s experiences at times.

Maybe that is why there have been so many songs about rivers. Written using the river as a subject or as a metaphor. It can evoke powerful yet, at the same time, peaceful images. So, let’s have a look at some of the best songs about and concerning rivers.

Top 115 Songs about Rivers

1

Proud Mary by Creedence Clearwater Revival

Taken from their second album, Bayou Country, this was the song that put Creedence Clearwater Revival firmly on the map. It was released in 1969 and became an instant hit. The link with our list is that the riverboats, like Proud Mary, plow up and down the big rivers every day.

Written by John Fogerty, the people who sit and work out what songs are about have decided that it is all about “marijuana.” The link being ‘Mary Jane’ is an expression for said weed. But, this has nothing to do with it. And, that’s what those in the know say.

About Taking A Chance

It is a young man leaving a well-paid job and all the stability that it offers to follow his dream. In doing so, he has to drop into poverty. He finds out, though, that “people on the river are happy to give.”

The song likes to pursue the thought that ‘the river’ is in the south. Probably the Mississippi, as they refer to New Orleans. The song has a deep Southern feel and emphasis. 

Creedence continued that idea throughout most of their career. Some people thought they originated in the South; they didn’t. They were just four boys from California. Nevertheless, a great song, a big hit, and not the last time we shall visit their music.

2

River by Joni Mitchell

One of the great songwriters of the 60s. She had a way of helping us all feel we knew her from her writing, as it was so relevant to us all. 

It was a song that was written during Christmas time but wasn’t necessarily about that. I think it’s just that if you are on your own at Christmas, then loneliness seems a little harder to cope with.

The End of a Relationship

It is not uncommon, especially in the late 60s early 70s days, to feel uncomfortable with what you were doing. She had that experience in her life and her music. She never wanted celebrity, unlike some we could name today.

So, she went to Europe to get away from everything and, while there, sent a message to her former lover that the relationship was over. It is supposed that the other party was Graham Nash, with whom she had a relationship until that time.

It Hurts Both Ways

Normally, it is the person that gets the message that is the one that is upset. But, in this song, she talks about how hard it is to cope without him. Admitting that most of the problems were her fault.

An outstanding song and an outstanding performance using the river as a descriptive element in her feelings.

3

Black Water (Live) by The Doobie Brothers

This song is still one of the most played in my record collection from the excellent Doobie Brothers. It was taken from their album What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits. Released in 1974, this was one of the highlights.

That album never quite reached the level of the previous release, The Captain and Me. But, it had this track and one or two others that were excellent.

Can You See Tom and Huck?

Being brought up in the UK, at school, we were unfamiliar with the culture of the American South. Well, we wouldn’t be, would we? But, I loved Mark Twain’s writing, especially “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” and also “Huckleberry Finn.”

I had forgotten all about them until the first time I heard this. Then it all came flooding back. The image the song creates in your mind of the deep dark Mississippi river and the moon shining on the water is hypnotic.

The Genre?

Not sure where you would place this unless we create a genre that just says brilliant. Some call it “Louisiana Swamp Rock.” Not sure about that; it doesn’t sound much like Tony Joe White to me.

Patrick Simmons’ acoustic guitar and vocals complement the violin part perfectly, and the vocals are exceptional. When the drums and bass join in, it goes from a folky song to some “funky Dixieland.” 

And the break for the harmonious voice parts? Not many at that time were capable of that and were able to do it live. The link to the live performance is above. For me, it’s easily one of the best songs about rivers, without question.

4

Green River by Creedence Clearwater Revival

Let’s go back to California’s version of New Orleans with this great track. 1969 was a big year for Creedence. It would see the recording and release of three albums and associated singles. Also, it would give them plenty of hit records.

They have been asked why they, and in particular John Fogerty, worked so hard. The answer was simple. 

They were only too aware of the drug-fueled “45-minute solo brigade”. Those bands who thought it ‘hip’ and clever to bore the ‘whatsit’ off you with their self-indulgent live performances. Fogerty and Creedence decided they were never going to be like that. And they weren’t. Good for them.

Simple and Basic Rock and Roll

That is what they served up. And, like them or loathe them, they kept turning it out. “Green River” was taken from the album of the same name, as was “Bad Moon Rising.”

A simple but infectious guitar riff starts it off and pops up all the way through. Simple tune. Nice chord progression. It was all there. You heard it back in 1969 and immediately thought it was a hit record, and so it was. I liked what they did at the time and still do.

5

Yellow River by Christie

Christie were one of those bands that disappeared almost as soon as they arrived. They were a three-piece band led principally by Jeff Christie. He was a songwriter as well as being the singer and bass player and wrote “Yellow River” in 1969. 

It was offered to The Tremeloes, who recorded it for a single. They decided it was too ‘pop’ for their ‘new direction’ and discarded it. The drummer of the Tremeloes, Alan Blackley, had a brother who played in another band, and he gained the rights to the recorded work. 

Vocals were changed, and it was released under the name of Christie. If you listen to the track and know anything about the Tremeloes, it isn’t hard to work out who is playing what.

A Big Success

No doubt, when it rocketed to #1 in the UK and four other countries, The Tremeloes probably wished they had kept it. This memorable river song tells the story of a disgruntled man coming home from war disillusioned by what he has seen. 

He fondly remembers “Yellow River,” where he lived. As it was released in 1970, it was assumed the song was written about Vietnam. Not the greatest of songs on this list, but a river it is.

6

Red River Rock by Johnny and The Hurricanes

From Green to Yellow and now to Red. Johnny and the Hurricanes were a five-piece instrumental band from America. To be fair, they weren’t the greatest of rock n roll bands out there. 

They liked to take well-known tunes and then turn them into rock and roll, using sax and organ as their solo instruments. This was a song that was originally called “Red River Valley.” They had several big hits, though, and this was one.

Their big claim to fame… 

They played with The Beatles in the Star Club in Hamburg in 1962. The music might all seem a bit cheesy, but they had a huge following, not only in America but also in many parts of Europe. 

It was never meant to be taken that seriously. It was just fun, and so it still sounds. Certainly a part of our musical heritage that still is enjoyed today.

7

Ferry Cross the Mersey by Gerry & The Pacemakers

The years 1963-1964 saw every record company’s representatives in the world rush to Liverpool. Following on from The Beatles, it seems that there was a dearth of talent in this English city. 

They weren’t very far wrong. Although, it should be said that there was just as much going on in London. But that is another story.

One of the bands that came out of that period was Gerry and The Pacemakers. Like The Beatles in many ways, but then again, not really. One evident thing was that while The Beatles always professed their love of Liverpool, they were long gone. Gerry and the boys stayed there.

A Love Song To A River

Can you have that? A love song written to a river? Well, this is one. The Mersey River flows through Liverpool to the Irish sea. The city is on one side, and Birkenhead and Seacombe on the other. The famous “Ferry” crosses over, ferrying people between the cities.

It is more than a ferry, though, to Liverpudlians. It is a part of their culture and their history. Gerry Marsden wrote the song himself in 1964 as his love song to Liverpool. Very moving and touching it is. It was written for a film of the same name and was a big hit on both sides of the Atlantic.

8

When the Levee Breaks by Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin has this unfortunate reputation of plagiarizing songs. There have been some songs where they haven’t even bothered to change the words, like “Whole Lotta Love,” for instance. 

This is a case where they have taken someone’s song and re-worked it, but they have given the original writer songwriting credits.

The album was released in 1971, the original quite a few years before. This was a very bluesy song that had a slight country feel to it. It was written and recorded in 1929 by the beautifully named Memphis Minnie along with Kansas Joe McCoy. 

An Angry River

When the Mississippi gets angry, it can be a frightening sight to behold. This is a story about what happens when the peaceful, dreamy river of the Doobie’s “Black Water” is rather unhappy. The song is essentially about what happened to the people in the aftermath of the Mississippi flood of 1927.

Jimmy Page added a guitar riff, but most of the lyrics used by Plant are the same. But, it is John Bonham’s “enormous” drums that set this song apart from a few of the other tracks on Led Zeppelin 4.

We are moving toward the end now. But, there needs to be a little space for a couple of great tracks about rivers. However, there isn’t room for a full description.

9

Watching the River Flow by Bob Dylan

Written and released at a time when he was considering giving it all up, retiring, and just “watching the river flow” instead.

10

Cry Me A River by Ella Fitzgerald (1961)

A classic jazz song from 1961 by the great Ella Fitzgerald. Her spectacular voice embraces the lyrics and the mood as she sings about the heartbreak of losing someone.

11

Running Bear by Johnny Preston

The tragic tale of Running Bear and his love, Little White Dove, who lived on the other side of a raging river. It all ends in tragedy as they both dive into the raging torrent and just manage to touch hands before the water carries them away. This 1959 classic was written by The Big Bopper.

12

Moon River by Andy Williams

As we near the end of our list of the best songs about rivers, this is one of two songs about a river that has just got to be included. The music was written by Henry Mancini, and the lyrics by Johnny Mercer for the film “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” in 1961. In the film, it was sung by Audrey Hepburn.

Andy Williams recorded it in 1962, and it has since become his song, despite dozens of cover versions. It also revitalized Mercer’s career. Being essentially a jazz and standard writer, the arrival of rock n roll in the late 50s meant his style was out of fashion. But then he did this. Enough said.

Timeless

It is one of those songs that is just timeless. No matter where you are, this will conjure up images of a moon reflecting on the calm waters of a serene, peaceful river. A great song, expertly sung.

13

Ol’ Man River by Paul Robeson

There can be no better place to finish a list like this one than with this timeless classic river song. It was from the 1927 musical “Showboat” based on a novel by Edna Ferber. The music to “Ol’ Man River” was composed by Jerome Kern and the words by Oscar Hammerstein II.

Her story recounted the lives of the members of a group of traveling performers. But, it also talks about the hardships of the lives of African-Americans at the time. “Showboat” very cleverly uses the slow, weary pace of the Mississippi as a metaphor for their lives.

Robeson Refuses the Role

Although the song was written with him in mind, he turned down the role at first. However, he joined the cast playing ‘Joe,’ who sings the song at its London opening in 1928. He was still playing the part when it returned to Broadway in 1932.

There are some interesting things about the song. But, as we are not discussing music theory, we’ll leave them out. Although, I will say it is very rare to find a bass vocal solo part. That in itself is something.

Many Covers

There have been plenty of covers of the song, but none performed it like Robeson. He made the mold for the definitive performance of the song.

14

Big River by Johnny Cash

15

River Deep – Mountain High by Tina Turner

16

The River by Bruce Springsteen

17

Shenandoah by Bruce Springsteen

18

Ohio by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

19

Proud Mary by Ike & Tina Turner

20

Riverboat Song by Ocean Colour Scene

21

Wide River to Cross by Levon Helm

22

Cumberland River by The Louvin Brothers

23

Dirty Water by The Standells

24

River of Time by Jorma Kaukonen

25

The River Knows Your Name by John Hiatt

26

Crossing Muddy Waters by John Hiatt

27

River of Love by George Strait

28

Cool Water by Sons of the Pioneers

29

River of Deceit by Mad Season

30

Rolling River by Loggins & Messina

31

River Road by Crystal Gayle

32

River of Salt by The Wood Brothers

33

Rio Grande by Dave Alvin

34

The River’s Still Running by The Steeldrivers

35

Swollen River by Loudon Wainwright III

36

The River and the Thread by Rosanne Cash

37

River Of Stars by Blackmore’s Night

38

River’s Invitation by Percy Mayfield

39

Sweet Thames, Flow Softly by Ewan MacColl

40

River Runs Deep by Tom Petty

41

Rollin’ Down the River by John Fogerty

42

River Song by Tom Rush

43

River of Orchids by XTC

44

Down by the River by Neil Young

45

Red River Valley by Marty Robbins

46

Riverwide by Sheryl Crow

47

Muddy Water by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

48

Down the River by Chris Knight

49

Colorado River Song by Katie Lee

50

Take Me to the River by Al Green

More 65 Songs About Rivers

51. 51. River of Dreams by Billy Joel
    52. The River Runs Low by Tony Joe White
    53. Cry a River by Justin Timberlake
    54. Sailing up, Sailing Down by David Byrne
    55. The River of Dreams by Hayley Westenra
    56. The River Song by Dennis Wilson
    57. Ol’ Man River by Frank Sinatra
    58. Rocky Mountain High by John Denver
    59. River Blue by Deb Talan
    60. Mississippi River by Muddy Waters
    61. Wabash Cannonball by Roy Acuff
    62. River’s Gonna Rise by Warren Haynes
    63. Mississippi by Pussycat
    64. River Phoenix by Neko Case
    65. Roll on Mississippi by Charley Pride
    66. Mud Island by The Wood Brothers
    67. Take the A Train by Duke Ellington
    68. Louisiana Bayou by Dave Matthews Band
    69. River Rat Jimmy by Bryan Lee
    70. Fishin’ in the Dark by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
    71. Cripple Creek Ferry by Neil Young
    72. Mississippi Delta by Bobby Gentry
    73. The River Sings by Enya
    74. River Takes the Town by The Wood Brothers
    75. Green River by Calexico
    76. River of Fire by Matisyahu
    77. High Water (For Charley Patton) by Bob Dylan
    78. Chattahoochee by Alan Jackson
    79. River Runs Red by Midnight Oil
    80. River of Pain by Thunder
    81. Dark Water by Hayden Calnin
    82. Mississippi Mud by Paul Whiteman
    83. River in Time by Jean-Michel Jarre
    84. Mississippi Girl by Faith Hill
    85. Going to the River by Fats Domino
    86. River of Oblivion by Deine Lakaien
    87. River of Stone by Exit Calm
    88. River of Gold by Dan Fogelberg
    89. River Deep, Mountain High by Ike and Tina Turner
    90. Ol’ Man River by Ray Charles
    91. Muddy Waters by LP
    92. Mighty Mississippi by Marcy Playground
    93. The River Cried by Patty Loveless
    94. Red River by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
    95. The River Is Wide by The Grass Roots
    96. Down By The River by Buddy Miles
    97. Old Man River by Barbra Streisand
    98. Moon River by Henry Mancini
    99. Rockin’ River by Johnny Burnette
    100. Riverboat Gamblers by Riverboat Gamblers
    101. River in the Pines by The Carter Family
    102. White Water by Michael Martin Murphey
    103. Rivers of Tears by Eric Clapton
    104. Mystic River by Robbie Williams
    105. Down to the River by All Sons & Daughters
    106. Deep River Blues by Doc Watson
    107. Ode to the River by Leon Bridges
    108. Roll on Columbia by Woody Guthrie
    109. Roll River Roll by Richard Thompson
    110. A River for Him by The Walkabouts
    111. Swallowed by the Swell by Glen Phillips
    112. Black River Killer by Blitzen Trapper
    113. Shallow River Blues by Seasick Steve
    114. Tigris and Euphrates by Thrice
    115. The River of Jordan by The Carter Family

Looking for Great Songs?

We can help with that. Take a look at our comprehensive articles on the Best Songs about Fighting, the Best Songs About Walking, the Best Songs About Change, the Best Songs About Magic, and the Best Songs About Heroes or more great song selections.

Songs About Rivers – Conclusion

So, there we are, some classic songs written about rivers. The images they create are very visual, even when the lyrics and references are metaphorical.

As we said in the beginning, a river can mirror life itself. Just like the river, we have our changes of mood. That is what has given these songs their impetus and meaning.

Until next time, let the river flow and the music play.