Joni Mitchell - River (Lyrics) [HD]

Joni Mitchell sings 'River' from her 1971 Reprise album 'Blue' - regarded by music critics as one of the greatest albums of all time. The lyrics are in the video and below with comments about the song and album.

Note: Joni Mitchell's relationship with Graham Nash is believed to be the inspiration for this breakup song causing her to "wish I had a river I could skate away on" - with James Taylor now there for her as she wrote the song.

[Vinyl/Lyrics/9-Images/WAV]

River (Singer: Joni Mitchell)

It's coming on Christmas
They're cutting down trees
They're putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on

But it don't snow here
It stays pretty green
I'm gonna make a lot of money
Then I'm gonna quit this crazy scene
I wish I had a river
I could skate away on

I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I made my baby cry

He tried hard to help me
You know, he put me at ease
And he loved me so naughty
Made me weak in the knees
Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on

I'm so hard to handle
I'm selfish and I'm sad
Now I've gone and lost the best baby
That I ever had
Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on

I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I made my baby say goodbye

It's coming on Christmas
They're cutting down trees
They're putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
I wish I had a river
I could skate away on

Songwriter: Joni Mitchell
[Lyrics from Musixmatch]

Wikipedia states:

"River" is a Christmas folk song by Joni Mitchell, from her 1971 album Blue. Although never released as a single, it holds second place among Mitchell's songs most recorded by other artists.

The song is about the recent breakup of a romantic relationship, with the singer longing to escape her painful emotional bonds. It is thought to be inspired by Mitchell's 1968–1970 relationship with Graham Nash. Although the song is merely set near Christmas time, rather than being about Christmas, it has become something of a modern Christmas standard. Writer Will Blythe believes the song is connected to a visit to Chapel Hill that Mitchell made with then beau James Taylor and a caroling session with his family, the Taylor family, and Mitchell.

The piano accompaniment to the vocal borrows heavily from the tune to the 19th-century winter song "Jingle Bells".

[MrGregson]

Joni's piano is such a beautiful compliment to her voice and the lyrics. The Jingle Bells variation is so poignant and lovely.

[sgtpepper]

This was used in one of my favorite scenes in Almost Famous. When Williams "introduces" Penny to Russell. When Kate Hudson smiles in this scene, she looks just like her mom.

[mistery-ed]

I've heard a couple of covers of this the past few days. Now it's time for the original.

[Rbandlady]

Only one Joni Mitchell. No one shines like her. No one. I always wonder why others play her songs and leave her essence out of their version.

[MrGregson]

To Gary Larson, Thanks for writing the background info and posting the lyrics. The snowy visuals and Joni's artwork are nice too!

[wlyounce]

Here because I heard it played on "Away". Had to hear the original again. Great song, so raw and real.

[JSlice-gkbr]

This was always a song that hit me different

[GildaLee]

"I'm selfish and I'm sad
Now I've gone and lost the best baby
That I ever had"


❤‍🩹

[onedayless]

I need to know the story behind this beautiful piece of art…please tell me if u know it.