Joni Mitchell - River (Official Music Video)

Just in time for Christmas, Joni Mitchell has debuted the first official music video for “River,” her wistful contribution to the Christmas songbook, taken from her landmark 1971 album Blue.

Animation by Skazka Studios
Directed by Matvey Rezanov, in memory of his father Mikhail Rezanov

Joni Mitchell Archives Vol. 1: The Early Years (1963-1967) has been nominated for the 2022 Grammy Award for Best Historical Album. It is the 17th Grammy nomination Mitchell has received since her first in 1969. To date, she has won nine Grammy Awards. That could change on Monday, January 31 when the 64th Annual Grammy Awards show will be broadcast live on CBS.

A few days before the show, the Recording Academy will honor Mitchell as its 2022 MusiCares Person of the Year during a star-studded event on January 29. Jon Baptiste, Black Pumas, Brandi Carlile, Leon Bridges, Mickey Guyton, Herbie Hancock, Graham Nash, Maggie rogers, and James Taylor are among the artists set to perform at the show, which will raise funds for MusiCares’ charitable programs and relief efforts.

Stay In Touch with Joni …

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Welcome to the official YouTube channel of Joni Mitchell, whose songs “River,” “Both Sides Now," “California,” and albums ‘Clouds,’ ‘Ladies of the Canyon’ and ‘Blue’ compose only a fragment of a multi-disciplinary artistic output that has been embraced across generations, inspired multitudes of artists, and earned every conceivable accolade.

One of the world’s most remarkable and beloved artists, Mitchell has influenced musicians across a vast cross-section of genres with her ethereal songs that reflect social and environmental ideals. The prolific singer-songwriter-painter-poet has not only written and produced her music, but also designed most of her album covers and packaging. A journey into Joni Mitchell’s artistry is one of a highly original, harmonically innovative, and emotionally charged, familiar yet fresh adventure.

[oldsoul]

I will never forget my first time hearing this in 1971.I cried. I did so again today. At 70, the only constant is the beauty of this song., Joni's voice and my need to still hope for a better world.

[joancarey]

This song is 52 years old….its timeless… I’m 81 years young… and it still moves me to tears!

[richardhill]

I fell in love with Joni's music at 17. I'm now 70 and it still stirs my emotions like it did back then.

[jrtaylor]

I lost both my parents this year. Christmas will never be the same again. This song is beautiful and gives me some comfort.

[lesmorton]

No one does bittersweet quite like Joni. I’ve loved this song for 50 years. It still moves me.

[sashabanks]

I got pregnant around Christmas time in 2019. During my pregnancy I listened to the Blue album over and over, I’d put the phone on my belly and the baby would kick. I was very lonely during those times, but listening to that album brought me some comfort… I lost my son at 36 weeks and 4 days pregnant. His name is River. “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’d teach my feet to fly.” 🕊🖤

[muckaxe]

“I’m so hard to handle/I’m selfish and I’m sad.” This line makes me cry every time, partially because I can relate, and partially because I’m in awe of the balls it takes to be that vulnerable in a song.

So many songwriters want to come off like they are so sensitive but they’re really just throwing out platitudes and obfuscating lyrics. Joni really is baring her soul, and that takes more gall than most have.

[SimonYoungOFFICIAL]

One of the most beautiful songs ever written and sung.

[elizabethh]

With age, Christmas feels even more pensive as we miss people who have passed away. This song captures a bit of that pensive feeling well.

[castorphans]

That's one of my favorite Joni Mitchell's songs. Many of us feel so alone this time of year, longing to escape the bubble of happiness we don't feel.

[williamfowler]

Can’t stop listening to this beautiful song my wife soulmate and best friend passed away just before Christmas last year ended our 57 years together, always loved this song even more now
❤💔💔💔

[RichardFeynmanRules]

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 going to make a lot of money
Then I'm going to 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

[cherripeek]

it’s christmas eve, my last Christmas as a teenager and i’m sitting in bed singing away to this beautiful song

[haschio]

I can’t believe how underrated this is. This should be up there with all the other Christmas classics everybody knows

[mpv]

The interweaving of “Jingle Bells” in this is both genius and haunting.

[victoriadickens]

My mother introduced me to Mitchell’s music and she passed this year..I’m so appreciative of her taste in music now mine

[justinreeves]

It’s Christmas Day 2023 and I lost my Dad suddenly 7 months ago to the day. I knew today was going to be hard, but I was doing ok. Then I listened to this song and now I’m a crying mess. What a beautiful and powerful song! I miss you Dad 😭😭😭

[jasonlightfoot]

What a haunting melody. I sit with tears welling up thinking of my mother who left this world on Christmas leaving behind 3 sons struggling each year to make sense of it. Listening to Joni brings back so many memories of her filling our living room on a Saturday morning, windows open fresh breeze blowing in and possibilities for the day with it. Sending love to all of you out there struggling with this time of year, you are not alone.

[pamelacoulthurst]

My beautiful grandson was in our car at Christmas talking for ever until this song came on the radio, he listened in silence and at the end said "I love that song grandma " 3 years old awesome taste ❤

[liviousyoung]

My mother listened to this all year round she loved joni and my mom passed at 52 of a brain aneurysm and I'll will forever think of her when listening to river fly high mama! ❤