Ten Favorite River Songs: NOT "The River" LOL (#1)
By Four Walls
@FourWalls (63257)
United States
October 12, 2017 8:26pm CST
Time to splash down the end of this list of my favorite songs that have the word "river" in the title. I threatened John yesterday that "The River" by Bruce Springsteen would be coming up. No way. And I mean no way. To absolutely nobody's surprise, here's my favorite "river" song.
#1: Take Me to the River - Talking Heads
I used this in my "take that" countdown. If I have a "me" countdown, it'll be there. "To"? It's included. "The"? You bet.
This 1978 top 30 cover of the Al Green classic was my introduction to Talking Heads. I've never recovered. And I don't want to.
I've heard lots of covers, but there's NOTHING that beats the Heads' version.
Don't know why I love it like I do...but I do. Oh, do I.
Thanks for reading.
Take Me to the River
Written by Al Green and Teenie Hodges
Recorded by Talking Heads
From More Songs About Buildings and Food, 1978
Here's the Stop Making Sense version, complete with the Big Suit pants and more cowbell!!
the talking heads live " take me to the river "
3 people like this
3 responses
@dgobucks226 (34646)
•
13 Oct 17
Great river song pick! That single helped push their album to gold. Brian Eno co-produced this song with the group. Nice collaboration for sure. I do like The River by Springsteen, but not on a top ten list.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (63257)
• United States
13 Oct 17
I think the problem with that song -- that entire album -- is that it's just too much. There were a lot of double albums released in that era that would've made pretty good single albums but just didn't cut it as double albums. For The River I love "Sherry Darling" and "Cadillac Ranch." The title song, I can take or leave. Since I don't listen to FM rock anymore (and don't hear it every 45 minutes) I don't mind it now, but for a while it just grated on my nerves.
2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (34646)
•
13 Oct 17
@FourWalls I can see your point. The River was kind of a haunting song that grew on me. At first listen I did not think much of it either. I agree "Sherry Darling" is an excellent tune. I also liked "Out in the Street" even with all the FM play.
2 people like this
@JohnRoberts (109848)
• Los Angeles, California
13 Oct 17
Big sigh of relief. Take Me to the River was also my intro to the Heads.
2 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43419)
• Denver, Colorado
13 Oct 17
I was actually expecting "Rivers of Blood, Years of Darkness" by My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult. This choice surprises me! 
1 person likes this
