Song of the Day 12/12: Joni Mitchell, “River”
I’m not violating my Only 12 Days of Christmas music rule, because this is not a Christmas song. It’s a breakup song of sadness and regret that mentions the approach of the holiday as a counterpoint to Mitchell’s melancholy, yet like Chrissie Hynde’s similarly themed “2000 Miles” it’s become part of the Christmas canon. Popular rumor has it that the lost lover was Graham Nash, who still sends her flowers every year on her birthday.
More than 400 singers have covered “River,” second only “Both Sides Now” in Mitchell’s catalog. The most successful was by English singer Elle Goulding, who had a No. 1 UK hit with it in 2019.
I have to say I do like Train’s version. And i think it was David Crosby who said joni was the best singer-songwriter ever. and i’d probably agree with him. BTW, Sinatra’s version of Both Sides now is excellent and is noted since today is his birthday
Perhaps my favorite song of the season, which is fitting since I can’t stand the Christmas season.
I love the way she transposes that Jingle Bells riff into pure melancholy.
A great song by one of my Mt. Rushmore artists. She may WELL be the greatest singer-songwriter ever.
My Mt. Rushmore includes a contingent of Canadians (Joni, Neil Young, and Leonard Cohen), who all came up together and wrote songs for and about each other. But Joni stands somewhat above even them.
That reminds me–Leonard Cohen’s “You Want It Darker” made it into the Top 100 of the XPN Countdown of Best Songs of the 21st Century.
It holds up–trust me.
You left out Nickelback!
Seriously, though. I agree with your triumvirate. The Band are Canadian but somehow it doesn’t feel like it.
I was thinking about a top 3 contemporary Canadian bands. Maybe New Pornographers, Alvvays and Cowboy Junkies.
And there are people who would fight you to get Rush in the classic Top 3.
The three I mentioned are in the Folk/Americana section of my pantheon. Rush is honorable mention for my Prog wing but doesn’t quite make it in.
I have enjoyed Joni Mitchell’s music since my wife of 52 years introduced me to it in 1972. The Best.
Saw her up at Syracuse around 1970. ‘Ladies Of The Canyon’ had just come out. First time I heard ‘River’ was at that concert in the Crouse College Music Auditorium.
In addition to everything else ( she did about half the show at the piano, half with guitar), she had such a genuine rapport with the audience.
I’m so glad she’s getting this late-in-life valedictory.