You are here: Music for Canada's 150th > Lists > Great Canadian Songs > 34. Joni Mitchell – River

Joni Mitchell – River

"River" is the middle song on the second side of Joni Mitchell's Blue album. Although never released as a single, it became one of Mitchell's most popular songs and, according to her website, is Mitchell's second most covered song, perhaps at least in part because of its Christmas setting. "River" ranked #23 in CBC's 2014 list of 100 Best Canadian Songs Ever and #15 in the Mar*Star's 2011 poll.

Origins:	Fort MacLeod, Alberta
Canadian Content:	"I wish I had a river I could skate away on"
Release Date:	22 June 1971 (album)
Composer:	Joni Mitchell
Album:	Blue
Style:	singer-songwriter folk
Mar*Star 125:	did not rate
Mar*Star 150:	34

Click below for:

the original album version
the Sarah McLachlan Wintersong cover version
a version by Herbie Hancock featuring Corinne Bailey Rae

Click on the heading below to toggle more information.

Personnel

pin off

Joni Mitchell – Both Sides Now (song)
Joni Mitchell – Big Yellow Taxi (song)
Joni Mitchell – A Case of You (song)
Joni Mitchell – Blue (album)
Joni Mitchell – Court and Spark (album)
Joni Mitchell – Hejira (album)