23 Best Songs About Rivers

The best songs about rivers explore the beauty and power of rivers, as well as the deeper spiritual and mythological meanings.

They span many decades and genres of music, from folk and country music to modern-day R&B and chart-topping hits.

Let’s dive into this playlist and break down the artists, bands, and backgrounds behind these moving and popular river-themed songs.

The 23 Best Songs About Rivers

Music that explores the power and awe of rivers has been produced for many years, and it covers the full spectrum of genres and styles.

We’ve ensured this playlist covers everything from classic folk songs and gospel music to contemporary pop and rock music.

Now that we’ve covered the criteria, here’s our playlist of the 23 best songs about rivers:

23. “Rivers Of Babylon” – Boney M

“Rivers of Babylon” is undoubtedly one of the all-time classic river songs, first recorded by The Melodians, then covered by Boney M in 1978.

This great song takes its lyrics from the Bible, transforming them into an upbeat piece of music that dominated the charts when it was released.

There are other meanings in this song, with Babylon referencing an oppressive system of leadership in Rastafarianism.

22. “River So Wide” – Phil Collins

Phil Collins released the song “River So Wide” in 1996 on his album Dance Into the Light, and it is among his more uplifting works.

Here, the river stands as a symbol of the divisions that arise between people in relationships that must be crossed to be reunited.

A prolific singer-songwriter, “River So Wide” is an interesting counterpoint to his other work, which includes one of the best songs about sons, “You’ll Be in My Heart.”

21. “Dam That River” – Alice In Chains

For Alice in Chains likened the river to heroin and addiction to drugs that need to be stopped by erecting a firm dam in its path.

“Dam That River” takes the band’s trademark grunge sound to extremes, and it’s among their darkest and most sincere pieces of music.

Alice in Chains drummer Sean Kinney draws inspiration from a violent outburst in which he hit Jerry Cantrell over the head with a coffee table.

20. “Black Water” – Doobie Brothers

The Doobie Brothers’ song “Black Water” directly references the Mississippi River and the work of iconic American novelist Mark Twain.

This particular song talks about the moon as it shines down on the river, conjuring powerful imagery with its evocative lyrics.

It’s a classic swamp rock river song that was released in 1974 on the album What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits.

19. “Down By The Water” – PJ Harvey

PJ Harvey released the alternative rock song “Down by the Water” at the height of her popularity in the 1990s.

A reworking of the classic song of the same name by Al Green, “Down by the Water,” is a spiritual song that explores water and baptism.

Other references in this classic song include a nod to the traditional American folk song “Salty Dog Blues,” which concerns a daughter drowned by her mother.

18. “Many Rivers To Cross” – Jimmy Cliff

Reggae legend Jimmy Cliff came to worldwide attention in 1972 following the release of the cult classic movie The Harder They Come.

“Many Rivers to Cross,” which reflects his difficulty in finding success after moving to the United Kingdom, was a stand-out track from the soundtrack.

It even features a reference to the White Cliffs of Dover in the lyrics, setting it firmly within the narrative of the life journey of Jimmy Cliff.

17. “Ol’ Man River” – Frank Sinatra

 Few singer-songwriters have become so firmly established in the popular consciousness as Frank Sinatra, who wrote some of the best songs of all time, including “My Way.”

“Ol’ Man River” is another beautiful Sinatra song that uses a river as a metaphor for the trials and tribulations that hardworking Americans have to experience.

While the Frank Sinatra version is perhaps the best-known, “Ol’ Man River” was originally recorded way back in the 1920s for the musical hit Show Boat.

16. “Whiskey River” – Willie Nelson

In “Whiskey River,” Willie Nelson uses the concept of rivers to represent alcohol as a means of forgetting uncomfortable memories.

The song represents how many people turn to whiskey and other alcoholic substances as a crutch for avoiding uncomfortable truths.

“Whiskey River,” which was released in 1972, is a favorite river song among fans of country and Western music.

15. “The River Sings” – Enya

In a close second place after “Sail Away” for popular songs by Enya, “The River Sings” shares the former song’s affinity with nature.

Part of a trilogy of songs by Enya that explore rivers and water, “The River Sings” features lyrics performed in the fictional language Loxian.

It’s a beautiful piece of music with Enya’s distinct and lush vocals set to an arrangement that captures the image of a lazy river winding downstream.

14. “Yes, The River Knows” – The Doors

“Yes, the River Knows” is one of the more unusual songs released by the Doors, and it was written by the band’s guitarist, Robby Krieger.

This song views a free-flowing river as a source of wisdom and inspiration, with an undercurrent of spirituality running through it.

It’s a minor work from the Doors’ impressive discography that includes two Billboard Hot 100 number-one hits, “Light My Fire” and “Hello. My Love.”

13. “Proud Mary” – Creedence Clearwater Revival

Creedence Clearwater Revival is no stranger to writing popular songs about rivers, with “Proud Mary” playing well alongside “Green River.”

“Proud Mary” is the kind of song often sung around a campfire, and it’s all about the journey of a riverboat winding downstream.

As with “Green River,” Creedence Clearwater Revival also intended the title to be a reference to marijuana, with “Mary” the abbreviation for “Mary Jane.”

12. “Moon River” – Andy Williams

Andy Williams’ “Moon River” is another incredibly well-known song about rivers that people of all generations will be familiar with.

Originally released in the movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s, “Moon River” was sung by Audrey Hepburn, with Williams later covering it.

The title references an actual river in Georgia near where lyric writer John Mercer was raised, which provided inspiration for the song.

11. “Five Feet High And Rising” – Johnny Cash

Just as “Moon River” was influenced by John Mercer’s childhood, so too was “Five Feet High and Rising,” which was inspired by the experiences of Johnny Cash as a boy.

Its lyrics discuss Cash, aged 4, as the great Mississippi River flooded in 1937, causing him to flee from the area along with his family.

“Five Feet High and Rising” pairs well with Cash’s incredible song about fire, “Ring of Fire,” arguably his most famous song of all.

10. “River Deep, Mountain High” – Harry Nilsson

Harry Nilsson’s river song “River Deep, Mountain High” is another excellent slice of folk music dedicated to these water bodies.

Here, the river flow is another metaphor for young love and all its ambiguities and the depths and heights of feelings when you’re in love.

“River Deep, Mountain High” was released in 1967 on the Harry Nilsson album Pandemonium Shadow Show, his second long-play record.

9. “River” – Joni Mitchell

Joni Mitchell’s “River” takes the image of a river dying and likens it to a failing relationship in this moving song.

It’s a Christmas-themed song too, with a piano riff playing in the famous seasonal song “Jingle Bells” in the introduction.

Mitchell dominated the folk music industry for many years, and “River” is a clear example of her appeal to millions of fans worldwide.

8. “Down In The River To Pray” – Alison Krauss

Alison Krauss takes on this famous Southern gospel song using her impressive vocal range to full effect in “Down in the River to Pray.”

An enchanting piece of spiritual music, it draws on Christian folk music and urges the listener to persevere during hardships.

Anyone who has faith in God will no doubt consider this to be among the most affecting songs about rivers you can listen to.

7. “Cry Me A River” – Justin Timberlake

Justin Timberlake wrote “Cry Me a River” in response to his failed relationship with Britney Spears, channeling his feelings into the music.

One of his most popular songs, it’s a blend of acoustic and electronic sounds with a great performance from Timberlake in the official music video.

This song about the nature of deceptive relationships is also considered one of his great songs about lies and the damage they can cause.

6. “Down By The River” – Neil Young

The Grammy Award-winning artist Neil Young dived metaphorically into a deep river with his song “Down by the River.”

At 10 minutes long, it’s one of Young’s more ambitious works, with a hint of the classic American writer William Faulker in its tone.

“Down by the River” features an impressive guitar solo in the opening before expanding into an acid rock song.

5. “Big River” – Grateful Dead

“Big River” by the Grateful Dead sees the band covering the classic song of the same name by Johnny Cash and introducing their own spin.

More dynamic and upbeat than the original, “Big River” is a song about the Mississippi River and a man searching for his love.

It’s an ultimate sad piece of music about a man’s lost search and his feelings when he realizes his efforts have been for nothing.

4. “River Of Dreams” – Billy Joel

Released on the album of the same name, “River of Dreams” by Billy Joel was a huge hit for the singer when it was released in 1993.

Joel claims to have been inspired to write “River of Dreams” after experiencing a dream in which he was exploring a “stream of consciousness.”

The song captures Joel’s catchy lyrical style that echoes through his work, which has resulted in one of the best karaoke songs of all time, “Uptown Girl.”

3. “Take Me To The River” – Talking Heads

“Take Me to the River” by the Talking Heads, which is another beautiful song about rivers, was written by Al Green and released in 1978.

The Talking Heads put their inimitable spin on the original, twisting the gospel sound of the previous version with their unique new-wave rock.

David Byrne captures the emotional core of the song’s lyrics with his impressive vocals, keeping the spiritual undertones intact.

2. “River” – Leon Bridges

For Leon Bridges, the river is a place of healing and recuperation, much as it is viewed through Christian baptism and purification.

His song “River” expresses admiration for the power of rivers, singing, “As a man with many crimes comes up for air as my sins flow down the Jordan.”

Released in 2015 on the debut album Coming Home, Leon Bridges’ “River” is a classic R&B song that helped increase his popularity.

1. “Watching The River Flow” – Bob Dylan

Our last pick for this overview of the best songs about rivers is “Watching the River Flow” by folk-singing icon Bob Dylan.

“Walkin’ to and fro beneath the moon out to where the trucks are rollin’ slow,” Dylan sings, “To sit down on this bank of sand and watch the river flow.”

It’s another beautiful water-themed song that complements Dylan’s great song about rain, “A Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall.”

Summary

So there you have it, the greatest songs about rivers that explore this natural feature in all its potential imagery and meaning.

Like other elemental forces in the natural world, rivers have many meanings across cultures and time, which songwriters have explored in music.

We hope this playlist has helped to inspire your choice of music and introduced some little-known and forgotten classics.

What’s the best song about rivers, in your opinion? Leave a comment below.