The River (Garth Brooks song)

"The River" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music singer Garth Brooks. It was released in April 1992 as the fifth and final single from his album Ropin' the Wind, and in late 1991 it became his ninth Number One hit on the Billboard country charts. The song was written by Brooks and Victoria Shaw. It has appeared on three albums that have sold more than ten million copies each in the US alone, these being Ropin' The Wind, The Hits and Double Live.

Content

The song is a mid-tempo country pop ballad in which a river is used as a comparison to one's dreams. Through the lyric, the narrator says that he will continue to pursue his dreams.

Background and production

Garth provided the following background information on the song in the CD booklet liner notes from The Hits:

"Of all songs, most of the letters I receive concern "The River." It is a song of inspiration... a song that I will be proud of a hundred years from now. Victoria Shaw is a wonderful writer and a wonderful friend. And this is what happens when two dreamers get together and write from the heart. One of the greatest awards that this song has ever received was the fact that it was played at Dale Wehr's funeral. Quite an honor, cowboy."^[2]

Additional personnel on the song included Kenny Malon on percussion, Edgar Meyer on bass, and Trisha Yearwood on harmony vocals.

Garth has stated that The River was inspired by childhood hero James Taylor.

Critical reception

Allmusic critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine described the song as an "ambitious epic".^[3] Entertainment Weekly critic Ken Tucker considered it a standout track on the album, saying it "showcase[d]…his ability to imbue baleful country ballads with complex, soulful emotions."^[4]

Chart positions

Chart (1992)	Peak position
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)^[5]	1
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)^[6]	1

Year-end charts

Chart (1992)	Position
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)^[7]	35
US Country Songs (Billboard)^[8]	43

References

↑ http://www.victoriashaw.com/river.html Victoria Shaw | Official Web Site
↑ Garth Brooks - The Hits: transcription from the CD booklet (bar code 7-2438-29689-2-4)
↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Ropin' the Wind review". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-10-29.
↑ Tucker, Ken (September 27, 1991). "Ropin' the Wind review". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2008-10-29.
↑ "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 1983." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. August 8, 1992. Retrieved August 15, 2013.
↑ "Garth Brooks – Chart history" Billboard Hot Country Songs for Garth Brooks.
↑ "RPM Top 100 Country Tracks of 1992". RPM. December 19, 1992. Retrieved August 15, 2013.
↑ "Best of 1992: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 1992. Retrieved August 15, 2013.

External links

Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics

Preceded by "I Saw the Light" by Wynonna	Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks number-one single July 25, 1992	Succeeded by "Boot Scootin' Boogie" by Brooks & Dunn
	RPM Country Tracks number-one single August 8, 1992

Garth Brooks singles

Garth Brooks	"Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old)" "If Tomorrow Never Comes" "Not Counting You" "The Dance"

No Fences	"Friends in Low Places" "Unanswered Prayers" "Two of a Kind, Workin' on a Full House" "The Thunder Rolls" "Wild Horses" (released in 2001)

Ropin' the Wind	"Rodeo" "Shameless" "What She's Doing Now" "Papa Loved Mama" "The River"

The Chase	"We Shall Be Free" "Somewhere Other Than the Night" "Learning to Live Again" "That Summer"

In Pieces	"Ain't Goin' Down ('Til the Sun Comes Up)" "American Honky-Tonk Bar Association" "Standing Outside the Fire" "One Night a Day" "Callin' Baton Rouge" "The Red Strokes"

Fresh Horses	"She's Every Woman" "The Fever" "The Beaches of Cheyenne" "The Change" "It's Midnight Cinderella" "That Ol' Wind"

Sevens	"Longneck Bottle" "She's Gonna Make It" "Two Piña Coladas" "You Move Me" "Do What You Gotta Do" (released in 2000)

The Limited Series	"To Make You Feel My Love"

Double Live	"It's Your Song"

Greatest Hits (as Chris Gaines)	"Lost in You" "It Don't Matter to the Sun" "That's the Way I Remember It"

Scarecrow	"When You Come Back to Me Again" (released in 2000) "Wrapped Up in You" "Squeeze Me In" (with Trisha Yearwood) "Thicker Than Blood" "Why Ain't I Running"

The Lost Sessions	"Good Ride Cowboy" "Love Will Always Win" (with Trisha Yearwood) "That Girl Is a Cowboy"

The Ultimate Hits	"More Than a Memory" "Workin' for a Livin'" (with Huey Lewis) "Midnight Sun"

Man Against Machine	"People Loving People" "Mom"

Guest singles	"Whatcha Gonna Do with a Cowboy (with Chris LeDoux; uncredited) "In Another's Eyes" (with Trisha Yearwood) "One Heart at a TIme" (charity single) "Burnin the Roadhouse Down" (with Steve Wariner) "Where Your Road Leads" (with Trisha Yearwood) "Katie Wants a Fast One" (with Steve Wariner) "Beer Run (B Double E Double Are You In?)" (with George Jones)

Other songs	"Hard Luck Woman" "Santa Looked a Lot Like Daddy" "The Call" (with Trisha Yearwood)

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