About the song
Bruce Springsteen’s The River is a timeless masterpiece that encapsulates the spirit of a generation. Released in 1980, this double album became an instant classic, solidifying Springsteen’s status as one of the most influential and beloved artists of his time.
The River is a sprawling narrative that delves into the complexities of American life in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It’s a record filled with raw emotion, gritty realism, and a sense of longing for simpler times. Springsteen’s lyrics paint vivid pictures of working-class struggles, unfulfilled dreams, and the bittersweet nostalgia of growing up.
The album’s title track, The River, is a powerful and poignant anthem that captures the essence of the record. It tells the story of a young couple facing an uncertain future, torn between their love for each other and the pressures of adulthood. The song’s iconic chorus, “I’ve got a river running through my veins, a river deep and wide,” symbolizes the relentless current of life and the challenges that come with it.
Throughout the album, Springsteen explores a wide range of themes, from the struggles of factory workers to the complexities of family relationships. He also delves into the darker side of American society, touching on topics such as drug addiction, crime, and disillusionment. Despite its somber undertones, The River is a hopeful record that ultimately celebrates the resilience of the human spirit.
Springsteen’s music is characterized by his distinctive voice, his energetic guitar playing, and his ability to connect with audiences on a deep emotional level. The River is a testament to his songwriting prowess and his ability to capture the zeitgeist of his era. It’s a record that continues to resonate with listeners of all ages, a timeless masterpiece that has earned its place in the annals of rock and roll history.
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Lyrics
I come from down in the valley
Where, mister, when you’re young
They bring you up to do like your daddy done
Me and Mary we met in high school
When she was just seventeen
We drive out of this valley
Down to where the fields were green
We’d go down to the river
And into the river we’d dive
Oh, down to the river we’d ride
Then I got Mary pregnant
And man, that was all she wrote
And for my nineteenth birthday
I got a union card and a wedding coat
We went down to the courthouse
And the judge put it all to rest
No wedding day smiles, no walk down the aisle
No flowers, no wedding dress
That night we went down to the river
And into the river we’d dive
Oh, down to the river we did ride
Yeah, yeah
I got a job working construction
For the Johnstown Company
But lately there ain’t been much work
On account of the economy
Now all them things that seemed so important
Well mister they vanished right into the air
Now I just act like I don’t remember
Mary acts like she don’t care
But I remember us riding in my brother’s car
Her body tan and wet, down at the reservoir
At night on them banks I’d lie awake
And pull her close just to feel each breath she’d take
Now those memories come back to haunt me
They haunt me like a curse
Is a dream a lie if it don’t come true
Or is it something worse
That sends me down to the river
Though I know the river is dry
That sends me down to the river tonight
Down to the river
My baby and I
Oh, down to the river we ride-ide
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh