I’ve been fascinated with these lyrics from first exposure, at age 13. River is more of a statement of life (anyone’s life, everyone’s life), than a holiday song, yet what are the holidays for if not for poetically pondering our misery, fortune, mistakes, and ourselves.
I’m offering multiple choice this evening. I don’t have Robert Downey Junior’s version, so I embedded his rendition at the top of the heap.
Enjoy.
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Sarah McLachlan/River
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Herbie Hancock/Corinne Bailey Rae/River
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Peter White featuring Kenny Lattimore/River
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Joni Mitchell/River
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Peace
wow, RD2 sounds like all those late 80s/early 90s singer-songwriters. Those are interesting lyrics. I don’t wish for ice skating, though. I was at my nephew’s birthday party yesterday and I think I got flea-bit on my right big toe. That’d be rough going in skates. I mean, not that you asked but we’re sharing, right?
Doug´s last blog ..The Reformation of Wolfshausen
I don’t know what early 90’s singers sound like …I think I missed that time. he doesn’t sound bad though.
Never heard the RD version, not bad at all. Haven’t heard the Mitchell version in some time either the CBR is from Hancock’s “River” — one of my wife’s favorite CD’S.
Jacob´s last blog ..Chevron World Challenge
Hancock’s “River” is a favorite of mine.
I liked RD2’s version very much.
After listening to several versions I was thoroughly depressed
Doug – those late 80’s/early 90’s singer-songwriters were directly inspired by late 60’s/mid 70’s singer-songwriters
pia´s last blog ..Shades of Blue
It’s a good depression though, isn’t it?
Situations like this make me happy to have great computer speakers.
I like them all, thanks cooper. I was surprised at RD2 though. Who knew?
I think I favor the CBR HH jazz and the Peter White featuring Kenny Lattimore version.
It is good. I don’t think it pays to favor one over the other — it depends on the day.
Pleasantly surprised by RD2… wonder if there’s a Joe Cocker version out there somewhere?
I like McLachlan’s the best, although White’s is decent, too. And Mitchell… well, pretty much anything she’s done is alright by me.
I don’t think there is a recorded Cocker version, at least not that I can find. There are a ton of other decent versions, Ben Jelen, Sister Hazel, James Taylor, and so on and so forth.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zuDSXTkPlg
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwYAgrnKZtI
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4T6FRoLJXU
That was during RD2’S 2nd, or 3rd descent into hell. Decent. Joni has the standard, it’s her song. I like Sarah McLachlan’s version, she did joni proud.
Allison Crowe does a nice version.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aB_YFW4-fU
Yea I missed that. He’s been pretty straight in my time. I like her version too.
Until a few years ago I had never listened to Joni Mitchell, I listen to her a lot now, her version is my favorite.
kait´s last blog ..Dark Black Dresses Roll From the First State Dinner
I love me some Joni Mitchell.
Well, I’m biased. Once I hear Sarah McLachlan’s voice sing it, I only want to hear her voice sing it again.
She makes everything sound like a tragedy sung by a shattered woman with will to move forward. That’s how her voice resonates with me.
She needs to do some hip hop, or Disco funk. Really mix it up. Or maybe not.
Bennet´s last blog ..Consumption sumption, what’s your function?
ha, ha , you are right. She does sound that way.
Sarah McLachlan for me. I love that woman’s voice, and her aura.
RDJ’s is pretty good.
jake´s last blog ..A Heartbreaker
her aura?
who can’t love/relate to lyrics like
“loved me so naughty
Made me weak in the knees“
and
“I’m so hard to handle
I’m selfish and I’m sad
Now I’ve gone and lost the best baby
That I ever had”
everyone relates, male, female, young old.
Depressing, yes.
btw I’ve never listened to those lyrics until tonignt (though I’ve heard the song once or twice), thanks for posting this.
G´s last blog ..Health Care
I hear you G.
These are just what a overburdened, depressed, medical student needs cooper, thanks.
I love them all.
I am glad I can sooth the soul of the ailing medical student.
I LOVE this song. These are so good. Have you ever heard Rachael Yamagata’s version?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzT8NTJ9vmU
That is almost a tortured version. I added it to my pile, I seem to be collecting this song now. I love the perfect pain of it.
yet what are the holidays for if not for poetically pondering our misery, fortune, mistakes, and ourselves.
Ah, Cooperific.
Wow, Herbie Hancock — haven’t heard that name in a long time.
Is there any reason my brain should sometimes interchange Robert Downey, Jr. and Andrew Dice Clay?
Bone´s last blog ..Thanksgiving revisited
oh my his cd River from a couple of years ago is quite grand — if cooperific means true I’m all for it.
I don’t know who andrew Dice Clay is but after looking him up I can’t seem to find a connection — I love the RD2 but didn’t know him in his bad days — though I have a thing for famous older men with multiple vices.
This is fun, following all these videos I find this one (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtESWHz8mbY), by Nerina Pallot.
The Jazz version is my preferred version.
That’s a great line highlighted above– very cooper.
like said a sad, depressing yet cathartic celebration of the holiday. thank you.
Big Yellow Taxi is still my favorite Joni Mitchell song, a family favorite.
dane/robotman´s last blog ..Health Care
I love that song.
I never heard this song before, maybe I did but didn’t istent to it. It is despressingly beautiful no matter who sings it.
matt just informed me this was a well known alternative holiday classic — who knew.
Ylike the bone said (“yet what are the holidays for if not for poetically pondering our misery, fortune, mistakes, and ourselves”), love this line so true and when you couple it with this songs it explains everything.
ben´s last blog ..Back For Good
ben I am happy to see you here.
I’m surprised at the number of people who have never heard this song, it’s close to a masterpiece.
Just playing the Mitchell version to my class, playing a real Christmas Song