| "The River" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single byGarth Brooks | ||||
| from the albumRopin' the Wind | ||||
| B-side | "We Bury The Hatchet" | |||
| Released | April 27, 1992 | |||
| Recorded | 1991 | |||
| Studio | Jack's Tracks (Nashville, Tennessee) | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Length | 4:25 | |||
| Label | Liberty 57765 | |||
| Songwriters | Victoria Shaw, Garth Brooks[1] | |||
| Producer | Allen Reynolds | |||
| Garth Brooks singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"The River" is a song co-written and recorded by Americancountry music singerGarth Brooks. In late 1992, it became his ninth Number One hit on theBillboard country charts. It was released in April 1992 as the fifth and final single from his albumRopin' the Wind, and it has appeared on three albums that have sold more than ten million copies each in the US alone, these beingRopin' The Wind,The Hits andDouble Live. The song was written by Garth Brooks andVictoria Shaw.
The song is a mid-tempocountry pop ballad in which a river is used as an analogy for the pursuit of one's dreams. Through the lyrics, the narrator says that he will continue to pursue his dreams.
Garth provided the following background information on the song in the CD booklet liner notes fromThe 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 includedKenny Malone on percussion,Edgar Meyer on acoustic bass, andTrisha Yearwood on harmony vocals.
Garth has stated that The River was inspired by childhood heroJames Taylor.
Allmusic criticStephen 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 (1992) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[5] | 1 |
| USHot Country Songs (Billboard)[6] | 1 |
| Chart (1992) | Position |
|---|---|
| Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[7] | 35 |
| USCountry Songs (Billboard)[8] | 43 |
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