THE RIVER

Album version



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'd ride out of that 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, yay yay yay

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, ay yay yay
Down to the river, my baby and I
Oh down to the river we ride, ah yay yay
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


PAGE UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Info

THE RIVER is a song written by Bruce Springsteen and released on his 1980 album The River. The above lyrics are for Bruce Springsteen's album version of THE RIVER as released in 1980.


The album version of THE RIVER was included on the Greatest Hits (1995 edition) compilation album, The Essential Bruce Springsteen (both 2003 and 2015 editions) compilation album, the Greatest Hits (2009 Europe edition) compilation album, and the Chapter And Verse compilation album.

A different mix of THE RIVER was planned for release on Springsteen's 1979 album had it seen the light. See "The River" section below for more details. That mix was included on The Ties That Bind: The River Collection box set in 2015.

Writing and Recording

SECTION NOT YET COMPLETED

THE RIVER evolved from the 1979 home demo OH ANGELYNE.

Circulating Takes

SECTION NOT YET COMPLETED

The River

Bruce Springsteen wrapped up the Darkness On The Edge Of Town Tour on the first day of 1979. For the next few months, he altered between composing and practicing solo demos at his home in Holmdel, NJ (between January and June 1979), rehearsing with the band at his Telegraph Hill Road property in Holmdel, NJ (between March and May 1979), and recording in studio at The Power Station in New York City, NY (from late March to late August 1979).

By early August 1979, enough quality material had been recorded at The Power Station. According to The Ties That Bind documentary, a total of twenty-four songs had been recorded. According to Clinton Heylin's 2012 book It was looking like Springsteen's fifth album might be released in Christmas 1979. E Street Shuffle: The Glory Days of Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, Springsteen's initial track sequence for the album was as follows:

Side 1:

  1. THE TIES THAT BIND
  2. THE PRICE YOU PAY
  3. BE TRUE
  4. RICKY WANTS A MAN OF HER OWN
  5. STOLEN CAR

Side 2:

  1. I WANNA MARRY YOU
  2. LOOSE ENDS
  3. HUNGRY HEART
  4. THE MAN WHO GOT AWAY
  5. RAMROD

By mid-September 1979, Springsteen replaced RICKY WANTS A MAN OF HER OWN, LOOSE ENDS, and THE MAN WHO GOT AWAY by CINDY and THE RIVER. Soon after, he removed RAMROD, restored LOOSE ENDS, and added YOU CAN LOOK (BUT YOU BETTER NOT TOUCH). A title, "The Ties That Bind", was selected for the album and wheels put in motion to produce artwork for the cover. Around September, at least ten tracks were mixed to completion. On 04 Oct 1979, the ten selected tracks were dubbed to two half-track reel-to-reel tapes at The Power Station, and labeled "side one" and "side two". As written on the reels, the producer was Jon Landau and the engineers were Neil Dorfsman and Bob Clearmountain, assisted by Jeff Hendrickson. The new track sequence for the album was as follows:

Reel #1:

  1. THE TIES THAT BIND [take #8]
  2. CINDY [take #3]
  3. HUNGRY HEART [take #2]
  4. STOLEN CAR [take #3]
  5. BE TRUE [take #2]

Reel #2:

  1. THE RIVER [take #5]
  2. YOU CAN LOOK (BUT YOU BETTER NOT TOUCH) [take #3]
  3. THE PRICE YOU PAY [take #1]
  4. I WANNA MARRY YOU [take #4]
  5. LOOSE ENDS [take #2]
Bruce Springsteen -- The Ties That Bind (reel #1, front)
Bruce Springsteen -- The Ties That Bind (reel #1, front)
Bruce Springsteen -- The Ties That Bind (reel #2, front)
Bruce Springsteen -- The Ties That Bind (reel #2, front)

Mock covers with "The Ties That Bind" title were roughed out early in the planning. The cover shot was to be a picture of Bruce Springsteen in front of a barn, with the back cover being a shot of his face behind a screen door. In late September 1979, The Ties That Bind single album was scrapped as Springsteen's writing process continued.

A second phase of recording sessions was scheduled. Again, for the next few months, Springsteen altered between composing and practicing solo demos at his home in Holmdel, NJ (between September 1979 and February 1980), rehearsing with the band at his Telegraph Hill Road property in Holmdel, NJ (between September 1979 and February 1980), and recording in studio at The Power Station in New York City, NY (from October 1979 to June 1980).

The combined sessions from March 1979 to June 1980 produced the double album The River that was eventually released in October 1980. The studio sessions to some extent extended into August 1980 due to Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band's involvement in the recording of Gary U.S. Bonds' album Dedication, which was released April 1981).

Bruce Springsteen -- The River
Bruce Springsteen -- The River

The album features 20 new Springsteen compositions and clocks at 83:47. It was produced by Bruce Springsteen, Jon Landau, and Steven Van Zandt, engineered by Neil Dorfsman, and mixed by Bob Clearmountain, Chuck Plotkin, and Toby Scott.

According to recording engineer Neil Dorfsman, about 50 songs were recorded to a completed state during The River sessions. 20 were released on The River and 14 were released as B-sides and on official compilations. 14 songs are circulating via the unofficial route, but the majority of them are poor recordings of band rehearsals at the Telegraph Hill Road property, though it is likely that most of them exist as completed takes from The Power Station.

Greatest Hits 1995 Edition

Greatest Hits (1995 edition) is a collection of some of Bruce Springsteen's hit singles and popular album tracks through the years, in addition to four previously unreleased songs, three of which were recorded with the E Street Band in 1995 — Springsteen's first release with his backing band since the late eighties. Some of the songs on Greatest Hits are shorter versions of the original album releases.

In 1994, Bruce Springsteen recorded an album with members of the 1992-1993 touring band. His manager Jon Landau wasn't a fan of the project and recommended shelving it and focusing more on a "career overview". This lead to the Greatest Hits sessions with the E Street Band in 1995. Springsteen called the band in early January to record some new songs for the album and they assembled for the recording sessions on 09 Jan 1995 at The Hit Factory in New York City, NY. The sessions, which lasted about ten days, were the band's first studio reunion in 11 years (since the Born In The U.S.A. sessions) and their first ever with Nils Lofgren.

Bruce Springsteen -- Greatest Hits
Bruce Springsteen -- Greatest Hits

Greatest Hits was released on 27 Feb 1995 on Columbia Records. It was commercially successful, debuting at #1 on the U.S. Billboard 200 where it stayed on the chart for 32 weeks. It also peaked at #1 in Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and many European countries. By 2008 the album had sold more than four million copies in the United States.

In 2013, Sony Music reissued the album in Venezuela as part of its Star Collection series, which was made exclusively for the Venezuelan market via Sony Music Venezuela in 2013. The album is titled after the series and features totally different artwork. Just like on Greatest Hits, the songs are shorter versions of the original album releases.

Bruce Springsteen -- Star Collection
Bruce Springsteen -- Star Collection

CD - Sony Music (001) - Venezuela, 2013

The Essential Bruce Springsteen

The Essential Bruce Springsteen is a compilation album released as part of Sony BMG'S (previously Sony Music Entertainment) series of "Essential" sets. According to Springsteen's liner notes comments, the collection was intended as an introduction to his music for new fans who attended shows on The Rising Tour.

The collection is fundamentally a 2-disc set (clocking at 153:37) compiling songs from all of Springsteen's studio albums to date plus his Live In New York City release. A 3-disc limited edition (clocking at 201:04) was also released. It includes a bonus third disc comprising of a selection of rarities and previously unreleased recordings.

The Essential Bruce Springsteen was released on 11 Nov 2003 on Columbia Records. It debuted and peaked at #14 on the U.S. Billboard 200 album chart where it spent 13 weeks. It also reached #28 on the UK Albums Chart. The album was awarded certified gold and platinum records by the RIAA on 16 Dec 2003.

Bruce Springsteen -- The Essential Bruce Springsteen (2003 edition)
Bruce Springsteen -- The Essential Bruce Springsteen (2003 edition)

The Essential Bruce Springsteen was reissued on 16 Oct 2015, this time as a 2-disc set (clocking at 156:25) with an updated track list, compiling songs from all of Springsteen's studio albums to date plus his Greatest Hits (1995 edition) collection. This 2015 reissue features remastered tracks not found in that form on other Springsteen releases.

Bruce Springsteen -- The Essential Bruce Springsteen (2015 edition)
Bruce Springsteen -- The Essential Bruce Springsteen (2015 edition)

Greatest Hits 2009 Edition

Greatest Hits (2009 edition) is a compilation album released by Columbia Records on 13 Jan 2009 in the United State where it was sold exclusively through Wal-Mart retailers. The album was also released (but non-exclusively) in Canada. Unlike the 1995 Greatest Hits release and The Essential Bruce Springsteen in 2003, this compilation was billed to "Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band" instead of just "Bruce Springsteen". The album contains 12 previously released studio tracks and clocks at 53:08.

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- Greatest Hits (2009 USA edition)
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- Greatest Hits (2009 USA edition)

On 01 Jun 2009, Columbia Records released a European edition of the compilation album with an alternative track listing to promote Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band's European leg of the Working On A Dream Tour. The European edition was also released in Israel and Mexico, and in Australia in August 2009. The album comes in a standard jewel case, but a limited digipack edition was also released in Europe. Greatest Hits (2009 European edition) contains 16 previously released studio tracks and 2 live bonus tracks taken from the Live/1975-85 box set. It clocks at 79:03.

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- Greatest Hits (2009 Europe edition)
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- Greatest Hits (2009 Europe edition)

The album charted in several countries, but only made it to # 1 in Sweden. In general, the album did much better in Europe than in North America.

Chapter And Verse

Chapter And Verse is a Bruce Springsteen compilation album released on Columbia Records on 23 Sep 2016 in the U.S. It was officially announced on 28 Jul 2016. The album is an audio companion to Springsteen's autobiography Born To Run, which was published four days later, on 27 Sep 2016, by Simon & Schuster.

The album is a career retrospective consisting of 18 tracks. It spans almost half a century of Springsteen's career, from as early as 1966. According to the press release, Springsteen selected the songs to reflect the themes and sections of the autobiography. The first five tracks have not been previously released.

Tracks 1 and 2 are from The Castiles era, track 3 is from the Steel Mill era, and track 4 is from The Bruce Springsteen Band era. Tracks 5 and 6 are Springsteen solo, from around the time he signed his record deal with CBS. The remaining 12 tracks are compiled from 12 different Bruce Springsteen studio albums, from 1973 to 2012. All song were written by Bruce Springsteen, except tracks 1 (co-written by Bruce Springsteen and George Theiss) and track 2 (written by Willie Dixon). Track 2 is only song on the album recorded live.

Bruce Springsteen -- Chapter And Verse
Bruce Springsteen -- Chapter And Verse

Chapter And Verse is available as a single-disc CD and as a double-disc LP, as well as digital download and streaming.

The Ties That Bind: The River Collection

The Ties That Bind: The River Collection is a Bruce Springsteen box set released in 2015 on Columbia Records to celebrate the 35th anniversary of The River album. The 10"x12" box set contains four CDs, two Blu-Ray discs or three DVDs, and a hardcover 148-page coffee table book featuring 200 mostly unseen studio and live photographs, pages from Springsteen's notebooks, single covers, images and outtakes from the original album package, and other memorabilia documenting the album, plus a new essay by Mikal Gilmore. The box set was announced on 16 Oct 2015 and released to retail on 04 Dec 2015.

The Ties That Bind: The River Collection (box set cover art)
The Ties That Bind: The River Collection (box set cover art)

The first two discs consist of the 2014 remastered version of The River album. The third disc contains The River: Single Album, a 10-track album originally planned for release in 1979, under the title "The Ties That Bind". "The songs lacked the kind of unity and conceptual intensity I liked my music to have. So we went back in the studio," Springsteen wrote in his 1998 book Songs. He scrapped the project and went on to rework some of the songs and write and record some others, leading to the double-disc release the following year. All but one of these ten tracks were previously released.

1.THE TIES THAT BINDDifferent version previously released on The River
2.CINDYPreviously unreleased
3.HUNGRY HEARTPreviously released on The River
4.STOLEN CARPreviously released on Tracks
5.BE TRUEPreviously released as a B-side and on Tracks
6.THE RIVERPreviously released on The River
7.YOU CAN LOOK (BUT YOU BETTER NOT TOUCH)Different version previously released on The River
8.THE PRICE YOU PAYDifferent version previously released on The River
9.I WANNA MARRY YOUPreviously released on The River
10.LOOSE ENDSPreviously released on Tracks

The fourth discs contains The River: Outtakes, a 22-track album collection consisting of outtakes from the 1979-1980 sessions that didn't make the cut for either the single- or double-album versions of The River. The CD is divided into two parts, "Record One" (the first 11 tracks) and "Record Two" (the remaining 10 tracks). The former consists of unreleased songs while the latter consists of previously released songs.

1.MEET ME IN THE CITYPreviously unreleased
2.THE MAN WHO GOT AWAYPreviously unreleased
3.LITTLE WHITE LIESPreviously unreleased
4.THE TIME THAT NEVER WASPreviously unreleased
5.NIGHT FIREPreviously unreleased
6.WHITETOWNPreviously unreleased
7.CHAIN LIGHTNINGPreviously unreleased
8.PARTY LIGHTSPreviously unreleased
9.PARADISE BY THE "C"Live version previously released on Live/1975-85
10.STRAY BULLETPreviously unreleased
11.MR. OUTSIDEPreviously unreleased
12.ROULETTEPreviously released on Tracks
13.RESTLESS NIGHTSPreviously released on Tracks
14.WHERE THE BANDS AREPreviously released on Tracks
15.DOLLHOUSEPreviously released on Tracks
16.LIVING ON THE EDGE OF THE WORLDPreviously released on Tracks
17.TAKE 'EM AS THEY COMEPreviously released on Tracks
18.RICKY WANTS A MAN OF HER OWNPreviously released on Tracks
19.I WANNA BE WITH YOUPreviously released on Tracks
20.MARY LOUPreviously released on Tracks
21.HELD UP WITHOUT A GUNPreviously released as a B-side
22.FROM SMALL THINGS (BIG THINGS ONE DAY COME)Previously released on The Essential Bruce Springsteen (2003 3-disc edition)

The fifth disc contains the 60-minute documentary, The Ties That Bind, produced and directed by Grammy and Emmy-winning filmmaker Thom Zimny. The documentary features an intimate interview with Bruce Springsteen as he reflects on writing and recording of The River. The film transitions between Springsteen telling the stories behind the music ─ and illustrating them with solo acoustic guitar performances ─ interspersed with period concert footage and rare photos of him and the band in and out of the studio.

The sixth disc (on the Blu-Ray release) or sixth and seventh disc (on the DVD release) feature(s) The River Tour, Tempe 1980, a new professionally shot film consisting of 24 songs from Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band's 05 Nov 1980 concert at Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ. The film uses four cameras and is recorded in multitrack audio and clocks at 2 hours and 40 minutes. The tapes were edited by Thom Zimny and the audio was mixed by Bob Clearmountain and mastered by Bob Ludwig.

  1. BORN TO RUN
  2. PROVE IT ALL NIGHT
  3. TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT
  4. JACKSON CAGE
  5. TWO HEARTS
  6. THE PROMISED LAND
  7. OUT IN THE STREET
  8. THE RIVER
  9. BADLANDS
  10. THUNDER ROAD
  11. NO MONEY DOWN
  12. CADILLAC RANCH
  13. HUNGRY HEART
  14. FIRE
  15. SHERRY DARLING
  16. I WANNA MARRY YOU
  17. CRUSH ON YOU
  18. RAMROD
  19. YOU CAN LOOK (BUT YOU BETTER NOT TOUCH)
  20. DRIVE ALL NIGHT
  21. ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT)
  22. I'M A ROCKER
  23. JUNGLELAND
  24. DETROIT MEDLEY

The ten songs that are not included on The River Tour, Tempe 1980 (DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN, INDEPENDENCE DAY, FACTORY, RACING IN THE STREET, CANDY'S ROOM, THE TIES THAT BIND, STOLEN CAR, WRECK ON THE HIGHWAY, POINT BLANK, and BACKSTREETS) were later officially released on Live.BruceSpringsteen.net.

The last disc also contains The River Tour Rehearsals, which consists of a 5-song 20-minute bonus footage from Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band's private rehearsals in late September 1980 at Clair Brothers Audio in Lititz, PA. Springsteen and the band can be seen working through live arrangements of what was then unreleased material from the upcoming album.

  1. RAMROD
  2. CADILLAC RANCH
  3. FIRE
  4. CRUSH ON YOU
  5. SHERRY DARLING

Other Official Releases

SECTION NOT YET COMPLETED

Bruce Springsteen -- Bruce Springsteen Sampler
Bruce Springsteen -- Bruce Springsteen Sampler

LP - Columbia (CDN-57) - Canada, 1980

Canada-only red label promotional LP sampler compiling 10 tracks from Springsteen's first five albums. Issued in a white die-cut cardboard sleeve.

Bruce Springsteen -- As Requested Around The World
Bruce Springsteen -- As Requested Around The World

LP - Columbia (AS 978) - USA, 1981

US-only promotional LP sampler issued to celebrate the conclusion of The River Tour.

Bruce Springsteen -- The River / Born To Run / Rosalita
Bruce Springsteen -- The River / Born To Run / Rosalita

12" EP - CBS (A13-1179) - UK, 1981

This EP was issued to commemorate Springsteen's first full-scale tour of the UK.

A1- THE RIVER
A2- BORN TO RUN
B1- ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT)
Bruce Springsteen -- The River
Bruce Springsteen -- The River

7" EP - CBS / Rennbahn Express (no catalog number) - Holland, 1981

Flexi disc distributed exclusively to subscribers of Austrian pop magazine "Rennbahn Express" with their June 1981 issue. It contains excerpts from four song from The River album, plus three short live fragments that are unique to this item.

A1- SHERRY DARLING / THE RIVER / THE TIES THAT BIND / HUNGRY HEART
B1- [blank]
Bruce Springsteen -- Hungry Heart
Bruce Springsteen -- Hungry Heart

12" EP - CBS / Sony (XDAP 93030) - Japan, 1981

Japan-only promotional EP, also known under the title "The Killer Tracks From 'The River'".

A1- HUNGRY HEART
A2- THE RIVER
B1- I WANNA MARRY YOU
B2- POINT BLANK
Bruce Springsteen -- The Future Of Rock'n'Roll / 70's To 80's
Bruce Springsteen -- The Future Of Rock'n'Roll / 70's To 80's

2xCD - CBS/Sony (XADP 90009~10) - Japan, 1988

Japan-only promotional 2-CD set sampler compiling 28 tracks from Bruce Springsteen's first nine albums plus two 1988 live B-sides.

Disc 1: (70's)
01- THUNDER ROAD [Live 18 Oct 1975 (early show) version]
02- BLINDED BY THE LIGHT
03- RACING IN THE STREET
04- KITTY'S BACK
05- BADLANDS
06- GROWIN' UP
07- PROVE IT ALL NIGHT
08- 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY)
09- BACKSTREETS [Live 07 Jul 1978 version]
10- FOR YOU
11- TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT
12- THE PROMISED LAND
13- ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) [Live 07 Jul 1978 version]
14- BORN TO RUN

Disc 2: (80's)
01- BORN IN THE U.S.A. [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
02- BRILLIANT DISGUISE
03- DANCING IN THE DARK
04- CADILLAC RANCH [Live 06 Jul 1981 version]
05- WALK LIKE A MAN
06- WAR [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
07- JOHNNY 99
08- HUNGRY HEART [Live 28 Dec 1980 version]
09- I WANNA MARRY YOU
10- MY HOMETOWN [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
11- THE RIVER
12- GLORY DAYS
13- OUT IN THE STREET
14- TOUGHER THAN THE REST [Live 27 Apr 1988 version]
15- SPARE PARTS [Live 09 Jul 1988 version]
16- THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND [Live 29 Dec 1980 version]
Bruce Springsteen -- Tougher Than The Rest
Bruce Springsteen -- Tougher Than The Rest

CD - Columbia (XPCD 192) - UK, 1992

UK-only promotional CD sampler issued in limited quantities to tie in with the 1992 Wembley shows and contains 16 tracks from Springsteen's albums up to 1992.

Bruce Springsteen -- Tougher Than The Rest
Bruce Springsteen -- Tougher Than The Rest

CD - Columbia (BOSS1) - Sweden, 1992

Sweden-only promotional CD sampler used for both radio promotion and as a VIP giveaway item at the opening shows of Springsteen's 1992 tour in Stockholm. It contains 14 tracks from the first nine albums only. Two different pressings exist: the first comes in a standard jewel case with title front inlay and back insert (cover art on the left), and the second comes in a plain slimline case with no inlays.

Bruce Springsteen -- Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen -- Bruce Springsteen

CD - Sony (XDDP 93084) - Japan, 1992

Japan-only promotional CD sampler compiling 16 tracks from Springsteen's studio albums up to 1992.

Bruce Springsteen -- A Whole Bunch Of Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen -- A Whole Bunch Of Bruce Springsteen

MC - Sony (XCTS 92005) - Japan, 1992

Japan-only promotional cassette tape sampler compiling 12 tracks from Springsteen's studio albums up to 1992.

Bruce Springsteen -- Interview With Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen -- Interview With Bruce Springsteen

2xCD - Columbia (SAMPCD 3184 9) - Germany, 1996

Germany-only promotional 2-CD set featuring 16 Springsteen tracks interspersed with segments from an exclusive interview for German radio station "Radio Eins" conducted in Los Angeles in February 1996.

Disc 1:
01- Interview
02- IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY
03- Interview
04- 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY)
05- Interview
06- THE RIVER
07- Interview
08- NEBRASKA
09- Interview
10- TOUGHER THAN THE REST
11- Interview
12- BORN IN THE U.S.A.
13- Interview
14- MY HOMETOWN
15- Interview
16- HIGHWAY 29
17- Interview
18- TUNNEL OF LOVE
19- Interview
20- SINALOA COWBOYS [Live 08 Dec 1995 version]

Disc 2:
01- Interview
02- HUNGRY HEART [Live 09 Jul 1995 version]
03- Interview
04- STRAIGHT TIME
05- Interview
06- HUMAN TOUCH
07- Interview
08- ACROSS THE BORDER
09- Interview
10- THE GHOST OF TOM JOAD
11- Interview
12- DEAD MAN WALKIN'
Bruce Springsteen -- Ballads Vol. 1 (1973 - 1982)
Bruce Springsteen -- Ballads Vol. 1 (1973 - 1982)

CD-R - Sony (no catalog number) - Japan, 2005

Japan-only promotional "Digest" CDR advance sampler tying in with the release of the first six Japanese 2005 "mini-LP"-style Springsteen CD album reissues. This disc comes in a plain slimline jewel case with no artwork.

Bruce Springsteen -- Chapter And Verse Sampler
Bruce Springsteen -- Chapter And Verse Sampler

CD-R - Columbia / Sony Music (no catalog number) - Brazil, 2016

Brazil-only radio sampler compiling four tracks from Chapter And Verse plus five radio promo spots.

01- Intro
02- Chamada De Rádio 1
03- Biografia
04- YOU CAN'T JUDGE A BOOK BY THE COVER [Live 16 Sep 1967 version]
05- BORN TO RUN
06- THE RIVER
07- BORN IN THE U.S.A.
08- Chamada De Rádio 2
09- Final

The album version of THE RIVER was included on some various artists albums.

Various artists -- Rock Dreams - Die Rockstars Mit Ihren Sanften Superhits
Various artists -- Rock Dreams - Die Rockstars Mit Ihren Sanften Superhits

LP - CBS (24010) - Germany, 1982

Made in Holland for export to Germany.
Various artists -- The All Time Greatest Love Songs Volume III
Various artists -- The All Time Greatest Love Songs Volume III

2xCD - Sony Music / Columbia (SONYTV56CD) - UK, 1988
Various artists -- Kuschelrock 12
Various artists -- Kuschelrock 12

2xCD - Sony Music Media (SMM 492000-0) - Germany, 1998
2xCD - Sony Music Media (SMM 492000 2) - Germany, 1998
2xCD - Sony Music Media (SMM 333831 2) - Germany, 1998
2xCD - Sony Music Media (SMM 492000 9) - Germany, 1999
2xCD - Sony BMG (88697 27178 2) - Germany, 2008
Various artists -- Knuffelrock 10
Various artists -- Knuffelrock 10

2xCD - Sony Music Media (SMM 492643 2) - Belgium, 1998
Various artists -- Knuffelrock 7
Various artists -- Knuffelrock 7

2xCD - Sony Music Media (491874-2) - Holland, 1998
Various artists -- Kuschelrock 2
Various artists -- Kuschelrock 2

CD - Columbia (9840-10) - Denmark, 1998
Various artists -- Most Wanted Love
Various artists -- Most Wanted Love

2xCD - Greatest Hits Entertainment HB / Mix Megapol (MWLOCD 1 / 565957-2) - Sweden, 1998

Other versions of THE RIVER were also officially released.

Various artists -- The Muse Concert - No Nukes
The live 21 Sep 1979 version of THE RIVER was first released on The Muse Concert - No Nukes home video in 1980.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- No Nukes 1979
The live 22 Sep 1979 version of THE RIVER was released on the No Nukes 1979 official live download in 2018.
Bruce Springsteen -- The Ties That Bind: The River Collection
The live 05 Nov 1980 version of THE RIVER was released on The Ties That Bind: The River Collection box set in 2015.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- Nassau Coliseum, New York 12/29/80
The live 29 Dec 1980 version of THE RIVER was released on the Nassau Coliseum, New York 12/29/80 official live download in 2019.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- Nassau Coliseum, New York 1980
The live 31 Dec 1980 version of THE RIVER was released on the Nassau Coliseum, New York 1980 official live download in 2015.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- Wembley Arena June 5, 1981
The live 05 Jun 1981 version of THE RIVER was released on the Wembley Arena June 5, 1981 official live download in 2018.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- Brendan Byrne Arena 1981
The live 09 Jul 1981 version of THE RIVER was released on the Brendan Byrne Arena 1981 official live download in 2020.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Sept 27, 1985
The live 27 Sep 1985 version of THE RIVER was released on the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Sept 27, 1985 official live download in 2019.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- Live/1975-85
The live 30 Sep 1985 version of THE RIVER was released on the Live/1975-85 box set in 1986.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- Stockholm Stadion, Sweden 1988
The live 03 Jul 1988 version of THE RIVER was released on the Stockholm Stadion, Sweden 1988 official live download in 2017.
Bruce Springsteen -- Meadowlands July 25, 1992
The live 25 Jul 1992 version of THE RIVER was released on the Meadowlands July 25, 1992 official live download in 2019.
Bruce Springsteen -- Brendan Byrne Arena, New Jersey June 24, 1993
The live 24 Jun 1993 version of THE RIVER was released on the Brendan Byrne Arena, New Jersey June 24, 1993 official live download in 2018.
Bruce Springsteen -- Freehold, NJ 1996 Saint Rose Of Lima School Gym
The live 08 Nov 1996 version of THE RIVER was released on the Freehold, NJ 1996 Saint Rose Of Lima School Gym official live download in 2018.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- Live In New York City
The live 01 Jul 2000 version of THE RIVER was released on the Live In New York City album and home video in 2001.
Bruce Springsteen -- Stockholm 2005
The live 25 Jun 2005 version of THE RIVER was released on the Stockholm 2005 official live download in 2020.
Bruce Springsteen -- Van Andel Arena, Michigan 2005
The live 03 Aug 2005 version of THE RIVER was released on the Van Andel Arena, Michigan 2005 official live download in 2018.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- Wachovia Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA 10/20/09
The live 20 Oct 2009 version of THE RIVER was released on the Wachovia Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA 10/20/09 official live download in 2017.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- MSG Nov 08, 2009
The live 08 Nov 2009 version of THE RIVER was released on the MSG Nov 08, 2009 official live download in 2018.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- Gothenburg July 28, 2012
The live 28 Jul 2012 version of THE RIVER was released on the Gothenburg July 28, 2012 official live download in 2020.

Live History: on-tour

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Live History: off-tour

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THE RIVER was performed off-tour on 21 and 22 Sep 1979 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY, during the MUSE Concerts For A Non-Nuclear Future. The live 21 Sep 1979 version of THE RIVER was first released on The Muse Concert - No Nukes home video in 1980. The live 22 Sep 1979 version of THE RIVER was released on the No Nukes 1979 official live download in 2018.

THE RIVER was performed off-tour on 25 Oct 2021 at Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City, NY, during a TV appearance on The Late Night With Stephen Colbert. The song was played solo on acoustic guitar. See the live 25 Oct 2021 version for more details.

Appearance in Movies

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Promotional poster for the film "Mask"
Mask

It was used in the 1985 film Mask, directed by Peter Bogdanovich and starring Cher, Sam Elliott, and Eric Stoltz. The song was not included in the film's soundtrack album.

The movie originally featured extensive use of Springsteen's music in the soundtrack, including: BADLANDS, THUNDER ROAD, THE PROMISED LAND, THE RIVER, and BORN IN THE U.S.A.. The music was used to set a timeline for the story, and Springsteen is a favorite of Roy "Rocky" Dennis, about whom the story is based. By the time the movie was released to theaters, the Springsteen element had to be stripped down (against the director's will) and replaced by Bob Seger songs. A new director's cut was released on DVD from Universal Studios in September 2004, and is seven minutes longer with the original Bruce Springsteen songs score restored. "Now it exists in the form it should have been 20 years ago," Bogdanovich told ESPN. "I think you'll find it a much better picture." Bogdanovich also discusses the Springsteen element in a commentary track on the DVD.

Covers

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At least 36 artists have recorded and released Bruce Springsteen's THE RIVER.

The All Stars -- The Bruce Springsteen Mix
The All Stars -- The Bruce Springsteen Mix

12" single - Rams Horn (RHR 3450) - Holland, 1985

The A-side is THE BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN MIX, a medley clocking at 8:23 and consisting of I'M ON FIRE, DANCING IN THE DARK, GLORY DAYS, THE RIVER, BORN TO RUN, HUNGRY HEART, BLINDED BY THE LIGHT, and BORN IN THE U.S.A. The single was also issued in Holland on 7" vinyl containing a shorter "single version" of the medley that clocks at 3:56. The single was also issued on 12" vinyl in Germany, Greece (different artwork), Brazil (additionally includes the single version on the B-side), and Mexico. The single was reissued in 2009 as a download-only digital album (consisting of 8 separate tracks) titled "A Tribute To Bruce Springsteen: Hits Of The 80's Megamix", credited to "Top 40 Cover Band", and featuring a different artwork.
The Songrise Orchestra -- The Music Of Bruce Springsteen - 17 Instrumental Hits
The Songrise Orchestra -- The Music Of Bruce Springsteen - 17 Instrumental Hits

CD - Hits 'N' Hits (3831CD) - UK, 1995

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album. It was reissued in 2011 by the Pyramid Music label as a download-only digital album titled Greatest Hits From The Superstars - Born In The USA credited to Gary Tesca Orchestra. It was again reissued in 2014 by the Bringins Music label as a download-only digital album titled Memories Are Made Of These - The Best Of Bruce Springsteen credited to Twilight Orchestra.
American Boys -- Bruce Springsteen - Coverversion
American Boys -- Bruce Springsteen - Coverversion

CD - Azzurra (TBP 1113) - Italy, 2000

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album. It was reissued in 2003 under the title Bruce Springsteen: The Best - Cover 100%, with catalog number TBP 1152 and with a different artwork.
The German Boss & The Blood Brothers -- DEMO
The German Boss & The Blood Brothers -- DEMO

CD EP - no label (no catalog number) - Germany, 2001

This is a promotional Bruce Springsteen tribute EP.
Nick White -- The Music Of Bruce Springsteen
Nick White -- The Music Of Bruce Springsteen

CD - Millennium Gold (MG2110) - Holland, 2002

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
The Section -- Hometown: The String Quartet Tribute To Springsteen
The Section -- Hometown: The String Quartet Tribute To Springsteen

CD - Vitamin (CD 8678) - USA, 2002

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
Session musicians -- Super Instrumental
Session musicians -- Super Instrumental

CD - O6epir-XXI / Vikkon (no catalog number) - Ukraine, 2003

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
Solo -- Canciones De Bruce Springsteen
Solo -- Canciones De Bruce Springsteen

CD - no label (no catalog number) - Spain, 2003

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album. THE RIVER is a Spanish adaptation titled "El río".
Various artists -- Light Of Day: A Tribute To Bruce Springsteen
Various artists -- Light Of Day: A Tribute To Bruce Springsteen

2xCD - Schoolhouse Records / Big Daddy (SHR0022-2) - USA, 2003
2xCD - Schoolhouse Records / Revolver (REV XD244) - UK, 2004
2xCD - Revolver / Sony (MHCP 928-9) - Japan, 2005

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album. There are five issues of this album (with three track configurations) and this track was only included on the three issue listed above. THE RIVER is performed by The Clarks.
Kevin Bachus -- Childhood Dreams
Kevin Bachus -- Childhood Dreams

CD - no label (no catalog number) - Holland, 2005

This album includes 6 Bruce Springsteen covers (out of 12 tracks)
Matt Tyler -- Brilliant Disguise
Matt Tyler -- Brilliant Disguise

CD-R - Dannyboy Records (DBM003) - UK, 2006

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
The Boss Chill -- The Boss Chill
The Boss Chill -- The Boss Chill

CD - Vale Music (unknown catalog number) - Spain, 2008

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
Various artists -- Play Some Pool, Skip Some School, Act Real Cool: A Global Pop Tribute To Bruce Springsteen
Various artists -- Play Some Pool, Skip Some School, Act Real Cool: A Global Pop Tribute To Bruce Springsteen

2xCD - Where It's At Is Where You Are (WIACD20) - UK, 2009

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album. THE RIVER is performed by Airport Girl.
Le Voci Del Tempo -- Il Mio Nome È Joe Roberts
Le Voci Del Tempo -- Il Mio Nome È Joe Roberts

CD - Pubblico-08 (no catalog number) - Italy, 2010

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
The Hit Co. -- A Tribute To The Best Of Bruce Springsteen Box Set
The Hit Co. -- A Tribute To The Best Of Bruce Springsteen Box Set

Digital album - Planet Music (unknown catalog number) - unknown country, 2010

This is a download-only digital Bruce Springsteen tribute album. It was also released the same year as three separate volumes: Long Live The Boss: A Tribute To Bruce Springsteen Vol. 1 1973-1985, Long Live The Boss: A Tribute To Bruce Springsteen Vol. 2 1980-1989, and Long Live The Boss: A Tribute To Bruce Springsteen Vol. 3 1990-2009. A Tribute To The Best Of Bruce Springsteen Box Set however includes two tracks not found on the three separate volumes. In 2012, the same tracks found on A Tribute To The Best Of Bruce Springsteen Box Set were distributed over three download-only digital Bruce Springsteen and John Mellencamp tribute albums: Working Class Heroes: A Tribute to Bruce Springsteen and John Mellencamp, Vol. 1, Working Class Heroes: A Tribute to Bruce Springsteen and John Mellencamp, Vol. 2, and Working Class Heroes: A Tribute to Bruce Springsteen and John Mellencamp, Vol. 3.
Gerd Rube -- Living The Dream - Live In Key West, Volume 2
Gerd Rube -- Living The Dream - Live In Key West, Volume 2

CD - Gold Eagle Music (WEM 1300) - USA, 2011

This is a live album.
The Boss Band -- The Ultimate Tribute To Bruce Springsteen
The Boss Band -- The Ultimate Tribute To Bruce Springsteen

Digital album - Big Eye Music (unknown catalog number) - USA, 2011

This is a download-only digital Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
Déjà Vu -- Tribute To Working Class Hero Bruce Springsteen - Vol. 1
Déjà Vu -- Tribute To Working Class Hero Bruce Springsteen - Vol. 1

Digital album - Zulu (unknown catalog number) - USA, 2012

This is a download-only digital Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
Heinrich Müller & Band -- On Fire: A Tribute To The Music Of Bruce Springsteen
Heinrich Müller & Band -- On Fire: A Tribute To The Music Of Bruce Springsteen

CD - Carusounds (NB0325) - Switzerland, 2012

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
Martyn Joseph -- Tires Rushing By In The Rain
Martyn Joseph -- Tires Rushing By In The Rain

CD - Pipe Records (PRCD023) - UK, 2013

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
Laptop Instrumental -- The Bruce Springsteen Instrumental Collection
Laptop Instrumental -- The Bruce Springsteen Instrumental Collection

Digital album - Loudr (no catalog number) - USA, 2014

This is a download-only digital Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
Spirit -- A Tribute To Bruce Springsteen
Spirit -- A Tribute To Bruce Springsteen

Digital album - Rapier Music (unknown catalog number) - UK, 2014

This is a download-only digital Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
Various artists -- Thunder Road - A Folk-Punk Tribute To Bruce Springsteen
Various artists -- Thunder Road - A Folk-Punk Tribute To Bruce Springsteen

Digital album - Anxiety Attack Recordings (AA-005) - Canada, 2014

This is a free download-only digital Bruce Springsteen tribute album. THE RIVER is performed by Jesse LeBourdais.
Various artists -- Tramps Like Us - My Music Factory's Bruce Springsteen Tribute
Various artists -- Tramps Like Us - My Music Factory's Bruce Springsteen Tribute

Digital album - no label (no catalog number) - unknown country, 2014

This is a free download-only digital Bruce Springsteen tribute album. THE RIVER is performed by Ali Harter.
Alyssa Hankey -- A Mellow Assortment
Alyssa Hankey -- A Mellow Assortment

CD - no label (no catalog number) - USA, 2015
Lullaby Teddy -- Easy Listening Tribute To Bruce Springsteen
Lullaby Teddy -- Easy Listening Tribute To Bruce Springsteen

Digital album - Lullaby Teddy (unknown catalog number) - unknown country, 2015

This is a download-only digital Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
Moa Holmsten -- Bruised Arms & Broken Rhythm
Moa Holmsten -- Bruised Arms & Broken Rhythm

CD - Fill In The Blank Records (no catalog number) - USA, 2015

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
Relaxing Piano Covers -- Tribute To Bruce Springsteen
Relaxing Piano Covers -- Tribute To Bruce Springsteen

Digital album - Relaxing Piano Covers (unknown catalog number) - USA, 2015

This is a download-only digital Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
Rob Hirsch -- A Tribute To The Boss
Rob Hirsch -- A Tribute To The Boss

CD - no label (no catalog number) - Austria, 2015

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
Various artists -- The Boss Project: The Songs Of Bruce Springsteen
Various artists -- The Boss Project: The Songs Of Bruce Springsteen

Digital album - no label (no catalog number) - Canada, 2016

This is a free download-only digital Bruce Springsteen tribute album. THE RIVER is performed by Chris Lemky.
BeautyHeads -- TheBossCovers
BeautyHeads -- TheBossCovers

Digital album - no label (no catalog number) - USA, 2017

This is a free download-only digital Bruce Springsteen tribute album. THE RIVER is titled "BossCover 9" on this release.
Rock The Cradle -- Lullaby Versions Of Bruce Springsteen
Rock The Cradle -- Lullaby Versions Of Bruce Springsteen

Digital album - Rock The Cradle (unknown catalog number) - unknown country, 2018

This is a download-only digital Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
Kevin Heider -- Ohio: A Tribute To Springsteen
Kevin Heider -- Ohio: A Tribute To Springsteen

Digital album - no label (no catalog number) - USA, 2019

This is a download-only digital Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
Heaven Is Shining -- Born In The USA
Heaven Is Shining -- Born In The USA

Digital album - Rosenklang (unknown catalog number) - Germany, 2021

This is a download-only digital Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
Carter Town -- Bruce Synthsteen
Carter Town -- Bruce Synthsteen

Digital EP - Peanie Palace Records (no catalog number) - USA, 2022

This is a free download-only digital Bruce Springsteen tribute EP.
The Boss Brothers -- Live
The Boss Brothers -- Live

Digital album - 729285 Records DK (no catalog number) - The Netherlands, 2023

This is a download-only digital live Bruce Springsteen tribute album.

References

Some of the above info about the studio recording and the live performances is taken from Brucebase.

Available Versions

List of available versions of THE RIVER on this website:

THE RIVER [Album version]
THE RIVER [Live 21 Sep 1979 version]
THE RIVER [Live 22 Sep 1979 version]
THE RIVER [Live 05 Nov 1980 version]
THE RIVER [Live 31 Dec 1980 version]
THE RIVER [Live 05 Jun 1981 version]
THE RIVER [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
THE RIVER [Live 25 Jul 1992 version]
THE RIVER [Live 25 Oct 2021 version]

Page last updated: 27 Oct 2021