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John Hiatt — The River Knows Your Name
Album: Walk On
Avg rating:
6.9

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Total ratings: 938









Released: 1995
Length: 4:24
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Oh the river knows your name
And your tears falling like the rain
All around you suffering and pain
Oh the river knows your name

And the river hears you cry
As the lightning cracks the open sky
As your Momma sings a lullaby
Oh the river she knows why

Let the river wash you down
Beneath the surface
With a rushing sound
Like a freight train passing through a town
Let the river wash you down

Let the river take away
All the words
That you and I could never say
In the silence Darling let us pray
Let the river take it all away

Oh the river knows your name
From the Brazos to the Wabash
To the Seine
No two journeys
Are ever quite the same
But the river knows your name
Oh the river knows your name
Comments (45)add comment
 BRWAC wrote:

that's some beautiful and deep musing...








“Years of love have been forgot, In the hatred of a minute.”

―

Edgar Allan Poe,


The Complete Stories and Poems

Posted 2 years ago by cosmicjoe54    [ Reply ]
Take it from a river swimmer: you don't want to swim the Wabash.  

I thought the Mississippi and Missouri rivers were smelly and filthy. 

But the Wabash is worse.

But we should all swim a river now and then. 

 
Posted 3 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
Undoubtedly the first time that the Brazos, Wabash, and Seine have been mentioned in the same breath.
Posted 3 years ago by xkolibuul    [ Reply ]
Criminally underrated songwriter. Look how many folks have covered his work. Paula Abdul?!
Sure his voice is nothing to write home about, but it suits his songs perfectly.
A national treasure, in the mold of John Prine.
c.
Posted 3 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
 buddy wrote:
Quarter to 2am at a roadhouse on a lost stretch of highway between two dusty West Texas towns...waitresses bussing the empty tables...a couple of gritty locals at the bar having one last round...the front door swung open clearing out the bluegrey haze of cigarettes...the band working through one last song...let the river take away all the words you and I could never say...he holds her tight and tender as they shuffle slow back and forth in rhythm to the song...to the beating of their hearts...in the silence darlin' let us pray...and he swears to Jesus this time he will not let her slip away...all promises will be kept...all dues will be paid...no two journeys are ever quite the same...I can change Lord, for her...just one more chance...let the river take it all away...
 
that's some beautiful and deep musing...
Posted 3 years ago by BRWAC    [ Reply ]
A 6-year old post about one of my favorite John Hiatt tunes that I will recirculate.

Quarter to 2am at a roadhouse on a lost stretch of highway between two dusty West Texas towns...waitresses bussing the empty tables...a couple of gritty locals at the bar having one last round...the front door swung open clearing out the bluegrey haze of cigarettes...the band working through one last song...let the river take away all the words you and I could never say...he holds her tight and tender as they shuffle slow back and forth in rhythm to the song...to the beating of their hearts...in the silence darlin' let us pray...and he swears to Jesus this time he will not let her slip away...all promises will be kept...all dues will be paid...no two journeys are ever quite the same...I can change Lord, for her...just one more chance...let the river take it all away...
Posted 4 years ago by buddy    [ Reply ]
 FlatCat wrote:
Why do so many singers insist on singing songs that are beyond their range? He's really struggling on the high notes. 
 
Singers are artists & each have their own vocal properties. If you want perfection, which to opera. Meanwhile, artist such as Hiatt , Dylan, etc. have singularly unique vocal textures that make them the artists they are. I happen to think Hiatt's voice is soulful & emotional & I see him in concert whenever he comes around. 

I wonder why so many listeners think that all singers must sound the same.
Posted 4 years ago by buddy    [ Reply ]
Been trying to buy this after hearing it on RP. Amazon now says £18 with 1-3 month despatch! Anyone know where I can buy a CD quality or FLAC download of it? Cheapest a month ago was $60...
Posted 4 years ago by meanderer    [ Reply ]
Great song, great album. As for singing outside his range, I think this fits the wistful longing tone.
Posted 5 years ago by Broken_Arrow    [ Reply ]
 the_jake wrote:
I can't be the first to comment on this tune.

 
Looks like you caught us with our database down. Hate it when that happens :-)

Plenty of comments below.
Posted 6 years ago by William    [ Reply ]
Comments anyone?  2nd try today to post one on this tune.
Posted 6 years ago by the_jake    [ Reply ]
I can't be the first to comment on this tune.
Posted 6 years ago by the_jake    [ Reply ]
Why do so many singers insist on singing songs that are beyond their range? He's really struggling on the high notes. 
Posted 6 years ago by FlatCat    [ Reply ]
 kingart wrote (emphasis mine):
The melody here has a strong similarity to that of the main theme tune of a classic John Wayne cowboy movie. Red River, I think. Or from She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, also a Wayne Western. Or maybe it was a tune popular in the Old West that was adapted for the movie. I'm going to suss out the original source of this ear worm.
In any case, Hiatt is not completely original here. 

 
That's a lofty goal your are setting there.  Can you think of anybody who would meet this criteria?
Posted 7 years ago by ch83575    [ Reply ]
The melody here has a strong similarity to that of the main theme tune of a classic John Wayne cowboy movie. Red River, I think. Or from She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, also a Wayne Western. Or maybe it was a tune popular in the Old West that was adapted for the movie. I'm going to suss out the original source of this ear worm.
In any case, Hiatt is not completely original here. 
Posted 8 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
Never really cared for Hiatt's voice or phrasing, but this song would be nicely followed by "Mountain - Nantucket Sleighride". Similar pacing.
Posted 9 years ago by passsion8    [ Reply ]
Looking forward to watching John and the band perform live this evening!
Posted 9 years ago by Propayne    [ Reply ]
'Murican music
Posted 9 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
Love it
Posted 10 years ago by Joe_G_Bear    [ Reply ]
Thank you, buddy
Posted 10 years ago by rscherm    [ Reply ]
Tender mercies?


zepher wrote:

Thanks buddy, that says it all.....




 


Posted 10 years ago by C57BL6    [ Reply ]
Nice!
Posted 10 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
 buddy wrote:
Quarter to 2am at a roadhouse on a lost stretch of highway between two dusty West Texas towns...waitresses bussing the empty tables...a couple of gritty locals at the bar having one last round...the front door swung open clearing out the bluegrey haze of cigarettes...the band working through one last song...let the river take away all the words you and I could never say...he holds her tight and tender as they shuffle slow back and forth in rhythm to the song...to the beating of their hearts...in the silence darlin' let us pray...and he swears to Jesus this time he will not let her slip away...all promises will be kept...all dues will be paid...no two journeys are ever quite the same...I can change Lord, for her...just one more chance...let the river take it all away...

 
Thanks buddy, that says it all.....



Posted 10 years ago by zepher    [ Reply ]
well now buddy you really made my hot boring workday disappear with your sweet words and remembrances!
Thank you Sir! 
Posted 10 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
Thanks, buddy.  That comment is literature.
Posted 10 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
M:\Willie Nelson\1998 - Teatro\08 - Maker.flac

This would be good to mix into the River theme (sorta)!!!  Cool song either way!
Posted 10 years ago by whtahtefcuk    [ Reply ]
Quarter to 2am at a roadhouse on a lost stretch of highway between two dusty West Texas towns...waitresses bussing the empty tables...a couple of gritty locals at the bar having one last round...the front door swung open clearing out the bluegrey haze of cigarettes...the band working through one last song...let the river take away all the words you and I could never say...he holds her tight and tender as they shuffle slow back and forth in rhythm to the song...to the beating of their hearts...in the silence darlin' let us pray...and he swears to Jesus this time he will not let her slip away...all promises will be kept...all dues will be paid...no two journeys are ever quite the same...I can change Lord, for her...just one more chance...let the river take it all away...
Posted 10 years ago by buddy    [ Reply ]
I'm Waterlogged!
Posted 10 years ago by sheeelaaa    [ Reply ]
My little tube amp is playing that guitar just right!
Posted 11 years ago by oldsaxon    [ Reply ]
Not very exciting or interesting for John Hiatt.
Posted 11 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
Crushing........7
Posted 11 years ago by Jazbo    [ Reply ]
Very Pretty!
Thanks Bill 
Posted 11 years ago by KevH    [ Reply ]
Oh yes....much better!
Posted 11 years ago by jules44    [ Reply ]
Bryan Ferry to Joe Cocker to John Hiatt? Progressive vocal degradation...
Posted 11 years ago by tulfan    [ Reply ]
Interesting song about suicide.
Posted 12 years ago by Misterfixit    [ Reply ]

Wow, his voice like this sounds very much like the late great Chris Gaffney (RIP)....


Posted 12 years ago by Sjaaks    [ Reply ]
 DanO-1 wrote:
Saw JH recently open for Los Lobos and he was on top of his game and in great voice.                               Cynaera wrote:
Oh, man - I just love John Hiatt's music.  Lately, his voice has been going the. way of Tom Waits' and Dylan's - I wonder if he's got throat cancer or something?  I hope not. I want him around for a looong time... {#Sunny}
 
  Thanks, DanO-1 (Book 'em, DanO... Sorry - couldn't resist.)  Good to know that he's still out there rippin' it up! {#Mrgreen}
Posted 12 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
Not quite, John! As always.
Posted 12 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
Saw JH recently open for Los Lobos and he was on top of his game and in great voice.                               Cynaera wrote:
Oh, man - I just love John Hiatt's music.  Lately, his voice has been going the. way of Tom Waits' and Dylan's - I wonder if he's got throat cancer or something?  I hope not. I want him around for a looong time... {#Sunny}
 


Posted 13 years ago by DanO-1    [ Reply ]
Oh, man - I just love John Hiatt's music.  Lately, his voice has been going the. way of Tom Waits' and Dylan's - I wonder if he's got throat cancer or something?  I hope not. I want him around for a looong time... {#Sunny}
Posted 13 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
brighthue wrote:
What a great set: Peter Gabriel - Biko, Hendrix - Angel, Doves - Cought By the River, Hiatt, The River Knows Your Name. Heart, mind and soul.
EXACTLY what I was just thinking... :-)
Posted 20 years ago by Roverfish    [ Reply ]
What a great set: Peter Gabriel - Biko, Hendrix - Angel, Doves - Cought By the River, Hiatt, The River Knows Your Name. Heart, mind and soul.
Posted 20 years ago by brighthue    [ Reply ]
Too country for me. :roll:
Posted 20 years ago by redezra    [ Reply ]
Great Song!!!!
Posted 20 years ago by Plevuus    [ Reply ]