River Song (Dennis Wilson song)
Encyclopedia
"River Song" is a song written by Dennis Wilson
and his younger brother Carl Wilson
. It served as the opening track for Dennis Wilson's 1977 debut solo album Pacific Ocean Blue
. The song was released as a single in Europe with the B-side being "Farewell My Friend
". The single however, failed to chart. The track, as with the rest of the album, was credited as being produced by Dennis Wilson and his close friend Gregg Jakobson
. Dennis Wilson sings the lead vocals on this and every other track on the album.
All the keyboards on the album were provided by Dennis Wilson. The opening organ duet of the song had origins seven years earlier during recording sessions held in 1970. The opening organ riff represents the flowing of a river. In an interview, Dennis explained that he was "in the High Sierras walking by this river that was very small and it kept getting bigger and bigger", and he explains that this is the purpose - to represent the river - of "the guitar sound on the track" The music, according to Dennis, "came from the river".
Dennis provides a raspy yet soulful lead vocal on the opening track, as with the rest of the album. The vocal introduction of the song also features a superb choir backing, which was Alexander Hamilton's Double Rock Baptist Choir. Dennis Wilson's brother Carl is also featured in the mix singing backing vocals with the choir.
The lyrics were partially written by Dennis and partially by his brother Carl. The idea behind the lyrics is the comparison in the conditions of Los Angeles compared to the High Sierras - the place where Dennis had been inspired by the river. The lyric focuses on how Dennis was born and has always lived in the city, though he is now sick of the city as it becoming over crowded and over polluted that he is looking to break away from the city and he is now just "looking for some country life". Referring to Los Angeles, Dennis has been quoted as saying, "It just makes me sick to think of what's happening here".
Years earlier prior to the release of Pacific Ocean Blue, The Beach Boys had attempted to record the song for inclusion on one of their albums, though The Beach Boys version was never completed. Although never completely recorded by The Beach Boys, the Pacific Ocean Blue song appeared on the 1981 Beach Boys greatest hits compilation Ten Years of Harmony
. The Beach Boys also performed the song live in the early 1970's.
Dennis Wilson
Dennis Carl Wilson was an American rock and roll musician best known as a founding member and the drummer of The Beach Boys. He was a member of the group from its formation until his death in 1983...
and his younger brother Carl Wilson
Carl Wilson
Carl Dean Wilson was an American rock and roll singer and guitarist, best known as a founding member, lead guitarist and sometime lead vocalist of The Beach Boys...
. It served as the opening track for Dennis Wilson's 1977 debut solo album Pacific Ocean Blue
Pacific Ocean Blue
Pacific Ocean Blue is Dennis Wilson's only solo album, released in 1977. After several attempts, starting in 1970, to release his own project, some of which made it to the finished album, Wilson recorded the bulk of Pacific Ocean Blue in the months spanning the fall of 1976 to the following spring...
. The song was released as a single in Europe with the B-side being "Farewell My Friend
Farewell My Friend
"Farewell My Friend" is a song written by Dennis Wilson. It was released as the tenth track for his 1977 solo album Pacific Ocean Blue. The song was released as a single in Europe as the B-side of the "River Song" single. The single however, failed to chart. The track, as with the rest of the...
". The single however, failed to chart. The track, as with the rest of the album, was credited as being produced by Dennis Wilson and his close friend Gregg Jakobson
Gregg Jakobson
Gregg Jakobson was an acquaintance of Dennis Wilson of The Beach Boys. Together they wrote "Baby Blue" along with Karen Lamm, "Celebrate the News", "Forever" and "San Miguel" for The Beach Boys...
. Dennis Wilson sings the lead vocals on this and every other track on the album.
All the keyboards on the album were provided by Dennis Wilson. The opening organ duet of the song had origins seven years earlier during recording sessions held in 1970. The opening organ riff represents the flowing of a river. In an interview, Dennis explained that he was "in the High Sierras walking by this river that was very small and it kept getting bigger and bigger", and he explains that this is the purpose - to represent the river - of "the guitar sound on the track" The music, according to Dennis, "came from the river".
Dennis provides a raspy yet soulful lead vocal on the opening track, as with the rest of the album. The vocal introduction of the song also features a superb choir backing, which was Alexander Hamilton's Double Rock Baptist Choir. Dennis Wilson's brother Carl is also featured in the mix singing backing vocals with the choir.
The lyrics were partially written by Dennis and partially by his brother Carl. The idea behind the lyrics is the comparison in the conditions of Los Angeles compared to the High Sierras - the place where Dennis had been inspired by the river. The lyric focuses on how Dennis was born and has always lived in the city, though he is now sick of the city as it becoming over crowded and over polluted that he is looking to break away from the city and he is now just "looking for some country life". Referring to Los Angeles, Dennis has been quoted as saying, "It just makes me sick to think of what's happening here".
Years earlier prior to the release of Pacific Ocean Blue, The Beach Boys had attempted to record the song for inclusion on one of their albums, though The Beach Boys version was never completed. Although never completely recorded by The Beach Boys, the Pacific Ocean Blue song appeared on the 1981 Beach Boys greatest hits compilation Ten Years of Harmony
Ten Years of Harmony
Ten Years of Harmony is an official double album compilation album released by The Beach Boys in 1981, and spanning their entire Brother Records-era up to that point, , including some unreleased or rare material....
. The Beach Boys also performed the song live in the early 1970's.