song: River
artist: Joni Mitchell
album: Blue (1971)
writer: Joni Mitchell

acoustic piano: Joni Mitchell

This gorgeous piece of singer-songwriting is a classic by now. It is also Joni Mitchell's second-most covered song, after "Both Sides Now". Although “River” is about love and loneliness, its Christmassy references, e.g. the musical reference to the "Jingle Bells" Christmas carol in the Intro-section, has secured it a place in the American Christmas repertoire.

From a pianists' perspective, this is an easy-to-play piece in the key of C Major. It also demonstrates Joni Mitchell's typical arrangement style of bright triads in the right hand, over bass stacks of 5ths ('power chords') in her left hand – simple and effective. Enjoy!