Al Green’s “Take Me to the River,” released in 1974, is a soulful and electrifying song that showcases Green’s captivating vocals and emotive delivery. Written by Al Green along with guitarist Mabon “Teenie” Hodges, the song’s hypnotic groove, and powerful lyrics have made it a timeless classic of the soul genre.
About The Song
With its infectious rhythm and soul-stirring melody, “Take Me to the River” explores themes of desire, longing, and spiritual renewal. Green’s soulful crooning and the song’s dynamic instrumentation create a mesmerizing atmosphere that transports listeners to a place of passion and introspection.
Upon its release, “Take Me to the River” became a hit, earning widespread acclaim for its emotional depth and musical artistry. Its timeless appeal has led to numerous cover versions and appearances in film, television, and advertising, cementing its status as a beloved classic of the soul genre.
As we revisit “Take Me to the River,” we celebrate Al Green’s enduring legacy and the lasting impact of this iconic song. Its infectious groove and soulful lyrics continue to captivate audiences, reminding us of the power of music to uplift spirits and inspire introspection.
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Lyric
🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤
I’d like to dedicate this song to little Junior Parker
A cousin of mine who’s gone on, but we’d like to kinda carry on in his name
I sing
I don’t know why I love you like I do
After all the changes that you put me through
You stole my money and my cigarettes
And I haven’t seen hide nor hair of you yet
I wanna know
Won’t you tell me
Am I in love to stay?
Hey, hey
Take me to the river
And wash me down
Won’t you cleanse my soul
Put my feet on the ground
I don’t know why she treated me so bad
After all the things that we could have had
Love is a notion that I can’t forget
My sweet sixteen I will never regret
I wanna know
Won’t you tell me
Am I in love to stay?
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Hold me, love me, please me, tease me
‘Til I can’t, ’til I can’t take no more
Take me to the river
I don’t know why I love you like I do
After all the things that you put me through
The sixteen candles burning on my wall
Turning me into the biggest fool of them all
I wanna know
Oh, won’t you tell me
Am I in love to stay?
I wanna know
Take me to the river
I wanna know
I want you to dip me in the water
I wanna know
Won’t you wash me in the water
Wash me in the water
Wash me in the water
Won’t you wash me in the water
Feeling good