© 2026. The Trustees of Indiana University
Copyright Complaints
1229 East Seventh Street, Bloomington, Indiana 47405
News, Arts and Culture from WFIU Public Radio and WTIU Public Television
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

River Of Song

Rivers have long been a symbolic source of inspiration, romance, travel, adventure, hope, history, and other broad themes, so it's easy to understand why songwriters have often been attracted to them. Frank Sinatra, Julie London, Benny Goodman, Cab Calloway, and Louis Armstrong are just a few of the artists we'll hear performing tunes that invoke rivers; we'll also hear some river songs from the pop-rock era, including Nick Drake's "River Man" and Joni Mitchell's "River," with the songwriter joined by pianist Herbie Hancock.

Stay Connected