"Take Me to the River" is a 1974 song written by American singer Al Green and guitarist Mabon "Teenie" Hodges. Popular versions were recorded by Syl Johnson, Talking Heads, and Delbert McClinton. In 2004, Green's original version was placed at number 117 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Green's 1974 recording was added to the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2011.

Recording and composition

Al Green first recorded the song for his 1974 album, Al Green Explores Your Mind. Willie Mitchell produced the album. Musicians Charles, Leroy, and Mabon "Teenie" Hodges (of The Hodges Brothers), drummer Howard Grimes, and the Memphis Horns performed on the album. Green and Mabon Hodges wrote the song during a three-day stay at a rented house in Lake Hamilton, Arkansas, in 1973. They were creating new music during this time. According to Willie Mitchell, Green wrote the lyrics, and Green and Hodges wrote the melody together. Green dedicated the song to Little Junior Parker, his cousin, who had passed away. He wanted to honor his memory.

In 1976, Green became a pastor of the Full Gospel Tabernacle Church. At that time, he stopped performing the song.

In 1994, Tim de Lisle wrote in The Independent that the song’s music was similar to other songs Green sang. Willie Mitchell, a producer known for his work with Hi Records, the Memphis Horns, and the Memphis Strings, created the track. It combined rhythm and blues with smooth, subtle sounds. The music blended strings, horns, organ, guitars, and Green’s voice into a harmonious, enjoyable piece.

In 1982, the song was released as a single in the U.S. as part of the "Motown Yesteryear Series."

Reception and legacy

Al Green used the title Take Me to the River for his autobiography, which was published in 2000. In 2004, Green's original recording of the song was ranked number 117 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 greatest songs of all time. The song was used as the title track for the award-winning 2008 compilation album Take Me to the River: A Southern Soul Story 1961–1977.

In 1999, the song was used in the popular animatronic singing toy "Big Mouth Billy Bass." This version, sung by Steve Haas, was arranged and produced for the toy's manufacturer, Gemmy Industries. Teenie Hodges stated that he earned more money in royalties from this version of the song than from any other recording.

The song was an important part of two episodes of the HBO series The Sopranos, due to its use in the "Big Mouth Billy Bass" toy. It was also featured in the 2026 Academy Award-nominated short film The Singers, the 1993 movie Blood In Blood Out, and the 1991 film The Commitments, where the song was performed on stage by the group of the same name.

Noteworthy cover versions

The record company, Hi Records, did not release Green's version of the song as a single. Instead, they gave the song to his labelmate, Syl Johnson. Johnson's version of the song was also produced by Willie Mitchell and included most of the same musicians as Green's recording. It added more harmonica and a rougher voice. Johnson's version reached #48 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1975 and #7 on the US Billboard R&B chart. However, it only reached #95 in Canada.

"Take Me to the River" has also been recorded and performed by other artists:

• Rock band Foghat included the song on their 1976 album Night Shift.
• In 1978, Levon Helm and Bryan Ferry each recorded the song separately for their solo albums, Levon Helm and The Bride Stripped Bare.
• The Grateful Dead performed the song live four times during their 1995 tour, including a performance at the Pyramid in Memphis, the home of Rev. Al Green, the song's original writer.
• Annie Lennox added the song to her 1995 album of cover songs, Medusa.
• Hootie & the Blowfish and a gospel choir performed the song with Green at the 1995 Billboard Music Awards.
• The Dave Matthews Band played the song live at Chicago's Soldier Field during their 1999 winter acoustic tour.
• Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band performed the song during a 20-minute live set of "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out" at a 1999 Detroit concert.
• Concrete Blonde began their 2003 San Diego Street Scene concert with the song, with Johnette Napolitano on bass.
• In 2014, Mavis Staples and Sam Moore performed the song with a gospel choir at the 37th Kennedy Center Honors, where Green was honored.
• Courtney Love recorded the song for the Empire episode "Out, Damned Spot" (2015).
• In 2024, Lorde released a cover of the song as a single for the Talking Heads tribute album Everyone's Getting Involved: A Tribute to Talking Heads' Stop Making Sense.

The band Talking Heads recorded the song for their 1978 album More Songs About Buildings and Food. Their version was produced with Brian Eno in Nassau, Bahamas. At first, the band's leader, David Byrne, did not want to release a cover of the song. Eno suggested they play it very slowly and added special effects. The song was edited and released as a single, reaching #26 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in February 1979. It also appeared on charts in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Thomas Ryan described Talking Heads' version as combining pop and soul music in a way that challenged the usual way music was made.

In the liner notes for Once in a Lifetime: The Best of Talking Heads, David Byrne wrote: "Coincidence or conspiracy? At least four cover versions of this song were released at the same time: Foghat, Bryan Ferry, Levon Helm, and us. More money for Mr. Green's church, I suppose. A song that mixes teenage feelings with spiritual ideas. Not the same, but together. A powerful mix. All praise to the mighty spurtin' Jesus." Live versions of the song were included on Talking Heads' albums The Name of This Band Is Talking Heads and Stop Making Sense. A live version was played at the end of the 1998 film A Civil Action.

The track was remastered when Warner Music Group re-released the album in 2005. The remastered version was released on Warner Bros., Sire, and Rhino Records in DualDisc format. The DVD-Audio side included stereo and 5.1 surround sound mixes in high quality. The reissue was produced by Andy Zax with Talking Heads.