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she's a river
composer
Written by: Kerr / Burchill
publisher
© 1995 EMI (Virgin) Music Publishing Ltd
© JKMC-Bucks Music Group Ltd / Hornall Music. (Post 2013 credit)
background
"Been working on some acoustic based stuff recently. I guess it has taken a long time to get round to it
considering that the thought first came to us back in 1994 when Virgin USA did this remix [the Duo Mix] - one
of which I had totally forgotten about. In doing so they were letting us see that maybe the format could work
for some of our songs after all." - Jim, 15th August 2016
"This is brilliant!" claimed Dave Kelly posting right here [Facebook] 24 hours ago. At that point I had
yet to put time aside to listen through, but since Johnson Somerset has in the past undoubtedly created some of
the best ever Minds "extended remixes", it is fair to say that I was more than looking forward to hearing it.
And so I put it in amongst yesterday's designated playlist for the trip to the East coast of Scotland. On return and while crossing
over The River Forth Road Bridge - right where I used to live and wrote many of our lyrics - I decided to check out what
Mr Kelly was getting all excited about. And the result?"
"Well, between the views, and the sound of Johnson's work coming at me full volume, there is no other
way than to describe the rush that I felt other than a huge surge of joy! Never messing with the heart of the songs that he
chooses, by emptying out the verses this time, Jonhson Somerset has created the effect of slowing the tempo
fractionally. Taking care of the franticness of the original,
She's A River is both heavier and hypnotic in this form."
"The heroic intro - a feature of many Johnson Somerset mixes - is matched in inspiration by the
surprise of "Indian Sunset" feel that subtly drifts in at the end? By that time it feels that you've left the atmosphere
of original well behind, somehow ditched a world chaos (KALI YUGA) and entered a world of inner peace. And that is what I
like so much about Johnson Somerset's mixes. He takes you with him on a journey. Transcendental."
"Incidentally, while I don't ever recall talking to Johnson about the inspiration for the lyrics of
She's A River. It feels to me that he instinctively knows how much debt I
owe to Herman Hesse's novel of self discovery Siddaharta. As younger man I relied so much on the
this book (among many others) to guide me through my own chaos. That need continues, as does the need to have inspirational
music driving me on further still. Thanks for the remix Johnson!"
"Toward the end of his life, Govinda hears about an enlightened ferryman and travels to Siddhartha,
not initially recognizing him as his old childhood friend. Govinda asks the now-elderly
Siddhartha to relate his wisdom and Siddhartha replies that for every true statement there is
an opposite one that is also true; that language and the confines of time lead people to adhere to one fixed belief that
does not account for the fullness of the truth. Because nature works in a self-sustaining cycle, every entity carries in it
the potential for its opposite and so the world must always be considered complete. Siddhartha simply urges
people to identify and love the world in its completeness. Siddhartha then requests that
Govinda kiss his forehead and, when he does, Govinda experiences the visions of timelessness
that Siddhartha himself saw with Vasudeva by the river. Govinda bows to his
wise friend and Siddhartha smiles radiantly, having found enlightenment." - Jim, 30th July 2017
"Inspired in part by Herman Hesse's novel Siddhartha, and
recently brought back into the live set as
we currently drift through southern Europe, "She's A River" is for some of us feeling better that ever to perform.
"Although it always worked well live, being at heart one of those songs created with the kind of rock n roll clatter,
that is perfectly suited for the concert stage. Again, and for reason not quite known, it is right now seemingly
sitting just perfect as though some kind of newer force is suddenly pulsing through it.
"Of course with with Cherisse and
Gordy never having played the song until now, new life is in fact being
introduced to the performance of what could be considered a Minds classic. Surely that must be at least one
factor within the transition.
"Written and released more that 20 years ago, the song could always be relied on to bring an excitement to
the set. An instant uplift if purposefully positioned directly after one of the mid tempo tunes. It also worked
as a bold set opener.
"It's successful effect could never be taken for granted however. Some nights it would all bluster and no finesse.
Too many nights it could unfortunately rush itself right off the rails.
"Mark Schulman played drums brilliantly on the recording. A naturally
cool personality, Mark hit the sweet spot - bang on - with She's a River. His groove is beautifully positioned at
a fraction behind the beat. That in turn gave the song a stylish swing that any "meat and potato" rock drummer
could never create, or even think of trying.
"No doubt about it. Songs can benefit from being rested, then brought back, usually with new perspectives.
Likewise, all our songs no matter when written, remain works in progress.
She's A River being just one of them." - Jim, 26th June 2018
see also:
Pinball (Demo)
lyrics
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Shadow let go,
There's something you should know.
I just found my new direction,
And I hope you like the key.
Like the air that led me to it,
She's like the wind that sucked me through it,
She's a river and she's turning there in front of me.
Stand back - get back,
She'll paint your blue skies black.
She gives bullet proof protection,
Got a resurrection feel.
When I'm scared, and 'bout to lose,
She gives me travelling shoes.
She's a river and she's turning in front of me.
And I go blind,
Wasting my time,
While the rivers in front of me,
That's where I'm goin' to be.
Shine on, get on,
Twilight from dusk to dawn.
She's the spirit of creation,
She's the last chance guarantee.
Got a myriad of poses,
Sweet miracles and roses,
She's a river and she's turning in front of me.
'Cause when I find,
My state of mind.
The river's in front of me.
They say that every heaven's got a thousand rooms,
So take me on that freedom ride.
My heart is like a hunter's in the silent moon,
My nerves just feel electrified.
Meet me on the staircase,
Outside a darkened room,
Light me like a naked flame.
The voice of Mother Nature states,
All things must pass,
And nothing can remain.
They say that every heaven's got a thousand rooms,
So take me on that freedom ride.
You raise me like a building to the very top,
Rush me to the end of time.
You fill me full of danger,
You give me future shock,
Then you leave me wasted dying.
And I go blind,
Wasting my time,
The river's in front of me.
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discography
Single Edit (4:04)
Produced by: Keith Forsey and Simple Minds
Recorded by: Brian Reeves
Mixed by: Tom Lord Alge
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Edit (4:29)
Produced by: Keith Forsey and Simple Minds
Recorded by: Brian Reeves
Mixed by: Tom Lord Alge
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Long Version (5:21)
Produced by: Keith Forsey and Simple Minds
Recorded by: Brian Reeves
Mixed by: Tom Lord Alge
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Album Version (5:31)
Produced by: Keith Forsey and Simple Minds
Recorded by: Brian Reeves
Mixed by: Tom Lord Alge
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Instrumental (5:27)
Produced by: Keith Forsey and Simple Minds
Recorded by: Brian Reeves
Mixed by: Tom Lord Alge
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Duo Mix (4:27)
Produced by: Keith Forsey and Simple Minds
Recorded by: Brian Reeves
Mixed by: Tom Lord Alge
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Acapella (5:03)
Produced by: Keith Forsey and Simple Minds
Recorded by: Brian Reeves
Mixed by: Tom Lord Alge
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Live Version (13th February 1995) (6:04)
Recorded: Spreckles Theatre, San Diego, USA
Recorded by: Bill Dooley
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Live Version (2nd March 1995) (6:10)
Recorded: House Of Blues, Hollywood, USA
Mixed by: Mikal Reid
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Live Version (10th September 1995) (4:40)
Recorded: Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, UK
Mastered by: Simon Heyworth
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Live Version (7th November 2009) (5:34)
Recorded: Atlantico, Rome, Italy
Mixed By Concert Online
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Live Version (30th November 2009) (5:26)
Recorded: Metro Arena, Newcastle, UK
Mixed By Concert Online
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Live Version (18th December 2009) (5:11)
Recorded: Autostadt Piazza, Wolfsburg, Germany
Mixed By Concert Online
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Live Version (29th March 2013) (5:10)
Recorded: Sands Centre, Carlisle, UK
Mixed By Concert Live
Remastered By Derrick Carter
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Live Version (6th April 2013) (4:50)
Recorded: Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, UK
Mixed By Concert Live
Remastered By Derrick Carter
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Live Version (15th April 2013) (4:48)
Recorded: O2 Academy, Bournemouth, UK
Mixed By Concert Live
Remastered By Derrick Carter
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Live Version (18th February 2014) (4:49)
Recorded: Phönixhalle, Mainz, Germany
Mixed By Bleecker Street
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Live Version (20th February 2014) (4:50)
Recorded: Werfhalle, Göppingen, Germany
Mixed By Bleecker Street
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Live Version (21st February 2014) (4:53)
Recorded: Stadthalle, Fürth, Germany
Mixed By Bleecker Street
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Live Version (23rd February 2014) (4:50)
Recorded: Stadthalle, Singen, Germany
Mixed By Bleecker Street
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Live Version (25th February 2014) (4:51)
Recorded: Alcatraz, Milan, Italy
Mixed By Bleecker Street
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Live Version (26th February 2014) (4:52)
Recorded: Festhalle, Berne, Switzerland
Mixed By Bleecker Street
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Live Version (28th February 2014) (4:49)
Recorded: Incheba Arena, Prague, Czech Republic
Mixed By Bleecker Street
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Live Version (1st March 2014) (5:01)
Recorded: Sala Ziemi, Poznan, Poland
Mixed By Bleecker Street
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Live Version (2nd March 2014) (4:53)
Recorded: Stodola, Warsaw, Poland
Mixed By Bleecker Street
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Live Version (February-May 2015) (2:52)
Recorded: Big Music Tour 2015
Recorded By: Olivier Gerard
Mixed By: Olivier Gerard at Jet Studios
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Live Version (24th October 2018) (3:35)
Recorded: Orpheum Theatre, Los Angeles, California, USA
Recorded by: Olivier Gerard
Produced by: Andy Wright
Mixed by: Gavin Goldberg
Assisted by: Lewis Chapman
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videography
downloads
Live Version (7th November 2009) (5:34)
Recorded: Atlantico, Rome, Italy
Mixed By Concert Online
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Live Version (30th November 2009) (5:26)
Recorded: Metro Arena, Newcastle, UK
Mixed By Concert Online
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Live Version (18th December 2009) (5:11)
Recorded: Autostadt Piazza, Wolfsburg, Germany
Mixed By Concert Online
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Live Version (18th February 2014) (4:49)
Recorded: Phönixhalle, Mainz, Germany
Mixed By Bleecker Street
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Live Version (20th February 2014) (4:50)
Recorded: Werfhalle, Göppingen, Germany
Mixed By Bleecker Street
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Live Version (21st February 2014) (4:53)
Recorded: Stadthalle, Fürth, Germany
Mixed By Bleecker Street
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Live Version (23rd February 2014) (4:50)
Recorded: Stadthalle, Singen, Germany
Mixed By Bleecker Street
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Live Version (25th February 2014) (4:51)
Recorded: Alcatraz, Milan, Italy
Mixed By Bleecker Street
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Live Version (26th February 2014) (4:52)
Recorded: Festhalle, Berne, Switzerland
Mixed By Bleecker Street
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Live Version (28th February 2014) (4:49)
Recorded: Incheba Arena, Prague, Czech Republic
Mixed By Bleecker Street
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Live Version (1st March 2014) (5:01)
Recorded: Sala Ziemi, Poznan, Poland
Mixed By Bleecker Street
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Live Version (2nd March 2014) (4:53)
Recorded: Stodola, Warsaw, Poland
Mixed By Bleecker Street
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Johnson Somerset Remix (9:29)
Produced by: Keith Forsey and Simple Minds
Recorded by: Brian Reeves
Mixed by: Tom Lord Alge
Remixed By: Johnson Somerset
Engineered At Programmed By: Rich B, Si Willey and Tim Roe
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live history
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