Derived from fictional musicians, this band returned the song to its roots of joyous soul.

The Commitments – “Take Me to The River”

“Take Me to The River” (1991 – original from 1974)

The Reverend Al Green penned this smooth soul song in 1974. Over the following 15 years, it was reinterpreted – with varying degress of success – as a rock song, a disco song, a blues song, a jazz song, a psychedelic funk song, and more.   

Roots of Joy

The most successful version was undoubtedly Talking Heads’ fluid funky version from 1978. Until 1991, that is, when the fiction-derived band The Commitments returned the song to its roots of joyous soul.

In the film “The Commitments,”  the newly formed band of young and largely inexperienced musicians climbed on stage and delivered this rocking, rousing version.   _{(Image source)}

The Commitments

Originally a fictional band in a novel by Roddy Doyle, The Commitments became a reality in the 1991 film of the same name. Set in Dublin, it tells the story of a bunch of working-class youths who are brought together to establish a soul band. 

A Story with Soul

The film was a minor success. Not only did it have a great story line and some excellent performances, it had plenty of fine renditions of soul music classics.

Apart from this now-classic tune, it also featured great versions of  “Chain of Fools,”  “In the Midnight Hour,”  and “Mustang Sally.”   _{(Image source)}

I don't know why I love her like I do
All the changes you put me through
Take my money, my cigarettes
I haven't seen the worst of it yet
I wanna know that you'll tell me
I love to stay

Take me to the river, drop me in the water
Take me to the river, dip me in the water
Washing me down, washing me down

I don't know why you treat me so bad
Think of all the things we could have had
Love is an ocean that I can't forget
My sweet sixteen I would never regret
I wanna know that you'll tell me
I love to stay

Take me to the river, drop me in the water
Push me in the river, dip me in the water
Washing me down, washing me

Hug me, squeeze me, love me, tease me
Till I can't, till I can't, till I can't take no more of it

Take me to the water, drop me in the river
Push me in the water, drop me in the river
Washing me down, washing me down

I don't know why I love you like I do
All the troubles you put me through
Sixteen candles there on my wall
And here am I the biggest fool of them all

I wanna know that you'll tell me
I love to stay

Take me to the river and drop me in the water
Dip me in the river, drop me in the water
Washing me down, washing me down.   _{(Image source)}

        Al Green – “Take Me to The River”    
          _{(Right-click to hear on YouTube)}
Lyrics by Al Green, Mabon Hodges, courtesy of – AZLyrics.com
Reference – Wikipedia
Reference – Wikipedia

Into your ears … through 5 channels

 The various posts are categorized into 5 channels _{(Right-Click to see details)}
         1 – “Music to Your Ears” (MTYE)
         2 – “Cover Versions”
         3 – “Honor Roll”
         4 – “Documentaries”
         5 – “Mock’n’Roll”

More “Cover Versions” ...

         Cover Versions – Music to Your Ears – "Posts 1~20"  
         Cover Versions – Music to Your Ears – "Posts 21~40"  

Links to my other series ...

          Lou Reed – "Anthology of Memorable Lyrics, Part 1"
          Lou Reed – "Anthology of Memorable Lyrics, Part 2"

          Great Lyrics, a compilation – “Part One – My Lyrics Posts 3~30”
          Great Lyrics, a compilation – “Part Two – My Lyrics Posts 31~60”  

          Vocab-Ability – "Introduction to Vocab-Ability"  
          Vocab-Ability – "Index"  to all Chapters and Sections  

          Notes from Under the Tatami Mats – "Part One – Notes 1~50"  
          Notes from Under the Tatami Mats – "Part Two – Notes 51~87"