Home | Songs By Year | Songs from 1994
She's a River
Buy She's a River now from AmazonFirst, read the Wikipedia article. Then, scroll down to see what other TopShelfReviews readers thought about the song. And once you've experienced the song, tell everyone what you thought about it.
Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = She's a River
| cover = SimpleMindsShe'sARiver.jpg
| type = single
| artist = Simple Minds
| album = Good News from the Next World
| B-side =
| released =
| recorded =
| studio =
| genre = Rock
| length = 4:31
| label = Virgin
| writer =
| producer =
| prev_title = Love Song" / "Alive and Kicking
| prev_year = 1992
| next_title = Hypnotised
| next_year = 1995
| misc =
}}
"'She's a River'" is the first single released from Scottish rock band Simple Minds' 11th studio album, 'Good News from the Next World'. Written by band members Charlie Burchill and Jim Kerr, the song was inspired by Herman Hesse's novel 'Siddhartha', a book about self-discovery. Released on 16 January 1995, "She's a River" reached number three in Canada and Italy, number seven in the Flanders region of Belgium, and number nine on the UK Singles Chart. In the United States, it peaked at number six on the 'Billboard' Album Rock Tracks chart.
Background
According to guitarist/keyboardist Charlie Burchill and vocalist Jim Kerr, the song was inspired by Herman Hesse's novel 'Siddhartha', which contains themes of self-discovery. Kerr explained, "As [a] younger man I relied so much on 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." Kerr went on to describe the storyline near the end of the book that inspired him the most:
"She's a River" was the first single released by the band featuring Vinnie Colaiuta on drums. Kerr called his performance "brilliant" and one-of-a-kind.
Chart performance
Released on 16 January 1995, "She's a River" reached number nine on the UK Singles Chart, becoming the band's eighth top-10 hit on that chart, and number five in their native Scotland. Throughout mainland Europe, the song reached number three in Italy, number seven in Flemish Belgium, and the top 40 in several other nations, including Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland. On the Eurochart Hot 100, it peaked at number 12 during its second week on the chart. In Australasia, "She's a River" reached number 29 in Australia and number 21 in New Zealand.
In Canada, "She's a River" debuted at number 61 on 30 Januarythe highest debut of the weekand peaked at number three five weeks later, on 13 March. The song stayed on the 'RPM' Top Singles chart for 12 more weeks, and it ended 1995 as Canada's 30th best-selling single. In the United States, the single peaked at number 52 on the 'Billboard' Hot 100, becoming Simple Minds' first hit in the country since "See the Lights", which reached number 40 in 1991. It also reached number six on the 'Billboard' Album Rock Tracks chart, number 10 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart, and number 33 on the Mainstream Top 40.
Track listings
'UK CD single'
# "She's a River" (edit)
# "She's a River" (instrumental)
# "E 55"
'UK cassette and limited-edition 7-inch single'
# "She's a River" (edit)
# "E 55"
'European and Australian CD single'
# "She's a River" (edit)
# "She's a River" (instrumental)
# "E 55"
# "Celtic Strings"
'US CD single'
# "She's a River" 4:29
# "She's a River" (LP Version) 5:32
# "She's a River" (Duo Mix) 4:25
# "E 55" 5:07
'US cassette single'
:A1. "She's a River" (edit) 4:29
:A2. "She's a River" (LP Version) 5:32
:B1. "She's a River" (duo mix) 4:25
:B2. "E 55" 5:07
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
References
Category:1994 songs
Category:1995 singles
Category:Simple Minds songs
Category:Songs written by Jim Kerr
Category:Songs written by Charlie Burchill
Category:Virgin Records singles
Buy She's a River now from Amazon
<-- Return to songs from 1994