12 Best Christmas Songs: No. 4

'River'
--Joni Mitchell (1971)

It's not technically a Christmas song -- it's your basic garden-variety "Look-what-I've-gone-and-done" lost-love song. But Joni's from Canada, and when they start "putting up reindeer" in L.A., she's hopelessly homesick. She wishes she had a river to skate on, long enough so she could fly. But she's stuck in the crazy scene in La La Land, where the only river is a dry concrete aqueduct.

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Posted by Spinner Staff
Filed under: The Hit List

Reader Comments(1 of 1)

Neutral

David Milesat 12-08-2007

You've already said it yourselves.
It's NOT A CHRISTMAS SONG!
So why put it in a Christmas song list!!!???

Neutral

gariadea33at 12-08-2007

Oh Jesus! I'm wondering what drugs these people were using when they chose these songs!

Neutral

xpsgracieat 12-09-2007

Hey, Spinner staff.......when you make your list of "Spinner's Worst Lists", this list should top it! You're breadth of musical knowledge is as great as this list. Any guy on the street could do better.

Neutral

jbat 12-10-2007

maybe instead of putting a non-Christmas song, you could have popped in the Pogues' Fairytale of New York, which would be #1 on my list.

Neutral

Susanat 12-10-2007

I'LL SAY IT AGAIN - WHO PICKED THESE SONGS FOR THE BEST - THEY ALL SUCK!!!

Neutral

amyat 12-11-2007

Robert Downey, Jr. sings an awesome version of this song. Yes, you read correctly. Robert Downey, Jr.

Neutral

aquadoniaat 12-17-2007

As much as I love this song, it does not belong on this list, whether or not it's a Christmas song.

Neutral

Carissaat 12-23-2007

I really, really love this song...but it does NOT get even me in the Christmas spirit! Okay, they should have renamed this list "Best Christmas Songs in POP Music," because we all have noted that NONE of these are traditional Christmas carols. And I agree, "White Christmas," which can be considered a pop Christmas tune, MUST be on this list (tell me it is coming up???) There IS some good secular Christmas music and these are not some of them. I still go for the songs about Jesus as my favorites though.