River
Barry Manilow · A Christmas Gift of Love
They're cutting down trees
They're putting up reindeer
And signing songs of joy and peace
Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
But it don't snow here
It stays pretty green
I'm going to make a lot of money
Then I'm going to quit this crazy scene
Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I made my baby cry
Well she tried hard to help me
You know, she put me at ease
And she loved me so naughty
Made me weak in the knees
Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I'm so hard to handle
I'm selfish and I'm sad
Now I've gone and lost the best baby
That I ever had
Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I made my baby say goodbye
Well It's coming on Christmas
They're cutting down trees
They're putting up reindeer
Singing songs of joy and peace
God I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
River
Barry Manilow's 'River' stands as a defining track from his 1980 holiday album, 'A Christmas Gift of Love.' As a staple of his extensive discography, the song exemplifies the smooth, romantic pop style that characterized his career during the early 1980s. The recording features Manilow's signature vocal delivery, blending traditional Christmas themes with a polished, contemporary production that appealed to a broad audience. Released during the height of his popularity, the track became a significant part of his catalog of seasonal music, reinforcing his status as a leading figure in modern pop and holiday music. Its enduring appeal lies in its melodic structure and the warmth of its performance, making it a recognizable song in the genre of commercial Christmas recordings.