Ten Favorite River Songs: Somewhere Down the Crazy River (#7)

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I'm doing two simultaneous countdowns involving water right now: one with various bodies of water, and this one, just focusing on rivers. Here's the next song on the list of my favorites that have the word "river" in the title. #7: Somewhere Down the Crazy River - Robbie Robertson What a haunting song. According to Picky Wedia, the title came from Robbie Robertson hearing tales from former Band bandmate Levon Helm about people in Arkansas fishing with dynamite. (Yeah, I know...."here, hold my beer.") From there Robertson created this gorgeous song, seemingly set in New Orleans instead of Arkansas (with references to levees, voodoo, and the implication of the "crazy river" being the Mississippi). It's more talked than sung, with Robertson singing only the chorus (and Sam Llanas, then of the BoDeans, singing backup). The narration makes the song even more haunting. This song was nothing like anything The Band ever did. Somewhere Down the Crazy River Written by Robbie Robertson and Martin Page Recorded by Robbie Robertson From Robbie Robertson, 1987 Kudos to Robertson for having Sam Llanas appear in the video!