Phish.net

Though Talking Heads made “Take Me to the River” famous in the rock-and-roll community, it was actually written by the Reverend Al Green. Phish has never performed the song in its entirety but has jammed it in soundchecks (see 4/9/93, which circulates) and three times on stage: its 11/21/95 debut inside of “David Bowie,” 7/10/97 out of a monster “Ghost,” and 7/30/97 within “Wolfman’s.” Each time its performance has been much more aligned with the Talking Heads cover than Green’s original. Given the song’s jam potential and popularity in the fan community, it may only be one jam-fest away from springing up again at a concert near you.

Watch Take Me to the River on YouTube Al Green "Take Me to the River"

(Green)
© Al Green Music Inc., BMI

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.