Big River (Jimmy Nail song)

"Big River" is a song written and performed by English singer and actor Jimmy Nail, included on his fourth studio album of the same name. The song was released as a single on 16 October 1995, reaching number 18 on the UK Singles Chart and number 10 in Hungary. In 2011, it was recorded by Joe McElderry for the DVD, Big River Big Songs: The Tyne.^[2] McElderry also performed it for Sunday for Sammy in 2012.^[3]

"Big River"
Single by Jimmy Nail
from the album Big River
B-side	"Bitter and Twisted" (live)
Released	16 October 1995 (1995-10-16)[1]
Length	5:59
Label	EastWest
Songwriter(s)	Jimmy Nail
Producer(s)	Danny Schogger Jimmy Nail
Jimmy Nail singles chronology
"Only One Heart" (1995) "Big River" (1995) "Love" (1995)

Background

The big river referred to in the title is the River Tyne that runs along the Southern edge of Nail's home town, Newcastle upon Tyne. The song is an elegy to the days when shipbuilding and industry in general were at their height in Newcastle and laments the later decline of the industry and therefore the decline of the importance and activity of the Tyne itself. However, in the last chorus, the song takes a more hopeful turn, declaring that, "the river will rise again".

The guitar work on the song was provided by Dire Straits frontman Mark Knopfler, who features in the music video.^[4] The song was adopted as an anthem by female workers in Liverpool during a lockout the following winter.^[5]

Track listings

UK 7-inch single^[6]

A. "Big River" – 5:59

B. "Bitter and Twisted" (live version) – 4:08

UK and European CD single^[7]

1. "Big River" – 5:59
2. "Bitter and Twisted" (live version) – 4:08
3. "What Kind of a Man Am I?" (live version) – 5:32

UK CD single 2^[8]

1. "Big River" – 5:59
2. "Bitter and Twisted" (live version) – 4:08
3. "What Kind of a Man Am I?" (live version) – 5:32
4. "Big River" (radio edit) – 4:17

Charts

Chart (1995–1996)	Peak position
Hungary (Mahasz)[9]	10
Scotland (OCC)[10]	10
UK Singles (OCC)[11]	18