If the River Can Bend

"If the River Can Bend" is a song by English musician Elton John. As with much of his work, the music was composed by John while its lyrics were written by longtime collaborator Bernie Taupin. The song was first released on John's twenty-fifth studio album, The Big Picture (1997), and was later released as the album's third and final single on 1 June 1998.

"If the River Can Bend"
Single by Elton John
from the album The Big Picture
Released	1 June 1998
Studio	Townhouse (London)
Genre	Gospel[1] rock[2]
Length	5:22
Label	Rocket Mercury
Composer(s)	Elton John
Lyricist(s)	Bernie Taupin
Producer(s)	Chris Thomas
Elton John singles chronology
"Recover Your Soul" (1998) "If the River Can Bend" (1998) "Written in the Stars" (1999)

Overview

"If the River Can Bend" features vocals from the East London Gospel Choir.^[1][3] Charlie Morgan, who performs drums on the song, describes the track as an "inspirational Gospel tune", while Shana Naomi Krochmal of Vulture notes similarities between it and Paul Simon's 1986 album Graceland.^[4]

In His Song: The Musical Journey of Elton John by Elizabeth Rosenthal, the lyrics of "If the River Can Bend" are described as both "a testament to the faithfulness of lovers through thick, thin, and the winding paths of fate", as well as a reference to the longevity of John and Taupin's working partnership.^[2] Rosenthal believes the latter topic is displayed through the song's lyrical similarities to "Harmony" from Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973).^[2] Musically, Rosenthal considers the track to be the "first up-tempo" song on the album, noting its fusion of rock and Gospel and comparing it to earlier tracks "The Power" (a collaboration with Little Richard from John's 1993 album Duets) and "Bite Your Lip (Get Up and Dance!)" from Blue Moves (1976).^[2]

Commercial performance

The song was released as the third and final single from The Big Picture on 1 June 1998. It became the album's third straight top 40 hit in the UK, where it peaked at number 32.^[5] In Germany, the song slid into the bottom of the top 100, peaking at number 95.^[6]

Personnel

Adapted from the album's liner notes:^[3]

• Elton John – vocals, piano, organ
• Guy Babylon – keyboards
• Davey Johnstone – guitar
• John Jorgenson – guitar
• Bob Birch – bass guitar
• Charlie Morgan – drums
• East London Gospel Choir – vocals

Charts

Chart (1998)	Peak position
Germany (GfK)[7]	95
UK Singles (OCC)[8]	32