“He Always Has All That Conflict”: How Hank Williams Inspired Bruce Springsteen’s Classic Song “The River”

Sonically speaking, Bruce Springsteen is a robust rock ‘n’ roller. However, when it comes to his lyrics, he is a poet, a journalist, and a candid storyteller in the most honest of ways. That being so, Springsteen pulled inspiration from anyone who had a knack for filling in the blank page. It didn’t matter what music they played; it just mattered what message they were conveying. Hence, Bruce Springsteen took a good deal of inspiration from the country music legend Hank Williams.

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Bruce Springsteen and Hank Williams don’t have much in common when it comes to their music. Although, lyrically, the two toil within the same worlds and tackle the same themes of despair, loss of innocence, and generally, the tragic metamorphosis of life itself. One connection between the two musicians is on Bruce Springsteen’s “The River.”

How Williams’ Melancholy Struck a Chord in Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen has always been fairly outspoken about his fandom for Hank Williams. Matter of fact, Springsteen has made allusions to Williams’ songs “Mansion on the Hill” and “I’m a Long Gone Daddy” in his own tracks. Furthermore, Springsteen has also claimed to be a fan of Williams’ dismal tracks “Your Cheatin’ Heart” and “Long Gone Lonesome Blues.” Regarding the latter, it seems Springsteen recycled a poetic vehicle in his own song, “The River.”

During a press interview for “The River,” Springsteen openly divulged how Hank Williams inspired the song. He stated, “There was a certain something in all that stuff that just seemed to fit in with things that I was thinking about, or worrying about.” “Especially the Hank Williams stuff. He always has all that conflict, he always has that real religious side, and the honky tonkin’, all that side,” added Springsteen via Farout.

The lyrical connections in “The River” and in “Long Gone Lonesome Blues” are certainly present, particularly in the use of the river as the premier poetic vehicle. However, they both use the trope differently. We could burden you with our interpretation, but it is more important to make your own. Though, regardless, there is a parallel and one that perpetuated the links of connection and influence between Hank Williams and Bruce Springsteen.

So, next time you listen to Springsteen’s track, keep your ears and mind open for that nasty river. And maybe, listen to Williams’ tune after the fact, as you will surely see the relating poignant takes on innocence and mortality within both songs.

Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images for Shoah Foundation