Boat on the River

"Boat on the River" is a 1979 song by Styx, from their album Cornerstone. It was released as a single in 1980, but did not chart in the band's native United States. However, it was popular in several European countries, becoming a top-five hit on the German, Austrian, Israeli and Swiss charts (reaching number one on the latter).[1][2][3]

"Boat on the River"
Single by Styx
from the album Cornerstone
B-side	"Borrowed Time"
Released	March 16, 1980
Recorded	1979
Genre	Folk
Length	3:10
Label	A&M
Songwriter(s)	Tommy Shaw
Producer(s)	Styx
Styx singles chronology
"Why Me" (1979) "Boat on the River" (1980) "Borrowed Time" (1980)

The song features Tommy Shaw on lead vocals and mandolin, with Dennis DeYoung accompanying on accordion and harmony vocals. In the video for the song, Chuck Panozzo, John Panozzo, and James J.Y. Young play bowed double bass, tambourine/bass drum and acoustic guitar respectively (even though James J.Y. Young does not play on the original recording).[4]

Allmusic reviewer Mike DeGagne praised both "Boat on the River" and fellow Cornerstone single "Lights" retrospectively for their "silky harmonies and welcoming choruses". While not as big a hit as "Babe" (which hit #1 in the US), the song was Styx's biggest European hit.[5]

The song has been covered by Seventh Avenue, Guano Apes, and Finland's Riki Sorsa. The song has also been covered by Turkish artist Metin Özülkü and German folk rock band Fiddler's Green.