Kenny Loggins and Jim Messina
Way back, once upon a time, I owned the, “Full Sail” album by Kenny Loggins and Jim Messina. I was at least 18 when I had it because I remember who my boyfriend was at the time and I was with him from 1976 – 1978. Maybe it was his album? I do remember feeling happy every time I put it on the turntable, as if I were on a schooner in a tropical location. I am not sure why it is called, “Watching the River Run” because the music is tropical and oceanic. I do think the river they are singing about is the river of life that we all float along on. The guitar work is excellent, the melody is enough to elevate mood, and the words are philosophically deep. The vocal harmonies are so sweet! What more can you ask of a song? Hoping you enjoy it if you haven’t heard it before or enjoy it again if you have.
Full Sail was Loggins & Messina’s third studio album, released in 1973. The album made it to #10 on the pop charts. This song is my favorite on the album but a close second is, “A Love Song,” that Anne Murray did a wonderful cover of at some point also.
Personnel
Kenny Loggins – vocals, rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar, harmonica
Jim Messina – vocals, lead guitar, acoustic guitar, mandolin
Loggins & Messina band
Jon Clarke – oboe, baritone saxophone, bass saxophone, soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone, flute, alto flute, bass flute, bass clarinet, English horn
Al Garth – violin, bass clarinet, recorder, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone
Larry Sims – bass, backing vocals
Merel Bregante – drums, timbales, backing vocals
Additional musicians
Michael Omartian – keyboards
Vince Charles – steel drums
Milt Holland – percussion
Watching the River Run
If you've been thinking you're all that you've got,
Then don't feel alone anymore.
When we're together, then you've got alot,
'Cause I am the river and you are the shore.
And it goes on and on, oh, watching the river run,
Further and further from things that we've done,
Leaving them one by one.
And we have just begun watching the river run.
Listening and learning and yearning.
Run, river, run.
Winding and swirling and dancing along,
We pass by the old willow tree
Where lovers caress as we sing of our song,
Rejoicing together when we greet the sea.
And it goes on and on, watching the river run,
Further and further from things that we've done,
Leaving them one by one.
And we have just begun watching the river run.
Listening and learning and yearning.
Run, river, run.
And it goes on and on, watching the river run,
Further and further from things that we've done,
Leaving them one by one.
And we have just begun watching the river run.
Listening and learning and yearning.
Run, river, run.
Written by: Kenneth Clark Loggins, Jim Messina
Album: Full Sail
Released: 1973
Jim Adams is the host of Song Lyric Sunday. This week Jim wants a song that mentions River/Stream/Creek/Brook, as suggested by Di of pensitivity101.
Tao Talk 
Nice choice, Lisa. “Watching the River Run” is a metaphor for a relationship where one partner is the steady “shore” and the other is the ever-flowing “river,” representing the journey of life and the leaving behind of old worries. The song embodies a sense of moving forward together, learning and growing, with the river’s flow symbolizing a dynamic yet peaceful and happy existence. The song is a tribute to musician Jim Croce, as his guitarist Maury Muehleisen co-wrote a song with Kenny Loggins.
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Thanks, Jim. Had no idea the song was written in tribute to Jim Croce.
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Guitarist Maury Muehleisen died in the same plane crash that killed Jim Croce and in the summer of 1973, while Loggins and Messina were on tour with Jim Croce and Maury Muehleisen, Maury co-wrote the song ‘Fever Dream’ with Kenny Loggins.
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Jim, wow, I appreciate your research abilities on the situation. Thank you for taking the time and sharing your findings.
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what a beautiful choice Lisa I had not heard it before- the lyrics are very special ❤️
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Ange, thanks, yes, they are <3
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A nice song. A new one for me, as Loggins and Messina had very little airplay or success over here.
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Them as a duo and then Kenny Loggins were great for AM radio top 40 pop. I’m surprised they didn’t make it bigger over there.
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I guess they weren’t well-promoted. Or maybe they were happy enough over there and didn’t want to tour more widely? They wouldn’t be the first to limit themselves like that.
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Delicious blast from the past, Li. I was probably listening to it around the same time you were- as I would have just been emancipated from my religious household- and ‘allowed’ to listen to ‘worldly music’ my selection this week is from that same period in my life- great memories all around huh? Thank you.
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V, I’m glad it brings back particular moments in your life. A lot was happening at that age for both you and I.
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It really was an action packed period in my young life! Thank you, Li.
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You are welcome.
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A beautiful, gentle song Li. I really enjoyed it. You have some lovely memories of a relationship and a great time in your life! ☺️💕
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Christine, happy you enjoyed the song and yes, so much was happening at that time <3
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While I know of the connection between Anne Murray and Kenny Loggins (they also had a #1 hit duet in 1984) I have never heard this original version before. Great post Lisa.
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Randy, what is the duet they did together? Same song? Happy this was a new listen for you. Thanks!
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Lol the memory ain’t what it used to be Lisa! It was Dave Loggins and I don’t even think they’re related!
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haha, Randy. Glad I’m not the only one. Didn’t Dave Loggins sing Please Come to Boston? That’s a song I do love of his, whether he’s related to Kenny or not ;)
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Yep that’s the guy 👍
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Nice choice Lisa. I may be wrong but this tune is classed as ‘yacht rock’. It used to be called originally known as the West Coast sound or adult-oriented rock. It’s a broad music style and commonly associated with soft rock, one of the most commercially successful genres from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s. Drawing on sources such as smooth soul, smooth jazz, R&B, and disco, common stylistic traits include high-quality production, clean vocals, and a focus on light, catchy melodies. The term yacht rock was coined in 2005 by the makers of the online comedy video series Yacht Rock, who connected the music with the popular Southern Californian leisure activity of boating.
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Glyn, geeked to learn this. Yacht rock is a perfect name for it :) Thank you for the info.
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Nice pick, Lisa! To this day, I mostly know Loggins & Messina by name. Their only song I can name is “Your Mama Don’t Dance.”
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Oh right, forgot that song but it did and probably still does get a lot of air play. Just looked up their discography and see they made 6 studio albums together and some live and compilation albums, which is way more than I thought they’d have. They took a good thing and ran with it. I do know that Messina used to be in a well known band at some point and then did producing.
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Great pick for this week’s theme! Thank you for sharing it!
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Thanks much, and you are welcome.
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A great choice Lisa … Happy memories of being eighteen… 73 that’s the year my eldest was born 💜✨✨
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As Old Blue Eyes sang, “It was a very good year.” :)
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yes indeed 👍💜💜
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Beautiful song… I never heard this one. The one I think of when I hear their name is Danny’s Song but I did like them…my sister, again, had some singles.
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Yes, it is, Max. Danny’s song may be after Loggins when solo, but maybe not. Remember that song, House at Pooh Corner?
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Yes I do remember that one!
The reason Danny’s song is in my head…one my sister had it and two “even though we ain’t got money…” sticks in my head lol.
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:)
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Thanks for reminding me of this wonderful tune, Lisa. Gotta admit, I sang along. So good.
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Dale, it’s that kind of song. You are welcome :)
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That it is!
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Listening to this song I am getting flashbacks of another song, but I’m having brain freeze at the moment and I can’t remember the name of the other song! I can hum the melody, but I can’t think of the name! Anyway, I’m hearing a little snatches of that song in this Loggins and Messina song, which I love and have not heard in forever. When you listen to this song, Lisa, I wonder if you can pick out strains of another song. If I remember the name of that other song, I’ll let you know. Good choice this week..
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Ruby My Love by Cat Stevens?
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No, that’s not it. But that’s a good song lol
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:)
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The song I was thinking of is “El Paso” by Marty Robbins. There’s just one tiny portion of the Loggins & Messina song that reminded me of “El Paso” and it occurs right around the 31 mark in “Watching the River Run”. It’s very subtle but I hear it. You may not.
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Another danged good tune, Nancy. Glad you figured it out.
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