# She's a River

"She's a River" is the first single released from Scottish rock band Simple Minds' 11th studio album, Good News from the Next World. Written by band members Charlie Burchill and Jim Kerr, the song was inspired by Hermann Hesse's novel Siddhartha, a book about self-discovery. Released on 11 January 1995, "She's a River" reached number three in Canada and Italy, number seven in the Flanders region of Belgium, and number nine on the UK Singles Chart. In the United States, it peaked at number six on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart.

## Background

According to guitarist/keyboardist Charlie Burchill and vocalist Jim Kerr, the song was inspired by Hermann Hesse's novel Siddhartha, which contains themes of self-discovery. Kerr explained, "As [a] younger man I relied so much on this book (among many others) to guide me through my own chaos. That need continues, as does the need to have inspirational music driving me on further still." Kerr went on to describe the storyline near the end of the book that inspired him the most:
   Toward the end of his life, Govinda hears about an enlightened ferryman and travels to Siddhartha, not initially recognizing him as his old childhood friend. Govinda asks the now-elderly Siddhartha to relate his wisdom and Siddhartha replies that for every true statement there is an opposite one that is also true; that language and the confines of time lead people to adhere to one fixed belief that does not account for the fullness of the truth. Because nature works in a self-sustaining cycle, every entity carries in it the potential for its opposite and so the world must always be considered complete. Siddhartha simply urges people to identify and love the world in its completeness. Siddhartha then requests that Govinda kiss his forehead and, when he does, Govinda experiences the visions of timelessness that Siddhartha himself saw with Vasudeva by the river. Govinda bows to his wise friend and Siddhartha smiles radiantly, having found enlightenment.
"She's a River" was the first single released by the band featuring Mark Schulman on drums. Kerr called his performance "brilliant" and one-of-a-kind.

## Chart performance

"She's a River" reached number nine on the UK Singles Chart, becoming the band's eighth top-10 hit on that chart, and number five in their native Scotland. Throughout mainland Europe, the song reached number three in Italy, number seven in Flemish Belgium, and the top 40 in several other nations, including Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland. On the Eurochart Hot 100, it peaked at number 12 during its second week on the chart. In Australasia, "She's a River" reached number 29 in Australia and number 21 in New Zealand.
In Canada, "She's a River" debuted at number 61 on 30 January—the highest debut of the week—and peaked at number three five weeks later, on 13 March. The song stayed on the RPM Top Singles chart for 12 more weeks, and it ended 1995 as Canada's 30th best-selling single. In the United States, the single peaked at number 52 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Simple Minds' first hit in the country since "See the Lights", which reached number 40 in 1991. It also reached number six on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart, number 10 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart, and number 33 on the Mainstream Top 40.

## Release history

| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) |
| Japan | 11 January 1995 | Mini-CD | Virgin |
| United Kingdom | 16 January 1995 | 7-inch vinylCD1cassette | Virgin |
| United Kingdom | 23 January 1995 | CD2 | Virgin |