Joni Mitchell performing in Toronto
Photo: AARON HARRIS / AP
A Christmas present for fans of Joni Mitchell: 50 years after its release, the Canadian musician's Christmas hit "River" got an official music video.
The short film, animated in black and white, was released on the singer's official YouTube channel.
In the video, the story sung by Joni Mitchell (78) is digitally retraced.
The narrator tries to forget painful memories of a past relationship by skating away over a frozen river.
Only at the end of the video does the black and white drawing merge into bright colors.
A Christmas carol for the lonely
"River" expresses regret about the end of a relationship, "says a statement by Mitchell that is faded in at the end of the video.
But it's also about being lonely at Christmas time.
»A Christmas carol for people who are lonely at Christmas!
We need a song like this. "
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Photo: Central Press / Getty Images
Although "River", which appeared on Mitchell's fourth studio album "Blue" in 1971, was not originally released as a Christmas carol, it is often played during the Christmas season.
"Jingle Bells" is quoted at the beginning and at the end of the piece.
Cover versions of the song appeared on various Christmas albums, including by Ellie Goulding, Katie Melua and Ronan Keating.
rai / dpa