Songs About the Missouri River

7 songs reference the Missouri River · 4646 miles · Rivers & Waterways.

The Missouri River, often called the "Big Muddy," is the longest river in the United States, stretching 2,341 miles from its headwaters in southwestern Montana to its confluence with the Mississippi River north of St. Louis, Missouri. For thousands of years, this vital waterway has served as a critical route for exploration, trade, and sustenance for numerous Native American tribes and was a primary pathway for America's westward expansion in the 19th century. Its basin covers a significant portion of the continental U.S., influencing the culture and livelihoods of many communities along its banks.

The river's enduring presence in American life has naturally flowed into its music. Our collection features songs that capture the spirit of the Missouri River, with artists like Bruce Springsteen and Johnny Cash lending their voices to its legendary currents. These tracks evoke the river's historical significance and the landscapes it traverses.

The river as RoadyGoat maps it; pins mark songs placed along it.

The Songs

As They Did
“Wish I’da seen the Missouri, before she was dammed”
25%
Shenandoah
“Across the wide Missouri”
22%
Shenandoah
Suzy Bogguss · MO
“'Cross the wide Missouri”
21%
Sweet Amarillo
“Across the wide Missouri where the cool waters flow”
20%
Montana
Lukas Nelson · MT
“River is raging, rain is draining”
8%
Comin’ to Your City
Big & Rich · MO
“And we woke up by the river / In Jeff City, MO”
8%
To The Shining Mountains
“Came upon the wide Missouri”
5%

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