I really feel strange about coming to love a Bruce Springsteen song through a cover. I feel like I’m somehow betraying the songwriter. But, I didn’t fully appreciate “The River” until I heard Josh Ritter’s bare-bones take on an internet video a couple of years ago. Ritter’s cover is simple and straight forward, but conveys the brutal honesty in Springsteen’s epic song.

Ritter recorded this version for the Hangin’ on E-Street series over at Springsteen’s site. While you’re there, watch the interview with Ritter, and Boss covers by other young devotees like The Gaslight Anthem and The Avett Brothers.