In 1976, he achieved a national breakout with the studio album Night Moves. On his studio albums, he also worked extensively with the Alabama-based Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, which appeared on several of Seger's best-selling singles and albums.
Seger's first marriage in 1968 lasted for "one day short of a year". He had a long-term relationship with Jan Dinsdale from 1972 until 1983. In 1987, he married actress Annette Sinclair and they divorced one year later. He married Juanita Dorricott in 1993, in a small private setting at The Village Club, in Bloomfield Hills; they have two children. Seger lives mainly at his home in Orchard Lake Village, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. He owns a condo in Naples, Florida.
Politically, Seger has characterized himself as a centrist: "[I'm] right down the middle", he remarked. He supported Democrat Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election. He tackled antiestablishment themes in early songs such as "2+2=?" (1968) and "U.M.C. (Upper Middle Class)" (1974), according to Brian McCollum of the Detroit Free Press. On his 2014 album Ride Out, he addressed topics such as gun violence, and wrote "It's Your World" about climate change. On the subject, he said, "There are a lot of culprits in climate change, and everybody's responsible, myself included. Nobody gets a free pass on this one. We've got to change our ways and change them fast.
A roots rocker with a classic raspy, shouting voice, Seger wrote and recorded songs that deal with love, women and blue-collar themes and is an example of heartland rock. Seger has recorded many hits, including "Ramblin' Gamblin' Man", "Night Moves", "Turn the Page", "Still the Same", "We've Got Tonight", "Against the Wind", "You'll Accomp'ny Me", "Shame on the Moon", "Like a Rock", and "Shakedown", which was written for Beverly Hills Cop II (1987). Seger also co-wrote the Eagles' number-one hit "Heartache Tonight", and his iconic recording of "Old Time Rock and Roll" was named one of the Songs of the Century in 2001.
With a career spanning six decades, Seger continues to perform and record today. Seger was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004 and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2012. Seger was named Billboard's 2015 Legend of Live honoree at the 12th annual Billboard Touring Conference & Awards, held November 18–19 at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York.
Seger was known as one of the last holdouts regarding making his catalog available for digital download and streaming. However, as of 2017, much of his work is available.
Big River
Bob Seger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sinkin' or swim, depends on you
you can take or you can be a giver
you're gonna get through
If you got love
Kinda cruel, and she left me one day
now I'm cyin', she loves another
gotta go alone
The rest of the way
Take, the advice of a loser
who's been livin' too long alone
Follow your heart
follow your rainbow
And one day you'll find
You are not alone
Bob Seger's song, "Big River" is a song about life and the choices we make. It uses the metaphor of a big river to describe the journey of life, where you can either sink or swim depending on what decisions you make. The first lines of the song set the tone for its meaning: "Life is like a big river, sinkin' or swim, depends on you." Seger is saying that life is full of challenges, but it's up to you to decide whether you'll sink or swim. This metaphor reinforces the idea that we have control over our lives, and we can choose our own paths.
The song goes on to tell a story of love and heartache. Seger sings about a good woman who loved him, but ultimately left him. He's left alone and sad, but he knows he has to keep going. The chorus encourages listeners to follow their hearts and keep moving forward in search of a better tomorrow. Seger suggests that we should learn from our experiences, and that sometimes the advice of someone who's experienced heartbreak can be more valuable than that of someone who's never experienced it.
Overall, "Big River" is a song about perseverance and hope. Its message is one of encouragement - that even when things get tough, we have the ability to keep going and keep searching for happiness. The metaphor of the river is a powerful one that ties together the themes of the song and gives it a sense of unity.
Line by Line Meaning
Life is like a big river
Life is a journey with many twists and turns, just like a river
Sinkin' or swim, depends on you
Your success in life depends on your own actions and choices
you can take or you can be a giver
You can either choose to receive or give in life
you're gonna get through
You will overcome any obstacle you face
Once, a good woman loved me
There was a time when I was loved by a wonderful woman
If you got love
If you have love in your life
Kinda cruel, and she left me one day
Unfortunately, she was cruel and left me one day
now I'm cyin', she loves another
I'm crying now because she loves someone else
gotta go alone
I have to continue on my journey by myself
The rest of the way
For the remainder of my journey
Take, the advice of a loser
Listen to the advice of someone who has experienced failure
who's been livin' too long alone
Someone who has been living in solitude for too long
Follow your heart
Trust your instincts and do what feels right
follow your rainbow
Follow your dreams and aspirations
And one day you'll find
Someday you will discover
You are not alone
That you are not alone in your journey through life
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BOB SEGER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bentz Kirby
Love this album but this song is one of my favs forever. Bob, please release this as a CD or a Download. My LP is getting like really old and scratched.
paul levine
Kirby, It's finally out on CD , Amazon has it but it's a bit pricey but still worth it. one of my most played LPs back in the days of hard rock. Still play just as much now but i had to break down & get the CD. Hey ya still gotta love those scratches & mine still plays good but i the same issues you have with the album. Found some old 70s weed still in the fold out cover LOL... If your wondering i left it in the album for old times sake !!!!
Hiram Montes
This song is classic for a ballad, got the album. Bob seger system.
officialbobseger39
Thanks for your comments and love towards me, hope you won’t stop someday?
juan haro corbera
this song is really awesome.
Juan Leaniz
At last I found it1 Lovely song
GL AnnapolisTeam
His best song ever !
Hiram Montes
Tru dat.
byron ward
@Hiram Montes yes sir
Drums Only
You can hear what would become night moves in this song..