Song Clearance Sheet
4 sources citedTake Me to the River
Soul1970s120BPM
A majKey
More around 120 BPM → · More in A major →
Tempo/key via GetSongBPM →, Deezer →
The verdict
Documented Sampling History
Confirmed songwriters of record (Al Green & Teenie Hodges), no dispute found — directly connected to Syl Johnson, already in this catalog, who recorded the first major cover.
Quick Facts
Released1974
AlbumAl Green Explores Your Mind
GenreSoul, Gospel
LabelHi Records
ProducerWillie Mitchell
More infoWikipedia → · Discogs →
Who you need to ask
The songwriters of record — Al Green & Teenie Hodges
Last → · checked Jul 2026
The current administrator — Not confirmed — originally Hi Records; needs a Songview/Discogs lookup
Unknown · checked Jul 2026
Has it been reused?
Yes — extensively covered; Green’s own original was never a single, its fame coming through covers (Syl Johnson’s 1975 cover, Talking Heads’ 1978 hit).
Do they allow reuse?
No standalone policy found; confirmed songwriters of record and no dispute found.
Related Songs
Same album, answer records, and songs worth knowing about
Syl Johnson (already in this catalog) recorded the first major cover of this song
Who Owns It
Licenses explained →The two permissions you need, and who holds them
The song itself (the writing)Al Green & Mabon “Teenie” Hodges
The recording (current administrator)Not confirmed
Receipts
Every public mention of terms, policy, or past deals we've found
The Syl Johnson connection
Syl Johnson (already in this catalog via “Different Strokes”) recorded the first major cover in 1975, using the same producer and musicians as Green’s recording.
Grokipedia · read it →
A Big Mouth Billy Bass out-earned Talking Heads
Co-writer Teenie Hodges said he made more in royalties from a 2000 novelty use — the animatronic singing toy “Big Mouth Billy Bass” — than from any legitimate cover combined, including Talking Heads’ famous hit.
Music Fandom · read it →
Can You Use It for Free?
How to check PD →Is it public domain?No
Sample History
—
Times sampled
Covered by Syl Johnson, Talking Heads, and many more
Covers
—
First flip
Big names who used itSyl Johnson · Talking Heads
Who to Contact
TM
Al Green & Teenie Hodges (estates)
The confirmed songwriters of record
What they'll chargeNobody's shared numbers yet
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Page history · 2 updates
Jul 2026Page created — full research (Research Queue Batch 9)
Jul 2026BPM/Key pending the automated GetSongBPM/Deezer pass