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45 single, picture sleeve. Columbia (38-07665) (1987)
Image credit: earlybird at 45cat.com
"The River Unbroken" is a single by Dolly Parton. It was released on November 23, 1987, by Columbia Records as the first single from Dolly's twenty-eighth solo studio album, Rainbow. The song was written by David Batteau and Darrell Brown. It was produced by Steve Goldstein. The single peaked at number 63 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and number 43 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.

Track listing

Side A
  • The River Unbroken (Single Edit) (David Batteau, Darrell Brown) 3:56
Side B
  • More Than I Can Say (Dolly Parton) 4:06

Music video

 The single's music video was directed by Brian Grant.

Critical reception

The single was reviewed in the December 5, 1987 issue of Billboard magazine. The review said, "Label debut and refined image should help this country darling regain her pop stature with this rootsy, rock-flavored ballad."

Cashbox also reviewed the single in their December 5, 1987 issue. It said, "The svelte new Parton makes her
Columbia Records debut with this slice of countrified pop (with the emphasis on pop). Slick production and a blues groove highlight Parton's vocals particularly well. Country and A/C radio will assuredly give immediate attention. Top 40 radio should cash in on Parton's growing media status."
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Billboard review, December 5, 1987.
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Cashbox review, December 5, 1987.

Commercial performance

"The River Unbroken" debuted at number 82 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated December 19, 1987. It peaked at number 63 on the chart dated January 9, 1988, its third week on the chart. It charted for eight weeks. The single peaked at number 43 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. It also peaked at number 62 on the Cashbox Country Singles chart. It peaked at number 51 in Canada on the RPM Country Singles chart and number 23 on the RPM Adult Contemporary chart.

Personnel

Credits are adapted from the Rainbow liner notes.
"The River Unbroken"
  • Richard Bosworth – mixing
  • ​Richard Dennison – background vocals
  • Kevin Dukes – electric guitar, electric slide guitar
  • Bob Glaub – bass
  • Steve Goldstein – drum programming, synthesizers, producer
  • Dolly Parton – lead vocals, harmony vocals, background vocals
  • John Vigran – drum programming
  • Waddy Wachtel – acoustic guitar
  • Julia Waters – background vocals
  • Maxine Waters – background vocals
"More Than I Can Say"
  • Richard Bosworth – mixing
  • David Campbell – orchestra arrangement, conductor
  • Steve Goldstein – producer
  • Patricia Mabee – harpsichord
  • Sid Page – concertmaster
  • Dolly Parton – lead vocals