Bud Scoppa, in his March 1972 review of the Jackson Browne debut album, stated that "Rock Me.." would make an excellent single and that the song's "lilting gospel-like movement" showed a Van Morrison influence [REF].
Bruce Springsteen referenced the song in his speech upon the induction of Browne into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004 saying: "Listen to the chord changes of 'Rock Me on the Water' and 'Before the Deluge,' it's gospel through and through."[REF] .