The album went to No. 1 on the Billboard album chart in the United States and stayed there for five weeks. It produced two hit singles; "A Horse with No Name" spent three weeks at No. 1 on the US Billboard singles chart in 1972 (it peaked at No. 3 on the Adult Contemporary chart), and "I Need You" hit No. 9 on the US Billboard singles chart (and No. 7 on the Adult Contemporary chart).
Riverside
America Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Taking it all in my stride
Living on the riverside
I'm taking life like a big long ride
You stay on your side and I'll stay on mine
You take what you want and I'll take the sunshine
Dit dit dit dit do
Dit dit dit dit do
Dit dit dit dit do (do do do do)
Dit dit dit dit do
Dit dit dit dit do
Dit dit dit dit do (do do do do)
Ah, ah, ah
Ah, ah, ah
I said the world don't owe me no living
I said the world don't owe me no living
I said the world don't owe me no living
I said the world don't owe me no living
The song "Riverside" by America describes the simple joys of living by a river and taking in all that life has to offer. "Living on the riverside, taking it all in my stride, living on the riverside, I'm taking life like a big long ride." The singer is enjoying the serene and peaceful life that comes with living by a river. The lyrics suggest that the singer is content with what he has and is not looking for anyone else's approval or validation.
The second half of the song emphasizes this point. "You stay on your side and I'll stay on mine, you take what you want and I'll take the sunshine." The singer is saying that he doesn't need anyone else's approval or validation, he's going to live life on his own terms and take what he wants.
Throughout the song, the lyrics are accompanied by a catchy melody and a simple guitar riff. The repetitive "dit dit dit dit do" adds to the overall laid-back feel of the song.
Overall, the song "Riverside" is about finding joy in the simple things and living life on your own terms.
Line by Line Meaning
Living on the riverside
I choose to live near the water and enjoy nature
Taking it all in my stride
I am dealing with everything calmly and confidently
Living on the riverside
I enjoy the peacefulness and beauty of living near the water
I'm taking life like a big long ride
I'm living my life with a sense of adventure and excitement
You stay on your side and I'll stay on mine
Let's mind our own business and keep our distance
You take what you want and I'll take the sunshine
You do you, and I'll focus on the positive things in life
Dit dit dit dit do
Repetitive phrase serving as filler lyrics
Dit dit dit dit do
Repetitive phrase serving as filler lyrics
Dit dit dit dit do (do do do do)
Repetitive phrase serving as filler lyrics
Dit dit dit dit do
Repetitive phrase serving as filler lyrics
Dit dit dit dit do
Repetitive phrase serving as filler lyrics
Dit dit dit dit do (do do do do)
Repetitive phrase serving as filler lyrics
Ah, ah, ah
Syllables sung to create a musical effect
Ah, ah, ah
Syllables sung to create a musical effect
I said the world don't owe me no living
I believe that I am responsible for my own success and happiness
I said the world don't owe me no living
I believe that I am responsible for my own success and happiness
I said the world don't owe me no living
I believe that I am responsible for my own success and happiness
I said the world don't owe me no living
I believe that I am responsible for my own success and happiness
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Dewey Bunnell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind