"The River"
Good Charlotte Featuring M. Shadows And Synyster Gates Lyrics
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Of the shadow of LA
The footsteps that were next to me
Have gone their separate ways
I've seen enough now
To know that beautiful things
Don't always stay that way
I've done enough now To know this beautiful place
Isn't everything they say
[Bridge]
I heard that evil comes disguised
Like a city of angels
I'm walking towards the light
[Chorus]
Baptized in the river
I've seen a vision of my life
And I wanna be delivered
In the city was a sinner
I've done a lot of things wrong
But I swear I'm a believer
Like the prodigal son
I was out on my own
Now I'm trying to find my way back home
Baptized in the river
I'm delivered
I'm delivered
You're from a small town
You're gonna grow up fast
Underneath these lights
Down in Hollywood on the boulevard The dead come back to life
To the praying mother
And the worried father
Let your children go
If they come back, they'll come home stronger
And if they don't, you'll know...
[Bridge]
[Chorus]
Baptized in the river (on my own)
Baptized in the river (on my own)
I wanna be delivered
(On my own)
(On my own)
Baptized in the river (on my own)
I wanna be delivered
Baptized in the river (on my own)
I wanna be delivered
Baptized in the river (on my own)
I wanna be delivered
I confess I'm a sinner
I've seen a vision of my life
And I wanna be delivered
“The River”, a collaboration between Good Charlotte, M. Shadows, and Synyster Gates, is a song about the struggles of life and the desire to find peace and redemption. The opening verses set the scene for a journey through the valley of the shadow of LA, where the singer’s companions have parted ways. He has seen enough of life to know that not everything is as beautiful as it first appears; the line “I’ve seen enough now to know this beautiful place isn’t everything they say” suggests that the singer has matured through experience and has gained a more realistic, perhaps even jaded view of the world.
The song’s chorus speaks of being “baptized in the river”, a metaphor for starting anew and wiping the slate clean. The singer’s past is filled with mistakes and wrongs, but he believes in the possibility of redemption and finding a way back home. The bridge talks about the dangers of evil, which can often masquerade as something good or beautiful, but the singer chooses to walk towards the light: a symbol of hope and goodness.
The second verse refers to the glamour and grime of Hollywood, where even the dead come back to life. The lyrics suggest that the way forward is to let go and allow one’s children to find their own way, trusting that they will come home stronger for the journey. The song ends with a confession of sin and a desire for deliverance, underscoring the theme of redemption and the need to start anew.
Line by Line Meaning
As I walk through the valley
Starting a journey through a difficult, dark place
Of the shadow of LA
Referring to Hollywood with its glitz and glam hiding darker realities
The footsteps that were next to me
Friends who were once close now gone separate ways
Have gone their separate ways
Friends who were once close now gone separate ways
I've seen enough now
Having gained experience through personal hardships
To know that beautiful things
Realizing that good things in life don't always last
Don't always stay that way
Realizing that good things in life don't always last
I've done enough now
Having gone through personal struggles
To know this beautiful place
Believing that a promised land isn't as great as it once seemed
Isn't everything they say
Believing that a promised land isn't as great as it once seemed
I heard that evil comes disguised
Acknowledging that things aren't always what they seem on the surface
Like a city of angels
Acknowledging the irony of Hollywood's nickname
I'm walking towards the light
Trying to find a way out of a dark place and towards something better
Baptized in the river
Cleansing oneself of past mistakes and starting anew
I've seen a vision of my life
Having a clearer understanding of one's past and seeing a better future
And I wanna be delivered
Wanting to be free of past mistakes and struggles
In the city was a sinner
Acknowledging one's past mistakes and reckless behavior
I've done a lot of things wrong
Admitting to one's past mistakes
But I swear I'm a believer
Despite past mistakes, one still holds onto hope and faith
Like the prodigal son
Like the biblical story of a son who returns home after going astray
I was out on my own
Straying from the right path and making one's own choices
Now I'm trying to find my way back home
Seeking a way back to a better path and a better life
You're from a small town
Addressing those who come from a simpler background
You're gonna grow up fast
Life in Hollywood is fast-paced and can lead to recklessness
Underneath these lights
Referring to the glamor of Hollywood
Down in Hollywood on the boulevard
Specifically referencing the famed Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood
The dead come back to life
Although metaphorical, referencing the opportunity of second chances
To the praying mother
Recognizing the worry and concern of those left behind
And the worried father
Recognizing the worry and concern of those left behind
Let your children go
Acknowledging that sometimes one has to let go and allow others to make their own choices
If they come back, they'll come home stronger
Believing that those who go astray and make mistakes can become stronger upon their return
And if they don't, you'll know...
Implying that if they don't return, they may never have been suited for that life anyway
I confess I'm a sinner
Acknowledging one's past mistakes and behavior
I've seen a vision of my life
Having a clearer understanding of one's past and seeing a better future
And I wanna be delivered
Wanting to be free of past mistakes and struggles
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: MADDEN, BENJI/MADDEN, JOEL/GILMORE, DON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@flonkas
12 years later. I’m 30 and I still get goosebumps when m shadows starts his verse
@slightlyaboveaverage2235
Upload to YouTube is 12 years, this song is way older than that.
@flonkas
@@slightlyaboveaverage2235 it was common to hear songs for the first time when they came out on YouTube back then .
@2dsie
@@flonkas +1
@ahahahanna8725
+1
@alexgarital2059
holly sh!t equal to me
@msgrapevine
Still jamming this in 2025 ❤
@caiplas749
best song ever existed
@reapersasmr5483
Of course ... hope you did you liken park my December in December
@joeyom90
nobody cares about what you do , nobody cares about your exisitence