Rivers In Your Mouth
Howard Ben Lyrics
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Water takes the shape of all that it surrounds
Yeah, I know
I've been trying so hard to keep in time
With all of the hours in your day
Hold it in, they wouldn't let you out among the crowd
Not like that
How it is
Under my skin, now you are
Pictures of all you'll ever be
Oh, I am not myself
Today
I am not feeling
Okay
Hold it in, the river in your mouth is pouring out
Water takes the shape of all that it's around
Yeah, I know
I been trying so hard to keep in time
With all of the sounds that you make
Hold it in, they come at you from both sides of your mind
Thick and thin, these walls you'll always stand behind
I'm sick and tired
Oh, I begged for the world to change
But it don't
No, it ain't all you and that's the thing
Oh, I am not myself
Today
I am not feeling
Okay
And you
Showed me hope amidst the harlequins in spring
And you
Told me life was learning how to be your friend
The lyrics of Howard Ben's song "Rivers In Your Mouth" seem to express feelings of frustration, suppression, and a struggle to fit into societal norms. The repeated mention of holding the river in one's mouth suggests the act of containing one's emotions or suppressing one's true self. The line "Water takes the shape of all that it surrounds" can be seen as a metaphor for adapting to one's surroundings and conforming to societal expectations.
The song speaks of a desire to keep pace with someone else's busy life, perhaps in a relationship where one feels the need to match the other person's energy and time commitments. The mention of being held back from the crowd and how streets can tear one down suggests the pressures and judgments imposed by society.
There is a sense of self-criticism and feeling out of place in these lyrics. The line "Pictures of all you'll ever be" could symbolize a fixation on someone's projected image or the limited view others have of oneself.
The second verse continues the theme of struggle and feeling confined. The mention of coming at you from both sides of your mind could represent internal and external pressures that weigh on a person. The thick and thin walls one stands behind can be seen as barriers that protect or restrict one's true self.
The lyrics express a yearning for change and a frustration with the world's refusal to do so. Despite longing for transformation, the realization that it's not entirely up to the individual is emphasized in the line "No, it ain't all you and that's the thing."
Line by Line Meaning
Hold it in, the river in your mouth is pouring out
Conceal your emotions, but the emotions within you are overflowing
Water takes the shape of all that it surrounds
Emotions adapt and are influenced by the environment and circumstances
Yeah, I know
I am aware of this fact
I've been trying so hard to keep in time
I have been exerting great effort to synchronize with you
With all of the hours in your day
Trying to match the pace of your busy life
Hold it in, they wouldn't let you out among the crowd
You are restrained from being part of the crowd due to external factors
Not like that
Not in the way you are
These streets will tear you down
The harsh realities of life can bring you down
How it is
This is the current situation
Under my skin, now you are
You have deeply affected me
Pictures of all you'll ever be
Images of your true essence and potential
Oh, I am not myself
I am feeling detached from my usual self
Today
At this moment in time
I am not feeling
I am experiencing emotions that are different from the norm
Okay
Acceptable or fine
Hold it in, they wouldn't let you out among the crowd
You are held back from mingling with the crowd
Water takes the shape of all that it's around
Emotions adapt to the circumstances and people around you
Yeah, I know
I am aware of this phenomenon
I been trying so hard to keep in time
I have been making great efforts to be in sync with you
With all of the sounds that you make
Trying to match your actions and expressions
Hold it in, they come at you from both sides of your mind
Pressures and influences attack you from different directions
Thick and thin, these walls you'll always stand behind
You always rely on these barriers, no matter the situation
I'm sick and tired
I am exhausted and frustrated
Oh, I begged for the world to change
I pleaded for a transformation in the world
But it don't
But it doesn't happen
No, it ain't all you and that's the thing
The world's problems cannot solely be attributed to you
And you
You (referring to someone specific)
Showed me hope amidst the harlequins in spring
You revealed a sense of hope and positivity in times of confusion and chaos
And you
You (referring to the same person as before)
Told me life was learning how to be your friend
You taught me that life is about understanding and embracing friendship
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Benjamin John Howard
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@luizmartins2891
Lyrics
Hold it in love
The river in your mouth is pouring out
Water takes the
Shape of all that it surrounds
Yeah I know
I've been trying so hard to keep in time
With all of the hours in your day
Hold it in babe
Who let you out among the crowd?
Not like that
These streets will tear you down
How it is
Under my skin, now you are
Pictures of all you’ll ever be
Oh I am not myself
Today
I am not feeling
Okay
Hold it in love
The river in your mouth is pouring out
Water takes the
Shape of all that it’s around
Yeah I know
I been trying so hard to keep in time
With all of the sounds that you make
Hold it in babe
Come at you from both sides of your mind
Thick and thin these
Walls you’ll always stand behind
Are sick and tired
Oh I beg for the world to change
But it don’t
No it ain't all you and that’s the thing
Oh I am not myself
Today
I am not feeling
Okay
And you
Showed me hope amidst the harlequins in spring
And you
Told me life was learning how to be your friend
@chrispharoah8261
Hold it in love
The river in your mouth is pouring out
Water takes the
Shape of all that it surrounds
Yeah I know
I've been trying so hard to keep in time
With all of the hours in your day
Hold it in babe
Who let you out among the crowd?
Not like that
These streets will tear you down
How it is
Under my skin, now you are
Pictures of all you’ll ever be
Oh I am not myself
Today
I am not feeling
Okay
Hold it in love
The river in your mouth is pouring out
Water takes the
Shape of all that it’s around
Yeah I know
I been trying so hard to keep in time
With all of the sounds that you make
Hold it in babe
Come at you from both sides of your mind
Thick and thin these
Walls you’ll always stand behind
Are sick and tired
Oh I beg for the world to change
But it don’t
No it ain't all you and that’s the thing
Oh I am not myself
Today
I am not feeling
Okay
And you
Showed me hope amidst the harlequins in spring
And you
Told me life was learning how to be your friend
@chebrand3508
I dont even think Ben Howard knows how he has lyrically touched my soul in every single song he has wrote. Feel blessed to listen to this beautiful music
@ana.rodrigues
Thank you for putting into words the exact feelings I have about him and his songs! Couldnt agree more!
@JTWalker563
I get shivers down my spine when he sings "with all of the sounds that you make" and you can see the emotion in his face and hear it in his voice. Every single time.
@mathijs1781
I get shivers at 3:43, the rawness of his voice when he sings "told me life was learning how to be your friend". The rendition of this song is so perfect!
@robertvalentine1406
You can see from his face and some of the natural elements in his vocals that this isn't just reciting and playing a song. This is cutting out your beating heart and placing it on the stage. This guy has some balls to open his emotions to the world like this
@ambertheprofessional
YES!
@illduitmyself
this is what makes quality music
@nathanmilnthorpe11
Couldn't Explain it better Myself
@dannygriffiths2052
Well said mate
@stardust3204
That's why he got hurt and had to stop