Rivers
Joe Mungovan Lyrics
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Me and Jim were drinking in the car outside
In the parking lot next to where we were playing that night
The wind was pretty chilly but I didn't mind
You see, everyone had come out just to show what they've got
Where the atmosphere is stale and the drinks cost a lot
But hey, no one cares 'cause it is almost 8 oclock
And it's not so appetizing, but ill give it a shot.
What am I doing to myself again?
She said
'Sit down and let me borrow your ear'
And asked
'Don't you know what everyone thinks of you 'round here?'
I said
'I don't really care for that'
'cause I don't really care for that – no
Now it's almost 3am up on the corner of my street
My bottle's almost empty and everyone's asleep
But I know that im going
Know that im going that way
So I say
What am I doing to myself again?
I just keep on doing this to myself again
Are you coming home?
'Cause I need you now
Yeah I'm on fire
And I'm burning out!
Att; R 4 P T U R E pbpr!
The song "Rivers" by Joe Mungovan tells a story of a night out with friends that unfolds in three different scenes. It starts with two friends, the singer and Jim, drinking in the car outside the venue where they're going to play that night. The atmosphere is described as stale, and the drinks are overpriced, but people still come out to show what they've got. The singer seems to be in a reflective mood, wondering what he's doing to himself by being there.
The second scene involves a conversation with someone who seems to know the singer's reputation in the town they're in. She asks him if he knows what everyone thinks of him, and the singer replies that he doesn't care. He's not interested in conforming to what others expect of him and is unapologetic about it.
The final scene takes place when the night is almost over, and the singer is alone, walking down the street with an almost empty bottle. He knows that he's going home, but he's not sure if he wants to or if he's ready to face the reality of the next day. He's burning out, and he's searching for a way to cope with his emotions.
Overall, the lyrics suggest a sense of existential and emotional crisis, with the singer questioning his choices and the meaning of his existence. He's also aware of the judgments of others but remains true to himself.
Line by Line Meaning
We started out early on a Friday night
The story begins at the start of a Friday night adventure with Jim and the singer drinking in the car.
Me and Jim were drinking in the car outside
The singer and Jim decided to drink in the car before their live show, possibly to calm their nerves or set the mood.
In the parking lot next to where we were playing that night
The car was parked in the lot near the venue where they were scheduled to perform that night.
The wind was pretty chilly but I didn't mind
Despite the cold, the artist didn't seem to be affected by the weather.
You see, everyone had come out just to show what they've got
The show was not just for the performers, but also for their fans who were eager to show off their skills and support.
Where the atmosphere is stale and the drinks cost a lot
The venue may not have had the best ambiance, and the drinks may have been overpriced as well.
But hey, no one cares 'cause it is almost 8 o'clock
Even with the less than ideal situation, the fans and performers alike were excited about the show that was about to start at 8 pm.
And it's not so appetizing, but I'll give it a shot
Despite the potential lack of quality of the show, the artist was willing to try it out and see how it went.
'Sit down and let me borrow your ear'
Someone has requested the artist's attention and focus for a moment.
'Don't you know what everyone thinks of you 'round here?'
Someone is questioning the artist's awareness of the opinions that people hold about him in their community or in the venue they are in.
'I don't really care for that',
The singer seems indifferent or unfazed by what others may think or say about him.
'cause I don't really care for that – no
The artist repeats his/her disinterest in the opinions of others.
Now it's almost 3am up on the corner of my street
The setting of the story has changed, now it's on a street corner late at night.
My bottle's almost empty and everyone's asleep
The singer seems alone in this moment, with a dwindling bottle and no one else awake around them.
But I know that I'm going, know that I'm going that way
Despite the late hour and lack of company, the singer knows where he is going and is determined to go there.
So I say
The artist is about to say something important or meaningful.
What am I doing to myself again?
The artist is questioning their choices or actions that lead them to this moment late at night on a street corner.
I just keep on doing this to myself again
The singer is acknowledging a pattern of behavior that keeps bringing them to similar situations or troubles.
Are you coming home?
The singer is requesting or hoping that someone else will join them at their place.
'Cause I need you now
The artist is expressing the importance and urgency of needing someone else with them now.
Yeah I'm on fire, and I'm burning out!
The artist is feeling both an intense passion and an overwhelming exhaustion or despair at the same time.
Contributed by Connor Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.