From her third album Swept, the beautiful ballad “Love Moves In Mysterious Ways” (penned by the stellar song writing team Dean Pitchford and Tom Snow) was featured as the end title in the Demi Moore movie, The Butchers Wife, and went Top 20 in the UK and reached the #1 spot in the Philippines.
In 2009, Julia self released her tenth record China Blue on Little Boo Records, exclusively available through CD Baby. This jazz record is comprised of original songs written by Julia and produced and arranged by the wonderfully talented multi-instrumentalist Grant Mitchell.
As there are so many jazz “standards” records – Julia longed to release an album of original songs. However, when she played some gigs, jazz songs were added to the set, including a version of Michael McDonald’s hit “I keep Forgettin.” Rearranged and produced for this record by Jon Gilutin (Linda Ronstadt), she was thrilled when the co-producer of this song Simon Climie (Eric Clapton, Michael McDonald) played the track to Michael. Having always been a huge fan, Julia was delighted when immediately after hearing her rendition of his song, Michael added his remarkable voice to the track, blessing it with his rare and distinctive vocal sound.
After a long and illustrious career, selling millions of records worldwide on Virgin Records and three releases on Vanguard Records, including a live CD and accompanying DVD, That’s Live was recorded and filmed at the House of Blues in Hollywood and released in 2005. Produced by Larry Klein (Joni Mitchell, Herbie Hancock, Madeline Peyroux), it included an all star band and featured a stunning duet on the song “Concrete Love” with Grammy Award winning artist India.Arie and trumpet player/composer (“Crash”) Mark Isham.
Also, available exclusively from iTunes, The Baby Love EP, an exquisite collection of songs that Julia wrote for her daughter Marley Rose.
Currently Julia is in the studio with actor/comedian and classically trained pianist Paul Reiser collaborating on a record of original songs which is expected to be released in the Fall.
River
Julia Fordham Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With the world there on your shoulders
Don't you remember a single thing
The good book told you?
Hey you, treading the water
With your head dipping out of the clouds
Sinking down, down, down, down
And they send these things to try us
And try us they do (oh oh)
Don't push the river, don't push the river
Don't push the river, let it carry you
I know that I'm a fine one
To be talking this way
I've been dragging the whole darn world
Behind me all day
No-one said it would be easy
And they never warned how hard
And I've been licking brand new wounds
And tending old scars
And they send these things to try us
And try us they do (oh oh)
Don't push the river, don't push the river
Don't push the river, let it carry you
Over the endless troubles, over the trying times
These are the words of wisdom from a restless mind
Don't push the river, don't push the river
Don't push the river, let it carry you
Don't push the river, don't push the river
Don't push the river, let it carry you
The lyrics to "River" by Julia Fordham can be interpreted as a message of encouragement and advice to someone who is struggling and feeling overwhelmed. The singer advises the listener not to push against the current of a river; this can be interpreted both literally and metaphorically. Literally, if one were to try to swim against a strong river current, they would quickly tire and potentially put themselves in danger. Metaphorically, the river can represent the trials and difficulties of life, and the advice is to try to go with the flow and allow life to take its course rather than trying to control or resist it.
The opening lines address someone who is carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders; this could be symbolic of someone who is carrying a heavy burden or dealing with a lot of stress or responsibility. The singer reminds the listener of something they have likely heard before, perhaps from a religious text, and urges them to remember this advice as they navigate their struggles.
The lyrics also acknowledge that the singer herself has had a difficult time and may not be in the best position to offer advice. However, the overarching message remains the same – don't fight against what is happening, but rather allow yourself to be carried along by the current.
Overall, Julia Fordham's "River" can be seen as a song about surrendering control and trusting in the journey of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey you, pushing the river
Addressing someone who is attempting to control or change the course of events in their life.
With the world there on your shoulders
Feeling burdened with the weight of one's problems and responsibilities.
Don't you remember a single thing
Urging the listener to recall helpful lessons or advice they have previously received.
The good book told you?
Asking if the listener has remembered any valuable insights from religious or spiritual teachings.
Hey you, treading the water
Addressing someone who is stuck in their current situation and unable to make progress.
With your head dipping out of the clouds
Suggesting that the listener has unrealistic expectations or goals that are hindering their progress.
Sinking down, down, down, down
Continuing to struggle and fail in achieving their objectives.
Waving to the old crowd
Acknowledging or saying goodbye to the people or things that represent the past and are no longer helpful going forward.
And they send these things to try us
Acknowledging that obstacles and suffering are a part of life and must be endured.
And try us they do (oh oh)
Recognizing the difficulty and pain that these trials can cause.
Don't push the river, don't push the river
Advising the listener to stop trying to forcefully control the direction of their life and instead let it flow naturally.
Let it carry you
Encouraging the listener to have faith in the journey and trust that things will work out in their own time.
I know that I'm a fine one
Acknowledging personal flaws or hypocrisy.
To be talking this way
Recognizing the irony or audacity of giving advice when one is struggling themselves.
I've been dragging the whole darn world
Admitting to being overwhelmed and weighed down by one's problems.
Behind me all day
Continuously plagued by one's issues and unable to find relief from them.
No-one said it would be easy
Acknowledging that challenges and setbacks are to be expected in life.
And they never warned how hard
Adding that suffering and difficulty can be even worse than anticipated.
And I've been licking brand new wounds
Recovering from fresh injuries or hardships.
And tending old scars
Addressing and managing past traumas and emotional damage.
Over the endless troubles, over the trying times
Looking past current difficulties and envisioning a future without them.
These are the words of wisdom from a restless mind
The artist's advice is based on personal experience and hard-won knowledge.
Lyrics © Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: Joni Mitchell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind