She was born in Hampshire and has lived in Devon, Brighton and London. She is of Finnish descent.
Hackman went to Bedales School where she met Cara Delevingne. Together they formed a short-lived band where Hackman played drums and Delevingne played guitar and sang.
Johnny Flynn also studied at the same school and knew and appreciated Hackman's music. He was instrumental in getting her first record deal with Transgressive and produced her debut single.
In 2013 she toured Australia and Europe as an opening act for Laura Marling
I Follow Rivers
Marika Hackman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can I follow?
Oh, I ask you
Why not always?
Be the ocean
Where I unravel
Be my only
You're my river running high
Run deep
Run wild
I follow, I follow you
Deep sea, baby, I follow you
I follow, I follow you
Dark room, honey
I follow you
Heโฒs a message
I'm the runner
He's the rebel
Iโฒm a daughter waiting for you
Youโฒre my river running high
Run deep
Run wild
I follow, I follow you
Deep sea, baby, I follow you
I follow, I follow you
Dark room, honey
I follow you
You're my river runninโฒ high
Run deep
Run wild
I follow, I follow you
Deep sea, baby, I follow you
I follow, I follow you
Dark room, honey
I follow you
The lyrics of Marika Hackman's song "I Follow Rivers" can be interpreted in a number of ways, but overall they seem to suggest a desire for connection and submission to another person. The song begins with a plea to the subject to allow the singer to follow them, indicating a willingness to follow wherever they may lead. This is continued throughout the song, with the lyrics expressing the singer's desire to be consumed by the other person, whether as a metaphor for love ("be the ocean where I unravel") or as a submissive role in a power dynamic ("he's the rebel, I'm a daughter waiting for you").
The river metaphor is particularly potent throughout the song, with the singer describing the other person as her "river running high...deep...wild." The use of water imagery suggests a powerful force that the singer cannot resist, even as she submits to it. The repetition of the phrase "I follow you" reinforces this sense of submission, with the singer seemingly willing to do whatever it takes to stay connected to the other person, even if it means losing herself in the process.
Overall, "I Follow Rivers" is a complex song that can be read in a number of different ways, but ultimately it seems to be about the desire to connect with another person on a deep, almost spiritual level, even if that means giving up one's own agency and free will in the process.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, I beg you
I plead with you
Can I follow?
May I come along with you
Oh, I ask you
I inquire of you
Why not always?
Why not consistently?
Be the ocean
Be a vast and deep body of water
Where I unravel
Where I feel free and uninhibited
Be my only
Be the one and only for me
Be the water where I'm wading
Be the refreshing liquid where I am standing
You're my river running high
You are my powerful and rushing stream
Run deep
Flow to great depths
Run wild
Flow without restraint
I follow, I follow you
I pursue and mimic you
Deep sea, baby, I follow you
I track you in the vast and dark waters
Dark room, honey
A dimly lit space, dear
He's a message
He is a communication or signal
I'm the runner
I am the one who carries or delivers it
He's the rebel
He is the nonconformist
I'm a daughter waiting for you
I am a young woman anticipating your arrival
You're my river runnin' high
You are my swift and forceful current
Writer(s): Nowels Rick, Yttling Bjoern Daniel Arne, Zachrisson Lykke Li Timotej
Contributed by Maya O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@spaceytree3099
Oh I beg you, can I follow?
Oh I ask you, why not always?
Be the ocean, where I unravel
Be my only, be the water where I'm wading
You're my river running high
Run deep, run wild
I, I follow, I follow you
Deep sea baby, I follow you
I, I follow, I follow you
Dark doom honey, I follow you
He a message, I'm the runner
He the rebel, I'm the daughter waiting for you
You're my river running high
Run deep, run wild
I, I follow, I follow you
Deep sea baby, I follow you
I, I follow, I follow you
Dark doom honey, I follow you
You're my river running high
Run deep, run wild
I, I follow, I follow you
Deep sea baby, I follow you
I, I follow, I follow you
Dark doom honey, I follow you
I, I follow, I follow you
Deep sea baby, I follow you
I, I follow, I follow you
Dark doom honey, I follow you
@rabou558
Oh, I beg you
Can I follow?
Oh, I ask you
Why not always?
Be the ocean
Where I unravel
Be my only
Be the water where I'm wading
You're my river running high
Run deep
Run wild
I follow, I follow you
Deep sea, baby, I follow you
I follow, I follow you
Dark room, honey
I follow you
He's a message
I'm the runner
He's the rebel
I'm a daughter waiting for you
You're my river running high
Run deep
Run wild
I follow, I follow you
Deep sea, baby, I follow you
I follow, I follow you
Dark room, honey
I follow you
You're my river runnin' high
Run deep
Run wild
I follow, I follow you
Deep sea, baby, I follow you
I follow, I follow you
Dark room, honey
I follow you
@marikahackman
My new album, Big Sigh, is out now ๐https://marikahackman.lnk.to/BigSighWE
@ubracingteam2994
Listening to this version right now just because True Detective
@romarioleocadio315
Me too
@mclare71
Same. It's so much more haunting and beautiful than Lykke Li's.
@michaelmoise2660
Me too I heard the song in show but had no idea it was this song
@woocash2115
me2๐ greets from Poland guys๐ค
@christinaleigh5644
Thatโs why weโre all hereโฆlol.
@asmallsandstorm4686
Heard this version on True Detective: Dark Country and had to look it up. Beautiful.
@elliotmoriarty6095
Same here!
@themindboggler
Same