The River
R.I.V.E.R Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hey now, little speedy head
The read on the speed meter says
You have to go to task in the city
Where people drown and people serve
Don't be shy
Your just deserve
Is only just light years to go
Me, my thoughts are flower strewn
Ocean storm, bayberry moon
I have got to leave to find my way
Watch the road and memorize
This life that pass before my eyes
Nothing is going my way

The ocean is the river's goal
A need to leave the water knows
We're closer now than light years to go

I have got to find the river
Bergamot and Vetiver
Run through my head and fall away
Leave the road and memorize
This life that pass before my eyes
Nothing is going my way

There's no one left to take the lead
But I tell you and you can see
We're closer now than light years to go
Pick up here and chase the ride
The river empties to the tide
Fall into the ocean

The river to the ocean goes
A fortune for the undertow
None of this is going my way
There is nothing left to throw
Of Ginger, lemon, indigo
Coriander stem and rose of hay
Strength and courage overrides
The privileged and weary eyes
Of river poet search naivete
Pick up here and chase the ride




The river empties to the tide
All of this is coming your way

Overall Meaning

In "The River," R.I.V.E.R plays with the juxtaposition between the concrete jungle of the city and the natural beauty of the river and ocean. The lyrics start with a directive to "little speedy head," urging them to head to the city where there are people drowning and people serving. Despite the danger of the city, the singer assures the listener that they deserve to be there and encourages them to keep going because there are light years ahead to travel.


Then, in the next verse, the singer turns inward and describes their own desire to leave. They want to find the river and escape the chaos of the city. They want to memorize the road and their life as it passes them by. In the chorus, the singer describes the river as a goal, a need to leave the water, and something closer than light years away.


The final verse becomes more abstract as the singer lists off herbs like bergamot and vetiver and compares them to the material things in their life like ginger, lemon, and indigo. They reflect on the strength and courage necessary to navigate the river and the privilege and naiveté of a river poet searching for meaning. The song concludes with a final urge to pick up here and chase the ride as the river empties to the tide and everything in life comes the listener's way.


Line by Line Meaning

Hey now, little speedy head
Addressing yourself to stay alert and focused.


The read on the speed meter says
Your speedometer indicates that you need to get to work in the city.


You have to go to task in the city
You have to go do your job in the city, where sometimes things don't go well.


Where people drown and people serve
The city is a place of both danger and service.


Don't be shy
Stay confident and persevere.


Your just deserve
Your rightful rewards are only a matter of time and perseverance.


Is only just light years to go
You still have a long journey ahead of you that requires patience and effort.


Me, my thoughts are flower strewn
My mind is scattered with thoughts of beauty.


Ocean storm, bayberry moon
Nature influences my way of thinking and my emotions.


I have got to leave to find my way
I need to leave my current situation to find my direction in life.


Watch the road and memorize
Observe and learn from your experiences and surroundings.


This life that pass before my eyes
I am aware of the quick passage of time and feel the need to make my life meaningful.


Nothing is going my way
I am facing challenges and setbacks in my life.


The ocean is the river's goal
The river seeks the ocean as a final destination.


A need to leave the water knows
The river knows it must leave the water to reach its ultimate destination.


We're closer now than light years to go
Despite the distance remaining, we are making progress towards our goal.


I have got to find the river
I must find my purpose or direction in life.


Bergamot and Vetiver
Scents that evoke strong memories and emotions.


Run through my head and fall away
Memories come and go but do not define who I am.


There's no one left to take the lead
There is no one else to follow or lead me.


But I tell you and you can see
I am confident in my abilities and vision and want to share it with others.


Pick up here and chase the ride
Seize the opportunity and go for it.


The river empties to the tide
The river flows towards its final goal, the ocean.


Fall into the ocean
Embrace the unknown future and take risks.


A fortune for the undertow
The journey to the ocean is not always easy, but has its own rewards and lessons.


None of this is going my way
I am still facing difficulties and challenges in my journey.


There is nothing left to throw
I have already given my best.


Of Ginger, lemon, indigo
Experience a wide range of emotions and sensations.


Coriander stem and rose of hay
Be open to new experiences and ways of thinking.


Strength and courage overrides
It takes inner strength and bravery to overcome obstacles.


The privileged and weary eyes
The strong and weak alike face struggles and challenges.


Of river poet search naivete
The river poet seeks innocence and purity in their search for meaning.


All of this is coming your way
Be prepared to embrace the future and all that is has to offer.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Michael Mills, Michael Stipe

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@gabbyhyman1246

+Boko Kotar
Saw him two nights in Los Angeles this week. The band is still amazing. To bring down the Sports Arena, he played the River front to back and then a massive encore including Wrecking Ball, Rosie, Jungleland. 3 hours and 45 minutes, plus crowd surfing. He had Clarence's son, and Danny's son and daughter join on stage during 10th Ave. Freezeout. Who else does this for an encore after playing for two hours:

Prove It All Night

My Love Will Not Let You Down

Badlands

Tougher Than the Rest

Because the Night

Jungleland

Thunder Road

Wrecking Ball

Born to Run

Dancing in the Dark

Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)

Tenth Avenue Freeze-out

Shout

Bobby Jean



All comments from YouTube:

@DrunklyRomantic

My English teacher in high school came into our class one morning, sat down, and played this entire album for us without saying a word. I'm eternally grateful.

@beverlycordova6596

Love this song

@PatriotaXBolsonaro

Drunkly Romantic Where are you from ?

@ashleykidd9122

Drunkly Romantic if I don’t make it playing music for a living, this is exactly what I will do for my hopeful career teaching an English class

@tigertiger1699

Drunkly Romantic
Man I had a teacher play us Simon n Garfunkel etc when we were like 11yrs.., we were ready n we understood... let us not underestimate our children 👍

@yangyang5792

OMG! I am a Chinese study in the US. 2009 I was in high school. One day my English teacher did the same thing. At that time I did not understand. But now I want to say thank you, my teacher.

185 More Replies...

@ryanbartlett672

I get the spine chills and tears in my eyes everytime I hear this song. Thanks, Bruce.

@BrentMFisher

The life of a 50 something man in a 7 minute masterpiece song from a 30 years young poet, artist and living legend. They don't make 'em this way anymore. I thank God every day this music is part of my life. Thank you Bruce Springsteen 🎤🎶~ 💘kimie

@wimvlieghe

so true👍

@vir8940

I always cry when I hear this song. There are no words to describe this masterpiece

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