Early years
The first line-up consisted of Jesse Gonzales on vocals, Kenneth Ilagan on guitars, Nathan Azarcon on bass, Rome Velayo on drums, and Rico Blanco on keyboards. They were managed by Lizza Nakpil and director Chito Roño who had the intention of molding the group into a rock show band. The band was then called Xaga.
Classic line-up and mainstream success
In the process of grueling practice sessions, Ilagan was replaced with Perfecto de Castro; Azarcon's childhood friend, Mark Escueta, to replace Velayo, as well as former classmate Francisco "Bamboo" Mañalac to replace Gonzales. With Bamboo as frontman, the band members themselves decided to disband Xaga and form the band Rivermaya. They started putting together original songs like "Ulan" [Rain], "214", and "Awit ng Kabataan" [Song of the Youth] (mostly composed by Rico Blanco) in demo form for prospective recording companies.
Nathan Azarcone was one of the members of Rivermaya from 1993 to 2001.
By November 1994, the band had released its first album, the self-titled Rivermaya, and its first single, "Ulan"; followed by "214". Critically praised for its fresh, excitingly new pop/rock sound, the album went on to become one of the best acts in the 1990s.
Citing artistic differences, Perf de Castro was adamant in leaving the group and founded his own band, Triaxis.
The band's second album Trip, followed with the singles "Kisapmata" [Blink of an Eye], "Himala" [Miracle], and "Panahon Na Naman" [Here Comes the Season]. Whilce Portacio, creator of the X-Men's "Bishop" and co-founder of Image Comics, designed the album art for Trip.
In 1997, the band released its third album, Atomic Bomb, with the single "Hinahanap-hanap Kita" [Always Searching For You]. The album gained positive responses from listeners and received heavy airplay from radio stations. During this period, Rivermaya also released the "Rivermaya Remixed" album, put together with the help of DJ Toti Dalmacion of Groove Nation.
Departure of Bamboo Mañalac and second evolution of line-up
The band then embarked on a US and Canada tour. It was at this time that Bamboo Mañalac decided to stay in the US. He eventually went on to form his own band, Bamboo in 2003.
Rico Blanco was the chief composer of the band, he later became the band's full time guitarist when Perf de Castro left one year after their debut album was released & later became the band's frontman after the departure of Bamboo in 1999.
Rivermaya decided to forge on, with Rico Blanco taking on vocals and released their fourth album, It's Not Easy Being Green containing the singles "Nerbyoso", "Shattered Like", and "Rodeo".
The band released its fifth studio album, aptly called Free, entirely for free on the Internet as well as on CDs distributed at their gigs. Free went on to be named "Best Album of 2000" at the NU Rock Awards.
Nathan Azarcon departed from the group signaling a new lineup change. Completing the lineup were new guitarists, Kakoi Legaspi (from blues band Mr. Crayon) and Mike Elgar (from 7 Foot Junior) as well as Japs Sergio (from Daydream Cycle) on bass.
Together, this lineup released "Tuloy ang Ligaya", preceded by the EP "Alab ng Puso" (featuring a remix by Raimund Marasigan's Squid 9).
The band released the albums Tuloy ang Ligaya and Between the Stars and the Waves, producing the singles "Umaaraw, Umuulan" , "Wag Na Init Ulo, Baby", "A Love to Share", "Balisong", "Sunday Driving", "Table for Two", "241 (My Favorite Song)", and "Atat".
Kakoi Legaspi resigned in 2004.
International success
The band found a variety of partners who commissioned such works as "Liwanag sa Dilim" [Light in the Dark], "Posible" [Possible] (Southeast Asian Games' Athletes Anthem) and "You'll Be Safe Here".
"You'll Be Safe Here," originally created as the theme for the ABS-CBN TV series Spirits (directed by Rivermaya co-manager Chito S. Rono) would be the song to take Rivermaya outside the country. Released as an EP by Warner Music Philippines, it also became the song that MTV Asia selected for performance at the 2006 Asia Awards. Kelly Rowland of Destiny’s Child introduced the group, and they were backed up by Thailand’s Royal Symphony Orchestra during live performance. It was the first time that a Filipino band was invited to perform in the said event.
An album of compiled works, titled You'll Be Safe Here, is distributed in Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
Rivermaya embarked on a series of Asian tours, including at Thailand's Pattaya Music Fest (2008, 2009) as well as Singapore's Mosaic Festival (run by The Esplanade); and Bangkok's Fat Fest as well as in Indonesia's MTV Staying Alive show.
In the Philippines, the Rivermaya Greatest Hits 2006 album on Viva Records was followed by an album dedicated to its music heroes: Isang Ugat, Isang Dugo [One Vessel, One Blood].
At the end of March 2007, Rivermaya scored again another first for the Philippines as their videos, "You'll Be Safe Here" and the recent video remake "Bali Song" were chosen as the first Asian artists to have full-length music videos featured on the Star World Channel.
In 2008-2009 Rivermaya performed at the Marina Bay New Years' Countdown in Singapore and became the first Filipino band invited to perform at the 2009 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix.
Departure of Rico Blanco
On May 2007, rumors of Rico Blanco quitting the group surfaced. The band's management team refused to comment, as did the other members. It was not until a few more days before Rico Blanco officially announced his departure from the group. Both Rivermaya and its management have taken the announcement in stride and have denied rumors that the band would disband as a result. "No one member is greater than the whole," declared Rivermaya management in an official statement released on June 14, 2007.
After Rico Blanco left, Rivermaya released a new single, "Sayang" [Wasted], penned by Japs Sergio and described by the band as "an open letter to the fans."
In addition, Studio 23 announced the selection of Rivermaya to create the new theme song for the station. The new song is titled "Sumigaw" [Shouted] and marks the release of a second single in two months for the band, accelerating Rivermaya's pace for new songs rapidly (In previous years, the band had managed to release only a single every 12 months).
On August 11, 2007, during a mini press conference held at Mogwai Bar and Café in Cubao's Marikina Shoe Expo, Rivermaya released its all-new 5-song Bagong Liwanag EP, which hit stores nationwide starting August 15. This 5-song EP is released on the band's own label, Revolver Music, and licensed to Warner Music Philippines.[1]
Rivermaya also held auditions for a new member. Out of more than 400 participants, only 80 were chosen to join the semi-finals. The auditions was televised on Studio 23, which was titled Bagong Liwanag (A New Light). Aside from the band members, main judges are Rivermaya manager Lizza Nakpil, The Dawn guitarist Francis Reyes, and Razorback bassist Louie Talan.
New frontman and third evolution of line-up
On October 24, 2007, then-18 year old Jayson Fernandez was announced as the winner and new member of Rivermaya. This third evolution of Rivermaya offers an ensemble cast (with the four members offering their vocal prestiges) as compared to their previous lineups.
On February 2008, Rivermaya released the album entitled Buhay [Life] with the carrier single "Sugal ng Kapalaran" [Gamble of Fate] penned by Sergio with both Fernandez and Sergio doing the vocals, while Elgar and Escueta do backing vocals.
241
Rivermaya Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Inside the nights and days.
Wishing on a silver cloud,
Crawling across the moonbeams.
A summer night in heaven
Between the stars and waves.
Race across the old bonfire;
Trample on my heartbeat.
I wanted to turn you on
My favorite song.
Wanted to be near you
But somebody owns you now.
I love you with a fire,
Ablazing till times end
But what good is a heart
When it shudders to speak.
I guess it's too late now.
'i wanted to turn you on
My favorite song.
Wanted to be near you
But (of course) somebody owns you
Now.
(and) i tried to live somehow
Somebody owns you now' (repeat 2x)
Somebody owns you now
The opening lines of “241” by Rivermaya express a yearning for eternal existence amidst a world of opposing concepts like night and day, silver clouds and moonbeams, stars and waves. The desire for immortality is linked to wishing upon a silver cloud and traversing the moonbeams. The setting is a summer night in heaven where one would race across an old bonfire and trample on someone’s heartbeat. This juxtaposition of elements highlights the longing to be free of physical limitations and to experience the transcendental.
The song transitions to a more personal tone in the second stanza where the singer declares his desire to “turn on” his beloved with his favorite song and to be near her. However, the object of his affection is already in a relationship, someone else “owns” her. Despite his undying love, the singer realizes that his heart shudders to speak out, it’s too late now. The repetition of the chorus reinforces the notion that his beloved is with someone else.
Line by Line Meaning
I want to live forever
Expressing a desire to have an eternal existence.
Inside the nights and days.
Desiring to live beyond the physical limitations of time - night and day are symbolic of such limitations.
Wishing on a silver cloud,
Having dreamy aspirations and setting hopes on something that may not be tangible or attainable.
Crawling across the moonbeams.
Describing a dream-like state where one imagines being lifted and carried towards a goal, using the moonbeams as a metaphorical path to reach it.
A summer night in heaven
Describing an idyllic place or moment. A summer night in heaven is symbolic of ultimate bliss and happiness.
Between the stars and waves.
Using the stars and waves as metaphors for the vastness of the universe and the depth of emotions and experiences - implying a desire to explore something so vast and infinite.
Race across the old bonfire;
Encouraging oneself (or someone else) to overcome obstacles and challenge oneself - to race across an old bonfire, which may be symbolic of difficulties and struggles.
Trample on my heartbeat.
Rejecting the idea of being swayed by emotions and feelings - telling oneself to ignore their own heartbeat (symbolic of emotions) and not let it control their actions.
I wanted to turn you on
Expressing a desire to impress or captivate someone.
My favorite song.
Using the metaphor of music to describe how one wants to connect with someone on a deep level - similar to how a favorite song becomes an important and meaningful part of one's life.
Wanted to be near you
Expressing a desire to be close and intimate with someone.
But somebody owns you now.
Accepting the fact that someone else has possession over the person being desired - implying a sense of resignation or defeat.
I love you with a fire, Ablazing till times end
Expressing intense passion and devotion that will last forever - the metaphor of fire represents the depth and intensity of the feeling.
But what good is a heart, When it shudders to speak.
Pointing out the irony of having intense feelings but being unable to express them - acknowledging the struggle of dealing with emotions that seem to hold one back.
I guess it's too late now.
Admitting that something cannot be changed or regained - a sense of finality and regret.
Contributed by Cole E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@win-winliparanon7836
I want to live forever
Inside the nights and days.
Wishing on a silver cloud,
Crawling across the moonbeams.
A summer night in heaven
Between the stars and waves.
Race across the old bonfire;
Trample on my heartbeat.
I wanted to turn you on
My favorite song.
Wanted to be near you
But somebody owns you now.
I love you with a fire,
Ablazing till times end
But what good is a heart
When it shudders to speak.
I guess it's too late now.
'i wanted to turn you on
My favorite song.
Wanted to be near you
But (of course) somebody owns you
Now.
(and) I tried to live somehow
Somebody owns you now' (repeat 2x)
Somebody owns you now
@PersieTV2803
"Behold this is a new chapter for someone wiser and stronger"
@yvetteolvidapael9226
100 tula
@hampaslupangpotograper
Kakapanood ko lang now ..pffff hayssss
@eubssawada5272
Kapapanood ko lang din ulit.. Pinaiyak ko nanaman sarili ko kaninang alas kwatro ng madaling araw ahaha..
@ninobilugan2953
Then a pebble,now a conquer.
@gigagargantuar5472
5 times ko na to napanood sa pag asang baka si fidel ang piliin ni stella, 5 times na rin akong umiyak
@samshiiiii
This song will NEVER get old, once you watch "ISANG DAANG TULA PARA KAY STELLA."
@nekkobarrina8760
kahit d kana mag watch nun movie d talaga to maluluma
@naicelbombe2350
When you're just the journey but not the destination 😔
@juanzebastianpipot8161
ouch. so sad