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.
FEVER
Rivermaya Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
a question
your intentions
you're so naive
ripe for the pluckin'
pretty to bleed
we look so good together
you seem so right for me
it seemed so right
a special today on roses
i'm so hot from dancing, dancing, dancing
got some tips from the butcher
a slab of shit
just like you
we look so good together
you seem so right for me
you promised me heaven
it seemed so right
like sun and fire
like dream and sleep
like a bird's flight
through a forest deep
two streams we die
in the open sea
like destiny
like destiny...
we look so good together (follow me, go follow me, go follow me)
(i'm dancing)
you seem so right for me (follow me, don't follow me)
(i'm dancing, i'm dancing)
you promised me heaven (follow me, don't follow me, don't follow me)
(i'm dancing)
you promised me heaven (you promised me...)
heaven (home...)
heaven (home...)
The lyrics to Rivermaya's "Fever" are dark and foreboding, with a sense of foreboding and danger lurking beneath the surface. The song starts off with the singer singing about how good their partner is to them, but then quickly turns ominous with the line "a question, your intentions." It's clear that there is some mistrust in the relationship and the singer is questioning their partner's motives.
The next few lines talk about how naive the partner is, and how they are ripe for the picking. The use of the word "pluckin'" suggests that something sinister is going on, and the line "pretty to bleed" adds to this feeling of unease. The chorus talks about how good the two of them look together, and how the partner seems so right for the singer. The promise of heaven is mentioned, but it seems like something is off about it.
The next verse talks about the singer being hot from dancing, and getting some tips from a butcher. This line is particularly disturbing, as it suggests that the singer is getting advice on how to harm the partner. The line "a slab of shit just like you" is also very dark, and suggests that the singer has a lot of resentment towards their partner. The chorus repeats, but with a feeling of desperation.
The final lines of the song talk about how the two of them are like sun and fire, like a dream and sleep, like a bird's flight through a forest deep. These lines suggest that the relationship is intense and passionate, but also dangerous and unstable. The final line, "like destiny," implies that the two of them are meant to be together, whether it's good or bad.
Overall, the lyrics to "Fever" are unsettling and disturbing, with a sense of danger and mistrust pervading the entire song.
Line by Line Meaning
you're so good to me
The person singing is telling their lover that they treat them really well.
a question
This line is not clear and could have multiple interpretations. It may hint at the singer having doubts about their relationship or feeling unsure about something else.
your intentions
The singer wants to know what their lover's true intentions are in the relationship.
you're so naive
The singer feels that their lover is inexperienced or innocent.
ripe for the pluckin'
The singer sees their lover as someone who is easy to manipulate or take advantage of.
pretty to bleed
This line is metaphorical and could suggest that the singer sees their lover as being vulnerable or prone to hurt.
we look so good together
The singer thinks that they and their lover make a great pair visually and socially.
you seem so right for me
The singer thinks that their lover is perfect for them, at least on the surface.
you promised me heaven
The singer's lover made them grand promises, potentially of a long-term future together or a sense of euphoria in their relationship.
it seemed so right
However, the singer is now expressing doubt about those promises coming true or about their relationship being as good as it once seemed.
a special today on roses
This line might be a non-sequitur or a suggestion that the singer is being distracted (by the idea of getting flowers) from their relationship problems.
i'm so hot from dancing, dancing, dancing
This line implies that the singer is focused on themselves and their own pleasure, potentially even to the extent of neglecting their relationship.
got some tips from the butcher
This line is unclear, but could suggest that the singer is getting advice on how to manipulate their lover or handle their relationship from someone who has little respect for life or empathy.
a slab of shit
This line might denote low quality or worthiness, or that the singer is taking some sort of risk or making a mistake.
just like you
This line implies that the singer is equating whatever they just referenced (likely 'a slab of shit') with their lover.
like sun and fire
like dream and sleep
like a bird's flight
through a forest deep
two streams we die
in the open sea
like destiny
like destiny...
This poetic verse holds many layers of meaning, potentially expressing the intensity and passion of the singer's relationship (like sun and fire), their romantic aspirations (like dream and sleep), and the danger or uncertainty that lies ahead (like a bird's flight through a forest). It's also possible that the mention of streams dying in the open sea is meant to evoke a sense of tragic inevitability, as if the relationship is destined to fail. The repetition of 'like destiny' reinforces that sense of fate.
we look so good together (follow me, go follow me, go follow me)
(i'm dancing)
you seem so right for me (follow me, don't follow me)
(i'm dancing, i'm dancing)
you promised me heaven (follow me, don't follow me, don't follow me)
(i'm dancing)
you promised me heaven (you promised me...)
heaven (home...)
heaven (home...)
This last section of the song repeats the earlier lines and adds a call-and-response element, suggesting that the singer is trying to convince themselves or their partner that they are meant to be together (follow me, go follow me) and that the promise of heaven/home is still attainable. However, with the repeated urging to 'don't follow me,' it seems that the singer may also be pushing their lover away or warning them not to trust them blindly.
Contributed by Liliana H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
saturn comets
Si Bamboo Mañalac ang sumulat nito inarrange ni Rico Blanco, nilagyan ng tula sa middle part.
Ryle Sellado
:O
Beej Santelmo
Ma-a Plaza, Davao City 1997