Rivermaya is an influential Filipino rock band founded in 1993. Their music… Read Full Bio ↴Rivermaya is an influential Filipino rock band founded in 1993. Their musical direction has evolved through standard rock, hard rock, pop, progressive, and other genres. They are the second biggest-selling artists in the Philippines.
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.
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.
flowers
Rivermaya Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Someone's gone away
Forever
Someone's gone away
Too soon
Did they take him
Up to Heaven
Or did they take him
To the moon?
Nobody answers
Sll her questions
So she gazes at the skies
Maybe someday
When she's all
Grown up
She'll join them
In their lies.
And just before
She turns away
She crafts a little smile:
"someday I will take this flowers to the sky."
Forever
Someone's gone away
Too soon
Did they take him
Up to Heaven
Or did they take him
To the moon?
Sll her questions
So she gazes at the skies
Maybe someday
When she's all
Grown up
She'll join them
In their lies.
And just before
She turns away
She crafts a little smile:
"someday I will take this flowers to the sky."
The lyrics to "Flowers" by Rivermaya express the grief and confusion felt when a loved one passes away. The song begins with the devastating news of someone's departure, and the singer is left to wonder if they are in heaven or on the moon. She grapples with the weight of unanswered questions and turns to the sky for answers. The line "maybe someday when she's all grown up she'll join them in their lies" suggests that perhaps the singer may not find the answers she seeks and will eventually succumb to the same lack of clarity in the afterlife.
The final line of the song, "someday I will take these flowers to the sky," is bittersweet. It suggests that although the singer may not find the answers she seeks, she will still honor and remember her loved one by sending flowers to the sky. This line might also signify the singer's hope that she will be reunited with her loved one one day.
Overall, "Flowers" is a poignant and emotional look at the grief and confusion that comes with losing someone. The use of imagery, such as "flowers to the sky," adds an element of beauty to the sadness.
Line by Line Meaning
Someone's gone away
A person has left.
Forever
This person will never return.
Someone's gone away
Someone recently departed.
Too soon
Their departure was untimely.
Did they take him
The artist is wondering where the person has gone.
Up to Heaven
The singer considers that the person may be in heaven.
Or did they take him
The singer is considering another possibility.
To the moon?
The person may have gone to the moon, which is impossible.
Nobody answers
No one can provide the artist with answers.
All her questions
There are many questions the artist has.
So she gazes at the skies
The singer looks at the sky for answers.
Maybe someday
The artist is hopeful.
When she's all
At a later point.
Grown up
In the future.
She'll join them
The singer will eventually join the departed.
In their lies.
The artist will join the people who have passed.
And just before
Right before.
She turns away
The singer is about to leave.
She crafts a little smile
The singer smiles.
'someday I will take these flowers to the sky.'
At some point, the artist will honor the departed by placing flowers in the sky.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it
More Genres
No Artists Found
More Artists
Load All
No Albums Found
More Albums
Load All
No Tracks Found
Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Search results not found
Song not found
@jakeferdisoncalinao5533
fast talk brought me here out of my curiosity "flowers"
@marvinmarcelo7702
jake ferdison calinao me too
@diggsmasters8924
count me in haha
@devorrahbagares3139
mee too!
@christinerosegertos1531
Same reason why it led me here. Lol. A lil too late than never.
@lhanglhang4270
Me too.Hhahah
@bernadettelee1257
I was 13 or 14, I remember listening to this song on my walkman. haha tapos umuulan and I was looking at the rice fields. It was all lush and misty.. What a perfect memory. Ahhh
@salaskusina
sarap balikan yung mga ganung memories. Each songs may certain event sa buhay natin ang nakakabit.
@socramnosle553
90's.. 14 din ako nung sinawnd trip ko yan. Im 42 now. Nakakalungkot pero masaya. Ibang iba na ngayon kesa noon. But the song always takes me back to my younger years. Sana laging ganito... tenk u
@salaskusina
@@socramnosle553 nadiscover ko lang tong song na to dahil sa mga kabanda ko mga nasa late 30's and 40's na kasi sila ako naman 31 palang. Ngayon isa to sa mga song na favorite kong tugtugin namin