The Flaming Lips are known for their lush, multi-layered arrangements, spacey lyrics and bizarre song titles. They are also acclaimed for their elaborate live shows, which typically feature animal suits, puppets, streamers, video projections and complex stage light configurations.
In 2002, Q magazine named The Flaming Lips one of the "50 Bands to See Before You Die". In 2006, Oklahoma City named a street Flaming Lips Alley in their honor.
The group recorded several albums and EPs for Restless Records in the 1980s and early 1990s. After signing to Warner Brothers, they scored a #9 hit on the Billboard Alternative charts (and #55 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart) in 1994 with "She Don't Use Jelly". Although it would be their only hit single, the band has maintained critical respect and, to a lesser extent, commercial viability with sonically majestic albums such as 1995's Clouds Taste Metallic, 1999's The Soft Bulletin, 2002's Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots and 2006's At War with the Mystics. The Flaming Lips' 12th studio album, Embryonic, was released in October of 2009. A complete cover of Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon was released in May 2010. The Flaming Lips and Heady Fwends, their collaborative album which features artists like Ke$ha, Bon Iver, Nick Cave and Erykah Badu, was released on Record Store Day, April 2012.
Their next studio album, tentatively titled The Terror, will be released in January 2013.
Their song "Do You Realize??" is the official State Rock Song of Oklahoma.
www.flaminglips.com
River Man
The Flaming Lips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Said she had a word to say
About things today
And fallen leaves.
Said she hadn't heard the news
Hadn't had the time to choose
A way to lose
Going to see the river man
Going to tell him all I can
About the plan
For lilac time.
If he tells me all he knows
About the way his river flows
And all night shows
In summertime.
Betty said she prayed today
For the sky to blow away
Or maybe stay
She wasn't sure.
For when she thought of summer rain
Calling for her mind again
She lost the pain
And stayed for more.
Going to see the river man
Going to tell him all I can
About the ban
On feeling free.
If he tells me all he knows
About the way his river flows
I don't suppose
It's meant for me.
Oh, how they come and go
Oh, how they come and go.
The Flaming Lips's song, "River Man," features Betty, a mysterious character who comes to the singer and tells him about her thoughts and experiences with the changing seasons. She speaks of her uncertainty about whether to welcome the summer rains or wish for them to go away. Betty also tells the singer that she plans to go to the river man to tell him about the upcoming lilac time and the ban on feeling free. She wants to learn about the way his river flows and the night shows he puts on in the summertime.
The river man in the song is a character shrouded in mystery. He is the keeper of knowledge about the river and has the ability to provide answers to Betty's questions. The singer is unable to say whether the information the river man holds is meant for him. The song paints a picture of the transient nature of life and how things come and go. Betty, the river man, and the singer are all temporary beings in a constantly changing world.
"River Man" is a song that is open to interpretation, and it is not always clear what the lyrics mean. However, it is clear that the song is full of symbolism and metaphors about life, death, and the passage of time. The song's cryptic message and haunting melody have made it a favorite among fans and one of the most beloved of The Flaming Lips's songs.
Line by Line Meaning
Betty came by on her way
Betty, an acquaintance, stopped by on her path to somewhere else
Said she had a word to say
She mentioned that she has something important to share
About things today
About current topics
And fallen leaves.
Including things that have passed or are soon to end
Said she hadn't heard the news
Betty admitted she isn't up to date with the latest happenings
Hadn't had the time to choose
Betty hasn't had a chance to make decisions
A way to lose
A method to handle loss or defeat
But she believes.
Despite that, Betty still has faith in something
Going to see the river man
Changing perspectives and seeking the wisdom of the river man
Going to tell him all I can
Sharing everything there is to share
About the plan
About one's current mission or ambition
For lilac time.
For a time of rejuvenation and prosperity
If he tells me all he knows
If the river man shares all his knowledge
About the way his river flows
Teaching another perspective on how things go
And all night shows
Revealing the beauty that occurs in the dark
In summertime.
During times of abundance and growth
Betty said she prayed today
Betty took time to reflect or depend on a higher being
For the sky to blow away
Hoping to relieve oneself of suffering
Or maybe stay
Or perhaps remain unchanged
She wasn't sure.
She had doubts of what will happen
For when she thought of summer rain
When Betty reminisces the feeling of summer rain
Calling for her mind again
Stirring a memory or desire once more
She lost the pain
She finds some relief or solace
And stayed for more.
She asks for more of it
Going to see the river man
Repeating a plan to visit the wise river man
Going to tell him all I can
Sharing as much insight as possible
About the ban
About the prohibition or restriction
On feeling free.
On the absence of freedom of expression and thought
If he tells me all he knows
If the river man offers his complete understanding
About the way his river flows
About how things happen and work
I don't suppose
Unsure of how it applies to oneself
It's meant for me.
It may not be relevant or fitting to one's personal journey
Oh, how they come and go
Reflection about reality and fleetingness
Oh, how they come and go.
Reiteration of that reflection
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Emily Dickinson, Nick Drake
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Darren Lucas
I worked as a doorman for twelve years, at 3 in the morning this song was my blanket of calm as i drove home.
Thankyou
Edward. Davis 060
Beautiful song, haven’t heard for a while!
AlexAndrA
this is soooo good that melody im hooked , anyone knows more things like this?
truth via music
vetiver's self titled album, adem - homesongs, and kings of convenience. but there's only one nick drake, and this particular song is immaculate.
J B
Jose Gonzalez First Album.
Or
James Vincent Mc Morrow
" If I had a Boat "
Or
Gomez
"Tijuana Lady "
Or
Damien Rice first Album " O "or
Daniel Lanois Album " Acadie "
Or
Crowded House
" Private Universe "
Veer Ke
snowy white - midnight blues?
Paul Sutton
beautiful😊
Janet Broadley
Why can't ppl blast this on the top deck of the bus instead
Daniel Clutton
Spine shivering
maria Hoffman
Alma ....