Goin' to the River
The Gories Lyrics
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Goin' to the river
Gonna jump right in
Gonna sink to the bottom
and that'll be it
Cuz you didn't love me
any way
So where I'm goin', I'll be goin' to stay
On a 738
and then I'm a'goin'
to the Golden Gate
Cuz you didnt love me
anyway
So where I'm goin', I'll be goin' to stay
Well you told me that you loved me
said you would be true
said you'd always love me
but you never do!
So I'm goin' to the river
gonna jump right in
gonna sink to the bottom
and that'll be it
cuz you didn't love me
anyway
so where I'm goin' I'll be goin' to stay
*RiFF*
well you told me that you loved me
said you would be true
said you'd always love me
but you never do!
So I'm going to the river
gonna jump right in
gonna sink to the bottom
and that'll be it
cuz you didn't love me
anyway
so where I'm goin' I'll be goin' to stay
be goin' to stay...
The Gories's song "Goin' to the River" is a simple rock and roll number with lyrics that express a feeling of rejection and a need for a fresh start. The singer of the song is a woman who has probably been romantically hurt by someone she trusted. The opening lines, "Who starts? She does. Oh, yeah. Goin' to the river, gonna jump right in, gonna sink to the bottom, and that'll be it" suggest that the woman has decided to end her life by jumping into a river. However, the reasons for this extreme action become clearer as the song progresses. The woman realizes that the person who hurt her didn't really love her, and therefore she has no reason to stay alive. She plans to go someplace far away and start anew, away from the person who didn't truly care for her.
The lyrics of "Goin' to the River" are rather straightforward, and there isn't much symbolism or complex imagery in them. The song's emotional impact comes from the rawness and honesty of its words, as well as from the energy and urgency of its music. The fast-paced guitar riffs and driving drumbeats create a sense of restlessness and urgency, as if the woman can't wait to get out and start over.
Line by Line Meaning
Who starts? She does. Oh, yeah
The woman initiates the events that will lead to the singer going to the river. The singer agrees with her decision.
Goin' to the river
The singer is heading towards the river.
Gonna jump right in
The singer plans to jump into the river without hesitation.
Gonna sink to the bottom
The singer intends to sink to the river's bottom, suggesting that he plans to end his own life.
and that'll be it
The singer wants his life to end once he sinks to the river's bottom.
Cuz you didn't love me
The singer blames the person he addresses in the song for his situation.
any way
No matter how the person he refers to loved him or didn't love him, his fate remains the same.
So where I'm goin', I'll be goin' to stay
The singer is fully committed to ending his life by going to the river.
Gonna go to the far side
The singer plans on leaving the current location and heading for the opposite bank of the river.
On a 738
The singer may take a specific flight number to his new location.
and then I'm a'goin'
Once arriving on the opposite bank of the river, he plans to go somewhere else.
to the Golden Gate
The singer references an iconic bridge, suggesting that he may move to San Francisco, a popular destination for people seeking a new start.
Well you told me that you loved me
The singer reflects on what the person he addresses told him before, particularly that they love him.
said you would be true
The person the singer talks about also promised to be truthful to him.
said you'd always love me
The person the singer addresses made a promise that they will always love him.
but you never do!
The person who makes these promises goes back on them and doesn't love the singer as they said they would.
be goin' to stay...
The singer is determined to follow through with his plan, and will, therefore, be staying in his new location permanently.
Contributed by Leah H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.