“Run River” by Southey – A Song Feature

 

      “Run River” is the audio equivalent of a kaleidoscope. At times, it is fair to describe the single from Southey as being minimalist, while his voice is accompanied by only an acoustic guitar. In contrast, the song’s chorus is lush and powerful. For example, the rich presentation that begins at 1:22 is skillfully and seamlessly transitioned to Southey and his guitar at 1:43. But most of the song resides between the two extremes. And like the visual presentation of a kaleidoscope, the sound of “Run River” is beautiful and interesting regardless of the orientation.
 
     Vocally, “Run River” is anguished and slightly raspy at the start, but melodically smooth during the chorus. And lyrically, the song is intelligent. The full lyrics are included in this post, but the first verse is particularly insightful as Southey uses the comparison to a river:

I used to have a line

Between what was wrong, and what I thought was right

It kept bending all the time

Winding through relationships

Like a river running wild

Like a river running wild

 
     In explaining the song, Southey said:
  “I wrote ‘Run River’ a few years ago, it was one of those songs that just came quite organically. I often like writing things that intrigue me, as if someone else wrote it and I’m hearing it for the first time. It’s a strange paradox but that’s where this song started.”
 
     Southey is based in Sydney, Australia. “Run River” is indeed his baby. In addition to writing, recording and producing the single, he hand-painting the cover art and even constructing a guitar to be used for the record. The “Run River” sessions took place at Southey’s home studio in Surry Hills, Australia, before being mixed by Peter Holz (Gang of Youths, Vance Joy) and mastered by Nick Franklin (CLEWS, Polish Club). The song is also the debut release of newly launched music label Peach & Sons.
 
     “Run River” by Southey

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Lyrics of “Run River” by Southey
I used to have a line
Between what was wrong, and what I thought was right
It kept bending all the time
Winding through relationships
Like a river running wild
Like a river running wild
 
I've been drinking here some time,
I've been trying to see the light
Behind your waterfall of tears
Let’s wash away our fears
Then breakaway
Erode our way through this
 
Run river
Flow river
Faster to the sea
Run river
Roar river
Rushing over me
 
Run river
Flow river
Faster to the sea
Run river
Roar river
Rushing over
Rushing over me
 
Maybe this time I might stay
Try and find another way
Maybe there's more to you and me
Maybe we drift until we're free
 
Run river
Flow river
Faster to the sea
Run river
Roar river
Rushing over me
 
Run river
Flow river
Faster to the sea
Run river
Roar river
Rushing over
Rushing over me
 
The fire's warm when the
Water’s cold
I'm trying hard to let you know
The sun shines while the
Tide flows
The light won't reach us down below
 
The fire's warm when the
Water’s cold
I'm trying hard to let you know
The sun shines while the
Tide flows
The light won't reach us down below