The River (Delta Goodrem song) explained

The River
Cover:Delta Goodrem - The River (Official Single Cover).png
Border:yes
Type:single
Artist:Delta Goodrem
Album:Wings of the Wild
B-Side:You & You Alone
Genre:Pop
Label:Sony Music
Producer:Hodges
Prev Title:Enough
Prev Year:2016
Next Title:Vente Pa' Ca
Next Year:2016

"The River" is a song by Australian singer-songwriter Delta Goodrem, released as the fourth single from her fifth studio album, Wings of the Wild (2016). It was written by Goodrem, along with David Hodges and Steven Solomon, and produced by Hodges. It was sent to radio on 23 September 2016 as the fourth single from the album.[1] [2] The song tells the story of a woman walking in on her lover cheating on her, and murdering him as a result. "A volatile relationship and getting rid of that person and having a second chance." [3]

Background

Goodrem has said that the song is a story and that the theme is "one of redemption, about cleansing off volatile relationships and washing off that energy and starting a new."[4]

Promotion

Goodrem went on a short promo tour in New Zealand in September 2016 to promote the song. She also appeared on The Project the night prior to the single's release. Goodrem performed the song on the NRL Footy Show and at Nickelodeon Slimefest 2016. She also performed the song on her national Wings of the Wild Tour.

Critical response

Cameron Adams of news.com.au likened the song to Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" and Beyoncé's "Daddy Lessons", saying that it "demonstrates in three minutes that 15 years into her career she’s still able to surprise".[5]

Music video

In mid-September 2016, Goodrem began posting teasers for the upcoming music video. The teasers featured a man running among dark, murky forests. On 22 September 2016, she appeared on The Project to deliver a preview for the music video. The video was released the next day via-Goodrem's Facebook.[6] [7] It features Goodrem and a man kissing, caressing and running around together. Goodrem then finds out that the man is cheating on her, and ends up suing him in court. The video ends with Goodrem going to a river, with several people draped in white cloth lowering her down into the water, cleansing her of her bad relationships and allowing her to start anew.[3]

Track listing

  1. "The River" – 3:04
  1. "The River" (Miles Walker Mix)
  2. "You & You Alone"
  1. "The River" (Miles Walker Mix) 3:02
  2. "You & You Alone" 3:39
  3. "Morse Code" 4:37

"Morse Code" was previously an exclusive download for Goodrem's Wings of the Wild Tour meet&greet purchasers.

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormat(s)Label
Australia6 October 2016CD singleSony Music Australia

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Delta Goodrem - the River . .
  2. Web site: Go behind the scenes with Daring Delta as she shoots new video The River. Dailytelegraph.com.au. 23 June 2022.
  3. Web site: Delta Goodrem's steamy new music video The River features her first kissing scene in 15 years. News.com.au. 27 May 2022.
  4. Web site: Delta Goodrem announces new single 'The River' available now!. 22 September 2016 . 23 September 2016. Sony Music Australia.
  5. Web site: Latest album reviews: Delta Goodrem, Metronomy, Grace, Oh Pep! & Blood Orange. 23 September 2016. news.com.au.
  6. Web site: Adams. Cameron. Delta's steamy new music video. News.com.au. News Corp Australia. 27 September 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160927124100/http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/music-videos/delta-goodrems-steamy-new-music-video-the-river-features-her-first-kissing-scene-in-15-years/news-story/6296b7f0910a280d1819f339693cefdd. 27 September 2016. live. Australia. 22 September 2016.
  7. Web site: Delta Goodrem's steamy new music video The River features her first kissing scene in 15 years. 22 September 2016 . 23 September 2016. The Courier-Mail.
  8. Web site: River, The (SIGNED COPY) by Delta Goodrem. 23 September 2016. Sanity.
  9. Web site: The River EP, by Delta Goodrem. 26 Nov 2020. Amazon.co.uk.
  10. Web site: ARIA CHART WATCH #389. auspOp. 8 October 2016. 8 October 2016.