River (Bishop Briggs song)

"River" is a song by the British singer and songwriter Bishop Briggs, released on 22 January 2016. Initially, it was released on the artist’s SoundCloud.[1]

"River"
Single by Bishop Briggs
from the album Church of Scars
Released22 January 2016 (2016-01-22)
Length3:40
Label
Songwriter(s)
  • Bishop Briggs
  • Ian Scott
  • Mark Jackson
Producer(s)
  • Ian Scott
  • Mark Jackson
Music video
River on YouTube

The song became a hit and reached top 10 on three different Billboard charts as well as number one on the Spotify US Viral 50.[2]

Background

The song is about a strained relationship that is on the edge of failure.[3] Bishop Briggs stated that the lyrics of the song “was all about the tension…My hope with that song is it makes people feel empowered [to] take things into their own hands. I always have the visual, especially when I was writing it, to go up to someone's face and egg them on, and ask them to push you to your limits. I think there is something strong and exciting about that."[4]

Song description

The song is described as a starting “with a whipping percussion and transitions into an explosive chorus highlighting Briggs's fierce, soulful-rocker vocals”.[4] Another description stated that the song was “seemingly birthed by witches off the Bayou, bearing handclaps like reddening thigh slaps and boasting a topline that allows Bishop to truly exercise her range.”[5]

Music video

The music video was directed by Jungle George.[5] Bishop Briggs stated the video was "about embracing my inner demons and setting them loose."[5] It begins with an opening shot of Bishop Briggs sinking in water.[3] In the video, there is a scene where she convulses and another where she is wearing a bag over her head.[3]

Critical reception

Brooklyn Magazine wrote it is “an explosive track with the potential to be a massive radio hit. It will leave you feeling empowered with surging bass and skyward vocals.”[1] Antonio Beliveau in Life & News wrote, “Simple. Space. Repetition. Straight to the point… It’s not a song that goes into my iTunes after hearing it even for the third time. But there’s a lot to appreciate about this cut.”[6] Hooligan Magazine wrote, “Parts of this track suck the air right out of the room, but Briggs never fails to throw us right back into the mix with her smooth guitar playing and slick voice. “River” has something for everybody.”[7]

Television

In her television debut, Bishop Briggs performed the song on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on August 1, 2016.[3][8]

Charts
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References
  1. "Hear Bishop's Empowering New Track "River"". Brooklyn Magazine. 2016-02-02. Retrieved 2019-12-21.
  2. Baltin, Steve (2018-05-02). "Meet Bishop Briggs: The Rising Alternative Star Behind 'River'". Forbes. Retrieved 2019-12-20.
  3. "Bishop Briggs: The Best of What's Next". pastemagazine.com. 2016-09-13. Retrieved 2019-12-21.
  4. Gonzales, Erica (2018-03-28). "Bishop Briggs Talks "River," Her EP and Writing Dark Poetry - Bishop Briggs 'Bishop Briggs' EP Interview". Harper's BAZAAR. Retrieved 2019-12-20.
  5. Bennett, Kim Taylor (2016-05-09). "Watch Bishop Briggs's Eerily Excellent Video for "River"". Vice. Retrieved 2019-12-20.
  6. Beliveau, Antonio (2019-12-21). "Singles Market: Bishop Briggs' 'River' - Truth in Life and Journalism". Life and News. Retrieved 2019-12-21.
  7. Clifford, Delaney (2016-05-20). "The Multiple Sides of 2016's Breakout Artist, Bishop Briggs". Hooligan Mag. Retrieved 2019-12-21.
  8. "Bishop Briggs Sings 'River' on 'The Tonight Show': Watch". Billboard. 2016-08-02. Retrieved 2019-12-21.
  9. "Bishop Briggs Chart History - Alternative Songs". Billboard.com. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
  10. "Bishop Briggs Chart History - Hot Rock Songs". Billboard.com. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
  11. "Bishop Briggs Chart History - Rock Airplay". www.billboard.com. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
  12. "Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2016". Billboard. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
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