River (Bishop Briggs song)

"River" is a song by British singer-songwriter Bishop Briggs, released on 22 January 2016 through Teleport Records and Island Records. Initially, it was released on the artist's SoundCloud.[1] It is the second single released on Briggs's debut album Church of Scars.

"River"
Single by Bishop Briggs
from the EP Bishop Briggs and 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
Bishop Briggs singles chronology
"Wild Horses"
(2015)		 "River"
(2016)		 "The Way I Do"
(2016)
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]

Composition

The song starts with "a whipping percussion", before it "transitions into an explosive chorus highlighting Briggs's fierce, soulful-rocker vocals".[4] Vice felt 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]

Live performances

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

Cover versions

In live shows starting in 2017, Pink has frequently covered "River."[9] She did so on some stops of her 2018–2019 Beautiful Trauma World Tour, including on her live album All I Know So Far: Setlist.[10] Covered constantly on reality competition shows.

Charts
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Certifications
Certifications for "River"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[16] Platinum 80,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[17] Gold 45,000‡
Germany (BVMI)[18] Gold 200,000‡
Poland (ZPAV)[19] Platinum 50,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[20] Silver 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[21] 2× Platinum 2,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. "Hear Bishop's Empowering New Track "River"". Brooklyn Magazine. 2 February 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
  2. Baltin, Steve (2 May 2018). "Meet Bishop Briggs: The Rising Alternative Star Behind 'River'". Forbes. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
  3. "Bishop Briggs: The Best of What's Next". pastemagazine.com. 13 September 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
  4. Gonzales, Erica (28 March 2018). "Bishop Briggs Talks "River," Her EP and Writing Dark Poetry - Bishop Briggs 'Bishop Briggs' EP Interview". Harper's BAZAAR. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
  5. Bennett, Kim Taylor (10 May 2016). "Watch Bishop Briggs's eerily excellent video for "River"". Vice. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
  6. Beliveau, Antonio (21 December 2019). "Singles Market: Bishop Briggs' 'River' - Truth in Life and Journalism". Life and News. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
  7. Clifford, Delaney (20 May 2016). "The Multiple Sides of 2016's Breakout Artist, Bishop Briggs". Hooligan Mag. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
  8. "Bishop Briggs sings 'River' on 'The Tonight Show': Watch". Billboard. 2 August 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
  9. @pink (3 July 2017). "Mine and my daughters favorite song in our whole set. You are a force and I love to hear your power. Thank you" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  10. Damshenas, Sam. "Pink shares details of new album to coincide with documentary All I Know So Far". Gay Times. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  11. "Bishop Briggs Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  12. "Bishop Briggs Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  13. "Bishop Briggs Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  14. "Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2016". Billboard. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  15. "Rock Airplay Songs – Year-End 2016". Billboard. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
  16. "Canadian single certifications – Bishop Briggs – River". Music Canada. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  17. "Danish single certifications – Bishop Briggs – River". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  18. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Bishop; 'River')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  19. "Wyróżnienia – Platynowe płyty CD - Archiwum - Przyznane w 2021 roku" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  20. "British single certifications – Bishop – River". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  21. "American single certifications – Bishop Briggs – River". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
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