River (Bishop Briggs song)
"River" | ||||
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Single by Bishop Briggs | ||||
from the EP Bishop Briggs and the album Church of Scars | ||||
Released | 22 January 2016 | |||
Length | 3:40 | |||
Label |
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Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) |
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Bishop Briggs singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
River on YouTube |
"River" is a song by British singer-songwriter
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.[3]
Background
The song is about a strained relationship that is on the edge of failure.[4] 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."[5]
Composition
The song starts with "a whipping
Music video
The music video was directed by Jungle George.[6] Bishop Briggs stated the video was "about embracing my inner demons and setting them loose."[6] It begins with an opening shot of Bishop Briggs sinking in water.[4] In the video, there is a scene where she convulses and another where she is wearing a bag over her head.[4]
Critical reception
Live performances
In her television debut, Bishop Briggs performed the song on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on August 1, 2016.[4][9]
Cover versions
In live shows starting in 2017, Pink has frequently covered "River."[10] 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.[11] Covered constantly on reality competition shows.
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[17] | Diamond | 250,000‡ |
Canada (Music Canada)[18] | Platinum | 80,000‡ |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[19] | Gold | 45,000‡ |
Germany (BVMI)[20] | Gold | 200,000‡ |
Poland (ZPAV)[21] | Platinum | 50,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[22] | Gold | 400,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[23] | 2× Platinum | 2,000,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
References
- ^ a b "Hear Bishop's Empowering New Track "River"". Brooklyn Magazine. 2 February 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
- ^ "Music from MTV's 'Scream' Season 2 Released". Film Music Reporter. 29 July 2016. Archived from the original on 19 October 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
- ^ Baltin, Steve (2 May 2018). "Meet Bishop Briggs: The Rising Alternative Star Behind 'River'". Forbes. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
- ^ a b c d "Bishop Briggs: The Best of What's Next". pastemagazine.com. 13 September 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ a b c Bennett, Kim Taylor (10 May 2016). "Watch Bishop Briggs's eerily excellent video for "River"". Vice. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
- ^ Beliveau, Antonio (21 December 2019). "Singles Market: Bishop Briggs' 'River' - Truth in Life and Journalism". Life and News. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
- ^ Clifford, Delaney (20 May 2016). "The Multiple Sides of 2016's Breakout Artist, Bishop Briggs". Hooligan Mag. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
- ^ "Bishop Briggs sings 'River' on 'The Tonight Show': Watch". Billboard. 2 August 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
- ^ @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.
- ^ Damshenas, Sam. "Pink shares details of new album to coincide with documentary All I Know So Far". Gay Times. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
- ^ "Bishop Briggs Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
- ^ "Bishop Briggs Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
- ^ "Bishop Briggs Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
- ^ "Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2016". Billboard. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
- ^ "Rock Airplay Songs – Year-End 2016". Billboard. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
- ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Bishop Briggs – River" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
- ^ "Canadian single certifications – Bishop Briggs – River". Music Canada. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
- ^ "Danish single certifications – Bishop Briggs – River". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
- ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Bishop; 'River')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
- ^ "Wyróżnienia – Platynowe płyty CD - Archiwum - Przyznane w 2021 roku" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
- ^ "British single certifications – Bishop – River". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
- ^ "American single certifications – Bishop Briggs – River". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 4 October 2021.