What is Miley's new song about? The lyrics of 'River' explained

10 March 2023, 11:15 | Updated: 10 March 2023, 13:21

What is Miley Cyrus singing about in 'River'? Inside the lyrics of the pop star's latest hit from her eighth studio album.

Miley Cyrus has returned to pop in a big way in 2023, fresh from the mega-success that was 'Flowers', she's put out her second single from album 'Endless Summer Vacation', which also contains bops such as 'Jaded' and 'Wonder Woman'.

'River' dropped on March 10 on the same day of Miley's highly-anticipated eighth studio album and listeners couldn't help but wonder what the electric dance anthem is about...

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The track is two minutes and forty-one seconds of pure fun, freedom and confidence, showing that Miley is unequivocally in her element with the disco-inspired synth-infused track – fans are already hailing this era as one of her best to date!

Let's unpack 'River', its meaning and what Miley has said about the tune...

During an interview for her upcoming Disney+ special, Endless Summer Vacation (Backyard Sessions), Miley described 'River' as a “dancefloor banger" – and we couldn't agree more!

She spoke about the meaning of the song, revealing that: "It was a time in my life where I was going through just a lot emotionally and personally.

“All of my songs evolve. They can start as something that was a trouble, like, it just feels like it’s an April shower," she explained, "it never stops raining and then it started raining down love."

The former Disney star was very tongue in cheek as she addressed the steamy nature of her lyricism, Miley said: "Sometimes we just need a dancefloor banger, A.K.A they don't want me to talk about how the fact that the song is about [bleeped out]."

Forever an honest queen, she admitted between laughs: "It's f****** nasty, it's nasty."

Miley's comments about her latest hit alluded to some pretty risque subject material, but some fans still might be wondering what the song is about.

In each chorus, the pop star repeatedly sings: "You're just like a river / You go on forever"

Throughout the track she uses water imagery with the song acting as one big metaphor. Of course, she constantly refers to her lover as a river, she likens them to "April showers", stating that her life was a "drought" before meeting them.

The song's steamy nature aside, it seems Miley is singing about finding someone she has really connected with, she even mentions having "babies" with them and hopes her child has "your eyes and that crooked smile".

"Heart beats so loud that it's drownin’ me out / Livin' in an April shower / You're pourin’ down, baby, drown me out"

(Verse 1)I got a new dress just to meet you downtownCan you walk me through the park just to show it off?I can pull my hair back in that tight way that you likeIf you wrap me in your arms and never stop

(Pre-Chorus)Heart beats so loud that it's drownin’ me outLivin' in an April showerYou're pourin’ down, baby, drown me out (Ooh, ooh, ooh)

(Chorus)You're just like a river (Ooh, ooh, ooh)You're just like a river (Ooh, ooh, ooh)You go on foreverYou're just like a river

(Verse 2)Blowing bubbles in the bath, I can't stop from thinking latelyYou could be the one, have the honor of my babiesHope they have your eyes and that crooked smileWas a desеrt 'fore I met you, I was in a drought

(Pre-Chorus)Heart bеats so loud that it's drownin' me outLivin’ in an April showerYou’re pourin' down, baby, drown me out (Ooh, ooh, ooh)

(Chorus)You’re just like a river (Ooh, ooh, ooh)You're just like a river (Ooh, ooh, ooh)You go on foreverYou're just like a river

You're never runnin’ dry (Oh)You're just like a river

(Bridge)I feel you everywhereYour face is all in my hair (Hair)Covered up in your sweatIt turns me on that you care, babyYour love, it flows just like a river

(Chorus)You're just like a river (That's what you are)You're just like a river (That's what you are)You're just like a river (That's what you are)You're just like a riverYou're just like a river (Heart beats so loud that it's drownin' me out)You're just like a river (Livin' in an April shower)You go on forever (You're pourin' down, baby, drown me out)

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