River Cross

General Pearl Jam discussion.
Post Reply

Rate River Cross

5 Stars
31
27%
4 Stars
42
37%
3 Stars
31
27%
2 Stars
8
7%
1 Star
3
3%
 
Total votes: 115

guitar_davey
AnalLog
Posts: 1869
Joined: Mon July 15, 2013 6:09 pm
Location: Ottawa, Canada

Re: River Cross

Post by guitar_davey »

PHATJ wrote:I think this song is really good... a great closer. I only listened to the ed version a couple times and that was months ago, so that had no influence on opinion. This is one of my top 5 on the album.

Great closer.
User avatar
stip
The worst
Posts: 42946
Joined: Thu December 13, 2012 6:31 pm

Re: River Cross

Post by stip »

This lyric just jumped out at me

“all this talk of rapture – look at all the promise here and now”


There are a quite a few mission statement moments on this album, but that's a good one.
User avatar
scrub12
AnalLog
Posts: 1941
Joined: Thu January 03, 2013 4:56 am

Re: River Cross

Post by scrub12 »

They did it justice. I think I may prefer Eddie’s live versions but this is still great. It did take a little getting used too with the band though.
jdopj
Broken Tamborine
Posts: 416
Joined: Thu January 03, 2013 10:12 pm

Re: River Cross

Post by jdopj »

stip wrote:This lyric just jumped out at me

“all this talk of rapture – look at all the promise here and now”


There are a quite a few mission statement moments on this album, but that's a good one.
I love that line too Stip
For whatever reason this song hits me emotionally quite a bit.
Chokes me up.
User avatar
stip
The worst
Posts: 42946
Joined: Thu December 13, 2012 6:31 pm

Re: River Cross

Post by stip »

well I think the reason might be that it was written to specifically do that :)
jdopj
Broken Tamborine
Posts: 416
Joined: Thu January 03, 2013 10:12 pm

Re: River Cross

Post by jdopj »

stip wrote:well I think the reason might be that it was written to specifically do that :)
Well it worked. I’m glad I didn’t hear the live version, it’s beautiful as is.
User avatar
stip
The worst
Posts: 42946
Joined: Thu December 13, 2012 6:31 pm

Re: River Cross

Post by stip »

worked for me too. it clicked yesterday while doing covid-19 work
User avatar
LoathedVermin72
The Master
Posts: 33839
Joined: Sun May 25, 2014 9:32 pm

Re: River Cross

Post by LoathedVermin72 »

The first half of this is really good but the inelegant lyrics in the second half ruin everything
Ms Harmless
She / Her
Posts: 13605
Joined: Sun January 26, 2020 12:10 pm
Twitter: https://twitter.com/
Location: Warwickshire, UK

Re: River Cross

Post by Ms Harmless »

I love how "here and now" runs into "can't hold me down", so it's like one sentence

here and now can't hold me down / won't hold us down
Ms Harmless
She / Her
Posts: 13605
Joined: Sun January 26, 2020 12:10 pm
Twitter: https://twitter.com/
Location: Warwickshire, UK

Re: River Cross

Post by Ms Harmless »

I'm fine with the addition of the government stuff, since they are on my damaged mind so much of the time; ironically, it's almost like this was a live version of a song we already knew, to which Ed added a "fuck the government" tag
User avatar
7 Years and Maybe Longer
A Return To Form
Posts: 230
Joined: Mon January 13, 2020 1:55 am

Re: River Cross

Post by 7 Years and Maybe Longer »

I only listened to the Ed solo version once or twice, and I could see the potential but it didn't blow me away. I think the album version added just enough to make it a great song and one of my favorite closers.

The government verse is a bit off throwing though. Feels like it doesn't fit into this type of song and is distracting.

Does anyone have the full lyrics? Didn't see it posted in the thread.
Ms Harmless
She / Her
Posts: 13605
Joined: Sun January 26, 2020 12:10 pm
Twitter: https://twitter.com/
Location: Warwickshire, UK

Re: River Cross

Post by Ms Harmless »

I couldn't be more grateful for this song, this year
jdopj
Broken Tamborine
Posts: 416
Joined: Thu January 03, 2013 10:12 pm

Re: River Cross

Post by jdopj »

Ms Harmless wrote:I couldn't be more grateful for this song, this year
Couldn’t agree more
User avatar
stip
The worst
Posts: 42946
Joined: Thu December 13, 2012 6:31 pm

Re: River Cross

Post by stip »

River Cross



Always thought I’d cross that river
The other side distant now
As I got close it turned and widened
Arising now, fading out

Drifting in the undertow
Can’t spot a figure on dry land
And afterthoughts of safety
When in truth, none to be had
None to be had

I used to tell time by my shadow
‘til the thunder clouds, they took the stage
These days will end, as do the light’s rays
Another read of the same page

Wide awake through this deepest night
Still waiting on the sun
As the hours seem to multiple
Find a star to solider on

Living beneath a lion’s paw
Knowing nothing can be tamed
Can be tamed

I want this dream to last forever
A wish denied to lengthen our time
I wish this moment was never ending
Let it be a lie that all future’s die

While the government thrives on discontent
And there’s no such thing as clear
Proselytizing and profiting
As our will all but just disappears
Folded over, forced in a choke hold
Outnumbered and held down

And all these talk of rapture
Look around at the promise now
Here and now
Here and now
Can’t hold me down
Can’t hold me down
Won’t hold us down
Won’t hold us down

Live it out
Let it out
Get it out
Shout it out
Won’t hold us down
Won’t hold us down

Share the light
Won’t hold us down…
User avatar
stip
The worst
Posts: 42946
Joined: Thu December 13, 2012 6:31 pm

Re: River Cross

Post by stip »

Wow - those are really powerful. I was taking this song for granted. Seeing them all together it really hits home
User avatar
stip
The worst
Posts: 42946
Joined: Thu December 13, 2012 6:31 pm

Re: River Cross

Post by stip »

Here and now, this is a five star song.
Gigalogy84
A Return To Form
Posts: 225
Joined: Sat March 21, 2020 4:37 pm

Re: River Cross

Post by Gigalogy84 »

I think this is the perfect song to close the album.
dad
Posting (live)
Posts: 19163
Joined: Fri June 24, 2016 2:49 pm

Re: River Cross

Post by dad »

stip wrote:Here and now, this is a five star song.
I love you.
96583UP wrote:i recently bought travel-size packets of metamucil

now when i regular i can promote regularity
User avatar
VinylGuy
jeeeesus relax already
Posts: 42772
Joined: Tue January 01, 2013 5:10 pm

Re: River Cross

Post by VinylGuy »

stip wrote:Here and now, this is a five star song.
Its amazing.
BONE FUCKIN´ TOMAHAWK.
User avatar
Monkey_Driven
The Master
Posts: 28035
Joined: Wed January 02, 2013 3:36 pm
Location: Mushroom Kingdom

Re: River Cross

Post by Monkey_Driven »

Kind of nails the entire essence and mission statement of the band.
Post Reply