Miley Cyrus takes us back to 2008. The 30-year-old pop star premiered "River," the second single from her new album Endless Summer , which was released on March 10. and a four-person floor dance beat, "River" may be her most Hannah Montana -esque song since Disney Channel. The song even serves as a clever lyrical nod to Hannah's only Billboard Top 10 single: "He Could Be the One." However, there's a dirtier meaning beyond the song's lyrics that would make Hannah blush.
In a teaser video for her upcoming Disney+ special "Endless Summer: Backyard Sessions ," Cyrus refers to "River" as "dance floor music" — which is actually code for something a little dirtier. "The fact that they didn't want me to talk about the song," she said, was immediately met with censorship. "This is so fucking disgusting." It wasn't hard for fans to understand what she was implying here, repeating lines like "You're like a river, flowing forever" and saying "Before I met you, I was a piece of Desert, I'm in a drought." Use your imagination to fill in the beeps.
Unlike her six-week No. 1 hit "Flowers," which outraged the internet and sparked countless conspiracy theories involving her ex-husband Liam Hemsworth, there's nothing in "River." Obvious references to past relationships. Instead, she's radiant, bathed in a new love, filled with endless possibilities—and, apparently, endless fluids.
Explaining the song's origins to Spotify, Cyrus said "River" was written at a point in her life "when I was going through a lot emotionally and personally." The song starts out as a sadder song - but then she has a dance party with her gay friends. "The rule is every girl has to bring their best gay friend or they're not allowed in," she said. “We danced to the likes of Diana Ross, Whitney Houston, Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, Britney Spears and all the legends. This song never stops raining The troubles turned into raindrops of love.”
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There's not a lot of room for theory in the "River" music video, either. The clip, directed by Jacob Bixenman, begins with Cyrus striking fierce poses and dancing alone in the spotlight, continuing her solo dance party from "Flowers." Then, just like the party that inspired "River," a bunch of dudes join her on the dance floor and the April showers start pouring down, making everything wet and wild.
Read the full lyrics to "River" transcribed on Genius below.
I bought a new dress just to see you downtown
Can you take me through the park just to show off?
I can pull your hair back and tighten it any way you like
If you hold me in your arms you'll never stop
My heart beats so loud it drowns me out
Living in April Showers
You pour down, baby, drown me (oh, oh, oh)
You're like a river (oh, oh, oh)
You're like a river (oh, oh, oh)
you go on forever
you are like a river
I can't help but think about blowing bubbles in the shower lately.
You can be that person, it's an honor to have my babies
Wish they had your eyes and that crooked smile
Before I met you, I was a desert, I was in a drought
My heart beats so loud it drowns me out
Living in April Showers
You pour down, baby, drown me (oh, oh, oh)
You're like a river (oh, oh, oh)
You're like a river (oh, oh, oh)
you go on forever
you are like a river
You'll never run dry (oh)
I feel you everywhere
Your face is all in my hair (hair)
covered in your sweat
Your concern turns me on, baby
Your love flows like a river
You're like a river (this is you)
You're like a river (this is you)
You're like a river (this is you)
you are like a river
You are like a river (the heart beats so loud it drowns me)
You're like a river (living in April showers)
You go on forever (You pour down, baby, drown me)
you are like a river
