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  1. Tracks
  2. Eminem
  3. Revival
  4. River

TRACK

Eminem

River

Release date: 15th December 2017

From Revival
Hip-Hop/RapMusic
Spotify More on Eminem

About This Track

'River', the fifth track from Eminem's ninth studio album 'Revival', pairs the Detroit rapper with Ed Sheeran on a confessional narrative about infidelity and its consequences. Written by the two artists alongside producer Emile Haynie, the song was released to radio in December 2017. Sheeran delivers the hook, a plea for absolution that frames the moral weight of the story.

The verses detail an affair with a woman named Suzanne, who uses the narrator to retaliate against her own unfaithful partner. Eminem's account moves from initial recklessness through to the moment the relationship becomes inconvenient, the narrator admitting he no longer wants what he pursued. The lyric acknowledges manipulation on both sides, the entanglement described as a chess match neither party can win cleanly.

The chorus returns to the image of sins requiring holy water, the river of the title a symbol of both cleansing and the unstoppable flow of truth. The collaboration leans on Sheeran's melodic restraint to offset the bluntness of the confession, the song structured as a letter the narrator cannot deliver face to face.

"River" is a track by Eminem, from the album Revival, released 15th December 2017. It's filed under Hip-Hop/Rap. Full lyrics are available below. Dork has published 1 article about Eminem.

About the Artist

Eminem

Eminem

Lyrics

River

[Chorus: Ed Sheeran]

I've been a liar, been a thief

Been a lover, been a cheat

All my sins need holy water, feel it washin' over me

Well, little one, I don't want to admit to something

If all it's gonna cause is pain

Truth and my lies right now are fallin' like the rain

So let the river run

[Verse 1: Eminem]

He's comin' home with his neck scratched, to catch flack

Sweat jackets and dress slacks, mismatched

On his breath's Jack, he's a sex addict

And she just wants to exact revenge and get back

It's a chess match, she's on his back like a jet-pack

She's kept track of all his Internet chats

And guess who just happens to be movin' on to the next

Actually, just shit on my last chick and she has what my ex lacks

'Cause she loves danger, psychopath

And you don't fuck with no man's girl, even I know that

But she's devised some plan to stab him in the back

Knife in hand, says their relationship's hangin' by a strand

So she's been on the web lately

Says maybe she'll be my Gwen Stacy, to spite her man

And I know she's using me to try to play him, I don't care

Hi, Suzanne, but I shoulda said, "Bye, Suzanne"

After the first night, but tonight I am

[Chorus: Ed Sheeran]

I've been a liar, been a thief

Been a lover, been a cheat

All my sins need holy water, feel it washin' over me

Well, little one, I don't want to admit to something

If all it's gonna cause is pain

The truth and my lies now are fallin' like the rain

So let the river run

[Verse 2: Eminem]

A one-night stand turned a two-night stand

It was "come sunlight, scram," now we hug tight, and...

He found out, now she feels deserted and used

'Cause he left, so what? He did it first to her too

Now how am I supposed to tell this girl that we're through?

It's hard to find the words, I'm aloof, nervous, and Sue

Don't want this to hurt, but what you deserve is the truth

Don't take it personal, I just can't say this in person to you

So I revert to the studio, like hole-in-the-wall diners

Don't have to be reserved in a booth

I just feel like the person who I'm turnin' into's

Irreversible, I preyed on you like it's church at the pew

And now that I got you I don't want you

Took advantage in my thirst to pursue

Why do I do this dirt that I do?

Get on my soapbox and preach, my sermon and speech

Detergent and bleach is burnin' the wound

'Cause now with her in the womb

We can't bring her in this world, shoulda knew

To use protection 'fore I bit into your forbidden fruit

Fuck!

[Chorus: Ed Sheeran]

I've been a liar, been a thief

Been a lover, been a cheat

All my sins need holy water, feel it washin' over me

Well, little one, I don't want to admit to something

If all it's gonna cause is pain

The truth and my lies now are fallin' like the rain

So let the river run

[Bridge: Eminem & Ed Sheeran]

My name's (Ooh), my name's (Ooh)

River (Ooh), river run

Call me (Ooh), call me (Ooh)

River (Ooh), we'll let the river run

[Verse 3: Eminem]

Always the bridesmaid, never "The bride, hey!"

Fuck can I say? If life was a highway

And deceit was an enclave, I'd be swervin' in five lanes

Speeds at a high rate, like I'm slidin' on ice, maybe

That's why I may have came at you sideways

I can't keep my lies straight

But I made you terminate my baby

This love triangle left us in a wreck, tangled

What else can I say? It was fun for a while

Bet I really woulda loved your smile

Didn't really wanna abort, but fuck it

What's one more lie, to tell our unborn child?

[Chorus: Ed Sheeran & Eminem]

I've been a liar, been a thief

Been a lover, been a cheat

All my sins need holy water, feel it washin' over me

Well, little one (I'm sorry)

I don't want to admit to something (I fucked up)

If all it's gonna cause is pain

The truth and my lies now are fallin' like the rain

So let the river run

Lyrics provided by LRCLIB

View full lyrics page →

Track details

From Revival

2017
Listen
Album
Revival
Revival
Eminem
15th December 2017
Release year
2017
  1. 1Walk On Water (feat. Beyoncé)
    5:04
  2. 2Believe
    5:15
  3. 3Chloraseptic (feat. PHRESHER)
    5:01
  4. 4Untouchable
    6:10
  5. 5River (feat. Ed Sheeran)
    3:41
  6. 6Remind Me (Intro)
    0:26
  7. 7Remind Me
    3:45
  8. 8Revival (Interlude)
    0:52
  9. 9Like Home (feat. Alicia Keys)
    4:05
  10. 10Bad Husband (feat. X Ambassadors)
    4:48
  11. 11Tragic Endings (feat. Skylar Grey)
    4:12
  12. 12Framed
    4:13
  13. 13Nowhere Fast (feat. Kehlani)
    4:24
  14. 14Heat
    4:10
  15. 15Offended
    5:21
  16. 16Need Me (feat. P!nk)
    4:25
  17. 17In Your Head
    3:03
  18. 18Castle
    4:15
  19. 19Arose
    4:35
  20. —Bad Husband
  21. —Chloraseptic
  22. —Like Home
  23. —River
  24. —Nowhere Fast
  25. —Tragic Endings
  26. —Need Me
  27. —Walk on Water

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Credits

Production & Engineering

Writer
Doveman, Ed Sheeran, Emile Haynie, Eminem
Producer
Emile Haynie
Guitar
Ed Sheeran
Assistant Engineer
Tony Campana
Mastering Engineer
Brian Gardner
Mixing Engineer
Eminem, Mike Strange
Recording Engineer
Joe Strange, Mike Strange, Tony Wall (producer)
READ MORE ABOUT EMINEMREAD MORE ABOUT EMINEMREAD MORE ABOUT EMINEMREAD MORE ABOUT EMINEM
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The rapper's new documentary explores his influence through devoted fans' perspectives, hitting global theaters for a limited release this August.

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