The Meaning Behind The Song: River (It’s Coming On Christmas) by Ellie Goulding
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The Meaning Behind The Song: River (It’s Coming On Christmas) by Ellie Goulding
Song: River (It’s Coming On Christmas)
Artist: Ellie Goulding
Writer/Composer: Joni Mitchell
Album: Songbook for Christmas (Amazon Music Edition) (2020)
Release Date: November 14, 2019
Genre: Pop, Adult Contemporary, Holiday, UK Pop, Ballad, Christmas
Producer: Joe Kearns & Max Cooke
I have always believed that music has the power to connect with our deepest emotions. It has the ability to bring solace, heal a broken heart, or express our hopes and dreams. And Ellie Goulding’s cover of Joni Mitchell’s hauntingly beautiful song, “River (It’s Coming On Christmas)”, is a perfect example of music’s ability to touch our souls.
Released on the 13th of October 2019 exclusively on Amazon Music, Ellie Goulding’s cover of “River” quickly gained popularity. The music video for the song, which was released on the 4th of December on YouTube, captured the hearts of listeners around the world.
Goulding’s cover of “River” shot to #1 on the Official Singles Chart in the UK on the 26th of December, making it her 3rd UK #1 and the final #1 song of the decade. The song’s success is a testament to its powerful and relatable lyrics.
The Lyrics: A Reflection of Yearning and Regret
The lyrics of “River (It’s Coming On Christmas)” convey a sense of longing, yearning for an escape from the complexities of life. The song begins with the lines, “It’s coming on Christmas, They’re cutting down trees, They’re putting up reindeer, And singing songs of joy and peace.” These lines set the scene for the holiday season, the time of year when we are supposed to embrace love, joy, and togetherness.
But as the song progresses, the lyrics take on a bittersweet tone. Goulding sings, “Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on.” This line is a metaphor for the desire to escape from one’s troubles and find solace in something pure and untouched.
In the verses that follow, the song continues to explore the theme of yearning for escape. Goulding sings, “But it don’t snow here, It stays pretty green, I’m gonna make a lot of money, I’m gonna quit this crazy scene.” These lines speak of a desire for change and a longing for simplicity and peace.
The chorus of the song expresses this yearning even more explicitly. Goulding sings, “I
