"Riverside" is a song by Barrie-James featuring Lana Del Rey. The song was written and recorded in 2012 while the pair was dating, but was reworked and released as the closing track for Barrie-James' 2021 album, Strange Desire.
Background and writing[]
Barrie-James, who went by Nightmare Boy at the time, first revealed the song's existence upon posting the tracklist to his debut album on August 1, 2014.[citation needed] This album would later be scrapped in favor of a four-track EP, of which the song did not make the cut. Barrie-James would post a snippet of the song's demo on December 17, 2014,[1] though the song wouldn't leak in full until September 22, 2015. This version was reportedly produced by Rob Schnapf.
Barrie-James performed the song on an October 1, 2021, Instagram Live. His fiancé, who was recording the live, hinted that the song could still see release someday.[2][dead link] On October 6, it was revealed that the song would be officially released on Barrie-James' Strange Desire.
In an interview with The Scottish Sun, Barrie-James spoke about reaching out to Del Rey in 2021, requesting her permission to officially release the song. She agreed, and in return, asked if she could use "those four songs we did together" for her own album, Blue Banisters.[3] These songs - "Living Legend", "Nectar of the Gods", "Cherry Blossom", and "If You Lie Down with Me" - along with "Riverside", would all see official release in 2021. Barrie-James spoke about the writing process of the song with Billboard, explaining, "I wanted to write a piano line that made me weep and the universe gifted me this song."[4] He also told The Scottish Sun that the song is not about him and Del Rey, but rather "an eternal love story, but...fictional".
The song was reworked for the album from its original 2012 demo, featuring a new vocal take from Barrie-James as well as updated production and instrumentation.[4] About reworking the song, Barrie-James said, "There is no way I could have...put it out with just me singing it on my own, as I didn't want to get attacked by the Lana Del Rey fanbase."[3]
Music video[]
| Music video | Information | |
|---|---|---|
|
Released | November 4, 2021 |
| Length | 3:22 | |
| Director | ||
| Producer | ||
| Filmed | 2021 | |
| Location | ||
| Vevo views | 344 thousand views | |
Background[]
Del Rey was played by Barrie-James' fiancé, Lel.
Official versions[]
- Album version — 3:27
- Demo version (produced by Rob Schnapf) — 3:46
Lyrics[]
[Barrie-James]:
I seen you walk along the riverside
I seen you walk along at ease
And in the air, I feel you're silent
It whispers perfect on the breeze
And there's a voice that keeps me company
It takes me closer to the stream
And in the break of any suffering
It makes me feel like there's no pain
Finally, finally, finally I'm getting closer to the dream
To my dream, I believe
[Lana Del Rey]:
I'm up a creek and you're my paddle
Where there is you, there is my soul
Another dream where I'm the witness
I am the witness to your goal
[Barrie-James & Lana Del Rey]:
Finally, finally, finally I'm getting closer to the dream
To my dream, I believe
Finally, finally, finally I'm getting closer to the dream
To my dream, I believe
To my dream, I believe
To my dream, I believe
To my dream, I believe
Credits[]
Personnel
- Barrie-James — songwriting, production, piano
- Lana Del Rey — vocals
- Ronan Fay — engineering, mixing
- Paul McGeechan — mastering
Technical
- Recorded at Nightbird Recording Studios, Los Angeles
References[]
- ↑ Barrie-James (December 17, 2014). "Riverside.". Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/wswh6wRdVH/. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
- ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/CUgTUWDLnPK/
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Bendoris, Matt (October 9, 2021). "Scots rocker Barrie-James O’Neill releases love duet with Lana Del Rey SEVEN years after they split up". The Scottish Sun. https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/music/7822416/lana-del-rey-barrie-james-oneill-duet/. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Newman, Melinda (November 4, 2021). "Watch Barrie-James’ New Video for ‘Riverside,’ His Somber Duet With Lana Del Rey: Premiere". Billboard. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/barrie-james-lana-del-rey-riverside-video-premiere-9655068/. Retrieved May 3, 2024.