Jordan Feliz – The River

American folk-rock and pop-Christian artist Jordan Feliz began his career with the band A Current Affair.  He left in 2015 to begin his solo career.

Feliz released four albums, including:

• Beloved (2015)
• The River (2016)
• Future (2018)
• Say It (2020)

He won a Dove for New Artist of the Year in 2016.

Note to new users: This is a different kind of review site!  Read About the Berean Test and Evaluation Criteria prior to reading this review.

1. What message does the song communicate?

This song is about the living water that Jesus provides, drawing us to the source of which the fountain flows, namely, Himself.  He is the “place” where we pray, relinquish worry, attain forgiveness, and are cleansed from unrighteousness.

Some might take exception with the song, that it focuses more on the benefits of Christ than having a relationship with Him.  They might argue that they worship the river, praying to it rather than the God who is there.  While this would be idolatrous, John 7:38 teaches that our innermost being will flow springs of living water if we believe in Jesus.  We go to the river because we know Jesus is there waiting for us.

Side Note: This song may have borrowed material from the African-American folk song Down in the River to Pray.

Score: 10/10

2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?

All of it aligns with God’s inspired Word.

Lyrics posted with permission.*

[Verse 1]

I know a place where we can go
To lay the troubles down eating your soul

That is, the source of living water: Jesus (Jeremiah 17:13, Zechariah 14:8-9, John 4:7-26, John 7:37-39, Acts 2:1-13, Revelation 6:9-11, Revelation 7:13-17, Revelation 21:6-7, and Revelation 22:1-5).  He is the “place” where we offer our burdens to Him (Matthew 11:28-30).

I know a place where mercy flows
Take the stains make you whiter than snow

References Psalm 51:7 and Isaiah 1:18, which point to the blood of Jesus that cleanses us (Ephesians 1:7, Hebrews 9:22, 1 Peter 1:2, and 1 Peter 1:18-19).  We receive mercy when we repent and trust in Him (Matthew 26:28, Act 2:38, Act 5:31, Act 10:43, Romans 4:7, Romans 5:6-8, Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 1:14, Colossians 2:13-14, James 5:15, James 5:19-20, 1 John 2:1-2, and 1 John 2:12).

[Pre-Chorus]

Like a tide, it is rising up deep inside a current that moves and makes you come alive
Living water that brings the dead to life, oh-oh-oh-oh

As stated in Verse 1, lines 1 and 2, the river (described in Chorus) is living water.  Christ revitalized our spiritual deadness (Romans 6:1-11, Romans 7:4-6, Galatians 2:19-20, 2 Timothy 2:11, and 1 Peter 2:24).

Also, contains a call to Casper the friendly ghost.

[Chorus]

We’re going down to the river
Down to the river, down to the river to pray

Much like Jesus did in Matthew 14:1-13, Matthew 26:29, Matthew 26:42, Mark 6:30-32, Mark 14:36, Luke 4:1-2, Luke 4:14-15, Luke 5:16, Luke 6:12-13, Luke 22:39-44, and John 18:11, we go alone to pray to Jesus, who is the source of living water (see commentary on Verse 1, lines 1 and 2).

Let’s get washed by the water
Washed by the water and rise up in amazing grace

When we are immersed in the living water, we die to self and receive newness of life.  This is summarized eloquently in Romans 6:1-7.  It also eferences John Newton’s famous song Amazing Grace.

It may also be a reference to water baptism, commanded by Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20.

Let’s go down, down, down to the river (You will leave changed)
Let’s go down, down, down to the river (Never the same)

Feliz compels us to join him, promising that experiencing Jesus will change us.  Examples of change exist in both Verses and Pre-Chorus.

[Verse 2]

I’ve seen it move in my own life
Took me from dusty roads into paradise
All of my dirt, all of my shame
Drowned in the streams that’ve made me born again

Describes dusty roads as sin and shame, contrasted with the living water that, upon receiving, results in eternal life (Mark 10:29-30, John 3:15-16, John 3:36, John 4:14, John 5:24, John 5:39-40, John 6:27, John 6:40, John 10:28, John 17:3, John 20:31, Romans 5:21, Romans 6:22-23, Romans 8:18, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, Galatians 6:8, 1 Timothy 1:16, 1 Timothy 6:12, 2 Timothy 2:11, Hebrews 5:9, 1 Peter 5:10, 1 John 2:23-27, 1 John 5:10-13, 1 John 5:20, Jude 1:20-21, Revelation 3:5, Revelation 7:16-17, and Revelation 21:3-4).  The term “born again” comes from John 3:3.

[Bridge]

Let’s go down

A shorter version of Chorus, line 5.

(Huuuu- huhuuuh)
(Huuuu)

More Casper references.

Let’s go down
(Huuuu- huhuuuh)
(Huuuu)
Let’s go down

Repeats lines 1-3.

[Outro]

Goo down
Ooooo ooooh
Gotta go, gotta go, gotta go in amazing grace
Let’s go down, down, down to the river
Gotta go, gotta go, gotta go in amazing grace

Repeats portions of Chorus.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Outsiders will probably think it’s a religious song, but not about Jesus.  Remember how I rejected idolatry in section 1?  Not so much for an unbeliever interpretation.  I highly suspect that many will think it possibly “New Age”, where we’re expected to pray to mother nature via river rather than the God of creation.  While the term “born again” is Christian terminology, I suspect that it won’t make much difference to an unbeliever’s interpretation.

Side Note: I once heard this song at my local Kohl’s.  This song is palatable enough for a secular department store to play without much angst.

Score: 2/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies God that we run to Him for His living water, finding rest from our weariness and freedom from our former master.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Jordan Feliz’ The River is a great song for Christians.  It showcases the benefits of following Jesus, that we’ll receive His living water that refreshes our souls and makes us anew, bringing Him glory.  However, unbelievers will interpret differently, concluding that it’s religious, where they should worship the river rather than the God who made it.

While inspirational, I hesitate to recommend it for corporate worship only because it might seem idolatrous to some.  At the very least, it’s not for seeker-sensitive churches.

Final Score: 8.5/10

Artist Info

Track: The River (listen to the song)

Artist: Jordan Feliz

Album: The River

Genre: Pop

Release Year: 2016

Duration: 3:16

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*Copyright © 2015 Capitol CMG Amplifier (SESAC) Red Red Pop (SESAC) CentricSongs (SESAC) (adm. at CapitolCMGPublishing.com), Fair Trade Music Publishing (ASCAP) Colby Wedgeworth Music (ASCAP) (admin at EssentialMusicPublishing.com). All rights reserved. Used by permission.