Riverboat Song

Ocean Colour Scene

About Riverboat Song

"The Riverboat Song" is a song by British band Ocean Colour Scene. The song is heavily influenced by Led Zeppelin's "Four Sticks", from which it takes its main riff and a number of lyrics. The song is notable in that it is in 6/8 swing time, and not the more common 4/4 time normally used in rock music. The song was popularised by Radio 1 DJ Chris Evans, who played it frequently on his radio shows and to introduce guests on his television programme TFI Friday. As a result, having been released in February 1996, it reached number 15 in the UK Singles Chart, paving the way for the success of the next two singles, "You've Got It Bad" (7) and "The Day We Caught the Train" (4) and the album Moseley Shoals.  


Year:
2004
75 
#2

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I see double up ahead 
Where the riverboat swayed beneath the sun 
Is where the river runs red 
Like a King who stalks the wings and shoots a dove 
And frees an eagle instead 
It's more or less the same as the things that you said

I see trouble up the road 
Like the things you found in love are by the way 
And like to cheat on your soul 
Like the best and worst of thoughts that lose control 
Before you lie on your bed

It's more or less the same as the things that you said 
Anyway for all the things you know tell me why does the river not flow 
Anyway for all the things you said tell me why does the river run red 
Anyway for all the things you've seen tell me when will the river run green 
And anyway for all the things you know tell me why does the river not flow

It's more or less the things you fail to say in your way that's your trouble 
Like a King who stalks the wings and shoots the moon and the stars 
And his double 
It's more or less the same as the things that you said 
Anyway for all the things you know tell me why does the river not flow 
Anyway for all the things you said tell me why does the river run red 
Anyway for all the things you've seen tell me when will the river run green 
And anyway for all the things you know tell me why does the river not flow

I see trouble up ahead 
Where the river boat swayed beneath the sun 
Is where the river runs red 
I see double, that's my trouble

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Ocean Colour Scene

Ocean Colour Scene (often abbreviated to OCS) are an English Britpop band formed in Moseley, Birmingham in 1989. They have had five Top 10 albums and six Top 10 singles to date. more »

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Written by: DAMON MINCHELLA, OSCAR LLOYD HARRISON, SIMON FOWLER, STEPHEN CRADOCK

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Song Release
"The Riverboat Song" by Ocean Colour Scene was released as a single on February 5, 1996.
Album Inclusions
This song is included in two Ocean Colour Scene albums— "Moseley Shoals" and the band's greatest hits album "Songs for the Front Row".
Chart Ranking
The song entered the UK Singles Chart at number 15, making it the band's first Top 40 hit.
Iconic Introduction
The song starts with a memorable guitar riff that's often recognized as being influenced by Led Zeppelin's song "Four Sticks".
Theme
The song pays tribute to the Mississippi riverboats, drawing upon the band's interest in the Deep South culture of America.
Television Appearance
"The Riverboat Song" is perhaps most famous for being the theme song for the British chat show "TFI Friday" hosted by Chris Evans.
Notable Live Performance
One of the notable performances of "The Riverboat Song" took place in 1996 at the T in the Park festival in Scotland.
Band Members
The track features Simon Fowler on vocals and guitar, Steve Cradock on guitar, Damon Minchella on bass, and Oscar Harrison on drums.
Sound Identity
This track was the definitive sound shift of Ocean Colour Scene, migrating from the band's shoegaze beginnings to a more rock and Britpop sound.
Instrumentation
Notable in this song is the strong use of brass instruments.
Songwriting Credits
The song was written by all members of Ocean Colour Scene and it was produced by Brendan Lynch.

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