River (Bishop Briggs song)
River is a song by English singer-songwriter Bishop Briggs. It was released on January 22, 2016, through Teleport Records and Island Records. The track first appeared on Briggs’s SoundCloud and later became the second single from her debut album Church of Scars (and its EP). In May 2016, River was added to the official soundtrack for MTV’s Scream Season 2 and was re-released on July 29, 2016, on Scream: Music from Season Two.
The song became a hit, reaching the Top 10 on three Billboard charts and hitting number one on Spotify’s US Viral 50 chart. Lyrically, River deals with a strained relationship and a push‑through mindset, with Briggs explaining that the song is about tension and empowerment and about challenging someone to push you to your limits.
Musically, River opens with a strong, driving percussion beat and builds to an explosive chorus featuring Briggs’s powerful, soulful-rock vocals. Critics described it as a bold, radio-ready track with a striking presence.
The music video, directed by Jungle George, is about embracing inner demons. It opens with Briggs sinking in water and includes scenes of convulsing and a bag over her head. Briggs has said the visuals illustrate letting go of those inner struggles.
Briggs performed River on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on August 1, 2016. She later performed it at the 2026 Rose Parade. The song has been covered by Pink in live shows since 2017.
Songwriters: Bishop Briggs, Ian Scott, Mark Jackson. Producers: Ian Scott, Mark Jackson, Bishop Briggs. Length: 3:40.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 04:42 (CET).