How did this song come about?
A lot of the time, when you begin writing a song you don’t necessarily know the direction in which it is heading. Prior to writing ‘Let the River Flow’, the media was flooded with news of Donald Trump’s enforced immigration policy which tore families apart who were trying to cross the border from Mexico into America. It was incredibly distressing news and our anger and frustration became fuel for ‘Let the River Flow’. It wasn’t until Franny began writing the bridge that we realised the song was essentially about humanity.
This song was born in the spirit of anti-racism and is an attempt to spread an important message - we are all human, we all have a name and we all have a story to share. Culture, religion, language, gender, or the colour of your skin should never be grounds for discrimination and oppression. All humans, in all their diversity, deserve to be respected and celebrated.
The song writing process – how does the magic happen?
Franny: I wrote this song in a day. I remember showing it to Zooey who instantly took to it and then kind of tore it apart and completely changed the piano arrangement for the song. The original version of ‘Let the River Flow’ was a slower-paced song and it didn’t ebb and flow like I wanted. I just couldn’t figure out how to change it. So, Zooey being the amazing talent she is, told me to give her a couple of hours and, lo and behold, she found exactly what the song was missing. I remember watching Zooey’s fingers run up and down the keyboard, thinking to myself, “Yes! That’s it!” Zooey turned the song from this slow acoustic sound into a fiery, gutsy masterpiece!
When it came to mixing the song, we both were looking for something punchy and direct. So when we went into the studio and were brainstorming all the possible instruments we could incorporate into the song, we knew instantly some ‘jungle’ drums would play a huge part in the development of the song. The Moana soundtrack was definitely an inspiration here! As you can imagine, there was a lot of back and forth, with the adding and removing of instruments and sounds till we found what felt like was a true and accurate portrayal of the song and its story.
Song analysis:
Here is the meaning behind some of those more abstract lyrics.
Fear not my friend
You and I are the same
Walls divide us
But we’ll climb over them
These lines convey the message that we are all human despite our differences. Walls, both physical and metaphorical, exist and create obstacles in achieving equality. It’s about breaking down those metaphorical walls by disregarding damaging stereotypes, staying informed, and fighting for what is right.
Let the river flow, oh
Let them call out to you
You fire your gun, you set the wolves loose on us
You strip us away of everything we’ve ever loved
Let the river flow, oh
Let the river flow
The chorus is all about letting life flow and not damming the river with oppressive laws that block its path – like with a wall to separate the USA from Mexico. These lyrics reflect the idea that when those in power ‘fire their guns’, they leave marginalised groups vulnerable and at the mercy of unfair and oppressive laws - there is no conversation or negotiation initiated, only commands and enforcement.
Defend your soul
For they will take it all
White, black, and gold
Let us stand tall
The second verse is about protecting your identity and staying true to who you are. It takes strength and courage to do this in the face of adversity. All humans should be able to stand tall and be proud of their unique identities.
And try to cry a little louder, they can’t hear
So shout your name
What’s your name?
Tell me your name
We have tried to write empowering lyrics here. Systemic change can only happen if humans come together, stand as one, and speak up for what they believe in. There is power in numbers.
‘Shout your name’ also reflects the idea that each individual’s identity matters and that we want to hear what you have to say. We want to know your name and your story, and we stand by you.
How can you help marginalised groups?
There are some wonderful organisations out there who work hard to help even the playing field and provide support to those in need. Please consider donating to the following organisations:
https://www.asrc.org.au/donate/
“The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre supports thousands of refugees and asylum seekers. Making a donation today will help us provide food, housing, healthcare and legal support to people who would otherwise be at risk of destitution.”
https://blacklivesmatter.com
“Black Lives Matter Foundation, Inc is a global organisation in the US, UK, and Canada, whose mission is to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes. By combating and countering acts of violence, creating space for Black imagination and innovation, and centering Black joy, we are winning immediate improvements in our lives.”
https://www.whiteribbon.org.au/Support-Us/Make-A-Donation
”White Ribbon Australia is a part of a global social movement working to eliminate gendered violence. We strive for an Australian society where all women and children are safe.
White Ribbon is the world’s largest movement engaging men and boys to end men’s violence against women and girls, promote gender equality and create new opportunities for men to build positive, healthy and respectful relationships.”
https://action.amnesty.org.au/donate
“We live in a challenging time for human rights. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people are killed during conflicts and crises, while millions more are left needing protection and support.
Around the world, countries are responding to this uncertainty by cracking down on human rights – often in the name of protecting public order or ending terrorism. This is why we get out of bed in the morning, go to countless rallies, have tough conversations and write hundreds of letters – because we believe that together, by challenging injustice when we see it, we can create a world where our most basic human rights are enjoyed by all.”
https://antar.org.au/donate-antar
“ANTaR's focus is on changing the attitudes and behaviours of non-Indigenous Australians so that the rights and cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are respected and affirmed across all sections of society.
ANTaR persuades governments, through advocacy and lobbying, to show genuine leadership and build cross-party commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander policy issues.
ANTaR works to generate in Australia a moral and legal recognition of, and respect for, the distinctive status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as First Peoples.
ANTaR is a non-government, not-for-profit, community-based organisation with a membership consisting of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous people and groups.”
Download/Stream Let the River Flow:
https://ar-dept.lnk.to/LettheRiverFlow
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/frannyandzooey_music/
https://www.facebook.com/FrannyandZooeymusic
Keep tabs on our socials as we have a little something special to announce very soon :)
