The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
I've been going down
Down into the river baby
Listen to the sound
It's something only god knows
You figure it out, I can't stay
Water's in the clouds
Is my life about to change?
Who knows, who cares
So we took a van down to Colorado
Where we ran into the dead
I took you by the hand
Know that even with your doubts, it's okay
Take into account that it's not about to change
Who knows, who cares
You could let it down
Jump into the river baby
Easy as it sounds
It's never quite as easily done
The current has us now, it's okay
Take into account that it's all about to change
Who knows, who cares
No one's been there
But I don't care
I know all have been there
I don't care
I know
Down into the river baby
Listen to the sound
It's something only god knows
You figure it out, I can't stay
Water's in the clouds
Is my life about to change?
Who knows, who cares
So we took a van down to Colorado
Where we ran into the dead
I took you by the hand
Know that even with your doubts, it's okay
Take into account that it's not about to change
Who knows, who cares
You could let it down
Jump into the river baby
Easy as it sounds
It's never quite as easily done
The current has us now, it's okay
Take into account that it's all about to change
Who knows, who cares
No one's been there
But I don't care
I know all have been there
I don't care
I know
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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I just came across this song a few days ago and I absolutely adore it. To Me I feel like the song is simply saying, "Just go with the flow". In the first verse it talks about going into the river, I kind of get the hint of Siddhartha and the river of life. You can't stop the river and you can't stop life, so just go with it. The Second and Third verse transitioning to his significant other having worry or doubts about their relationship and him saying just jump in the river baby, its ok meaning just go with it and see what happens.