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.
As I walk through the valley
Of the shadow of L.A.
The footsteps that were next to me
Have gone their separate ways
I've seen enough now to know that beautiful things
Don't always stay that way
I've done enough now to know this beautiful place
Isn't everything they say
I heard that evil comes disguised
Like the city of angels
I'm walking towards the light
Baptized in the river
I've seen a vision of my life and I wanna be delivered
In the city was a sinner
I've done a lot of things wrong but I swear I'm a believer
Like the prodigal son, I was out on my own
Now I'm trying to find my way back home
Baptized in the river
I'm delivered, I'm delivered
You're from a small town
You're gonna grow up fast underneath these lights
Down in Hollywood on the boulevard
The dead come back to life
To the praying Mother and the worried Father
Let your children go
If they come back they'll come home stronger
And if they don't you'll know
They say evil that comes disguised
Like the city of angels
I'm walking towards the light
Baptized in the river
I've seen a vision of my life and I wanna be delivered
In the city was a sinner
I've done a lot of things wrong but I swear I'm a believer
Like the prodigal son, I was out on my own
Now I'm trying to find my way back home
Baptized in the river
I'm delivered, I'm delivered
Baptized in the river
(On my own!)
Baptized in the river
(On my own!)
I wanna be delivered
(On my own!)
(On my own!)
Baptized in the river
(On my own!)
I wanna be delivered
Baptized in the river
(On my own!)
I wanna be delivered
Baptized in the river
(On my own!)
I wanna be delivered
I confess I'm a sinner
I've seen a vision of my life
And I wanna be delivered!
Of the shadow of L.A.
The footsteps that were next to me
Have gone their separate ways
I've seen enough now to know that beautiful things
Don't always stay that way
I've done enough now to know this beautiful place
Isn't everything they say
I heard that evil comes disguised
Like the city of angels
I'm walking towards the light
Baptized in the river
I've seen a vision of my life and I wanna be delivered
In the city was a sinner
I've done a lot of things wrong but I swear I'm a believer
Like the prodigal son, I was out on my own
Now I'm trying to find my way back home
Baptized in the river
I'm delivered, I'm delivered
You're from a small town
You're gonna grow up fast underneath these lights
Down in Hollywood on the boulevard
The dead come back to life
To the praying Mother and the worried Father
Let your children go
If they come back they'll come home stronger
And if they don't you'll know
They say evil that comes disguised
Like the city of angels
I'm walking towards the light
Baptized in the river
I've seen a vision of my life and I wanna be delivered
In the city was a sinner
I've done a lot of things wrong but I swear I'm a believer
Like the prodigal son, I was out on my own
Now I'm trying to find my way back home
Baptized in the river
I'm delivered, I'm delivered
Baptized in the river
(On my own!)
Baptized in the river
(On my own!)
I wanna be delivered
(On my own!)
(On my own!)
Baptized in the river
(On my own!)
I wanna be delivered
Baptized in the river
(On my own!)
I wanna be delivered
Baptized in the river
(On my own!)
I wanna be delivered
I confess I'm a sinner
I've seen a vision of my life
And I wanna be delivered!
Lyrics submitted by poisoned_wound
The River Lyrics as written by Benji Madden Don Gilmore
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think the meaning of this song is of course being baptized in a river.I think they were tlkin bout how god was mad at him 4 doing a sin but hes tryin 2 tell god 2 give him another chance and forgive him.bcuz in the song he said ″in the city theres a sinner ive done alot of things rong but i swear im a believer″.