Don’t run from me river
Don’t run from me river river
No don’t run from me river
Don’t run from me river river
Look, you can play it cool
Act like you don’t care
River don’t be cruel
You’re pushing me away
Don’t want to get hurt
So you hurt me first
With the words you say
Maybe you should fall
That’s what rivers do
’cause when you’re in love
You don’t mind a different view
Things are looking up
Oh river (river, river)
Don’t run (run, run)
Don’t run (river, river)
Don’t run (run, run)
Oh river (river, river)
Don’t run (run, run)
Don’t run (river, river)
From our love (run, run)
Look, darling don’t give up
When the water’s rough
Where you gonna go?
My heart is your home
Nothing is as cold
As running on your own
So river don’t you rush
Maybe you should fall
That’s what rivers do
’cause when you’re in love
You don’t mind a different view
Things are looking up
Oh river (river, river)
Don’t run (run, run)
Don’t run (river, river)
Don’t run (run, run)
Oh river (river, river)
Don’t run (run, run)
Don’t run (river, river)
From our love (run, run)
Don’t run from me river
Don’t run from me river, river
No don’t run from me river
Don’t run from me river, river
No don’t run from me river
Don’t run from me river, river
No don’t run from me river
Maybe you should fall
That’s what rivers do
’cause when you’re in love
You don’t mind a different view
Things are looking up
Oh river (river, river)
Don’t run (run, run)
Don’t run (river, river)
Don’t run (run, run)
Oh river (river, river)
Don’t run (run, run)
Don’t run (river, river)
From our love (run, run)
Oh river (river, river) (Don’t run from me river)
Don’t run (run, run) (Don’t run from me river, river)
Don’t run (river, river) (No don’t run from me river)
Don’t run (run, run) (Don’t run from me river, river)
Oh river (river, river) (Don’t run from me river)
Don’t run (run, run) (Don’t run from me river, river)
Don’t run (river, river) (No don’t run from me river)
From our love (run, run) (Don’t run from me river, river)
No
Exploring the Emotional Current of “River”
Charlie Puth’s “River” is a heartfelt exploration of vulnerability and emotional resistance in relationships. Using the river as a metaphor, the lyrics depict a partner who is hesitant to embrace love, retreating when emotions run deep. Puth pleads for openness, suggesting that falling—like a river’s natural flow—is an essential part of loving and being loved. The repeated chorus, “Don’t run from me, river,” echoes a longing for connection and the courage to face emotional turbulence together. Ultimately, the song encourages surrendering to love, even when it feels uncertain or overwhelming, because true intimacy requires both trust and risk.
Song Credits
- Artist: Charlie Puth
- Songwriters: Charlie Puth, Jacob Kasher Hindlin, Sasha Sloan
- Release Year: 2018
- Label: Atlantic Records