Jump in the River
Sinιad O'Connor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Always left me unsure
They'd never say things of their own accord
I am preoccupied
I can't get them out of my mind
They are terrified
And if you said jump in the river I would
You're not supposed to be here at all
It's all been a gorgeous mistake
Sick one or clean one
The best one
That God ever made
When I kissed you
You didn't mind
I thought I tasted of too many cigarettes
But you tasted like wine
And I'm not going to change my mind
Just because of what they said
The worm has laid eggs in their hearts
But not in my head
And if you said jump in the river I would
Because it would probably be a good idea
You're not supposed to be here at all now
It's all been a gorgeous mistake
Sick one or clean one
The best one
That God ever made
There's been days like this before you know
And I liked it all
Like the times we did it so hard
There was blood on the wall
And if you said jump in the river I would
Because it would probably be a good idea
And if you said jump in the river I would
Because it would probably be a good idea
The lyrics of Sinead O'Connor's "Jump in the River" carry a strong sense of conflict, confusion, and defiance. The singer seems to be caught between two worlds, unable to fully embrace either one. She is preoccupied by phone calls that never say what she wants to hear and is plagued by the fear that comes from them. Despite this, she is willing to jump in the river, seemingly suggesting that she would rather take the risk than remain in her current state of mind.
The song's hook, "you're not supposed to be here at all, it's all been a gorgeous mistake," hints at the possibility that the singer's situation is the result of some kind of cosmic error. She feels out of place, as if she's not meant to be here but has somehow ended up in this life anyway. The lyrics also suggest a romantic relationship between the singer and the person she addresses, who she is willing to follow blindly - even if it's "probably be a good idea" to jump in the river, showing an expression of love or trust.
The bridge, "there's been days like this before you know, and I liked it all, like the times we did it so hard, there was blood on the wall," speaks to both the passion and the violence that can sometimes be found in romantic relationships. It shows that the singer is no stranger to intense experiences and is willing to dive into them headfirst.
Line by Line Meaning
The phone calls
Whenever I receive phone calls, I am left unsure of what the other person is trying to say.
Always left me unsure
The phone calls always leave me unsure and confused about the other person's intentions.
They'd never say things of their own accord
The other person on the phone never speaks their own mind and is always controlled by someone else.
I am preoccupied
I am constantly thinking about the phone calls and what the other person is trying to tell me.
I can't get them out of my mind
The phone calls are constantly on my mind and I can't seem to forget about them.
They are terrified
The other person on the phone sounds scared and is always hesitant to speak openly.
And if you said jump in the river I would
If you suggested that I jump in the river, I would do it because I trust your judgement.
Because it would probably be a good idea
I trust that you know what is best for me and jumping in the river is likely a good thing for me to do.
You're not supposed to be here at all
You are not meant to be in my life, but I am glad that you are here anyways.
It's all been a gorgeous mistake
Our relationship may have been unplanned, but it is beautiful and I wouldn't change a thing.
Sick one or clean one
Whether you are sick or healthy, I love you all the same.
The best one
You are the best thing that has ever happened to me and I am grateful for you.
That God ever made
You are a precious gift from God and I cherish every moment I spend with you.
When I kissed you
The first time we kissed was a special moment between us.
You didn't mind
You did not object or protest when I kissed you, which made me feel more comfortable.
I thought I tasted of too many cigarettes
I was worried that my breath smelled like cigarettes from smoking too much.
But you tasted like wine
When we kissed, I was pleasantly surprised by the taste of your lips.
And I'm not going to change my mind
I am not going to let other people's opinions change the way I feel about you.
Just because of what they said
I am not going to let the negative opinions of others affect my relationship with you.
The worm has laid eggs in their hearts
Those who criticize our relationship have jealousy and hatred in their hearts.
But not in my head
I refuse to let their negative thoughts and opinions influence my own thoughts and feelings.
There's been days like this before you know
I have had similar experiences in the past where I have been judged for my relationships.
And I liked it all
Despite the negativity, I have always enjoyed being in love and having a partner.
Like the times we did it so hard
Our intimate moments together are some of my favorite memories.
There was blood on the wall
Our love and passion for each other was so intense that it caused physical marks and evidence.
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., NETTWERK ONE MUSIC (CANADA)LTD
Written by: SINEAD O'CONNOR, MARCO PIRRONI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@psyke670
JUMP TO THE RIVER
The phone calls
Always left me unsure
They'd never say things of their own accord
I am preoccupied
I can't get them out of my mind
They are terrified.
And if you said jump in the river I would
Because it would probably be a good idea
You're not supposed to be here at all
It's all been a gorgeous mistake
Sick one or clean one
The best one.That God ever made.
When I kissed you
You didn't mind
I thought I tasted of too many cigarettes
But you tasted like wine
And I'm not going to change my mind
Just because of what they said
The worm has laid eggs in their hearts
But not in my head.
And if you said jump in the river I would
Because it would probably be a good idea
You're not supposed to be here at all now
It's all been a gorgeous mistake
Sick one or clean one
The best one
That God ever made.
There's been days like this before you know
And I liked it all
Like the times we did it so hard
There was blood on the wall.
And if you said jump in the river I would
Because it would probably be a good idea
And if you said jump in the river I would
Because it would probably be a good idea.
@pmde1525
The phone calls
always left me unsure
They'd never say things of their own accord
I am preoccupied
I can't get them out of my mind they are terrified
And if you said jump in the river I would because it would probably be a good idea.
You're not supposed to be here at all now
It's all been a gorgeous mistake
Sick one or clean one
the best one
that God ever made
When I kissed you
you didn't mind
I thought I tasted of too many cigarettes
But you tasted like wine
and I'm not going to change my mind
Just because of what they said
The worm has laid eggs in their hearts
But not in my head
And if you said jump in the river I would
because it would probably be a good idea.
You're not supposed to be here at all now
It's all been a gorgeous mistake.
Sick one or clean one
the best one
that God ever made
There's been days like this before you know.
And I liked it all
like the times we did it so hard there was blood on the wall
And if you said jump in the river I would
because it would probably be a good idea
And if you said jump in the river I would
because it would probably be a good idea.
@TeknologiPintar
إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ RIP sinead 🙏
@amybarrett7300
Her first 2 albums were so damn good. I remember seeing the video for Mandinka on 120 minutes and being blown away. This song will always remind me of the summer my ex-husband and I started dating. It’s too bad that The Last Day of Our Acquaintance described the end of our marriage nearly 27 years later. She was such a brilliant artist. I hope she’s found peace now. 🙏🏻
@theduallanguagechannel
So sad…
I hope you have since found joy
@mrqs1549
My favorite Sinéad’s song, from the many great songs from her discography. Sad that you’re not here anymore, but I understand that you had to go. RIP Sinéad.
@theduallanguagechannel
It really is a phenomenal song. “The worm has laid eggs in their heart but not in my head.”
@krasty23hc
one of the most beautiful voice in the universe! sweet, powerful, angry....rest in peace Sinead!
@maureencholewka9755
RIP Sinead you were my heroine in this harsh world
@anthonyhume-ring810
FREE PALESTINE NOW!!!!!!!!!
@travisjames3517
“IDNWWIHG” will always be my fav album. I worshipped it since its release in Jan of 1990 and still do….
@CorporalDavis
RIP Sinead.. i remember when this came out.. one of my favorite songs...