Breaking down the lyrics of "Down By The River" from Baldur's Gate 3

Baldur's Gate 3 has so many wonderful tunes, in fact, I'd say Borislav has done such a phenomenal job showcasing a whole style of music that many many people wouldn't either a. expose themselves to or b. fully even understand if it wasn't for his compositions. This was really fun to take a deeper look at it and break it down from a vocal perspective. Hope it helped you! go sing it!
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[@damned0wl]

This song is harder to get out of your brain than an illithid tadpole. It's so perfect for the game, I love it

[@Mr-Geist-Bong]

heard it so many times but never get sick of it, love the vibes

[@teyvatato2148]

It really does get down in there! I've got an appointment scheduled with Volo to get it sorted out though so no biggie.

[@Excog_]

​​@@Mr-Geist-BongPerfect bg while customizing the tav, haha. Never bored of it during my near 4-hour character creation page.

[@FoxInnaHat]

I LOVE the ost that plays when you free nightsong

[@SuperPhoenixFrog]

From another commentator on another video analysis of this song: The "down down down by the river" melody is a leitmotif that gets used throughout the game's soundtrack. It is cut content so not a spoiler anymore but this song was originally intended as being "sung" by the parasite in the character's brain. It was trying to seduce them into letting go and giving up control. Coming to sit down by the river in your mind with the entity and lose yourself forever. The leitmotif shows up in other songs and its often always just in the background as a way of the parasite's presence constantly being felt. That story line was cut though so now its just songs with a connecting leitmotif that no longer have that original intention behind them.

[@Lrbearclaw]

Only those who played Early Access will remember "Who do you dream of?"

[@Nimoot]

@@Lrbearclaw Which makes so much more sense than ... "Choose a Guardian..."

[@NoLifeButMyOwn]

Sung by what? Why did they cut that, I wonder. I kind of wish they didn't. This is the first I'm hearing of this.

[@kalythai]

In a way, it can kinda be retconed into SPOILERS the Emperor manipulating you with a pretty face, lies and half-truths to try to get the end result he wants out of you with a siren's song.

[@alexwang3282]

@@NoLifeButMyOwn because the original dream visitor was written too obviously as a trap to lure you in and just ask you to give it up. and if you never use any tadpole dialogue options, the dream would never happen. plus the voice only says "who do you dream at night" in character creation, which does not clearly implement that it is a romatic/seductive direction. a lof of people built a non-romantic dream person in their mind and do not like it when it turns out to be a seductive tone.

[@KatyWhitekavkj]

That ending is eerie. It's perfect for implying that there's darkness behind the beauty - that we hear in the song and we see in the game. This track lived rent free in my head for days after I first heard it.

[@inspector_beyond]

This song is simple, yet it's so iconic, after hearing it, you hear the same notes in almost every BG3 theme. THIS is the main theme of Baldur's Gate 3 to me, period.

[@Darkclowd]

Wait, what else would it be? I thought it just was

[@user-dv3pj5ge4f]

@@Darkclowd The actual main theme is the one you hear on the main menu, you know the one you never get to hear cause you only hear the 2 first "aaaaahhhhhhhh" and then go straight to your save.

[@andrzejbishop107]

It's a cut content song. MC's illithid tadpole singing it, her name is Daisy btw. And she is persuading you to turn into full illithid.

[@Will_Salcedo]

No shot bro lol

[@damobeck1]

@@Will_Salcedono he’s right. The EA had a different story where the Tadpole was trying to convince you to give into it.

[@BroodyElf22]

@@damobeck1 Yeah a lot changed in EA, I'm sad to see some of it go, but I definitely remember there were scenes and everything with daisy romance

[@TheElholm]

It's "haunting". Simple and effective. Reminds me of lost/missed loves, and the potential for new ones. Especially since this track was made before they changed the story of the tadpole. Originally the tadpole/dream visitor would try to lure you to give in to it etc. That plays so well with this song.

[@majid__jafari]

This song and your analysis proves that you don't need to hit crazy high notes and runs to sound impressive. Sometimes it's all about the right dynamics and proper use of stress on the correct words. Loved your analysis man 👌🏻

[@Exxyo]

It is understandable why this theme is so known, when you play for the first time you spend some time in character creator, and just like that, you start hearing the late motiv everywhere in the game. It's hard to describe how BG3 made me love singleplayer games again. BG3 was required to set a standard.

[@Fazeshyft]

This song is such an earworm and it almost immeduately became my daughter's favorite bedtime song. We've listened to this on repeat more times than one should endure in a lifetime. And I still love it.

[@ookami-chan3328]

The fact that it plays at the character creation is one of the best things about it! Makes you invested in the game before even starting! (just finished my first playthrough and started the 2nd one btw!)

[@chrispowell2480]

This song is the perfect representation of the tadpole and what it represents. The lyrics present the image of perfection, an elysium like setting. If it were the lyrics alone, this would fit as a hopeful romance song. And yet, with the cadence the singing is in, along with the haunting quality of the harp that many other commenters have called out, there is just a hint of something wrong. It's just enough to generate the cognitive dissonance to remind you something is wrong with this ideal picture the tadpole presents. This song is more befitting the sweet, siren song of power the tadpole represents, with just the tiniest crack reminding you that giving in is wrong.

[@aldofigaro]

I can't express how much I love this song's leitmotif throughout the entire game

[@Superdazzu2]

One of the best theme songs ever, full stop. It fits perfecty, a new adventure, it will feel like a dream, but has the potential to become a nightmare, all of this in an unknown world. It's a work of art as the other OST's in the game "the Power" is the counterpart to "down by the river", you should cover it

[@baron-chan6484]

This song to me... Feels like childhood wonder, but pain because we can't have that again.. feels like the past is Going Down By the River

[@Bobby-ls4sk]

It's funny that this is the first time I actually listen to the original, I always listened to Nerissa's cover. Her version is really beautiful too and it sounds a bit more melancholic, which fits the song perfectly

[@zebraforceone]

Apparently it is about slowly losing your mind, or at least agency of your own mind, down by the river

[@gavykanrepublic6699]

You should do a breakdown of "The Power" aka the credits song from bg3! It's so powerful (no pun intended)

[@scrollkeeper5272]

This is an utterly beautiful song, Borislav Slavov never fails to hit me in the feels.

[@mistared4021]

Listened to this right after marco covered it, larian seems to have a habit of putting these absolutely beautiful but calm(either solemn or serene is more accurate but idk) songs during the character creation phase, but i think this is the first one with lyrics.

[@henrikh3089]

I've spent so many hours in character creation, good thing it's such a nice tune 😅

[@p1ngerss]

You should see if you can get an interview with Borislav!

[@MarcoMeatball]

I am we just need to coordinate times

[@DrewWasHere]

I heard this song a million times but never realized how beautiful it is until now. Love your videos!

[@beo3828]

I cannot believe Max0r created On Gyatt Rizz King with this music on the background.

[@mugen3603]

I just started playing BG3 recently and, just the other night, I got this scene where a certain someone reached out their hand to me in a dream, and I had to choose whether to take it or not. Today, I'm listening to this song, and that image immediately flashed in my mind. Someone here said this song is about that person and the PC, so I'm very curious where all of that leads.

[@kamenriderkfp6684]

Being unable to play Baldur's Gate 3 I hadn't heard the original version of this song. I've only been familiar with the cover done by Nerissa Ravencroft. Which I do recommend giving a listen as Nerissa is quite a talented singer and there is just something about her voice that gives the song a deeper tone of melancholy which sounds quite lovely with the songs melody

[@SiriusJuanForte]

Eyyy fellow Jailbird

[@romandraco1213]

What I like about this one is it reminds me of songs they play in magick stores. Even if the song story is foreboding, the nature vibe soothes you.

[@greenskin86]

Lyrics make a lot more sense when you play the game. During the day, there is no time for stopping - a lot of running, talking to strangers, fighting, pushing through encounters. The night is the time when party can stop, sit down, relax, contemplate the beauty of the night sky, reflect on the events of the day, embrace relationship with their companions. It's the moment the party would want to last forever, so they don't need to throw themselves into the fight next day. In my view, this is what truly "Down by the river" is.

[@ranaraeuchle6485]

The funny thing is that I've never thought of this as a romantic song. This was my own character singing to me, luring me into their world. Especially at the end of the song, it's like a siren singing to the player.

[@adenlaible7066]

HELL YEAH! Been waiting for you to cover something from BG3!

[@mindfighter1]

The upward stepwise motion you were noticing in the lower harp part actually moves up continuously for two measures, then reappears an octave lower than before, repeating the same sequence. It does a good job of bringing extra motion to the phrases but in a way some people wouldn't notice until you point it out. I think both Down by the River and I want to Live both have a bittersweet feeling which is emphasized with the way they leave you hanging at the end, the final phrase feeling unfinished instrumentally. No V-I around here.

[@cynthiaharrell4960]

Simple!!!!!!! Love it

[@MarcoMeatball]

i see you, queen!

[@andrewhegstrom2187]

I always tried to be really careful about doing a gliss at the start of a phrase or section. Particularly if it was a big jump or very high or low in my register. Which for someone who sang primarily jazz and swing is probably a weird take. It felt unpolished to me.

[@emperortivurnis9161]

100% to me, speaks plainly about seduction and coercion and corruption. (I have played the game 10 times lol)

[@Dracobyte]

Time to go down, down, down by the river with this one!

[@Ashurman666]

Oh loom, the reason I spent hours just in the character creator itself. Not making my character but listening to the song

[@Silvist]

Yes, to me this is the real theme lol. Carried me all the way through EA to launch and beyond :D I know you've played BG3, but I would love to see your reaction to Alfira's song.

[@X3GreenTea]

"The power" is a more cinematic version of this leitmotif with much more esotheric lyrics. I recommend breaking it down! The "song version" in particular.

[@orihallmark]

How fitting. I just bought and started playing Baldurs Gate 3 a couple days ago.

[@elevown]

Its a great song :) Have you listened to weeping dawn from bg3? Its similar but not as simple- might be same singer? Its also very beautiful.

[@anthonyluna352]

The main character was meant to meet Daisy in their dreams, who is secretly the illicid trying to take control of your body by offering a perfect paradise . I'm assuming Daisy is meant to be singing, too. This is all cut content now

[@Mr-Geist-Bong]

god I love BG3, would have been GOTY any year

[@StoneTitan]

It is a nice piece, and fitting for the game. As for a piece to suggest: Main theme from Warhammer 40k Rogue Trader

[@SparkTheKirin]

For some reason I always get the same feeling from this song as I do the Destati song from KH. Though DBTR absolutely takes the effect to 11. I believe I've heard tale that a certain plot element is singing to you during the character creation, asking you to give into the things it offers.

[@HalTiL]

I fall in love with this song

[@meikurai]

I prefer more '' I want to live '' but down by the river is the theme of Baldur's gate and I love it too

[@havocprime7987]

I love your channel and your analysis, there is another piece of music that i believe you would love a lot Unstable Molecule - Endless Space 2: Lost Symphony Original Soundtrack I know you have done endless space 2 before in one of your videos but this one here is a must to listen. I would love your reaction on this. Cheers

[@bamboozled_again]

Is that your beard after just one day? :O If so, I would also like to have such a beard growth D:

[@Pluto137]

...well now I hear this as the tadpole uh persuading me....dang

[@misterjkplays3920]

When i first played this game and heard the song my initial thoughts were oh my God you poor thing what a terrible fate you live but do not worry you are not alone i too have a checkered fate so let us share it together.

[@JustPierre-01]

I have no job I am divorced And I live in A van Down the river~

[@cynthiaharrell4960]

Elegant !!!!!!

[@redsoulheart5040]

Marco, will you ever do a reaction to Arcane series? The music is absolutely amazing and I would love to hear your thoughts on the matter. I know Arcane isnt video game music persay but i think youll genuinely enjoy it.

[@kabukaze]

still i hope you get to talk about Helldivers 2 Main Theme - "A Cup Of Liber-Tea"

[@Ancient_War]

He did A Cup of Liber-Tea a month ago. Search for it because it was terrific.

[@notnaiagoaway]

Marco! The Fallout show is coming soon! You should look at some Fallout tunes!

[@MarcoMeatball]

Yup! Great idea!

[@notnaiagoaway]

@@MarcoMeatball I'M SO FLATTERED YOU RESPONDED OMG HI ASLKMGLKM ahem, if this finds you well, the themes of 3, New Vegas and 4- particularly the tones they set - are definitely something that people chat about a lot! Might be worth giving them all a listen, they all sound very distinct : )

[@cerealbox7872]

I interpret the disturbing ending as the Dark Urge and the song is sang by a particular Tiefling.

[@Lrbearclaw]

Close, it's your Tadpole. This is from way back in Early Access, before the DUrge was decided be a PC option.

[@cerealbox7872]

Cool, didn't ask. I could have interpreted it as Karlach imagining a happy ending to her life but knows she's destined to die, too, thats the point of interpreting art.

[@Pek0mo]

Hi marco would love if you reacted to for honor main theme Keep up the good

[@dyelawn893]

I am 90% sure the only lyrics to this song are "Down, Down, Down by the River"

[@andreaswennberg9542]

Took you tube three months to recommend this, good job you tube 😂.

[@Ancient_War]

This is the _tadpole_ singing? This song is lovely but I’ve always found it to be melancholic and rather creepy. No wonder.

[@khalidgeith416]

You need to react to the new honkai star rail Animated short : Rondo Across countless Kalpas ❤

[@todas4193]

Next pls, all stalker games guitar songs

[@AlexanderAshcroft]

Hey Marco why dont you Play through the Remedy Verse, Alan Wake, Control, and Alan Wake 2. and react to their music. there games are not very hard and two of them are pretty fun.

[@MarcoMeatball]

i played through Control recently on easy and had a decent time with it. Mostly the maze. lmao. it felt like it just sort of ended and then I didn't feel committed enough to hop into the dlc! But ive been watching Alan Wake 2. It's a really neat concept isnt it.

[@AlexanderAshcroft]

@@MarcoMeatball its fantastic the music is also very interesting. especially in the conveying of themes and meanings with the past present and future of the games.

[@KaiSaeren]

This song has currently nothing to do with the game narratively. Its all cut content sadly and its been changed very last minute due to some really bad feedback and larians focus on "fun", which cut out the moral and integral decision of what to dowith the illithid powers and their consequences. There is so much left there to ponder on, even the games art books wehere shipped with the "hearts desire" Daisy character instead of the last minute guardian which also changed the emperrors character and neutered all the illithid powers choices. Incredible song, just not one that has anything to do or has any place in current BG3 narrative sadly. How awesome would it have been if the Illithid powers had actual consequences and we could have chosen to embrace them or not, possibly ending up down by the river with our hearts desire, instead, for sake of "fun" and so more people would use their fun new talent tree we got the changed story, which is still great mind you, but far from what it could have been. And sadly its been all for naught because vast majority of players do no engage the illithid powers, shocking as it is, sincei is a player choice and same with the use of origin characters, almost nobody uses them. Just some things Larian got wrong among the sleuth of incredibly work that they did.

[@Stickman_S]

Can you listen to the pizza tower ost again? It got a update and a bunch of new songs that i think you will like :D

[@kaostesla]

day 100: MARCOOOO PLS PLS CODE VEIN MAIN MENU THEME REACTION PLS PLS PLS

[@Jrockk999]

I love this song, but too bad it no longer has meaning in the game.

[@Hagosha]

???

[@Jrockk999]

@@Hagosha The song Down by the River was related to Daisy, the former dream figure from the Early Access before the Guardian in the release. Daisy was supposed to represent either the Tadpole itself or the Absolute. The idea and tone was that as you accepted Daisy and used more of the tadpole powers, you would be slowly turning more and more illthid as the game went on. Eventually turning into a mind flayer while your consciousness stayed with Daisy "down by the river." The way the Guardian works now, it carries none of that weight or theme of temptation. And the only consequence of using the tadpole is a high dice roll check on whether to evolve or not, along with some cosmetic changes.

[@irgendwer3610]

the editing goes a little too hard with the millenial humor

[@nokne]

You should react to Dance of Curse from the anime Visions of Escaflowne, you'll love it