‘Tears In The River’ by Maddox Batson - Lyrics & Meaning

Teenager Maddox Batson is already making waves within the country music community, achieving some social media stardom and amassing more than two million followers on TikTok by sharing covers of smash hits by Dylan Gossett, Tyler Childers, Vince Gill and more. After demands from fans for original music, Batson began teasing a tune titled ‘Tears In The Rive’” via the video sharing platform for weeks leading up to its release, before finally hitting streaming services on March 15. Naturally, country music lovers – as well as social media sensations – were thrilled to finally hear the full version of ‘Tears In The River’, resulting in support from stars like Theo Von, Harper Zilmer, charlieonnafriday and more.

Billed as a “mix between Cole Swindell, Morgan Wallen and Justin Bieber,” Batson’s signature sound is exemplified seamlessly within ‘Tears In The River’. While his voice will mature with time, the tune is as classic country as can be, beginning with some acoustic strumming that continues throughout the track, layered underneath his raspy yet twangy vocals that ultimately tie ‘Tears In The River’ together.

[Chorus]

“It's tears in the river

He's gone, gone forever

He's a sun that's setting

So go on girl, forget him

Diamonds on the water

Are here if you want 'em

I swear, if we're together

I could love you better

Than tears in the river”

‘Tears In The River’ throws the listener in head-first by beginning with the chorus, setting the scene for the rest of the song. Throughout the track, Batson is trying to get a girl to forget about her former heartbreak and give him a chance, even though she has hesitations and worries that she will be hurt again. Telling her to “forget him” – with “him” being her ex-boyfriend – the narrator assures the girl “I could love you better / Than tears in the river,” promising to treat her right.

[Verse 1]

“In the heart of Alabama, where the sweet magnolias bloom

There's a young girl with a heart that's broke in two

And she feels all out of luck now

Doesn't know, just feels so stuck now

All alone and hurt from what he put her through”

In the first verse, Batson backtracks, detailing his love interest and her heartbreak that he sang about in the chorus. Setting the scene in “the heart of Alabama” – likely his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama – he explains that this girl got her heart broken by her ex-boyfriend, leaving her feeling “out of luck” and “so stuck” when it comes to romance. Admitting that she is “all alone and hurt from what he put her through” she is unable to open her heart up to anyone at the moment, however, the narrator is hopeful that he can break down her walls.

[Pre-Chorus]

“If you let him roll out with the tide

I know I can dry those”

Batson sings that the girl needs to let him in and let go of the mistrust she has from her previous relationship so she can learn to love again – symbolized by the on-theme metaphor “If you let him roll out with the tide” – followed by a repeat of the chorus.

[Verse 2]

“There's a young boy with a guitar and he's got some songs for you

Whatcha say, girl, if he wrote you a line or two?

Come on, hop up in this truck now

Drive to Nashville, chasing luck now

Watch the memories wash away in that rearview”

Verse two details Batson’s interest in the girl, singing that “There's a young boy with a guitar and he's got some songs for you,” describing himself. Encouraging her to meet him in Music City, the narrator outlines that she would be “chasing luck” if she gives him a shot, contrasting the line “she feels all out of luck now” from the first verse.

While driving up to Nashville from Birmingham to give the narrator a chance, she would essentially watch the not-so fond memories of her former relationship “wash away in that rearview,” seemingly letting her walls down once and for all. This is followed by a repeat of the pre-chorus and the chorus to close out the song.

After gaining a strong social media following by sharing covers of smash hits by Noah Kahan, Zach Bryan, Bailey Zimmerman and more, Batson started teasing ’Tears In The River” on TikTok, finalizing the song in a video from his home studio on March 4.

Just two days later, the 14-year-old shared a video that detailed the meaning behind the track on March 6, prior to playing a snippet of its finalized version: “Have you guys ever had a crush? Well, your boy has, and my most recent one wouldn't let me get in a relationship with her, because her last relationship was toxic, so I wrote a song about it. Let me know what you guys think. I love y'all so much and let's get it”.

Just two days before the release of ‘Tears In The River’, Maddox Batson took things one step further, singing the brand new tune to a fan at her home. “She's the first person to hear me sing it live and wanted to share this special moment with y’all,” the Alabama native captioned the video, sharing his wholesome interaction with the fan, as well as a stripped-down performance of the song.

Teasing a new track titled ‘I Wanna Know’ in a video on April 13 – which will seemingly be Batson’s second single – the future certainly seems bright for the country newcomer, already making waves within the country music community at just 14 years old.

As the years go by and he begins to hone in on his craft, we can see him becoming the next Wyatt Flores or Sam Barber with his authentic, old-school country sound.

[Chorus]

“It's tears in the river

He's gone, gone forever

He's a sun that's setting

So go on girl, forget him

Diamonds on the water

Are here if you want 'em

I swear, if we're together

I could love you better

Than tears in the river

[Verse 1]

In the heart of Alabama, where the sweet magnolias bloom

There's a young girl with a heart that's broke in two

And she feels all out of luck now

Doesn't know, just feels so stuck now

All alone and hurt from what he put her through

[Pre-Chorus]

If you let him roll out with the tide

I know I can dry those

[Chorus]

Tears in the river

He's gone, gone forever

He's a sun that's setting

So go on girl, forget him

Diamonds on the water

Are here if you want 'em

I swear, if we're together

I could love you better

Than tears in the river

[Verse 2]

There's a young boy with a guitar and he's got some songs for you

Whatcha say, girl, if he wrote you a line or two?

Come on, hop up in this truck now

Drive to Nashville, chasing luck now

Watch the memories wash away in that rearview

[Pre-Chorus]

If you let him roll out with the tide

I know I can dry those

[Chorus]

Tears in the river

He's gone, gone forever

He's a sun that's setting

So go on girl, forget him

Diamonds on the water

Are here if you want 'em

I swear, if we're together

I could love you better

Than tears in the river”