I Follow Rivers
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"I Follow Rivers" is a song by Swedish recording artist Lykke Li from her second studio album, Wounded Rhymes (2011). Produced by Björn Yttling of Peter Bjorn and John, it was released on 21January 2011 as the album's second single. The track premiered exclusively on SPIN.com on 10January 2011.
Belgian DJ/producer the Magician remixed and reworked "I Follow Rivers" in 2011, peaking at number one in Belgium, Germany, Italy, Poland, and Romania, number two in Switzerland, Austria, Ireland, and the Netherlands, and number four in France. The remix was deemed "'90s house". Belgian band Triggerfinger covered "I Follow Rivers" in 2012, peaking at number one in Austria, Belgium and the Netherlands.
Music video
The music video, directed by Tarik Saleh and filmed at Närsholmen on the Swedish island of Gotland, features Li in a black robe and veil chasing a man (Swedish-Lebanese actor Fares Fares) through a snowy landscape. An unofficial music video consisting of scenes from the French film Blue Is the Warmest Colour played with the Magician's remix was uploaded to YouTube by user Aldo Zuga on March 9, 2014, and has over 672 million views as of January 2026, surpassing the original music video's 91 million views as of May 2024.
Track listings
- Danish, Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish iTunes EP – Remixes
- "I Follow Rivers" – 3:42
- "I Follow Rivers" (Dave Sitek Remix) – 3:58
- "I Follow Rivers" (The Magician Remix) – 4:40
- "I Follow Rivers" (Van Rivers & The Sublimial Kid) – 6:41
- UK iTunes EP
- "I Follow Rivers" – 3:48
- "I Follow Rivers" (Dave Sitek Remix) – 3:58
- "I Follow Rivers" (Van Rivers & The Sublimial Kid) – 6:41
- UK 7" single
A. "I Follow Rivers" – 3:48
B. "Get Some" (Primary 1 Remix)
- UK 12" single – The Remixes
A1. "I Follow Rivers" – 3:48
A2. "I Follow Rivers" (The Magician Remix) – 4:40
B1. "I Follow Rivers" (Van Rivers & The Subliminal Kid Remix) – 6:41
B2. "I Follow Rivers" (Tyler, The Creator Remix) – 3:41
- German CD single
- "I Follow Rivers" (The Magician Remix) – 4:40
- "I Follow Rivers" (Radio Edit) – 3:20
Charts
| Chart (2011–2019) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for "I Follow Rivers" Chart (2011–2019) Peak position Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) 2 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) 1 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia) 1 Brazil (Billboard Hot 100 Airplay) 48 Brazil (Hot Pop Songs) 12 Czech Republic Airplay (ČNS IFPI) 5 Denmark (Tracklisten) 40 Euro Digital Song Sales (Billboard) 10 France (SNEP) The Magician Remix 4 Germany (GfK) 1 Global Dance Songs (Billboard) 21 Greece Digital Songs (Billboard) 1 Hungary (Rádiós Top 40) 6 Hungary (Dance Top 40) 2 Ireland (IRMA) 2 Italy (FIMI) 1 Italy Airplay (EarOne) 1 Luxembourg Digital Song Sales (Billboard) 1 Mexico Ingles Airplay (Billboard) 37 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) 2 Netherlands (Single Top 100) 3 Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100) 1 Poland (Dance Top 50) 1 Portugal Digital Song Sales (Billboard) 3 Romania (Romanian Top 100) 1 Romania (Romanian Radio Airplay) 1 Romania (Romania TV Airplay) 1 Slovakia Airplay (ČNS IFPI) 13 Slovenia (SloTop50) 14 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) 44 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) 2 UK Physical Singles Sales Chart (OCC) 30 Chart (2015–2025) Peak positionWeekly chart performance for "I Follow Rivers (The Magician Remix)" CIS Airplay (TopHit) The Magician Remix Radio Edit 5 Euro Digital Tracks (Billboard) 8 Moldova Airplay (TopHit) 39 Russia Airplay (TopHit) The Magician Remix Radio Edit 1 Ukraine Airplay (TopHit) The Magician Remix Radio Edit 15 | Monthly charts 2025 monthly chart performance for "I Follow Rivers (The Magician Remix)" Chart (2025) Position Moldova Airplay (TopHit) 88 Year-end charts 2011 year-end chart performance for "I Follow Rivers" Chart (2011) Position Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) 7 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia) 7 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) 179 2012 year-end chart performance for "I Follow Rivers" Chart (2012) Position Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) 21 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) 12 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia) 7 France (SNEP) 6 Germany (Media Control AG) 3 Hungary (Dance Top 40) 18 Hungary (Rádiós Top 40) 15 Ireland (IRMA) 16 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) 3 Netherlands (Single Top 100) 4 Romania (Romanian Top 100) 1 Russia Airplay (TopHit) 72 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) 9 2013 year-end chart performance for "I Follow Rivers" Chart (2013) Position Brazil (Crowley) 64 France (SNEP) 45 Hungary (Dance Top 40) 25 Hungary (Rádiós Top 40) 97 Italy (FIMI) 7 Italy Airplay (EarOne) 10 Slovenia (SloTop50) 28 Russia Airplay (TopHit) 1 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) 72 Ukraine Airplay (TopHit) 56 2014 year-end chart performance for "I Follow Rivers" Chart (2014) Position France (SNEP) 83 Russia Airplay (TopHit) 148 Ukraine Airplay (TopHit) 187 2015 year-end chart performance for "I Follow Rivers" Chart (2015) Position France (SNEP) 177 Decade-end charts 2010s decade-end chart performance for Fallen Chart (2010–2019) Position Germany (Official German Charts) 44 All-time charts Chart PositionAll-time chart performance for "I Follow Rivers" Belgium (Wallonia) (BEA) 6 |
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) | 2 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) | 1 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia) | 1 |
| Brazil (Billboard Hot 100 Airplay) | 48 |
| Brazil (Hot Pop Songs) | 12 |
| Czech Republic Airplay (ČNS IFPI) | 5 |
| Denmark (Tracklisten) | 40 |
| Euro Digital Song Sales (Billboard) | 10 |
| France (SNEP) The Magician Remix | 4 |
| Germany (GfK) | 1 |
| Global Dance Songs (Billboard) | 21 |
| Greece Digital Songs (Billboard) | 1 |
| Hungary (Rádiós Top 40) | 6 |
| Hungary (Dance Top 40) | 2 |
| Ireland (IRMA) | 2 |
| Italy (FIMI) | 1 |
| Italy Airplay (EarOne) | 1 |
| Luxembourg Digital Song Sales (Billboard) | 1 |
| Mexico Ingles Airplay (Billboard) | 37 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) | 2 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100) | 3 |
| Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100) | 1 |
| Poland (Dance Top 50) | 1 |
| Portugal Digital Song Sales (Billboard) | 3 |
| Romania (Romanian Top 100) | 1 |
| Romania (Romanian Radio Airplay) | 1 |
| Romania (Romania TV Airplay) | 1 |
| Slovakia Airplay (ČNS IFPI) | 13 |
| Slovenia (SloTop50) | 14 |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) | 44 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) | 2 |
| UK Physical Singles Sales Chart (OCC) | 30 |
| Chart (2015–2025) | Peak position |
| CIS Airplay (TopHit) The Magician Remix Radio Edit | 5 |
| Euro Digital Tracks (Billboard) | 8 |
| Moldova Airplay (TopHit) | 39 |
| Russia Airplay (TopHit) The Magician Remix Radio Edit | 1 |
| Ukraine Airplay (TopHit) The Magician Remix Radio Edit | 15 |
| Chart (2025) | Position |
| Moldova Airplay (TopHit) | 88 |
| Chart (2011) | Position |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) | 7 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia) | 7 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) | 179 |
| Chart (2012) | Position |
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) | 21 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) | 12 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia) | 7 |
| France (SNEP) | 6 |
| Germany (Media Control AG) | 3 |
| Hungary (Dance Top 40) | 18 |
| Hungary (Rádiós Top 40) | 15 |
| Ireland (IRMA) | 16 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) | 3 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100) | 4 |
| Romania (Romanian Top 100) | 1 |
| Russia Airplay (TopHit) | 72 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) | 9 |
| Chart (2013) | Position |
| Brazil (Crowley) | 64 |
| France (SNEP) | 45 |
| Hungary (Dance Top 40) | 25 |
| Hungary (Rádiós Top 40) | 97 |
| Italy (FIMI) | 7 |
| Italy Airplay (EarOne) | 10 |
| Slovenia (SloTop50) | 28 |
| Russia Airplay (TopHit) | 1 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) | 72 |
| Ukraine Airplay (TopHit) | 56 |
| Chart (2014) | Position |
| France (SNEP) | 83 |
| Russia Airplay (TopHit) | 148 |
| Ukraine Airplay (TopHit) | 187 |
| Chart (2015) | Position |
| France (SNEP) | 177 |
| Chart (2010–2019) | Position |
| Germany (Official German Charts) | 44 |
| Chart | Position |
| Belgium (Wallonia) (BEA) | 6 |
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Austria (IFPI Austria) | Platinum | 30,000* |
| Belgium (BRMA) | 2× Platinum | 60,000* |
| Denmark (IFPI Danmark) | Platinum | 90,000‡ |
| France (SNEP) | Diamond | 250,000* |
| Germany (BVMI) | 5× Gold | 750,000^ |
| Italy (FIMI) | 3× Platinum | 90,000* |
| Spain (Promusicae) | 2× Platinum | 120,000‡ |
| Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland) | 3× Platinum | 90,000^ |
| United Kingdom (BPI) | Platinum | 600,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA) | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
| Streaming | ||
| Denmark (IFPI Danmark) | Gold | 1,300,000† |
| * Sales figures based on certification alone. ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. † Streaming-only figures based on certification alone. |
Triggerfinger version
Belgian band Triggerfinger covered "I Follow Rivers" during Giel Beelen's show on the Dutch radio station 3FM in what was called "a fragile version". They used glasses, cups, and knives to create a rhythmical background section. Triggerfinger's version was released as a single on 24 February 2012, topping the singles chart in Austria, Belgium, and the Netherlands, while reaching number nine in Germany and number seventeen in Switzerland.
Track listings
- Belgian and Dutch iTunes single
- German CD single
- "I Follow Rivers" (Live@Giel!) – 3:35
- "Let It Ride" – 3:24
Charts
Weekly charts
| Chart (2012) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) | 1 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) | 1 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia) | 4 |
| Germany (GfK) | 9 |
| Luxembourg Digital Song Sales (Billboard) | 7 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) | 1 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100) | 1 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) | 17 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (2012) | Position |
|---|---|
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) | 16 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) | 3 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia) | 43 |
| Germany (Media Control AG) | 29 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) | 6 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) | 60 |
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Austria (IFPI Austria) | Platinum | 30,000* |
| Belgium (BRMA) | 2× Platinum | 60,000* |
| Germany (BVMI) | Gold | 150,000^ |
| Netherlands (NVPI) | 2× Platinum | 40,000^ |
| Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland) | Gold | 15,000^ |
| * Sales figures based on certification alone. ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
Other versions and use in media
- "I Follow Rivers" was performed by Jenna Ushkowitz's character Tina Cohen-Chang in the Glee episode "A Night of Neglect", originally aired 19 April 2011. Rolling Stone said the performance was "mostly spot-on".
- The song was covered in German by FC Bayern München ultras, as "I Follow FC Bayern" and was used for the introduction to the television program Ran.
- American singers Jason Isbell and Amanda Shires covered the song on a 2015 two-song EP titled Sea Songs.
- Israeli singer-songwriter Roni Alter, accompanied by music producer Alon Lotringer, released an acoustic cover version in 2016.
See also
- List of Airplay 100 number ones of the 2010s
- List of Dutch Top 40 number-one singles of 2012
- List of number-one hits of 2012 (Austria)
- List of number-one hits of 2012 (Germany)
- List of number-one hits of 2013 (Italy)
- List of number-one singles of 2012 (Poland)
- List of Romanian Top 100 number ones of the 2010s
- List of Ultratop 50 number-one singles of 2011
- List of Ultratop 50 number-one singles of 2012