A Q&A With the Spring Breakup Lyric Contest Promotion Winner Jordon Frank

“Can’t Hold The River” 
Written by Jordon Frank
Interview by American Songwriter

Jordon Frank is the American Songwriter Spring Breakup Lyric Contest Promotion winner for his song “Can’t Hold The River.” American Songwriter caught up with Jordon to get the story behind his heartbreaking lyrics. 

How long have you been songwriting? 

I have been songwriting since I was in high school, probably sophomore year.

Why did you enter American Songwriter’s Lyric Contest? 

Because I’ve always been proud of my writing, especially songs about breakups, unfortunately I specialize in heartbreak lol. So I figured I’d try this contest out. I have submitted to other contests but never won. This is truly an honor.

What inspired you to write this song?

I was kind of in the end mentally, well both of us were, of a relationship. We could have made it work but we were both stubborn and had other toxic issues. But I knew that I couldn’t stop the direction we were going in, hence “can’t hold the river”. As much as the song hurts to perform, I am still proud of the writing.

How do you think this song would sound? 

It’s a folk songwriter song. I’ve recorded it already, it’s on Spotify and Apple Music.

Listen below:

Do you find it harder or easier to write songs about the ‘heart’? 

How else do you write? Everything is from the heart.

Read the lyrics to “Can’t Hold The River” below:

I’m scared to let you go, but I know it in my soul.

Best to beat the storm before the thunder rolls.

Its not an easy thing, trying to fly with broken wings.

Gotta close the book before the story’s told.

 

We can keep on trying till we find our way.

Or we can listen to what other people say.

It’s a cold dark world when it looks that way.

But you can’t hold the river when it runs away.

 

I gotta do what’s right, it keeps me up at night.

While my arms are wrapped around you tight.

We’re running out of time, its not for lack of trying.

But the future for us just aint so bright.

 

We can keep on trying till we find our way.

Or we can listen to what other people say.

It’s a cold dark world when it looks that way.

But you can’t hold the river when it runs away.

 

We can keep on trying till we find our way.

Or we can listen to what other people say.

It’s a hard pill to swallow when it feels this way.

But you can’t hold the river when it runs away.

No you can’t hold the river when it runs away.

Since 1984, American Songwriter’s Lyric Contest has helped aspiring songwriters get noticed and have fun. Enter the 2023 Lyric Contest today before the deadline:

ENTER THE LYRIC CONTEST

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