Band of Horses was formed by Ben Bridwell (guitar, vocals) and Mat Brooke (guitar) in 2004 after the break-up of their previous band, Carissa's Wierd. Rob and Creighton were formerly of the mathrock band The New Mexicans before joining Band of Horses. The group initially got attention from Sub Pop records after opening for Iron & Wine in Seattle area shows. In 2005, the band released their debut EP, Band of Horses Tour EP, which was sold exclusively at shows and on Sub Pop's website. Their debut full-length, Everything All the Time was recorded in 2005 with producer Phil Ek and released on March 21, 2006 to generally good reviews.
On July 13, 2006, Band of Horses appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman sans Brooke. As of July 25, 2006, Mat Brooke left Band of Horses to focus more on his other band, Grand Archives, who had also signed to Sub Pop.
The band's second album, Cease to Begin, was released on October 9 2007. The band has recently moved its base of operations from Seattle to Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina
Their album, Infinite Arms, was released in May of 2010.
Their album, Mirage Rock, was released in September 2012.
Their latest album, Why Are You OK? was released in June 2016.
A Little Biblical
Band of Horses Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Look at the water, look at whatever
We broke the last one apart
And put it back together, it didn't matter
It's a little biblical
A little bit tragic, it may be fantastic
Every once in a while
Every little thing, Every little thing
But I'm old enough to know I'm holding on
For something
I'm old enough to see I'm not the only one
When you get back to town
Back from the islands, back to where I live
Well, we need to have a word
A topic to touch on, the topic is touchy
Yeah this is pitiful
The lack of reception, you never listen
I don't need another round
Nothing is perfect but this isn't worth it
And I'm old enough to know that I'm holding on
For something
I'm old enough to see I'm not the only one
Yeah I smashed it apart and the rains wouldn't stop
'Til everybody was gone, moving on to the next one
I'm old enough to know, I'm holding on
For something
I'm old enough to see I'm not the only one
The song "A Little Biblical" by Band of Horses is a meditation on the cyclical nature of destruction and creation. The opening lines describe a world that has been broken apart and put back together. The imagery is vague enough to be interpreted as both natural and man-made, but the allusion to biblical creation stories suggests a cosmic origin. The singer describes the scene with a sense of awe, as if witnessing something monumental and spiritual.
The chorus of the song then introduces a sense of ambiguity. The word "fantastic" can be read as either positive or negative, and the repeated declaration that "every little thing" is both "biblical" and "tragic" suggests a certain fatalism. The singer seems to suggest that there is a cosmic order to events, but that this order is not necessarily benevolent. The second verse of the song shifts to a more personal focus, with the singer addressing a specific individual. The lack of reception suggests a breakdown in communication, and the chorus reassures the listener that they are not alone in their sense of isolation.
The bridge of the song introduces the image of smashing something apart and the idea that the rains wouldn't stop until everyone had moved on. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for personal or societal destruction, but the emphasis on movement and change suggests a more positive interpretation. The final chorus once again reiterates the idea that the singer is holding on for something, and that there are others who share their sense of longing and hope.
Line by Line Meaning
Welcome to another world
The song is an introduction to a new world, a new topic.
Look at the water, look at whatever
The singer asks the listener to observe and notice their surroundings, whatever they may be.
We broke the last one apart
In the previous world or situation, the singer and others destroyed it.
And put it back together, it didn't matter
They attempted to fix it, but it was not successful or significant.
It's a little biblical
The current situation has a sense of grandness and importance, almost like a story from the Bible.
A little bit tragic, it may be fantastic
The situation has elements of both sadness and potential greatness.
Every once in a while
Occurrences like this happen from time to time.
Every little thing, Every little thing
All the small details of the situation are important and worth noticing.
But I'm old enough to know I'm holding on
For something
The artist is aware that they are desperately clinging to some hope or belief.
I'm old enough to see I'm not the only one
The artist acknowledges that others share this feeling of hope or desperation.
When you get back to town
The singer is addressing a specific person who has been away and asking them to come back.
Back from the islands, back to where I live
This person has returned from a faraway place to where the artist resides.
Well, we need to have a word
The singer wants to have a conversation, most likely an important or difficult one.
A topic to touch on, the topic is touchy
The subject of the conversation is sensitive or delicate, and needs to be approached with care.
Yeah this is pitiful
The singer feels that the situation is terrible or pathetic.
The lack of reception, you never listen
The other person does not pay attention or understand the artist's point of view.
I don't need another round
The artist does not want to continue with the same cycle or pattern that they are in.
Nothing is perfect but this isn't worth it
The current situation is flawed or imperfect, and the singer does not see it as worthwhile.
Yeah I smashed it apart and the rains wouldn't stop
'Til everybody was gone, moving on to the next one
The singer caused the destruction of the previous situation, and it took a long time for everyone to leave and move on to something new.
I'm old enough to know, I'm holding on
For something
The artist reinforces that they are aware of their desperation and hope for something better.
I'm old enough to see I'm not the only one
The artist reiterates that others are in the same boat, looking for something more out of the current situation.
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