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.
Bass Song
Band of Horses Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To tell you things
they are, as important
as everything else
showed on was before
The sun came
to kill me then
it's plain
slowly steal, our, on our
dreams away
ain't it wonderful?
wonderful
to us
lonliness
is grilled with meat
the only side, fine
is shaking hands
Watch your eyes
ain't they wonderful?
ohhhhh
ain't they wonderful?
to us
Carolina home
ohhhhh
Savannah home
they need no
I'd be home
they lead no
they lead no
they lead no
they lead no
everything I care for
is so wonderful
he looks around
around me there
fucking through, storm
truth be known
never solved before
she sat
so we'd be there
so resting now, at work
some bridges
better not burn
they'd be boundary now
they lead no
they lead no
they lead no
they lead no
everyone you are reaching for
is so wonderful
The first verse of "Bass Song" by Band of Horses seems to convey a sense of urgency, as the singer declares that the things he has to tell are as important as everything that happened before. He then talks about the sun that came to kill him, albeit internally. The image of the sun as a killer may allude to the cyclical nature of life, where everything eventually ends, even in destruction. The sun stealing the characters' dreams away further emphasizes this sense of inevitability.
In the chorus, the singer comments on the wonderfulness of something, although it is unclear what that may be. However, the second verse provides some context, as it talks about loneliness grilled with meat. This juxtaposition seems to present a contradiction, and it may hint at the idea that loneliness is a staple of life, something that is always present, like the sustenance that we need to survive. The singer then talks about shaking hands and asks the listener to watch their eyes, perhaps commenting on the importance of human connection and honesty.
The last part of the song talks about the singers' homes in Carolina and Savannah, and how they lead nowhere. There seems to be a sense of disillusionment or restlessness here, as the characters are looking for something more but cannot find it. The final declaration that everyone they care for is wonderful may indicate their acceptance of this fact, and a willingness to find beauty in the present moment.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I got
I have something to say
To tell you things
To share my thoughts with you
they are, as important
These thoughts are just as significant
as everything else
As any other idea
showed on was before
That has been shared before
The sun came
The struggle began
to kill me then
To take me down
at least inside,
On an emotional level
it's plain
It's clear
slowly steal, our, on our
Gradually take, eroding our
dreams away
Our hopes disappear
ain't it wonderful?
Isn't it great?
wonderful
So great!
to us
For us
loneliness
Feeling alone
is grilled with meat
Is made worse
the only side, fine
The positive side, if any
is shaking hands
Is making peace
Watch your eyes
Be careful
ain't they wonderful?
Aren't they amazing?
ohhhhh
Oh, wow!
Carolina home
My home in Carolina
ohhhhh
Oh wow!
Savannah home
My home in Savannah
they need no
They don't require
I'd be home
I would be there
they lead no
They don't lead anywhere
everything I care for
Everything I love
is so wonderful
Is amazing
he looks around
He observes
around me there
What surrounds me
fucking through, storm
Persisting through the hardship
truth be known
To be frank
never solved before
That have never been resolved
she sat
She stayed
so we'd be there
So we could stay
so resting now, at work
So serene, in progress
some bridges
Some connections
better not burn
That should not be destroyed
they'd be boundary now
Now there are limits
everyone you are reaching for
Everyone you strive to connect with
is so wonderful
Is amazing
Contributed by Luke C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
David Stark
I'm blown away that this only has 15 likes. Such a great song. Hard to find a good version of this...thanks for posting
Houston Creighton
Favorite BOH song.
Mark Sloane
This is my favorite BOH song too and they don’t have it available on iTunes.
weirowanderer
how I like this sad sound! thanx for share, it seems that there's no other vid of this song on youtube
Alex Bradshaw
I’m not the biggest Band of Horses fan, defintely enjoy their songs but don’t follow them. But something about this song just stuck with me, such an amazing song. I wish they made more stuff like this
izzat fakhri
nice song
Nick Mei
This isn't "bass song" that was the original name for our swords
Based Squid
Ive had this song for forever but had no idea what it was called. Do you know what album/ep this is off of?
Cheebaroni
Nick Mei thank you bro ! Savannah !
Nick Mei
This song is very old it is from back when they were still called horses and still had all the original members of the band. It was on the original demo they sold at shows in Seattle. also believe it might be on the they sold while touring with iron and wine.
Also "bass song" was the original name for our swords this is Savannah