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.
Casual Party
Band of Horses Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Here's some brand new friends to get you started off
So start it off
Since Ben got that he's a sociopath
He's only playing games don't be distracted, oh
It's all or nothing, all or nothing
So you really got something to lose
It's coming around as it did before
It's gettin' your attention but where's the door? Woah
I can't locate it, where's it located?
I got plenty to live for
Blind faith, it don't sit right
You got rage wound so tight
I wanna leave
Best get out of the way
Blind faith don't sit right
You're full of rage wound so tight
I'm gonna leave
Best get out of the way
Awful conversation at the casual party
The job, the babble on, the recreational hobbies, oh
No it never stops
Kids and the dog, a freshly-mowed lawn
Retirement plans for a mountain home, oh
Been arrested, lived in Texas
My God I'm gonna leave it with you
Blind faith don't sit right
You got rage wound so tight
I better leave
Best get out of the way
Blind faith don't sit right
You're full of rage wound so tight
I'm gonna leave
Best get out of the way
Talking conversation at the casual party
Awful television don't get you started, oh
No it never stops
Children and dogs and manicured lawns
All your future plans, vacation homes
I wanna go
Home
It's so stupid
Everything's about you man
Hey!
Hey what's up? (that's Steve)
The song "Casual Party" by Band of Horses is a commentary on the superficiality of social gatherings and the disconnect that can occur between people in such settings. The lyrics describe a party where the conversation is dull and there is a sense of tension and unease among the guests. The singer seems to feel out of place and uncomfortable with the shallow conversation and fake relationships.
The opening lines, "Talking television at the casual party / Here's some brand new friends to get you started off," highlight the fakeness of the social scene. It feels as if people are trying too hard to make connections and fit in. The reference to one guest being a sociopath who is only playing games adds to the sense of unease at the party, as it suggests that not everyone has good intentions.
As the song progresses, the singer becomes increasingly disconnected from the party and the people around them. They cannot find a way out and feel trapped in the superficial social atmosphere. The repeated refrain of "Blind faith don't sit right / You're full of rage wound so tight / I'm gonna leave / Best get out of the way" expresses the singer's desire to escape and seek a more authentic existence.
Overall, "Casual Party" is a commentary on the masks that people wear in social situations and the difficulty of finding a sense of genuine connection in such settings.
Line by Line Meaning
Talking television at the casual party
Idle chatter about meaningless things at a social gathering.
Here's some brand new friends to get you started off
Meeting new people at the start of the party.
So start it off
Begin the partying.
Since Ben got that he's a sociopath
Ben is behaving like a sociopath without remorse.
He's only playing games don't be distracted, oh
Don't be fooled by Ben's games.
It's all or nothing, all or nothing
It's a high-stakes situation.
So you really got something to lose
You could lose a lot.
It's coming around as it did before
History is repeating itself.
It's gettin' your attention but where's the door? Woah
Something is grabbing your attention, but you can't escape it.
I can't locate it, where's it located?
You can't find the exit.
I got plenty to live for
You have many reasons to live.
Blind faith, it don't sit right
Having unreasoning faith is uncomfortable.
You got rage wound so tight
You are filled with tightly coiled anger.
I wanna leave
You want to escape the situation.
Best get out of the way
It's best to keep your distance.
Awful conversation at the casual party
Small talk at the social gathering that is unpleasant.
The job, the babble on, the recreational hobbies, oh
Talking about work, hobbies, and other boring topics.
No it never stops
It's a never-ending cycle of boring conversations.
Kids and the dog, a freshly-mowed lawn
Talking about domestic affairs and showing off a clean yard.
Retirement plans for a mountain home, oh
Dreaming of future plans for retirement.
Been arrested, lived in Texas
Discussing past experiences.
My God I'm gonna leave it with you
I'm done talking about this topic.
I wanna go
You want to leave.
Home
You want to return to your safe place.
Everything's about you man
Everything revolves around you.
Hey what's up? (that's Steve)
A new person has arrived and is being greeted.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: BENJAMIN BRIDWELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
crazygood4
This is so, so good. I am jamming. I have been a Band of Horses fan since 2009 and I love to hear new music of theirs
Cristóbal Cornejo Díaz
absolutely an underrated song.
Awesome!
666 Garden
heard this song for the first time on the radio today while on two tabs of lsd. Restored my faith in radio.
Lil Nut
@Wordy Weirdo Listen to Jamison Faulkner - Way Back When‼️‼️
Eric Ott
Just don't watch the video on LSD.
Bart Garrett
That was a good day then !
Wordy Weirdo
That sounds like a perfect senario.
Cameron Peterson
I was not expecting such a weird music video.. But kinds like these are always my favorite. Great song too. BoH knows how to balance indie with folk from one song to the next
Amanda Soledad Neubar
2021 and still one of my fav songs of all times!!!
traderdmb
I've listened to this song about 3,000 times. SICK! Nice work.