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.
Georgia
Band of Horses Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A short time later they all watched in awe and all of a sudden I'm here
She was also my father so I hardly got to see her
I was afraid of the dark, but it was only 'cause I was a believer
I was told when I was two years old
She swore that I would be special
I took a good look around and thought
Georgia, you'll always be home to me
Georgia, I belong to you and yes you belong to me
When they ask me where I'm from
I'm proud to say that I'm your son
I'm movin' on using mostly dirt roads until I find my way
Campbellton Road, can't forget Cascade or remember both MLK
There's somethin' about Atlanta, doesn't cease to amaze me
Oh, after all you even raised the people that raised me
And my old man is very dead, can't be mad now why bother?
And you have been my mother nature also my godfather
Georgia, you'll always be home to me
Georgia, I belong to you and yes you belong to me
When they ask me where I'm from
I'm proud to say that I'm your son
Georgia, you'll always be home to me
Georgia, I belong to you and yes you belong to me
When they ask me where I'm from
I'm proud to say that I'm your son
In Band of Horses' song "Georgia," the singer reflects on his journey through life and how the state of Georgia has played a significant role in shaping who he is today. The "memory lane" he refers to is his childhood, where he was conceived by his mother and father, but due to their relationship, he didn't get to see her very often. He was afraid of the dark only because he was a "believer," meaning he believed there could be something harmful lurking in the shadows. Despite this, his mother believed that he would be special from a young age, and he promised her that the city of Atlanta would help him achieve this.
Throughout his life, the singer has moved around a lot, but he always finds his way back to Georgia. He mentions specific roads that he has traveled, including Campbellton Road and Cascade, which are both located in the southwest part of Atlanta. He is constantly amazed by the state's beauty and how it has raised the people around him, including his own godfather, who he refers to as his "mother nature." The singer also reflects on the passing of his father, who he says is "very dead," and recognizes that there's no point in being angry anymore.
Overall, the song "Georgia" is a nostalgic tribute to the state that has played an instrumental role in the singer's life, both in his childhood and as an adult.
Line by Line Meaning
Back down memory lane, I began as my mother's bright idea
Thinking back to my past, I started as a thought in my mother's mind
A short time later they all watched in awe and all of a sudden I'm here
Soon after my birth, everyone was amazed and surprised, and I came into this world
She was also my father so I hardly got to see her
My mother was also my father, so I didn't get to spend much time with her
I was afraid of the dark, but it was only 'cause I was a believer
I used to be scared of the dark, but only because I believed in things that scared me
I was told when I was two years old
My mother told me something when I was just a toddler
She swore that I would be special
She promised that I would be unique and important
I took a good look around and thought
I surveyed my surroundings and reflected
Don't worry mama this city's gonna help ya
Don't worry, Mom, this city will support us
There's somethin' about Atlanta, doesn't cease to amaze me
There's just something special about Atlanta that always leaves me in awe
Oh, after all you even raised the people that raised me
You even helped raise the people who raised me, so I owe a debt of gratitude to you
And my old man is very dead, can't be mad now why bother?
My father has passed away, so there's no point in being angry at him now
And you have been my mother nature also my godfather
You have acted as both my mother and father figure in my life
Georgia, you'll always be home to me
Georgia will always be my true home
Georgia, I belong to you and yes you belong to me
I am a part of Georgia and it is a part of me
When they ask me where I'm from
When people inquire about my origin
I'm proud to say that I'm your son
I am proud to claim Georgia as my state of origin
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: David Guy, Homer Steinweiss, Leon Michels, Nick Movshon, Thomas Brenneck, Thomas Callaway
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Levon White
This is absolutely amazing! Please play this at Birmingham in November!
LolCam
<3 <3 this cover. Might even say it's better than the original.
Nick B.
The band trac for this was recorded in an alley behind the recording studio. It was freggin awesome. They didn’t even tell us what it was for until after the fact.
Munchausen45
May I ask what instrument you played?
Boingoboy18
Band of Horses or Cee-Lo - what really matters is that we now have TWO versions of a fantastic song representing a fantastic state. The Redcoats are tight, though. Georgia will always be on my mind.
Martin Rogers
if this song were a whole day long? what a good day that would be
Bria Skye
Why isn’t this on Spotify? I wanna listen to it 24/7
Joel Graham
Love the horses
Nick B.
I was one of the trombone players on this trac. :)
wonkybubbles
SO GLAD you posted this! I couldn't find it anywhere.