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.
The First Song
Band of Horses Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm shaking, asshole
In weather remote
The snowfall, oh
The snowing, the color
We recover from, oh
The Christmas-time coming
Hangover approaching
We've been drinking for months
This Christmas-time though, I'm coming over
Coming from the north
I'm already done
Wrapping up the presents I bought
Overcoat
Now take me anywhere, oh
We've suffered enough
Scary to leave
When they're leaving from work
They're cutting us off
Knowing not why
They're calling on the telephone
Roy, do I know anyone?
No, I don't know anyone
The lyrics of "The First Song" by Band of Horses contains some cryptic and evocative lines that can mean different things and could be interpreted in various ways. The opening lines that say "the shaking awful, I'm shaking, asshole, in weather remote" may suggest a feeling of anxiety, unease, or distress, perhaps due to a seemingly isolating and severe environment. The next few lines that mention the "snowfall" and "snowing" could also reflect the harshness and emptiness of the surroundings, but paradoxically, they are also the things that could bring comfort and healing - the promise of a new start or revival after the cold winter season. The line "the color we recover from" could mean that the whiteness of the snow can help one recover from a dark or bleak state, providing an opportunity for transformation and rejuvenation.
Moving on to the second stanza, the song shifts to a more festive and celebratory tone, talking about "Christmas-time coming" and "wrapping up the presents." However, there's a tinge of melancholy in the lines "hangover approaching, we've been drinking for months," which could indicate a reflection on the brevity of joy or happiness, or the cost of indulgence. The next lines add a layer of meaning to the song, where the singer says "this Christmas-time though, I'm coming over, coming from the north, I'm already done," which could mean a sense of triumph or accomplishment, or a willingness to move forward and embrace change. The final lines of the song mention someone called "Roy," who is being asked if he knows anyone - this could suggest a feeling of alienation or disconnection, or maybe the desire to reach out and connect with someone.
Overall, the song's lyrics seem to capture a sense of shifting moods, from anxiety and stress to hope and determination, and the importance of finding healing and growth even in the coldest and hardest times.
Line by Line Meaning
The shaking awful
I feel terrible and my body is shaking involuntarily.
I'm shaking, asshole
I am addressing someone who has made me feel terrible and caused me to shake.
In weather remote
I am in a distant place with extreme weather conditions.
The snowfall, oh
I am surprised and in awe of the snow falling around me.
The snowing, the color
The snow is painting everything in white.
We recover from, oh
We are able to overcome the difficulties associated with the snow and cold weather.
The Christmas-time coming
It's almost time for Christmas.
Hangover approaching
The feeling of being hungover is fast approaching as a result of drinking too much.
We've been drinking for months
We have been drinking excessively for months leading up to Christmas.
This Christmas-time though, I'm coming over
Despite the potential hangover, I'm excited to visit for Christmas.
Coming from the north
I am arriving from a cold region in the north.
I'm already done
I have already finished wrapping up the presents I bought.
Wrapping up the presents I bought
I am finishing up preparations for Christmas by wrapping presents that I bought.
Overcoat
I have bundled up in warm clothes to protect myself from the cold weather.
Now take me anywhere, oh
I have no particular destination in mind and am willing to go anywhere.
We've suffered enough
We have experienced enough troublesome weather and are ready for something better.
Scary to leave
It's frightening to move on from the familiar, even if it's troublesome.
When they're leaving from work
Other people are heading home from work and we feel like we're missing out.
They're cutting us off
They are excluding us from their plans.
Knowing not why
We don't understand why we are being left out of their plans.
They're calling on the telephone
They are attempting to include us via a phone call.
Roy, do I know anyone?
The caller is trying to determine if Roy knows anyone who should be included.
No, I don't know anyone
Roy does not know anyone else who should be included.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BENJAMIN BRIDWELL, CHRISTOPHER EARLY, TIMOTHY MEINIG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind