Jon Philpot has previously released music as part of the duo Presocratics, in collaboration with guitarist and composer Need Thomas Windham. Presocratics released two albums on the record label Table of the Elements in 2001; both were produced by Philpot.
The first Bear in Heaven release (Tunes Nextdoor to Songs, Eastern Developments 2003) was an EP of solo recordings by Philpot, recorded in Atlanta, Georgia, with guest musicians performing on various instruments. Shortly after the release of Tunes Nextdoor to Songs, Philpot moved to Brooklyn, New York and joined with guitarist Adam Wills, keyboardist/guitarist Sadek Bazaraa (a graphic designer with Brooklyn design collective GH avisualagency), guitarist David Daniell (of San Agustin), and bassist James Elliott (Ateleia, School of Seven Bells). Eventually drummer Joe Stickney (drummer with Paul Duncan, Rhys Chatham's Essentialist project, and current touring drummer with Panthers) was added to the lineup. Daniell left Bear in Heaven in 2005 to focus on his solo project.
Red Bloom of the Boom, Bear in Heaven's first full-length album with the full band, was released in 2007 by the Hometapes record label.
Elliott left the band after the completion of the recordings of Red Bloom of the Boom to focus on School of Seven Bells and his solo project, Ateleia. Bear in Heaven now performs as a four-piece with Philpot on vocals, guitar and keyboards; Wills on guitar and bass; Bazaraa on bass and keyboards; and Stickney on drums.
Discography
Red Bloom of the Boom - Hometapes CD, 2007
Tunes Nextdoor to Songs - Eastern Developments CDEP, 2003
Beast Rest Forth Mouth - Hometapes
Beast In Peace
Bear in Heaven Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So let go and look over the horizon
Your pirouette will go around the world
Your pirouette will show you the outside
Silently
Coming Home
Silently
Don't bother leaving
We're already gone
True Thoughts retreating
Now it seems they're gone
Don't bother leaving
We're already gone
True thoughts retreating
Now it seems they're gone
Doomsday it's so quiet
You hardly know it's there
Dollars of the triumph
They're loaded down so well
Thunder is expanding
Like your face into the ground
Thunder is expanding
And the rate will wear you down
The best times were better
When you didn't need to think
The eagle or monster
Is pulling down our feet
Let's chase it all we caught
The beast we are free
And don't bother leaving now
We're already gone
The song "Beast In Peace" by Bear in Heaven is a thought-provoking and open-ended track that delves deep into themes of self-discovery, escape, and existentialism. The first verse sets the tone for the song, encouraging the listener to trust their instincts and venture out beyond the safety of their own world. The line "Your pirouette will go around the world / Your pirouette will show you the outside" suggests that taking a leap of faith can yield valuable experience and insight.
The chorus repeats the phrase "Silently coming home," insinuating that the exploration and self-discovery that the singer encourages the listener to undertake ultimately leads them back to themselves. This idea is juxtaposed with the lines "Don't bother leaving / We're already gone / True thoughts retreating / Now it seems they're gone," implying that the journey of self-discovery has led them to leave behind their old selves and thought patterns.
The second verse introduces more bleak and ominous imagery, with the line "Doomsday it's so quiet / You hardly know it's there" suggesting that the end of the world may not be as uproarious as one might anticipate. The music swells and takes on a heavier tone with the line "Thunder is expanding / Like your face into the ground," which paints a vivid and unsettling picture. The song concludes by drawing attention to the idea that sometimes the best way to face adversity is to confront it head-on, as "Let's chase it all we caught / The beast we are free / And don't bother leaving now / We're already gone."
Line by Line Meaning
Looks like you know what you want
You have a clear target in mind
So let go and look over the horizon
Free yourself and explore new possibilities
Your pirouette will go around the world
Your journey of exploration will take you far and wide
Your pirouette will show you the outside
Your journey will help you discover the world beyond your mind
Silently
Everything is calm and peaceful
Coming Home
Returning to a familiar place
Silently
Everything is calm and peaceful
Coming Home
Returning to a familiar place
Don't bother leaving
No need to depart
We're already gone
We have already moved on
True Thoughts retreating
Our genuine ideas are fading away
Now it seems they're gone
Our original thought is no more
Doomsday it's so quiet
The apocalypse is silent and subtle
You hardly know it's there
You can barely sense its presence
Dollars of the triumph
The currency of victory
They're loaded down so well
They're full of value
Thunder is expanding
The approaching threat is becoming more massive
Like your face into the ground
It will hit you hard and knock you over
Thunder is expanding
The approaching threat is becoming more massive
And the rate will wear you down
Continued pressure will exhaust you
The best times were better
Past times were more pleasant than now
When you didn't need to think
When you could just be without any worries
The eagle or monster
A powerful force that controls us
Is pulling down our feet
Dragging us down
Let's chase it all we caught
We pursued what we wanted and got it
The beast we are free
We are liberated by what we have achieved
And don't bother leaving now
There's no need to depart at the moment
We're already gone
We've already moved on
Contributed by Riley T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Kanwar Anand
This was my song of the year in 2010. And that was a year I barely remember. Because I smoked so much. But I have never heard more music in my life and different types and yet this was the best. Then on 18th November of the same year, I saw them in concert somewhere in Brooklyn. I felt I levitated, their performance was awe inspiring. What a band. And today I couldn't sleep. Its 7.01 AM and this is playing as the first song I'll listen to on this Monday. It was 7:01 when I woke up , its 7:04 AM now actually. Don't bother leaving, you're already gone.
GemsStr7
are the still around!? Freakin amazing! Never did drugs, and don't think I have to, cuz i just met the bear in heaven!
Stephanie Vargas
This song is so powerful! I love the rhythm of i!
randy's world
hey thanks a lot for uploading. the section that emerges in the end is simply genius. seriously, thanks.
[ MM ]
Just saw them tonight. What an amazing show. And I'm so glad they opened with this song.
Me Untamed
I was there with you, buddy. Great show. Their drummer is amazing
against581
saw them last night, fucking epic. my vision was vibrating from the bass.
Max Long
amazing band. drove from southwest Ohio to Pitt to see them but show was sold out! still an awesome band
wooboy11
yw :) this band is truly something! people deserve to know more bout it.
The Dutcher
saw this live in Vera, Groningen, Netherlands two weeks ago, really awesome