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
You Do You
Bear in Heaven Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It feels like a thousand years have gone by without you
I miss someone like you
I wanna tell you secret things
My lips won't say anything that make sense
I wanna run to you
But my legs won't respond
I wanna know
If you come dance with me
I think you will like my moves
If you get next to me
I will have nothing left to prove
Here I am
There you are
Just inches away
But still too far
Look in my eyes
You'll see the reflection of you
In me, On me, my eyes
I have nothing left to prove
I wanna run to you
But my legs won't respond
I wanna know
Exactly what you are
If you come dance with me
I think you will like my moves
If you get next to me
I will have nothing left to prove
Here I am
There you are
There's nothing left between us
Nothing left between us
So dance with me
Dance with me
Dance with me
Dance with me
Bear in Heaven's song You Do You is a composition that describes a sense of longing for an individual that is unreachable. The song begins by stating that even though daylight has come, the flashing lights don't stop, which may indicate a constant distraction or being in the spotlight. The artist then expresses his yearning for someone who has been gone for a long time, using the phrase "It feels like a thousand years have gone by without you". He openly admits that he misses someone like the person he is referring to but is unable to articulate his emotions efficiently. The artist expresses his desire to get closer to this person and tell them secret things, but his lips won't utter meaningful words to achieve that.
The chorus is where the song's theme becomes most apparent, as the artist longs to understand exactly who this person is, and not just the surface-level aspects that seem easily discernible. He asks the person to come with him and see his moves, which could be interpreted as an invitation to join him in life's journey, where he will show his qualities and skills to make the person feel special. If one gets closer to him, he states that "I will have nothing left to prove" which could mean that he is genuine, authentic, and not putting on a front. The artist's final statement in the song is that "There's nothing left between us" portraying that even though it seems as though they are close and there has been a lot of history, there's nothing tangible other than an intense desire to be around each other.
Line by Line Meaning
Daylight won't stop the flashing lights
Despite the day, I still feel overwhelmed and stimulated.
It feels like a thousand years have gone by without you
I have been yearning for you for a long time and it feels like an eternity.
I miss someone like you
I am longing for someone with your unique qualities and personality.
I wanna tell you secret things
I trust you enough to share my deepest thoughts and secrets with you.
My lips won't say anything that make sense
I am so overwhelmed with emotion that my words may not come out coherently.
I wanna run to you
I am eager to be close to you and feel your presence.
But my legs won't respond
Despite my eagerness, I am frozen with fear or anxiety.
I wanna know
Exactly what you are
I am curious about your true character and what makes you unique.
If you come dance with me
I think you will like my moves
I am confident in myself and believe that you will enjoy our time together.
If you get next to me
I will have nothing left to prove
If we become close, I will feel completely comfortable and do not need to impress you further.
Here I am
There you are
Just inches away
But still too far
We are in close proximity to each other, but there is still a distance that needs to be bridged.
Look in my eyes
You'll see the reflection of you
In me, On me, my eyes
I feel a strong connection to you and I see parts of you within myself.
I have nothing left to prove
I am confident in myself and my abilities, and do not feel the need to prove anything to you.
There's nothing left between us
Nothing left between us
There are no barriers or obstacles preventing us from being together.
So dance with me
Dance with me
Dance with me
Dance with me
I want to be close to you and share a moment of joy and connection through dancing.
Lyrics © WARP MUSIC LIMITED
Written by: Adam Stewart Wills, Jon Philpot, Joseph Blodget Stickney, Michael Darius Walford
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
LIC. LAURA FERNANDEZ
Well I heard a rumor
The new man no words
Talking about us
And making a long list
Of to-do's that they don't need from you
They want to forget
You were ever born
They want to reset
You were ever born
How to begin
Down the corner right???
How to begin
Down the ground and right???
How to begin
Shout ???
Well i heard a rumor
The new man no words
Talking about us
And making a long list
Of to-do's that they don't need from you
They want to forget
You were ever born
They want to reset
You were ever born
To let the forces
Arm your heart
Don't let the rumors
Get you down
So what? Who cares?
You be strong
Don't let the rumors
Wear you out
The Elysian
This song still slaps to this day. I could listen for hours
BpecikoPK
when i hear this song i feel i can do everything.it's so inspiring!!
Ronald Pickinpaugh
This song always gave me heavy The Lost Boys vibes, specifically when Michael is driving through the fog on his motorcycle.
Miguel Ruiz
Every time I read 1984 by George Orwell, I listened to this album. It was my reading soundtrack and the best decision I ever made.
Bibi B
I heard this song again today and started to hum it out of memory. I didn't realize I was remembering an old song I used to listen to daily years back! I'm so glad I found this artist again.
LIC. LAURA FERNANDEZ
Well I heard a rumor
The new man no words
Talking about us
And making a long list
Of to-do's that they don't need from you
They want to forget
You were ever born
They want to reset
You were ever born
How to begin
Down the corner right???
How to begin
Down the ground and right???
How to begin
Shout ???
Well i heard a rumor
The new man no words
Talking about us
And making a long list
Of to-do's that they don't need from you
They want to forget
You were ever born
They want to reset
You were ever born
To let the forces
Arm your heart
Don't let the rumors
Get you down
So what? Who cares?
You be strong
Don't let the rumors
Wear you out
Lindsay LaBarre
Instead of "that they don't need from you" I think it's "and they don't include you"
Erik Medina
ohh, thank u so much :).
DUNDUNDUN DUN DUN DUN DUNDUN
this band is just too ethereal....it's amazing!
DustyZafu
Just saw these guys had a great review on Pitchfork, instantly hooked... great music