After building up a reputation with his gigs across the UK, Howard was eventually asked to sign to Island Records. His first album, Every Kingdom, was released on October 3, 2011 and debuted at #7 on the UK album chart. It sold in excess of 1 million copies globally, received a Mercury Music Prize nomination, and was the catalyst for Ben picking up two Brit Awards in 2012 for British Breakthrough and British Solo Male Artist.
The follow up, 'I Forget Where We Were' was released on 20th October 2014 through Island Records. It was produced by Ben and his drummer Chris Bond at Start Point Farm Studios in Devon.
www.benhowardmusic.co.uk.
Bones
Ben Howard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And go, frolic in the lights that brought you here
So very long
And hold, hold your lips so tightly at the shadows, we go
'Cause I know, I know, I know, I know
You can never be alone
'Cause it's just the bones you're made of
That's alright, honey
That's alright with me
Oh, you laugh like there's hope in the story
That's alright, honey
That's alright with me
Oh, you laugh like I'll be there to hold you always
Always here
I'm always, honey, always here
And go, silent as death on the first day of the snow
Oh go, leave these fires burning
A house of embers and coal
And cover, covered all those boys that search for love
In your room
'Cause lust is just a child's game and you
Oh, you were always late to bloom
And you laugh like you've never been lonely
That's alright, honey
That's alright with me
Oh, you laugh like there's hope in the story
That's alright, honey
That's alright with me
Oh, you laugh like I'll be there to hold you always
Always here
I'm always, honey, always here
And you love like you've always been lonely
That's alright honey
That's alright with me
Oh, you love him with all of your body
That's alright honey
That's alright with me
Oh, you love him like you'll be there for always
Always, honey, yeah, always near
Always, honey, yeah, always near
Always, honey, yeah, always near
Oh, far from this small-town bar we know
Oh, go, leave me with this bird and his song
Out here in the cold
'Cause it's just the bones you're made of
The song "Bones" by Ben Howard is a melancholic reflection on the ephemeral nature of love and the fleetingness of human interactions. The lyrics are full of metaphorical and narrative imagery, painting a picture of a person who is leaving behind their small-town life and setting off to explore the wider world. The chorus, "Cause it's just the bones you're made of", is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the idea that beneath the surface-level interactions we have with others, there is a fundamental shared humanity that connects us all.
The first verse encourages the person to leave behind the place they know and seek adventure, to "frolic in the lights that brought you here". The second verse references the snow and the fires of the town, suggesting that the person leaving is moving on to something new and different, leaving behind those who are still searching for love. Throughout the song, the singer is reassuring the person that they are never truly alone, that even in the depths of loneliness or despair, there is always someone who cares for them. This is encapsulated in the repeated line, "Always here, I'm always, honey, always here."
Line by Line Meaning
Oh go, far from this small-town bar we know
Leave this small town and its bar behind and explore the world.
And go, frolic in the lights that brought you here
Have fun and enjoy yourself in the place where you feel at home.
So very long
It's been a long time since you have felt content and you're unsure if you ever will again.
And hold, hold your lips so tightly at the shadows, we go
Be cautious of the unknown and don't let it consume your thoughts.
'Cause I know, I know, I know, I know You can never be alone
You'll never be truly alone because you have yourself.
'Cause it's just the bones you're made of
In the end, we are just flesh and bones.
And you laugh like you've never been lonely That's alright, honey That's alright with me
Even though you may be lonely, it's okay because you still have joy.
Oh, you laugh like there's hope in the story That's alright, honey That's alright with me
You laugh as if you believe things will get better, and I support that.
Oh, you laugh like I'll be there to hold you always Always here I'm always, honey, always here
Even if I'm not physically there with you, I'm always here for you emotionally.
And go, silent as death on the first day of the snow Oh go, leave these fires burning A house of embers and coal
Leave without a trace and let the flames of the past continue to blaze.
And cover, covered all those boys that search for love In your room 'Cause lust is just a child's game and you Oh, you were always late to bloom
Protect yourself from those who only seek physical pleasure, because true love takes time.
And you love like you've always been lonely That's alright honey That's alright with me
You love as if you've never been loved before and that's okay.
Oh, you love him with all of your body That's alright honey That's alright with me
You express your love through physical affection and that's okay too.
Oh, you love him like you'll be there for always Always, honey, yeah, always near
You love him as if you'll always be there, and in a way, you will be.
Always, honey, yeah, always near Always, honey, yeah, always near Oh, far from this small-town bar we know
I'll always be close by, even if we're far from this small town and its bar.
Oh, go, leave me with this bird and his song Out here in the cold
Leave me with peace and solitude, even if it means being out in the cold.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Benjamin John Howard
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind