The name 'Bon Iver' (pronounced "bon ee-VAIR") is a play on the French phrase 'bon hiver' meaning 'good winter'. Vernon independently released Bon Iver's debut album For Emma, Forever Ago in 2007, most of which was recorded during a four-month stay in a remote cabin in Wisconsin.
While in high school and college Vernon founded the indie-rock bands Mount Vernon and DeYarmond Edison in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where he still resides.
According to the For Emma Songfacts, after the break-up of De Yarmond Edison, Vernon retreated to his father's log cabin, out in the woods of north-east Wisconsin to hibernate for three snowy months. There he collected his thoughts and formulated them into a suite of songs, For Emma, Forever Ago . The album was originally self-released in late 2007 in a run of 500 copies and sold out instantly.
The album garnered critical acclaim, and was picked up by the indie-rock label Jagjaguwar, which gave the album a proper release on February 19th, 2008. The album was released in the UK and Europe by iconic indie 4AD on May 12, 2008.
When released in the UK, For Emma, Forever Ago received 5/5 and "Album of the Month" reviews in both MOJO and Uncut magazines. It is currently the third highest rated album of 2008 on review-aggregator site Metacritic, with accolades from publications including The Village Voice, The Hartford Courant and The A.V. Club.
The group's second album Bon Iver, Bon Iver was released on June 17, 2011 to universal acclaim. It was named by Pitchfork Media as the best album of 2011 on their annual list. At the 2012 Grammys, the album won Best Alternative Album and the group was awarded Best New Artist, despite having debuted in 2007.
www.boniver.org
- Flume
Bon Iver Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's enough
I wear my garment so it shows
Now you know
Only love is all maroon
Gluey feathers on a flume
I am my mother on the wall, with us all
I move in water, shore to shore
Nothing's more
Only love is all maroon
Lapping lakes like leery loons
Leaving rope burns
Reddish rouge
Only love is all maroon
Gluey feathers on a flume
Sky is womb and she's the moon
The lyrics to Bon Iver / Peter Gabriel's song Flume explore the themes of identity, motherhood, and love. The opening lines "I am my mother's only one, it's enough" suggest that the persona is content with being their mother's only child and perhaps feels a strong connection to their mother. The following lines "I wear my garment so it shows, now you know" suggest that the persona is purposefully displaying their identity or sense of self to others.
The refrain "Only love is all maroon" uses color symbolism to describe the intensity and depth of love. The image of "gluey feathers on a flume" and "lapping lakes like leary loons" create a vivid natural landscape that symbolizes the emotions of the persona. The final line "Sky is womb and she's the moon" suggests the interconnectedness of nature, femininity, and emotional evolution.
Overall, the lyrics to Flume convey a sense of emotional introspection and connection to nature and family.
Line by Line Meaning
I am my mother's only one
I am the only child of my mother
It's enough
Having just my mother as family is sufficient for me
I wear my garment so it shows
I dress in a way that highlights my identity
Now you know
I want people to know who I am
Only love is all maroon
Love is the most important thing in life, symbolized by the color maroon
Gluey feathers on a flume
Strange things scatter in life, like feathers from different birds stuck together in a flume
Sky is womb and she's the moon
The sky is a nurturing mother and the moon is her child.
I am my mother on the wall, with us all
There's a portrait of my mother on the wall; she's always with us
I move in water, shore to shore
I travel a lot, like water from one shore to another
Nothing's more
Nothing else in life is as important as love
Lapping lakes like leary loons
The lakes are peaceful, and we sound like the laughing loons
Leaving rope burns
Our love is passionate and leaves some marks as a reminder
Reddish rouge
Another symbol of love, symbolized by the color of reddish rouge
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Justin Deyarmond Edison Vernon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@julianvickery8341
[Verse 1]
I am my mother's only one
It's enough
I wear my garment so it shows
Now you know
[Chorus 1]
Only love is all maroon
Gluey feathers on a flume
Sky is womb and she's the moon
[Verse 2]
I am my mother on the wall
With us all
I move in water, shore to shore
Nothing's more
[Chorus 2]
Only love is all maroon
Lapping lakes like leery loons
Leaving rope burns, reddish rouge
[Instrumental Break]
[Chorus 1]
Only love is all maroon
Gluey feathers on a flume
Sky is womb and she's the moon
@raspberry481
I am my mother's only one
It's enough
I wear my garment so it shows
Now you know
Only love is all maroon
Gluey feathers on a flume
Sky is womb and she's the moon
I am my mother on the wall
With us all
I move in water, shore to shore
Nothing's more
Only love is all maroon
Lapping lakes like leery loons
Leaving rope burns, reddish ruse
Only love is all maroon
Gluey feathers on a flume
Sky is womb and she's the moon
@mommyslilstinker
my dad introduced me to bon iver when I was 12. It was after he got out of prison and was on and off drugs that we started seeing him again. He had this shitty car with shitty speakers but we'd sing to this song so loudly you couldnt hear the awful quality. I remember it was always cold out when he played this album, and the street lights were always out. My dads gone now and I cant bear listening to this album without tearing up. I miss my old man
@JacksonLinn.
This is my sad song, but it’s calming and I always feel better after
@kingcurt7716
Your Dad will be missed forever my friend. My condolences goes to you and your family.
@mattnelson8655
RIP to your dad brother. You just made me cry. I lost my dad back in 2003 and he was into Creedence Clearwater Revival and I often get emotional listening to their tunes but I love it.
@Langleyasukaa
that hurts..
@AshleyP
hugs to you.
@AK-dg5bw
It’s 2021 now , whoever reads this I want them to know that you’ll heal time will heal all the pain in your heart you’re so brave and I’m so proud to see you going I wish I could give you a warm hug I don’t know you but I love you my darling
It’s 2022 time sure goes by so hold on the weight of your sorrow will get bearable, you’ll get stronger . Even though it might feel impossible in the moment hold on there’s a pretty sunset you haven’t seen yet , a favourite song hasn’t been released you’ve not had something you could love so keep on going I believe in all of you , I know you can do this my loves <3
It’s 2023 now and this song still blankets my sorrows and makes me feel warm I hope it does the same for you. I hope it becomes a comfort place . A testament to how far we’ve all come . It proves that’s we can make it .My life has changed drastically in the past two years and my hearts gone lighter . I love you all and wish the same for you so keep on going my loves you’re wanted it’ll get better 🫶🏼
@2econd2ight2eer9
I hope you have an amazing year. You’re so kind <3
@sandrakomatsu1881
I wish you the best, thank you for this kind message 💕
@desiraevega7918
I love u sweet stranger