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
Holyfields
Bon Iver Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm happy as I ever been
Couldn't tell you what the cadence is
It's folded in the evidences
So you wanna leave a mark?
You're honing in on Meadow Park?
I heard you guys are very safe
The dawn is rising
The land ain't rising, no
No, no
Flash hope
Pass the throw
Comin' in very late
Just above our pay grades
You ask me not to pull alarms
We have to act our ages
The dawn is rising
the land ain't rising, no
No, no
Catch up
You wanna go the fast way?
Bonded weights
Don't favor them
If it's all that you don't do
It's lacerate
And you better let them pass away
Stay, go?
Better that you find a new way
Before my eyes?
Couldn't learn it any other way
By the way
The lyrics of "Holyfields" by Bon Iver delve into themes of danger, happiness, uncertainty, and the desire to make a lasting impact. In the opening lines, the singer acknowledges the presence of danger, but they remain content and joyful. The mention of the cadence being unknown suggests that they are not concerned with conforming to societal expectations or norms. The evidence of their happiness is essentially "folded" or hidden from view.
The following lines touch upon the desire to leave a mark or make a significant impression. Meadow Park is mentioned as a symbol of this pursuit, and it is implied that the singer and their acquaintances are perceived as being safe or unremarkable, maybe even overlooked. They are seen as "featherweights," perhaps suggesting that they are not taken seriously or are underestimated.
The chorus highlights a contrast between the rising dawn and the stagnant land, metaphorically alluding to a lack of progress or growth. The repetition of "No, no" emphasizes this stagnant state. "Flash hope" and "pass the throw" hint at the fleeting nature of hope and the need to keep moving forward.
The next verses touch upon a sense of being late or missing out on something important, possibly above their current capabilities or pay grade. The singer is asked not to sound any alarms, indicating a need to maintain composure and act their age.
The final lines bring together the themes presented throughout the song. The repetition of the rising dawn and stagnant land emphasizes the contrast between growth and stagnation once again. The mention of "bonded weights" implies that the singer feels restrained or burdened, with these weights not favoring them. "Lacerate" suggests that the choices they make may cause harm or pain, but it is necessary to let certain things pass away. The lines that follow seem to pose questions about staying or going and finding a new way, showing the singer's search for a different path and a different perspective.
Overall, "Holyfields" captures a sense of contentment amidst danger, the desire to leave a lasting impact, the struggle against stagnation, and the need for change and growth.
Line by Line Meaning
Danger been steppin' in
There have been dangerous situations occurring
I'm happy as I ever been
I am currently feeling very content and satisfied
Couldn't tell you what the cadence is
I am unable to describe the rhythm or flow of this situation
It's folded in the evidences
All the proofs or signs are intricately combined together
So you wanna leave a mark?
Are you hoping to make a lasting impression?
You're honing in on Meadow Park?
Are you focusing on accomplishing something at Meadow Park?
I heard you guys are very safe
I have heard that you and your group are quite secure
Caught up with the featherweights
Engaged with individuals who are not very influential or powerful
The dawn is rising
The morning is beginning
The land ain't rising, no
But the land is not ascending or increasing in elevation
No, no
Absolutely not
Flash hope
Feel a sudden burst of optimism
Pass the throw
Overcome or move beyond a difficult situation
Comin' in very late
Arriving extremely tardy
Just above our pay grades
Slightly beyond our level of authority or responsibility
You ask me not to pull alarms
You request that I refrain from causing panic or distress
We have to act our ages
We must behave maturely and responsibly
Catch up
Get up to speed or make progress quickly
You wanna go the fast way?
Are you interested in taking the quicker route?
Bonded weights
Strong emotional or psychological burdens
Don't favor them
They do not hold any advantages
If it's all that you don't do
If the only thing you avoid doing
It's lacerate
It causes deep emotional pain or distress
And you better let them pass away
And it is best if you allow those burdens to fade or disappear
Stay, go?
Should you remain or depart?
Better that you find a new way
It is preferable for you to discover an alternative path
Before my eyes?
Is it happening right in front of me?
Couldn't learn it any other way
I am only able to understand it by witnessing it directly
By the way
Incidentally or as a side note
Lyrics © SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB., Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Bradley Cook, Chris Messina, Justin Deyarmond Edison Vernon, Robert Christopher Moose
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
A R L Y C H
Might be my favorite.. But you never know for sure with Bon iver, you grow with it.
Tebogo Lefophana
That too accurate
Paul Kaufmann
The previous album grew on me after awhile, one of my favorites all time now
Yosh Monster Productions
He doesn't
Give a
Susie Wilken
Arlych so fucking true
Jesus Christ
Every time the Bon Iver notification bell rings an angel gets its wings. 🙏
ШƠƦᒺd
Even Jesus listens to bon iver
Christine Bradshaw
lol
Jordan Helliwell
Jesus
JuniperLamplight16
Jeez this guy again...