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
I Can't Make You Love Me / Nick of Time
Bon Iver Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Turn down the bed
Turn down these voices
Inside my head.
Lay down with me
Tell me no lies,
Just hold me close
Don't patronize me
'Cuz I can't make you love me
If you don't
You can't make your heart feel
Something it won't
Here in the dark
In these final hours
I will lay down my heart
And I'll feel the power
But you won't
No, you won't
'Cause I can't make you love me
If you don't
I'll close my eyes
Then I won't see
The love you don't feel
When you're holding me
Morning will come
And I'll do what's right
Just give me till then
To give up this fight
And I will give up this fight
'Cause I can't make you love me
If you don't
I can't make your heart feel
Something it won't
Here in the dark
In these final hours
I will lay down my heart
And I'll feel the power
But you don't
No, you don't
I can't make you love me
If you don't
I found love darling
I found love darling
I found love darling
I found love darling, yeah
I found love darling, darling
Love in the nick of time
I found love darling, yeah
Love in the nick of time
The lyrics of "I Can't Make You Love Me/Nick of Time" by Bon Iver tell a story of unrequited love and the acceptance of its painful reality. The opening lines are a request to the lover to turn down the physical and mental noise - to set aside all the distractions that may be keeping the singer from getting closer to the one they desire. However, as the song progresses, we learn that the singer is fully aware that these distractions may not be the only barrier to love. The chorus is a powerful admission of the limits of our control over other people's emotions: "I can't make you love me if you don't." The singer is resigned to the fact that despite giving their all, this person may not feel the same way they do.
The bridge of the song offers a sliver of hope, that despite not being able to control the heart of the other person, the singer will make peace with what they feel and surrender, knowing that they have done all they can. The final lines of the song offer a bittersweet ending - a recognition that love came into their life, but maybe too late.
This song has been covered by many artists, but Bon Iver's version stands out due to the unique falsetto vocals of Justin Vernon, which add an extra layer of vulnerability to the already emotionally charged lyrics. The blend of acoustic guitar and minimalist electronic elements adds to the song's mournful atmosphere.
Line by Line Meaning
Turn down the light
Reduce the intensity of the light in the room.
Turn down the bed
Prepare the bed for sleeping by straightening up the sheets and covers.
Turn down these voices Inside my head.
Mentally block or escape the contradicting thoughts and emotions.
Lay down with me
Join me in bed.
Tell me no lies,
Be straightforward and truthful.
Just hold me close
Embrace me tightly.
Don't patronize me
Don't treat me as if I am foolish or stupid.
'Cuz I can't make you love me
I cannot force you to love me.
If you don't
If you are not willing to love me.
You can't make your heart feel
You cannot control your emotions.
Something it won't
Desire or love something that is not there.
Here in the dark
In this state of vulnerability or hopelessness.
In these final hours
During the last moments of this situation.
I will lay down my heart
I will reveal my true feelings, which may be vulnerable.
And I'll feel the power
The power to be open and honest about my feelings.
But you won't
But you will not reciprocate my feelings.
No, you won't
I already know that you will not love me.
'Cause I can't make you love me
I cannot force you to love me.
I'll close my eyes
I will mentally block out my surroundings.
Then I won't see
Then I will not recognize the emotion in your eyes.
The love you don't feel
The feelings that you have not developed towards me.
When you're holding me
When we are physically close.
Morning will come
The new day will arrive.
And I'll do what's right
I will make the choice that is best for me.
Just give me till then
Just give me some time to make my decision.
To give up this fight
To stop trying to force you to love me.
'Cause I can't make you love me
I cannot force you to love me.
I found love darling
I have discovered love, my dear.
Love in the nick of time
I have found love just in time, before it was too late.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: ALLEN SHAMBLIN, MICHAEL REID, MIKE REID
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@thisissam5191
We often forget what happens at the end of this song: "I found love in the nick of time"
If you are here because you are sad and alone; If you are here because your heartbreak is fresh or so old but still raw; if you are here because you need a good cry please remember this: while you can't make people love you, you can still find love in the nick of time:)
yes, you feel sad right now but "it might be over soon"
so hold on!
I promise you if you do that, you will find your person or your people.
You have so much awesomeness ahead of you:)
you have no idea of the amazing people that will enter your life and probably take you by surprise
It's ok to feel sad but let the end of this song give you some hope because you WILL find love:)
Actually, you already have:) take a look around in this wonderful comments section! These people took the time to write these messages to inspire hope and vulnerability. Know that you are loved by them and you are loved by me
I love you
so have a wonderful night...or day...or life lol
@rahulpulidindi
Turn down the lights
Turn down the bed
Turn down these voices
They're inside my head
Lay down with me
Tell me no lies
Just hold me close
And don't patronize me
Don't patronize me
'Cause I can't make you love me
If you don't
You can't make your heart feel
Something it won't
Here in the dark
In these final hours
I will lay down my heart
If I feel the power, but you don't
No, you don't
'Cause I can't make you love me
If you don't
If you dont
No, you won't
I'll close my eyes,
Then I won't see
The love you don't feel
When you're holding me.
Morning will come,
And I'll do what's right
Just give me till then
To give up this fight.
And I will give up this fight.
'Cause I can't make you love me
If you don't
I can't make your heart feel
Something it won't
Here in the dark
In these…
@butterfly_8241
HMMMMMMMMM
I found love darling
I found love darling
I found love darling
There baby down
I found love darling yeah
Found love darling darling
Love in the nick of time
I found love darling yeah
Love in the nick of time
@AngelsRot
My boy Bon Iver got the comments section lookin like a group therapy session. Got motherfuckers testifying and crying and shit.
@kyliodatter
Amen.
@dayday8194
lmbo
@Artsaveslives
LOL
@joshuasanchez1150
LMAO! Confessions are being made! 😂😂😂
@aspensky5
Omggggggg
@wessonballs
Ten years ago I came to this video absolutely devastated because the girl I was head over heels in love with couldn't decide if she wanted me or not. I went through four years of her wanting me and then changing her mind and I always came back here. Now I am listening to this ten years later (I've definitely listened to this on a monthly basis for the last ten years) and looking back, I wish I could tell that young version of me to let it go, to walk away, to move forward. Now ten years later I am in love with someone that loves me just as I am in the healthiest way that I have ever experienced and the love that I have found is powerful, beautiful, unwavering. This performance of this song, for the rest of my life, will remind me of what I have faced in love and what I truly deserve. Absolutely beautiful.
@elysemorris6559
Thank you for sharing <3
@jt44444
It's ok to love people from afar... as sad it is when all ya' want to do is hug them ever so close. Covid has been especially hard on me as I am sure it's been for most people. Going through it with no family, few friends, the lonesome reality is the hardest burden. But I threw myself into my work and after 30 years of trying finally have a house in escrow... going to see this one through. I might die of a heart attack tomorrow, or the next moment, or the following year... We simply owe it to ourselves to live good. I won't tell you ya' wasted your time... you did what you did for years, because you cared for someone who didn't know herself enough to know what she wanted. More power to you for your struggle, but especially the wisdom gained by it. Much love Alex and have the very best life you can.
@hwhite2996
Thank you, I needed to hear this tonight!! Your perspective is noted. Much love ❤️