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
Who Is It
Bon Iver Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It fuels me and places a skeleton of trust
Right beneath us bone by bone
Stone by stone
If you ask yourself patiently and carefully:
Who is it? Who is it?
Who is it that gave you back your crown?
And the ornaments are going around
Now they're handing it over
Handing it over, handing it over
Who is it that never lets you down?
Who is it that gave you back your crown?
And the ornaments are going around
Now they're handing it over
Handing it over, handing it over
He demands a closeness
We all have earned a lightness
Carrying my joy on the left
Carrying my pain on the right
If you ask yourself now
Patiently now carefully: Who is it?
Who is it that never lets you down?
Who is it that gave you back your crown?
And the ornaments are going around
Now they're handing it over
Handing it over, handing it over
Who is it that never lets you down?
Who is it that gave you back your crown?
And the ornaments are going around
Now they're handing it over
Handing it over, handing it over
Who is it that never lets you down?
Who is it that gave you back your crown?
And the ornaments are going around
Now they're handing it over
Handing it over, handing it over
Who is it that never lets you down?
Who is it that gave you back your crown?
And the ornaments are going around
Now they're handing it over
Handing it over, handing it over
The lyrics of Bon Iver's song "Who Is It?" seem to revolve around the themes of trust, support, and finding someone who never lets you down. The opening lines speak of the significance of someone's embrace, which is described as a fortress that fuels and supports the singer. This "skeleton of trust" is built slowly and deliberately, bone by bone, stone by stone. It conveys the idea that trust and support are established over time, requiring patience and careful consideration.
The repeated question "Who is it?" emphasizes the search for the person who never lets you down and gives you back your crown, symbolizing the restoration of self-worth or confidence. The ornaments mentioned in the song represent the accolades or achievements that are now being shared or passed on. This could suggest that the person being referred to is not only reliable and trustworthy, but also generous in their support.
The second verse reinforces the idea that this person demands a closeness, and the singer acknowledges that everyone has earned a lightness, possibly referring to a sense of freedom or relief from burdens. The contrasting lines about carrying joy on the left and pain on the right portray a dual nature of emotions that are carried with the singer.
Overall, the lyrics of "Who Is It?" focus on the search for a person who provides unwavering trust and support, and who helps regain a sense of self-confidence and worthiness. It highlights the importance of finding someone who never lets you down and the mutual exchange of support and recognition.
Line by Line Meaning
His embrace, a fortress
His love and support provide a strong and secure foundation
It fuels me and places a skeleton of trust
His love and support empower me and establish a foundation of unwavering trust
Right beneath us bone by bone
Building trust layer by layer, strengthening the foundation
Stone by stone
Slowly and steadily, strengthening the relationship
If you ask yourself patiently and carefully: Who is it? Who is it?
Reflecting deeply and introspectively, seeking to identify the person who plays a significant role in one's life
Who is it that never lets you down?
Who is the person that always supports and never disappoints you?
Who is it that gave you back your crown?
Who is the person that restored your self-confidence and self-worth?
And the ornaments are going around
Symbolic decorations of love and happiness are circulating
Now they're handing it over
Now, others are passing on the feelings of love and happiness
Handing it over, handing it over
Continuously sharing and spreading love and happiness
He demands a closeness
He desires a deep bond and connection
We all have earned a lightness
We all deserve to experience joy and lightness in life
Carrying my joy on the left
Preserving and cherishing feelings of happiness
Carrying my pain on the right
Bearing the burden of pain and hardship
If you ask yourself now, patiently now carefully: Who is it?
Reflecting again, asking oneself who holds such importance and influence in one's life
Who is it that never lets you down?
Who is the unwavering support that never disappoints you?
Who is it that gave you back your crown?
Who is the person who helped you regain your confidence and self-worth?
And the ornaments are going around
Symbolic decorations of love and happiness continue to circulate
Now they're handing it over
Now, others are passing on these feelings of love and happiness
Handing it over, handing it over
Continuously sharing and spreading love and happiness
Who is it that never lets you down?
Who is the unwavering support that never disappoints you?
Who is it that gave you back your crown?
Who is the person who helped you regain your confidence and self-worth?
And the ornaments are going around
Symbolic decorations of love and happiness continue to circulate
Now they're handing it over
Now, others are passing on these feelings of love and happiness
Handing it over, handing it over
Continuously sharing and spreading love and happiness
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Suj
A truly beautiful album. Every listen feels brand new and every time a tear is brought to my eye. "Everyone has their own Emma", how true. Thank you Justin for Emma, and thank you Middle8 for doing it justice. More people deserve this album
Alex Edwards
Luv his debut LP tho he keeps getting even better imo his latest surpasses 4Emma
Michele Salluce
This will forever be his masterpiece. Really hard to find other albums with the same thirst, the same search for what's distinctively your innermost feeling. He came very close to revealing his inner world, which is impossible given the human condition. Yet he got very close here.
Ross Keller
Completely agree. I appreciate all his projects, but for Emma is probably the most raw emotion I’ve ever heard before. Dude basically transformed every emotion he was feeling over a 6 month period into sound
Nathan O'Connell
Give blood sport (the room below) by sleep token a try. If it calls to you, enjoy the journey
John Appleton
In terms of what you’re talking about, I’d say Neutral Milk Hotel’s “In the Airplane over the Sea” has to be one of the greatest records ever made. There are on some tracks backing musicians, but it’s mostly Jeff Magnum with an acoustic guitar and his voice, and he made with simple open chords one of the best records of all time.
ghost mall
I have never listened to this album and had no idea about it’s fascinating background. I’m definitely going to check it out tonight after work. Seems like one of those rare moments that can never be repeated musically. Captures a very specific time and emotional state. That often makes for the best albums. Springsteen’s Nebraska also comes to mind
ghost mall
@John Appleton killer album! As usual I was late to that party too. I remember trying to listen to it back in the day but was put off by his unusual, strained voice. Now I appreciate that as one of the best elements of the album
Marcos d’Arc
i hold firm to my conviction that this is the greatest expression of emotion in the form of an album
YouTube A.I bot
idk, Twin Fantasy by Car Seat Headrest is pretty damn close