Boy & Bear are an Australian folk rock band, based out of Sydney, New South… Read Full Bio ↴Boy & Bear are an Australian folk rock band, based out of Sydney, New South Wales. The band began as a solo project for singer-songwriter Dave Hosking in 2009) before quickly expanding into a full band. In February 2009, Hosking uploaded a track, "The Storm", to the Unearthed program on radio station Triple J, it became a featured song at the station. Hosking had met Killian Gavin who was a singer-songwriter and guitarist in Ovell, and the pair started jamming together. Tim Hart, from another university band Wintersound, joined as a drummer and singer-songwriter. Then they expanded with Jake Tarasenko (ex-Tripartisan Approach) on bass guitar. All four had fronted their own groups and became friends after regularly sharing the stage at gigs.

After winning the 2009 Unearthed competition, they gained a performance spot at the Australasian music festival Homebake. In 2010, Tim's brother Jon Hart joined the band as an official member; contributing vocals, mandolin, banjo and keyboards. They toured Australia opening for Angus and Julia Stone as a three-piece, with Tarasenko and Hart in London playing in Laura Marling's backing band. In May 2010, Boy & Bear released their debut extended play, With Emperor Antarctica. They then recorded the song "Fall at Your Feet" for He Will Have His Way, a tribute album to singer-songwriter brothers, Tim and Neil Finn. Boy & Bear's version of "Fall at Your Feet" was listed at No. 5 on the Triple J Hottest 100, 2010. Another of their tracks, "Rabbit Song" was placed at No. 45.

In November 2010, their cover of "Fall at Your Feet" peaked at No. 34 on the ARIA Singles Chart. On 5 August 2011, Boy & Bear released their debut album Moonfire. It was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee with producer, Joe Chiccarelli and reached No. 2 on the ARIA Albums Chart. In December, it had finished third in the Triple J album poll of 2011. On the Triple J Hottest 100, 2011 Boy & Bear were listed three times, "Part Time Believer" and "Milk & Sticks" at No. 50 and No. 49, respectively. While "Feeding Line" reached No. 4. At the ARIA Music Awards of 2011 Boy & Bear won in five categories: Breakthrough Artist – Single for "Feeding Line"; and Album of the Year, Best Group, Breakthrough Artist – Album and Best Adult Alternative Release for Moonfire.

In late 2012, the band announced that they had parted ways with Tarasenko. His replacement was Dave Symes, formerly of Seeker Lover Keeper and of Sarah Blasko's live backing band.

Boy & Bear released their second album on 16 August 2013, titled Harlequin Dream. It debuted at #1 on the ARIA charts. Two singles were released from the album - "Southern Sun" and "Three-Headed Woman."

Back Down the Black
Boy & Bear Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

'Cause you hurting I can tell it by the way that you move
You get your head on your chest and your chest in your mouth
You don't look so good there'll be change
'Cause this one is to be... to see
But brother your scared and I'm scared
When your scared 'Cause you ain't suppose to be
So I'm screaming loud loud loud
Would you get out my way

'Cause I got the animal I got the beast on lease this day
So you don't go wondering back down to back to old fool
Ways and help
When, way you

Just to watch you this way
Just to watch you this way

Overall Meaning

In Boy & Bear's song Back Down the Black, the lyrics describe a person, likely a friend, who is going through a difficult time. The singer can tell that their friend is hurting by the way they're moving - head on their chest, chest in their mouth. The singer acknowledges that things are going to change for their friend, but they're scared - and the friend is too, which makes the situation even more difficult. The chorus repeats the phrase "get out my way" as the singer tries to push through their own fear in order to help their friend.

The second verse is more cryptic, but it seems to be describing the singer's own internal battle. They have an "animal" and a "beast" on "lease this day" - possibly a reference to their own inner demons that they're trying to control. They don't want their friend to "back down to back to old fool ways" - perhaps indicating a fear that their friend will slide back into destructive behaviors. They want to help, but the fear and uncertainty is overwhelming.

The song as a whole seems to speak to the difficulty of watching someone you care about struggle, and wanting to help them but feeling helpless in the face of their pain. The repetition of "get out my way" could be seen as the singer addressing their own fear and insecurity, trying to push past it in order to help their friend. The haunting melody and instrumentals add to the sense of unease and uncertainty that the lyrics convey.

Line by Line Meaning

'Cause you hurting I can tell it by the way that you move
I can see that you're hurting from the way you're moving

You get your head on your chest and your chest in your mouth
You're anxious, as evidenced by your posture

You don't look so good there'll be change
You don't look well and things need to change

'Cause this one is to be... to see
It's clear that things need to change

But brother your scared and I'm scared
You're scared and so am I

When your scared 'Cause you ain't suppose to be
Being scared isn't normal for you

So I'm screaming loud loud loud
I'm shouting to get your attention

Would you get out my way
Please move aside

'Cause I got the animal I got the beast on lease this day
I have a lot of pent-up energy and I'm ready to unleash it

So you don't go wondering back down to back to old fool
Don't go back to making foolish mistakes

Ways and help
Instead, accept help