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."

Hollow Ground
Boy & Bear Lyrics

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I′m a stone-cold liar
I'm not built for walking alone
Now the truth is coming down hard
See the point I′m making
What's the point in breaking in two
It's a waste of your precious time
So don′t you bury your anchor dear
For many years I′ve wandered that hollow ground

There's a gap in your atmosphere
And you need it love to drop all that ammo down
Cast away them demons
Take the tip they′re all full of shit
But you'll miss them all when they′re gone
'Cos my dream got jaded
Like a smoke when you′re caught in a hole
Now the whole thing is coming down hard
So don't you bury your anchor dear
For many years I've wandered that hollow ground
It′s just a gap in your atmosphere
And you need it love to drop all that ammo down
So don′t you bury your anchor dear
It's bad but it ain′t that bad
Oh you need it love to drop all that ammo down
And you wait for your world to call
Cos' you want it all

So get what you came here for
I′m not what you came here for

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Boy & Bear's song Hollow Ground are introspective and express the deep-seated emotions of the singer. The song opens with the ominous line "I'm a stone-cold liar", which sets the tone for the rest of the song. The singer admits to being a liar, implying that he has been dishonest with himself and those around him. He goes on to say, "I'm not built for walking alone", indicating that he has been struggling with loneliness and isolation.

The next line of the song, "Now the truth is coming down hard", suggests that he is facing the consequences of his lies and is finally starting to confront the truth. The following lines "See the point I'm making, what's the point in breaking in two, it's a waste of your precious time" offer an insight into his thought process. He is grappling with the idea of compromising his true self and wonders if it is worth it.

The chorus of the song is somewhat hopeful, urging the listener not to give up hope and to hold on to the things that matter. The reference to "hollow ground" creates an ominous atmosphere, and the metaphorical imagery of the anchor further emphasizes the idea of holding on, despite the circumstances. Overall, Hollow Ground is a poignant and emotional track about the struggle to come to terms with one's self and hold on to hope.

Line by Line Meaning

I′m a stone-cold liar
I am not truthful

I'm not built for walking alone
I am not accustomed to being alone

Now the truth is coming down hard
The reality of the situation is becoming apparent and difficult to accept

See the point I′m making
Do you understand what I am trying to convey?

What's the point in breaking in two
What purpose does it serve to fall apart?

It's a waste of your precious time
It is not worth spending your valuable time on

So don′t you bury your anchor dear
Don't give up on what grounds you

For many years I′ve wandered that hollow ground
For years, I've been lost and aimlessly wandering

There's a gap in your atmosphere
There is a void or emptiness in your world

And you need it love to drop all that ammo down
You need someone to confide in and unload all your burdens

Cast away them demons
Get rid of your personal demons

Take the tip they′re all full of shit
Don't listen to them, they are unreliable

But you'll miss them all when they′re gone
You will feel nostalgic for the people or things that are no longer present in your life

'Cos my dream got jaded
My aspirations have become less exciting

Like a smoke when you′re caught in a hole
Like a fleeting hope when you are trapped in a difficult situation

Now the whole thing is coming down hard
Everything is falling apart and it's difficult to bear

It′s just a gap in your atmosphere
It is just an emptiness or void in your world

And you need it love to drop all that ammo down
You need someone to confide in and unload all your burdens

So don′t you bury your anchor dear
Don't give up on what grounds you

It's bad but it ain′t that bad
Things are tough, but they aren't the worst

Oh you need it love to drop all that ammo down
You require someone to confide in and unload your burdens

And you wait for your world to call
You wait for the next chapter or event in your life to unfold

Cos' you want it all
Because you desire everything

So get what you came here for
So obtain what you set out to achieve

I′m not what you came here for
I am not what you were searching for

Writer(s): Killian Gavin, Timothy Hart, Jonathan Hart, David Hosking, David Symes

Contributed by Gianna V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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