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."

My Only One
Boy & Bear Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You found me deep beneath the water
This time it looked and felt so different
I'm begging to my loved ones, understand
I'm a useless man, the loving hand that you fell for
That you fell for

I took my fear back to Galileo
They told me son, just count your blessings

I wondered through those streets that you wouldn't mend
And I felt so low, the man I used to know
That you fell for, that you fell for

And oh, I wander
And oh, I live in fear
'Cause when my shadow moves I shudder
For the fear inside my heart won't disappear, no dear

'Cause I sold my spirit for your soul
I felt it running through my fingertips
I love you more than you will know
And I hope you understand
My strength lies in your hands

And oh, I wander
And oh, I live in fear
'Cause when my shadow moves I shudder
For the fear inside my heart won't disappear, no dear

You took my only one, when I only wanted love
When I only wanted love
When I only wanted love
When I only wanted love

When I only wanted love
When I only wanted love

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Boy & Bear's "My Only One" tell a story of a man who is struggling with his own sense of self-worth and his fears. The first verse talks about how the man was found deep beneath the water, suggesting that he felt lost and had hit rock bottom. He is begging his loved ones to understand that he feels useless and is a burden. The repetition of "that you fell for" is significant, as it shows that even though he feels worthless, someone cares for him and sees value in him.

In the second verse, he takes his fear back to Galileo, which could refer to seeking out knowledge or guidance from a higher power. They tell him to count his blessings, but he feels low and disconnected. He reflects on who he used to be, the man that his loved ones fell for, and how he has changed.

The chorus expresses his ongoing struggle with fear and self-doubt, despite his love for someone else. He sold his spirit for their soul, meaning he gave up something of himself to be with them, but it is consuming him. He hopes that they understand that his strength lies in their hands, which could be interpreted in different ways, such as relying on their love and support to overcome his fears.

Overall, the song is a reflection of the complexity of relationships, mental health struggles, and the way one's identity can shift over time.

Line by Line Meaning

You found me deep beneath the water
You saved me from a deep emotional struggle or wound

This time it looked and felt so different
This time, the love that I experienced was new and unique

I'm begging to my loved ones, understand
I am pleading with my loved ones to understand and connect with me on a deeper level

I'm a useless man, the loving hand that you fell for
I feel weak and incompetent, despite being the one who loves and whom you fell in love with

That you fell for
Despite my feelings of inadequacy, I recognize that you love me

I took my fear back to Galileo
I sought guidance from someone or something significant in my life to confront my fears

They told me son, just count your blessings
They advised me to focus on the positive aspects of my life to counterbalance the negative

I wondered through those streets that you wouldn't mend
I wandered along the paths of my life that you couldn't heal or fix

And I felt so low, the man I used to know
I felt helpless and distant from the man I once was

That you fell for, that you fell for
Despite my struggles, I know that you still love me for who I am

And oh, I wander
I continue to search and explore for answers and meaning in my life

And oh, I live in fear
Despite my search, I dwell in fear and anxiety

'Cause when my shadow moves I shudder
I become scared and anxious whenever I am reminded of my past or the negative aspects of my life

For the fear inside my heart won't disappear, no dear
Despite my efforts, the fear in my heart still persists and does not disappear

'Cause I sold my spirit for your soul
I gave up a part of myself for the sake of your happiness and well-being

I felt it running through my fingertips
I felt a sense of loss and detachment as I gave away a part of myself

I love you more than you will know
My love for you is beyond what I can express

And I hope you understand
I hope that you can comprehend the depth and intensity of my love for you

My strength lies in your hands
My ability to overcome my struggles and fears depends on your support and love

You took my only one, when I only wanted love
You took the one person who gave me the love and affection that I craved

When I only wanted love
All I ever wanted was love and the person who embodied it for me

When I only wanted love
Love was and is the driving force behind my search for meaning and understanding

When I only wanted love
Despite my struggles and hardships, I continue to seek love and connection in my life

When I only wanted love
Love remains my main source of inspiration and motivation

When I only wanted love
All I ever wanted and still want is love

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAVID HOSKING, JACOB TARASENKO, JONATHAN HART, KILLIAN GAVIN, TIMOTHY HART

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS