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."

Real Estate
Boy & Bear Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Such a fool, I've been only running scared.
I use my conscience as a way to get through
Well all my friends, were drifting in the glow of love lights and tangerines
all my fortunes came true

You know I've got something on my mind these days it's calling me this time
That I can't say it in front of you so
Maybe I'm just not that kind god only knows that I've tried

I'm a feather made of stone, in a hat you have forgotten
You'll be swimming all alone, when it's drag you of bottom of the ocean floor

Flowing down three rows of fine wine and savouries, conversation just get on my view
And I'm so tired of talking about of the price of real estate
You'd better head back down to where you came through

You know I've got something on my mind these days
It's warning me this time see it don't mean much when you're alone so
I guess I'm gonna take my time a whistle and a wine
For the weight of something more

I'll tear it up in pieces till my hands are red and raw
Till it's drags me to the bottom of the ocean floor

Overall Meaning

The opening lines of Boy & Bear's song "Real Estate" set the tone for a contemplative and introspective track. The singer acknowledges that they've been foolishly "running scared" and using their conscience as a crutch to avoid facing reality. Meanwhile, their friends are caught up in the "glow of love lights and tangerines," enjoying the fruits of their labor while the singer struggles to find their own way.

The chorus brings us back to the present, as the singer struggles to articulate what's on their mind. They feel unable to express themselves in front of others, especially when it comes to matters of the heart. The image of a "feather made of stone" in a forgotten hat suggests a certain paradoxical heaviness and insignificance. The singer feels lost and alone, like they're sinking to the bottom of the ocean floor.

The second verse depicts the singer at a gathering or party, surrounded by wine and conversation. However, they're just going through the motions and are tired of talking about superficial things like the price of real estate. They long for something more meaningful and fulfilling. The final lines suggest a willingness to confront their inner demons, even if it means tearing themselves apart in the process.

Overall, "Real Estate" is a song about feeling lost and disconnected from oneself, as well as from others. It explores the difficulty of being vulnerable and expressing oneself honestly, and the struggle to find meaning and purpose in life.

Line by Line Meaning

Such a fool, I've been only running scared.
I have been foolishly avoiding certain situations out of fear.

I use my conscience as a way to get through
My conscience is my guiding force in difficult times.

Well all my friends, were drifting in the glow of love lights and tangerines
My friends were all caught up in the joys of love and happiness in their lives.

all my fortunes came true
My luck in life had been going well up to a certain point.

You know I've got something on my mind these days it's calling me this time
I have been thinking about something important that is calling out to me recently.

That I can't say it in front of you so
Unfortunately, I cannot express this something in front of you right now.

Maybe I'm just not that kind god only knows that I've tried
Perhaps I am not the kind of person who can articulate my feelings well, regardless of my attempts to do so.

I'm a feather made of stone, in a hat you have forgotten
I sometimes feel insignificant and ignored, weighed down by burdens beyond my control.

You'll be swimming all alone, when it's drag you of bottom of the ocean floor
You'll be forced to face your fears and insecurities on your own when they eventually catch up to you.

Flowing down three rows of fine wine and savouries, conversation just get on my view
Surrounded by luxury and pleasant chatter, I find myself disengaged from it all.

And I'm so tired of talking about of the price of real estate
I don't want to talk about shallow and mundane topics like the cost of property anymore.

You'd better head back down to where you came through
It's time to return to a simpler and more meaningful way of living.

You know I've got something on my mind these days
There's still something important weighing on my mind these days.

It's warning me this time see it don't mean much when you're alone so
This feeling is cautioning me that being alone makes things seem less significant in the grand scheme of things.

I guess I'm gonna take my time a whistle and a wine
I have decided to slow down and take my time with my thoughts, perhaps with a drink in hand.

For the weight of something more
I am seeking for something more substantial and significant in my life.

I'll tear it up in pieces till my hands are red and raw
I will keep at it relentlessly until I am satisfied, even if it's painful and exhausting.

Till it's drags me to the bottom of the ocean floor
I will not give up until I have fully explored and faced my innermost feelings and desires.

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

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