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."
Showdown
Boy & Bear Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This time I remember we began to doubt
You said the wrong thing
I did the wrong thing
So so, so much of the time
I don't know where you are
I'm starting to believe this won't go very far
I can see them looking over now,
I can hear them talking once too much
Is this all we had to show for the seven years
'Cause we tried and we might survive for the other wish
Is this all we had to show for the seven years
'Cause we tried and we might survive for the other wish
This is my showdown
Maybe there's some other fella that you never know
Maybe he's some other one who'll never let you go
I said the wrong thing
I did the wrong thing
Like a fool I never listened I just put you down
Such a shame some other strangers gonna get you now
This time mistake is mine
I can see them looking over now,
I can hear them talking once too much
Is this all we had to show for the seven years
'Cause we tried and we might survive for the other wishes
Is this all we had to show for the seven years
'Cause we tried and we might survive for the other wishes
This is my showdown
I can see them looking over now,
I can hear them talking once too much
Is this all we had to show for the seven years
'Cause we tried and we might survive for the other wishes
Is this all we had to show for the seven years
'Cause we tried and we might survive for the other wishes
This is my showdown
This is my showdown
In "Showdown" by Boy & Bear, the lyrics depict a relationship that is on the verge of ending or experiencing a major conflict. The singer is speaking to their partner, expressing their frustration and disappointment with the way things have been going. The line "So you finally figured that I could work you out" suggests that the singer understands their partner's behavior and thought processes, but it has led to doubts and uncertainty in their relationship.
The lyrics further highlight the singer's feelings of confusion and distance. They admit that most of the time, they don't know where their partner is emotionally or mentally. This lack of understanding leads to a belief that the relationship is not likely to progress much further. The singer takes responsibility for their own mistakes, acknowledging that they have also contributed to the unfolding problems.
The chorus emphasizes the feeling of being watched and judged by others. The singer can see people looking over and hearing them talk about the situation. This scrutiny adds to the pressure and tension surrounding the relationship. The lyrics question whether the seven years they've been together have amounted to anything significant. The phrase "other wish" could refer to the desire for a better outcome or a different path in the relationship.
In the second verse, the singer contemplates the possibility of their partner finding someone else who will give them what they need. They acknowledge their own faults in not listening and putting their partner down. It's implied that the singer regrets their actions and fears losing their partner to someone else.
The chorus is repeated again, emphasizing the frustration and questioning the significance of the time invested in the relationship. The phrase "this is my showdown" is a declaration that the singer has reached a breaking point and intends to address the issues head-on.
Overall, "Showdown" captures a sense of dissatisfaction and conflict within a relationship. It explores themes of doubt, miscommunication, and the fear of losing someone. The lyrics suggest that the singer recognizes their own shortcomings but also desires a resolution or a new beginning.
Line by Line Meaning
So you finally figured that I could work you out
You have come to realize that I understand you completely
This time I remember we began to doubt
During this particular moment, we started to question our relationship
You said the wrong thing
You made a mistake with your words
I did the wrong thing
I also made a mistake in my actions
So so, so much of the time
Very frequently, a large portion of the time
I don't know where you are
I am uncertain of your whereabouts
I'm starting to believe this won't go very far
I am beginning to think that our relationship won't last long
This time, mistake is mine
This time, I am the one at fault
I can see them looking over now,
I can perceive others observing us at this moment
I can hear them talking once too much
I can hear them gossiping excessively
Is this all we had to show for the seven years
Are these our only accomplishments after seven years together
'Cause we tried and we might survive for the other wish
Because we made an effort and perhaps we can make it work for our future hopes
This is my showdown
This is my moment of confrontation
Maybe there's some other fella that you never know
There might be another man whom you are not aware of
Maybe he's some other one who'll never let you go
Perhaps he is another person who will never allow you to leave
Like a fool I never listened I just put you down
I acted foolishly by not listening and instead belittling you
Such a shame some other strangers gonna get you now
It is regrettable that another unknown person will now have you
I can see them looking over now,
I can perceive others observing us at this moment
Is this all we had to show for the seven years
Are these our only accomplishments after seven years together
'Cause we tried and we might survive for the other wishes
Because we made an effort and perhaps we can make it work for our future desires
This is my showdown
This is my moment of confrontation
I can see them looking over now,
I can perceive others observing us at this moment
I can hear them talking once too much
I can hear them gossiping excessively
Is this all we had to show for the seven years
Are these our only accomplishments after seven years together
'Cause we tried and we might survive for the other wishes
Because we made an effort and perhaps we can make it work for our future desires
This is my showdown
This is my moment of confrontation
This is my showdown
This is my moment of confrontation
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: CARR, CHASE, MAHMOOD, PECK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind