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."
Walk the Wire
Boy & Bear Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The kind of scene I don't fit into
I didn't feel so right
But she came back 'round
Drifting across my sight
Some apparition of make believe
I felt my chest grow tight
And I tumbled in
And She said "Hey baby, hold my hand out on the wire"
Oh, I'm telling you the whole thing is just a braking of desire
You inevitably hold on
Because you always do
You better walk that wire
I'm talking tons 'cause I'm not made of steel
Somebody save me from myself
I'm just a man alright and I'm fumbling
With all this faded advice
Maybe the moment to make my move
You hold your breath so tight
'Cause we're tumbling
And She said "Hey baby, hold my hand out on the wire"
I've been telling the whole time
It's just a breaking of desire
Now I promise you'll be brave too
'Cause you've earned that right
You better walk that wire
There's something in the air tonight
Be steady as you walk away
And we're never going to know, right?
It's better then the other way
She said "Hey baby, hold my hand out on the wire"
See, I never would have held on
But at the aching of desire
No there's heaven in a folk song
So just hold on
'Cause you're dancing on the wire
Alright
The lyrics of Boy & Bear's song Walk the Wire can be interpreted as a metaphor for taking risks and making difficult decisions in life. The singer of the song finds himself in a situation that feels unfamiliar and uncomfortable to him. However, he is drawn in by a woman who represents temptation and the prospect of adventure. She urges him to "hold her hand out on the wire", which can be seen as a symbol of taking a leap of faith and stepping outside one's comfort zone.
The singer is hesitant at first, recognizing his own vulnerability ("I'm talking tons 'cause I'm not made of steel/ Somebody save me from myself"). However, he ultimately decides to take the chance, recognizing that he has "earned that right". The lyrics convey a sense of exhilaration and fear as the singer takes the plunge, surrendering to the power of desire ("There's heaven in a folk song/ So just hold on/ 'Cause you're dancing on the wire").
Overall, the song can be seen as a celebration of risk-taking and the potential rewards that come with it, even if there is always the possibility of falling. It encourages listeners to embrace uncertainty and to have the courage to walk the wire.
Line by Line Meaning
It was the strangest thing
The singer experienced something unusual
The kind of scene I don't fit into
What the singer witnessed was outside of their comfort zone
I didn't feel so right
The singer was uneasy about the situation
But she came back 'round
The person who made the artist uneasy returned
Drifting across my sight
The person returned to the artist's view
Some apparition of make believe
The singer thought the return of the person was fantastical
I felt my chest grow tight
The singer was overwhelmed with emotion
And I tumbled in
The artist was unable to resist and became involved
And She said "Hey baby, hold my hand out on the wire"
The person encouraged the artist to stay with them in a precarious situation
Oh, I'm telling you the whole thing is just a braking of desire
The situation is a result of uncontrolled want
You inevitably hold on
The singer is likely to become involved
Because you always do
The artist has a history of being unable to resist similar situations
You better walk that wire
The singer must keep moving forward in the situation
I'm talking tons 'cause I'm not made of steel
The singer admits their vulnerability
Somebody save me from myself
The singer doubts their ability to make the right choices
I'm just a man alright and I'm fumbling
The artist is human and imperfect
With all this faded advice
The artist has received guidance that no longer applies
Maybe the moment to make my move
The singer is unsure when to take action
You hold your breath so tight
The situation is tense
'Cause we're tumbling
The situation has become dangerous
Now I promise you'll be brave too
The artist offers reassurance that the other person can handle the situation
'Cause you've earned that right
The other person has proven their worthiness
There's something in the air tonight
The atmosphere has become charged
Be steady as you walk away
The artist advises caution when leaving the situation
And we're never going to know, right?
The outcome is uncertain
It's better then the other way
The singer believes the current situation is preferable to the alternative
See, I never would have held on
The singer would not have pursued the situation on their own
But at the aching of desire
The artist's emotions compelled them to become involved
No there's heaven in a folk song
The artist finds joy in simple things
So just hold on
The singer encourages the other person to stay strong
'Cause you're dancing on the wire
The situation is full of risk, but the singer believes the other person can handle it
Contributed by Carson V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Johnny Nation
This band puts out some of the catchiest tunes of any recent group. Music like it used to be !!!###
Muffin's ASMR
This album is going to be incredible!
Cody Costa
I'm not much of a boy and bear fan, but everything about this song, music, vocals and the clip is great!
Bu115y
Aaaah, takes me back to the 80s!
You guys rock :)
Stalin's Ghost
Oh guys that is such a beautiful sound!
Macey Smith
i love this song so much
Blaise Dx
Awesome funky tune! Love it!! 💜
Danial Zdrodowski
I just heard this song on the radio and loved it. It was hard to find out who played it, but I am glad youtube lead me to it. Cannot wait to hear more from this band.
Grace Marshall
This music video is so weird but I like it hahaha... Great song!! Haven't stopped listening to it since it came out. 👌🏼
Stephen Philipps
The lads in their groove, Symesy plugging away at that bass. This is why I like Boy and Bear just one of the most tight, tighest bands you'll ever see