Grizzly Bear is a rock band from Brooklyn, New York. Their music uses melod… Read Full Bio ↴Grizzly Bear is a rock band from Brooklyn, New York. Their music uses melody and ambience in conjunction with hazy-eyed choruses, whistles, piano, banjo, and several woodwind instruments.

Grizzly Bear was originally the solo project of Edward Droste (vocals/guitar), who recorded his debut album Horn of Plenty at home. The record was originally meant for his friends, but it eventually circulated and got a proper release in 2004, this time with the help of Christopher Bear (drums/vocals). A re-release with a bonus disc of remixes was issued in 2005.

2005 also saw the addition of the two other band members, Chris Taylor (woodwinds/electronics/engineering/production) and Daniel Rossen (vocals/guitar). Playing as a four piece allowed the complexity of sound that was recorded on Horn of Plenty to be played live. The band toured throughout the year, playing songs off the first album as well as some of the new songs they were collectively writing that would make up Yellow House.

An album of Droste's early demo recordings, Sorry for the Delay, was released in 2006. Later that year they signed to Warp to release Yellow House on September 4th, 2006, to great acclaim.

In 2007, the band released Friend EP, which features outtakes, alternate versions, and covers done by CSS, Band of Horses, and Atlas Sound. In addition, members of the Dirty Projectors and Beirut collaborated with the band on "Alligator" and the EP's hidden track.

The band released their third full length album, Veckatimest, on May 26, 2009. After extensive touring, the band took a six month hiatus and then reconvened to record in Marfa, Texas and Cape Cod and released their fourth full length album, Shields, on September 18, 2012.

Everyone I Know
Grizzly Bear Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Every hour or so
I notice that I keep on talking over all
The rest of those moments
I don't want to close this place

Under the guise of all this fat
I notice it and keep on wringing my hands
As if we are so cold

We both have our goals

Maybe it's something more than that
I don't talk to the folks and make chat

We are almost alone
This is like everyone I know

Overall Meaning

In Grizzly Bear's song Everyone I Know, the singer is struggling to connect with those around him despite being surrounded by people. The first verse mentions that he talks over others, which may imply that he is struggling to listen or connect with them in a meaningful way. He also mentions that he doesn't want to close this place, which could refer to a physical location or perhaps closing off his emotions and relationships with others.

The second verse references the singer's weight or physical appearance, as he uses the phrase "all this fat" under the guise of something larger than himself. He continues to wring his hands, indicating anxiety or nervousness, as he and those around him feel cold and distant. The song suggests that there may be something more going on beneath the surface, as the singer is struggling to connect with others despite being surrounded by them.

The chorus repeats the phrase "everyone I know," emphasizing the feeling of isolation even when surrounded by people. The song may be highlighting the difficulties of modern life and the challenges of forming meaningful connections in an age of constant distraction and technology.

Line by Line Meaning

Every hour or so
Every now and then

I notice that I keep on talking over all
I realize that I dominate conversations and don't let others speak

The rest of those moments
At other times

I don't want to close this place
I don't want to leave this situation or setting

Under the guise of all this fat
Hiding behind external appearances

I notice it and keep on wringing my hands
I am aware of my nervous behaviour

As if we are so cold
As if we are emotionally distant

We both have our goals
We both have our ambitions

Maybe it's something more than that
Perhaps there is deeper meaning behind our actions

I don't talk to the folks and make chat
I avoid small talk with people

We are almost alone
We are isolated