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.
Listen and Wait
Grizzly Bear Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And it's gone by the night
The morning brings it back - gave back
Set towards the light imagine fades
The vision running wild
Hiding the bind a better face smiles shinning light
Listen and wait to the voice that calls you on
Careful find your best way home
Blinded, blind sided by self
Bending from that home you always loved, so far
Down on the clouds
Dreams nothing much
Stay where you are
No one could know
Set towards the light, imagine fades
Vision running wild
Hiding the bind a better face, smiles shining light
Listen and wait to the voice that calls you on
The lyrics to Grizzly Bear’s song “Listen and Wait” present a dreamlike, almost surrealist narrative that can be interpreted in a variety of ways. The opening lines, “A joker inside, a Jumbo be re-brought to life / And it's gone by the night / The morning brings it back - gave back," suggest a playful, mischievous spirit that can only exist for a moment before disappearing, only to return the next morning. This image can be seen as a metaphor for the ephemeral nature of creativity and inspiration - a sense that one must seize upon these fleeting moments of insight before they vanish forever.
The rest of the lyrics seem to be an invitation to tune in to the hidden wisdom that lies beneath the surface of everyday reality. “Listen and wait to the voice that calls you on” suggests that there is a deeper truth to be discovered if one is patient enough to remain still and pay attention. The lines “Set towards the light imagine fades / Vision running wild / Hiding the bind a better face, smiles shining light” reinforce this idea of pursuing a higher vision or goal, even as it flickers and fades. Overall, the song seems to be about the importance of staying attuned to one’s inner voice, and following it wherever it may lead.
Line by Line Meaning
A joker inside, a Jumbo be re-brought to life
There is a playful spirit within me that is being revived.
And it's gone by the night
But my playful spirit disappears at night.
The morning brings it back - gave back
But it returns every morning to rejuvenate me.
Set towards the light imagine fades
As I move towards the light, my imagination begins to dwindle.
The vision running wild
My mind is constantly racing with new ideas and thoughts.
Hiding the bind a better face smiles shinning light
I try to hide my insecurities behind a smiling face that radiates positivity.
Listen and wait to the voice that calls you on
I am waiting for the voice that will guide me towards my purpose in life.
Careful find your best way home
I need to be cautious and choose the best path to reach my desired destination.
Blinded, blind sided by self
I am often blinded by my own ego and fail to see the bigger picture.
Bending from that home you always loved, so far
Moving away from the comforts of home that I've always loved is difficult, but necessary for growth.
Down on the clouds
I am feeling lost and uncertain about my future.
Dreams nothing much
My dreams aren't very grand or significant.
Stay where you are
I am content with my current situation and don't want to take any risks.
No one could know
I keep my true feelings hidden from others.
Hiding the bind a better face, smiles shining light
Once again, I am hiding my vulnerabilities behind a façade of positivity and light.
Listen and wait to the voice that calls you on
I am still waiting for that voice that will guide me towards my true purpose in this world.
Contributed by Matthew T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
RAI
Lyrics:
A joker inside
A jumble man re-brought to life
And it's gone by the night
The morning brings it back
Give back
And step towards the light
Imagine fades, a vision running wild
And hides in the lights
A battered face, smiles shouting loud
Listen and wait, for a voice that calls you on
Careful, find your balance 'fore you fall
Blinded, blind-sighted by yourself
Banished from that home you've always loved
So far
Down on the grass,
Dreamed nothing much
Stay where you are
We'll walk alone
Step towards towards the light
Imagine fades, a vision running wild
And hides in the lights
A battered face, smiles shouting loud
Listen and wait, for a voice that calls you on
Space Magic Caster
Similar to something I'd expect to be rooted from Yellow House. You boys are enigmatically thaumaturgical as always:) Bravo you dashing devils you.
Charlie Odyssey
Grizzly Bear, Tame Impala, and Queens of the Stone Age need their own concert movies
Th3Bi9Ch33s3
dude honestly those are my biggest influences
Alave Robinson
Mannnnnn
Cameron Park
wow we are on the same page!
RAI
Lyrics:
A joker inside
A jumble man re-brought to life
And it's gone by the night
The morning brings it back
Give back
And step towards the light
Imagine fades, a vision running wild
And hides in the lights
A battered face, smiles shouting loud
Listen and wait, for a voice that calls you on
Careful, find your balance 'fore you fall
Blinded, blind-sighted by yourself
Banished from that home you've always loved
So far
Down on the grass,
Dreamed nothing much
Stay where you are
We'll walk alone
Step towards towards the light
Imagine fades, a vision running wild
And hides in the lights
A battered face, smiles shouting loud
Listen and wait, for a voice that calls you on
Evan Von Hiser
Marshanah T. It's "Memory brought" not "Man re-brought"
Benjamin Braddock
THANK YOU ED AND DANIEL AND CHRIS AND CHRISTOPHER! i love you guys
Cosmicgiggle
The chills this song gives hurt so wonderfully.
Miguel Montes
Best band since Radiohead