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.
Lullaby
Grizzly Bear Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sitting out by the wading pool
Chlorine blue
Rush of wind passing over me
Restless nights, restless nights
Restless nights
Chin up, cheer up, chin up
Chin up, cheer up
Chin up, cheer up, chin up
Chin up, cheer up
Chin up, cheer up, chin up
Chin up, cheer up
Chin up, cheer up, chin up
My love's another kind
My love's another kind
My love's another kind
Chin up, cheer up
Chin up, cheer up, chin up
Chin up, cheer up
Chin up, cheer up, chin up
Chin up, cheer up
Chin up, cheer up, chin up
Chin up, cheer up
Chin up, cheer up, chin up
My love's another kind
My love's another kind
The opening lines of Grizzly Bear’s “Lullaby” paint a picture of someone enjoying the hot summer days by a poolside. The mood is set with a glass of gin and a folding chair, evoking feelings of relaxed contentment. The mention of the “Chlorine blue” adds a dreamlike quality to the scene, hinting at the feeling of drifting off into a peaceful slumber.
As the song progresses, the tone changes, and the lyrics take on a sense of restlessness. The singer describes feeling overwhelmed and unable to find peace, plagued by “restless nights.” Despite the negativity, the refrain, “Chin up, cheer up,” repeats throughout the song, serving as a reminder to stay positive and optimistic.
The repetition of “My love's another kind” adds to the dreamy ambiance and lends a sense of longing to the track. While the lyrics don’t explicitly detail the singer’s relationship, the mention of love suggests that perhaps the restlessness could be related to a romantic partnership.
Overall, “Lullaby” is a melancholic yet hopeful song that captures the complexity of human emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
Glass of gin and a folding chair
Sitting outside, next to the swimming pool, with a glass of gin and a folding chair
Sitting out by the wading pool
Sitting next to a shallow pool of water
Chlorine blue
The color of the water in the pool is blue due to the chlorine
Rush of wind passing over me
Feeling the strong wind blowing over me
Restless nights, restless nights, restless nights
Having trouble sleeping and feeling restless for several nights
Chin up, cheer up
Lift your head up and feel better
Chin up, cheer up, chin up
Repeating the encouragement to stay strong
My love's another kind
My way of loving is different from what you are used to
Contributed by Abigail Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Brett William Plank
HOLY FUCK HOW IS NOBODY ELSE JAMMING TO THIS MASTERPIECE? Y'ALL HEAR THAT SHIT? THAT'S GRIZZLY BEAR YO! LISTEN TO DANIEL ROSSEN FUCKING SLAYING IT! ED HAS SOME GNARLY VOCALS ON THIS TRACK! TAYLORS PRODUCTION WOWZERS! NOT TO MENTION CHRIS'S EPIC DRUMMING!
THIS SONG JAMS THE FUCK OUT OF JAMS!
"RUSH OF WIND, PASSING OVER ME, RESTLESS NIGHT"
YEAH ITS RESTLESS DANIEL BECAUSE THIS SONG JAMS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
<3 YOU GRIZZLY
TheCloudsandTheSkies
Grizzly bear are amazing. I remember walking in to a HMV and hearing Vekatamist over the speakers. I went up to the desk and asked to give me a copy of whatever was playing. I brought it home, fell in love and was gutted to find out that they were literally playing a show in my country as I was listening to the album... Luckily I got to see them on the Shields tour. They are a superb band!!!
MrSkateboardbassplay
You are incredibly lucky my friend. Every time I have tried seeing them, they would be touring in a different country.
Alfie Templeman
7 years late but lovely comment, hope they get together again some day so i can catch a gig
Procerus
@Alfie Templeman At this point I'd be happy with just catching Daniel Rossen live if he makes more music. You Belong There was magnificent
definitely not a fox
yellow house should be regarded as one of the best albums of the 2000s, period. to me, it's up there with in rainbows.
Krystina Fann
Seriously one of the most beautiful songs Ive heard in my entire life. Needed this today, that was quite the ride!
Casey 3-P-O
I learned how to play this song and little brother by them as well on guitar. If feels even better to play along with them than to listen. Can't even explain it. It's just great.
Parker A
this whole album reminds me of when I was a kid. this was the sound of my childhood
Ceereeal
you’re so lucky to have heard this album as a kid, that’s like doubling the nostalgia factor it already has
Apothecurio
So dense and beautiful. It all merges into one emotional raising wave. It’s so intense. Can’t get enough