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.
Owner of a Lonely Heart
Grizzly Bear Lyrics
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You always lived your life
Never thinking of the future
Prove yourself
You are the move you make
Take your chances win or loser
See yourself
You are the steps you take
Shake - shake yourself
You're every move you make
So the story goes
Owner of a lonely heart
Owner of a lonely heart
Much better than - a
Owner of a broken heart
Owner of a lonely heart
Say - you don't want to chance it
You've been hurt so before
Watch it now
The eagle in the sky
How he dancin' one and only
You - lose yourself
No not for pity's sake
There's no real reason to be lonely
Be yourself
Give your free will a chance
You've got to want to succeed
Owner of a lonely heart
Owner of a lonely heart
Much better than - a
Owner of a broken heart
Owner of a lonely heart
Owner of a lonely heart
After my own decision
They confused me so Owner of a lonely heart
My love said never question your will at all
In the end you've got to go
Look before you leap Owner of a lonely heart
And don't you hesitate at all - no no
Owner of a lonely heart
Owner of a lonely heart
Much better than - a
Owner of a broken heart
Owner of a lonely heart
Owner of a lonely heart
Sooner or later each conclusion
Will decide the lonely heart Owner of a lonely heart
It will excite it will delight
It will give a better start Owner of a lonely heart
Don't deceive your free will at all
Don't deceive your free will at all Owner of a lonely heart
Don't deceive your free will at all
Just receive it
The lyrics of Grizzly Bear's 'Owner of a Lonely Heart' are a powerful and inspiring call to action, encouraging listeners to take control of their lives and embrace their own self-determination. The song encourages the listener to 'move yourself' and to take control of their own destiny, rather than simply drifting through life without any real direction or purpose. The lyrics are filled with references to personal growth and development, urging listeners to 'see yourself' and to shake off the shackles of doubt and fear in order to reach their full potential.
The song is a powerful call to action that encourages listeners to be the 'owner of a lonely heart', to take responsibility for their own lives and to make the most of the opportunities that come their way. It is a celebration of human potential and the power of the individual, and it is a reminder that every person has the ability to shape their own destiny and to create the life that they truly desire. Ultimately, 'Owner of a Lonely Heart' is a song about hope, about the boundless potential of the human spirit, and about the transformative power of self-belief and determination.
Line by Line Meaning
Move yourself
Start taking action and making moves
You always lived your life
You have been living your life without thinking about consequences
Never thinking of the future
You haven't planned for your future
Prove yourself
Show your worth
You are the move you make
Your actions define who you are
Take your chances win or loser
Take risks, whether you win or lose
See yourself
Realize your own strengths and weaknesses
You are the steps you take
Your success is determined by the steps you take
You and you - and that's the only way
You are responsible for your own actions and decisions
Shake - shake yourself
Motivate yourself to take action
You're every move you make
You are wholly responsible for your actions
So the story goes
That's how things happen
Owner of a lonely heart
Someone feeling isolated
Owner of a lonely heart
Someone feeling isolated
Much better than - a
Better than being an
Owner of a broken heart
Someone who has suffered from heartbreak
Owner of a lonely heart
Someone feeling isolated
Say - you don't want to chance it
You are hesitant to take risks
You've been hurt so before
You have been hurt in the past, likely due to taking risks
Watch it now
Be careful
The eagle in the sky
An example of soaring or succeeding
How he dancin' one and only
The eagle is unique in his success
You - lose yourself
Don't lose sight of who you are
No not for pity's sake
Don't feel sorry for yourself
There's no real reason to be lonely
You don't have to be alone
Be yourself
Embrace who you truly are
Give your free will a chance
Allow yourself to be autonomous
You've got to want to succeed
Success requires a certain level of desire
Owner of a lonely heart
Someone feeling isolated
Owner of a lonely heart
Someone feeling isolated
Much better than - a
Better than being an
Owner of a broken heart
Someone who has suffered from heartbreak
Owner of a lonely heart
Someone feeling isolated
Owner of a lonely heart
Someone feeling isolated
After my own decision
After making my own choice
They confused me so Owner of a lonely heart
Others caused confusion and isolation
My love said never question your will at all
My love told me to never change who I am
In the end you've got to go
In the end, you must move forward
Look before you leap Owner of a lonely heart
Make informed decisions before taking risks
And don't you hesitate at all - no no
Don't be afraid to act decisively
Owner of a lonely heart
Someone feeling isolated
Owner of a lonely heart
Someone feeling isolated
Much better than - a
Better than being an
Owner of a broken heart
Someone who has suffered from heartbreak
Owner of a lonely heart
Someone feeling isolated
Owner of a lonely heart
Someone feeling isolated
Sooner or later each conclusion
Eventually, every decision
Will decide the lonely heart Owner of a lonely heart
Will determine the lonely person's fate
It will excite it will delight
Positive outcomes are possible
It will give a better start Owner of a lonely heart
Positive outcomes can lead to new beginnings
Don't deceive your free will at all
Don't compromise your autonomy
Don't deceive your free will at all Owner of a lonely heart
Don't compromise your autonomy, despite isolation
Don't deceive your free will at all
Don't compromise your autonomy
Just receive it
Allow yourself to receive what comes your way
Contributed by Anthony P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.