(2009): “We were working on our own stuff, and {Grizzly Bear was} in Brooklyn trying to submit this song for the movie, and they were like ‘Victoria, come sing on it.’” ~ Alex, MagicRPM
Slow Life
Grizzly Bear Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A couple words, a great divide
Waiting in the wings, a small respite
Crowding up the foreground from behind
Even though you're the only one I see
It's the last catastrophe
Place your bets on chance and apathy
Take anything you want, it's fine
Keep up the slow life for the night
Don't take it back, I'll just deny
This constant noise all the time
Even though you're the only one I see
It's the last catastrophe
Place your bets on chance and apathy
From the wind in front of me
Even though you're the only I see
It's the last catastrophe
Place your bets on chance and apathy
From the wind in front of me
Even though you're the only I see
The song Slow Life by Grizzly Bear explores the idea of a couple's struggle through communication and the challenge of understanding one another's thoughts and emotions. The opening lines suggest that the singer is aware of their partner's thoughts, yet there is still a divide between them that creates distance. The couple's problems are exacerbated by the "foreground from behind", implying that there may be external pressures that are distracting them from resolving their issues.
The chorus urges the couple to slow down and enjoy the moment, suggesting that the constant noise in their lives is preventing them from connecting with one another. The line "Place your bets on chance and apathy" implies that the singer has given up on trying to control the outcome of their relationship and is willing to leave it to chance, or alternatively, that they are finding it difficult to care deeply about their relationship. The repetition of the second verse emphasizes the sense of confusion and frustration that the couple is experiencing, particularly with the wind representing the uncertainty and fickleness of their situation.
Overall, Slow Life conveys a sense of instability and imbalance that is characteristic of relationships in transition or under strain. The lyrics suggest that the couple needs to find a way to slow down and communicate more clearly, as well as to let go of their fears and doubts in order to connect on a deeper level.
Line by Line Meaning
I think I know what's on your mind
I believe that I understand what you are thinking about
A couple words, a great divide
Only a few words have created a significant separation between us
Waiting in the wings, a small respite
A brief moment of rest is just around the corner, ready to take the stage
Crowding up the foreground from behind
Something that was once hidden is now becoming noticeable and taking up space in the forefront
Even though you're the only one I see
Although you are the sole focus of my attention
It's the last catastrophe
This may be our final disaster
Place your bets on chance and apathy
Take a gamble on fate and a lack of emotional investment
Take anything you want, it's fine
You are welcome to have whatever you desire, I have no objections
Keep up the slow life for the night
Let us continue to live life at a leisurely pace for the remainder of the evening
Don't take it back, I'll just deny
If you change your mind later, I will simply refuse to acknowledge it
This constant noise all the time
The never-ending commotion surrounding us
From the wind in front of me
Blowing in from the direction I am facing
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CHRISTOPHER BEAR, EDWARD DROSTE, DANIEL ROSSEN, CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL TAYLOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@yukon8460
Lyrics:
I think I know what's on your mind
A couple words, a great divide
Waiting in the wings, a small respite
Crowding up the foreground from behind
Even though you're the only one I see
It's the last catastrophe
Place your bets on chance and apathy
Take anything you want, it's fine
Keep up the slow life for the night
Don't take it back, I'll just deny
This constant noise all the time
Even though you're the only one I see
It's the last catastrophe
Place your bets on chance and apathy
From the wind in front of me
Even though you're the only I see
It's the last catastrophe
Place your bets on chance and apathy
From the wind in front of me
Even though you're the only I see
@noortaufeeq123
I think I know what's on your mind
A couple words, a great divide
Waiting in the wings, a small respite
Crowding up the foreground from behind
Even though you're the only one I see
It's the last catastrophe
Place your bets on chance and apathy
Take anything you want, it's fine
Keep up the slow life for the night
Don't take it back, I'll just deny
This constant noise all the time
Even though you're the only one I see
It's the last catastrophe
Place your bets on chance and apathy
From the wind in front of me
Even though you're the only I see
It's the last catastrophe
Place your bets on chance and apathy
From the wind in front of me
Even though you're the only I see
@zehracanl8826
Sanırım aklında ne olduğunu biliyorum
I think I know what's on your mind
Birkaç kelime, büyük bir bölünme
A couple words, a great divide
Kanatlarda beklerken, küçük bir mühlet
Waiting in the wings, a small respite
Ön planda arkadan kalabalık
Crowding up the foreground from behind
Gördüğüm tek kişi olmana rağmen
Even though you're the only one I see
Bu son felaket
It's the last catastrophe
Bahislerinizi şansa ve ilgisizliğe koyun
Place your bets on chance and apathy
İstediğiniz her şeyi alın, sorun değil
Take anything you want, it's fine
Gecenin yavaş hayatına devam et
Keep up the slow life for the night
Geri alma, sadece inkar edeceğim
Don't take it back, I'll just deny
Bu sürekli gürültü her zaman
This constant noise all the time
Gördüğüm tek kişi olmana rağmen
Even though you're the only one I see
Bu son felaket
It's the last catastrophe
Bahislerinizi şansa ve ilgisizliğe koyun
Place your bets on chance and apathy
Önümdeki rüzgardan
From the wind in front of me
Gördüğüm tek kişi olmana rağmen
Even though you're the only I see
Bu son felaket
It's the last catastrophe
Bahislerinizi şansa ve ilgisizliğe koyun
Place your bets on chance and apathy
Önümdeki rüzgardan
From the wind in front of me
Gördüğüm tek kişi olmana rağmen
Even though you're the only
Please like!
@Baheccakonova7
I think I know what's on your mind 💖
A couple words, a great divide
Waiting in the wings, a small respite
Crowding up the foreground from behind
Even though you're the only one I see
It's the last catastrophe
Place your bets on chance and apathy
Take anything you want, it's fine
Keep up the slow life for the night
Don't take it back, I'll just deny
This constant noise all the time
Even though you're the only one I see
It's the last catastrophe
Place your bets on chance and apathy
From the wind in front of me
Even though you're the only I see
It's the last catastrophe
Place your bets on chance and apathy
From the wind in front of me
Even though you're the only I see
@bellastuart739
okay but I used to listen to this when I was severely depressed, and now years later (I’m in a MUCH better place now), I’ve rediscovered it, and I swear it’s a spiritual experience 😭 Life gets better!!
@garrettpeterson9816
Best comment in the thread 🙏❤️❤️
@mlancholia3920
damn i was in the same boat too, it was in 2013 and had my first brush with depression but i can’t shake it off so i spend most of my time listening to new moon soundtrack. out of all the tracks this song is the one i listened the most tbh
@Loveyouandmyself
I hope 🌱 🙏🏽 I'm so happy for u xox
@violetgarcia622
Happy for you ❣️
@christinastachurski2964
Life has only gotten worse for me! 💔😭
@tarahdumford1583
This song has always meant a lot to me. Right after new moon came out, my father died of alcohol abuse. The last thing I remember of him is his viewing with this song playing. 12 years later and i still feel the same gut wrench I felt that day. RIP dad.🕊
@boostedrr7205
I’m sorry Jesus is there for you, and loves you
@laisdias973
"take anything you want, it's fine".. this part really hits me, i don't know why. feels like the total detachment of the self, so melancholically sad and ethereally beautiful at the same time.
@1wyco
This song in a nutshell <3