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.
Slow Life. Ft. Victoria Legrand
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 lyrics to Grizzly Bear's "Slow Life" are open to interpretation, but it seems to be a song about romantic disillusionment and the need for emotional detachment. The song seems to begin with the singer recognizing a "great divide" between himself/herself and the person they are addressing. The singer also notes that this divide is "crowding up the foreground," suggesting that this person's presence is overwhelming and distracting. Despite this, the singer acknowledges that this person is the only one they see.
The chorus of the song seems to suggest that, despite the difficulties of the romance, the singer is comfortable with a kind of resignation, a detachment from the emotional turmoil that they are experiencing. The line "keep up the slow life for the night" describes a kind of languid acceptance, a willingness to let things unfold as they will without trying to control or intervene in any way. The singer seems to suggest that the only way to cope with the pain of this relationship is to simply deny it or push it aside.
The final lines of the song - "place your bets on chance and apathy / from the wind in front of me" - suggest a kind of fatalism, an acceptance of the role of fate in our lives. The singer seems to be saying that there is nothing to be done about the situation besides waiting to see what will happen, and that even though this person is the only one they see, it is still a "catastrophe" that cannot be avoided.
Overall, the song seems to be a meditation on the inevitability of romantic disappointment and the need to accept things as they are. It is also a commentary on the human tendency to retreat into a kind of emotional numbness when faced with difficult situations.
Line by Line Meaning
I think I know what's on your mind
I believe I understand what you're thinking
A couple words, a great divide
Just a few words can create an enormous gap between us
Waiting in the wings, a small respite
A momentary break is standing by, ready to make an appearance
Crowding up the foreground from behind
Obstacles and distractions lurk just around the corner
Even though you're the only one I see
Despite the fact that you're the sole focus of my attention
It's the last catastrophe
This could be the final straw, the ultimate disaster
Place your bets on chance and apathy
Gambling on fate and indifference could be the key to survival
Take anything you want, it's fine
Whatever you need or desire, I won't object
Keep up the slow life for the night
Let's relax and take it easy tonight
Don't take it back, I'll just deny
If you retract your words or actions, I'll pretend it never happened
This constant noise all the time
The world is always loud and demanding, never allowing peace and quiet
From the wind in front of me
I'm facing challenging circumstances and struggling against strong headwinds
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CHRISTOPHER BEAR, EDWARD DROSTE, DANIEL ROSSEN, CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL TAYLOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind