Lennox grew up in the Roland Park section of Baltimore, Maryland. As a child, he played sports, and studied piano and cello. He later sang tenor in his high school chamber choir. After graduation, he attended Boston University but dropped out in 2000 and moved to New York where he dedicated himself to his music.
His first solo release was the self titled Panda Bear in 1998, which was released under Soccer Star Records, a label founded by fellow Animal Collective member, Deakin.
After its creation, Lennox focused on Animal Collective, putting his solo project aside. He picked it back up in 2004 and released Young Prayer that year. In 2007 he followed up with the critically acclaimed Person Pitch.
In Animal Collective, Noah was primarily responsible for percussion, although he has recently transitioned to working with samples in addition to contributing vocals and playing a variety of other instruments. He adopted the name Panda Bear from an early tape of his material, on which he drew a panda.
His more recent albums are Person Pitch (2007), Tomboy (2011), Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper (2015), Buoys (2019) and Reset (2022), a collaborative album with the producer Peter Kember (as known as Sonic Boom). This album is formally credited to Panda Bear & Sonic Boom.
Benfica
Panda Bear Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To win's not all that it's about
It's just not something to say
But there is nothing more true
Or natural than wanting to win
There's nothing more to life
Nothing more to life
The lyrics of Panda Bear's song "Benfica" are a contemplation on the nature of winning and its significance. The lines "Some might say that/To win's not all that it's about/It's just not something to say/But there is nothing more true/Or natural than wanting to win" explore the idea that while some may argue that winning is not the most important thing, the desire to win is deeply ingrained in human nature. The pursuit of victory can be seen as a manifestation of our primal instincts, and as such, its importance cannot be underestimated.
The second verse of the song takes a more existential turn, with the repeated refrain "There's nothing more to life/Nothing more to life." Here, Panda Bear seems to suggest that the pursuit of victory, and by extension, the struggle to overcome challenges and obstacles, is the ultimate purpose of life. This may seem like a bleak outlook, but it also speaks to the resilience and strength of the human spirit. By continually striving for success, even in the face of disappointment and setbacks, we can find meaning and purpose in our lives.
Overall, "Benfica" is a thought-provoking meditation on the role of winning in our lives and the human drive to succeed. In exploring these themes, Panda Bear has created a song that is both inherently relatable and deeply philosophical.
Line by Line Meaning
Some might say that
There are people who hold the belief that
To win's not all that it's about
Success is not the only thing that matters
It's just not something to say
Expressing this sentiment may not be socially accepted
But there is nothing more true
Despite societal pressure, the previous statement is undoubtedly accurate
Or natural than wanting to win
The desire to triumph is an innate human inclination, and nothing feels more organic
There's nothing more to life
No thing is more significant or meaningful in one's existence
Nothing more to life
Emphasizes the previous statement, driving the point that nothing outweighs the importance of winning
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: NOAH BENJAMIN LENNOX
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind