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.
Last Night at the Jetty
Panda Bear Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Did we have them anyway?
Seems that we once had
Now we'll have them all the time
Didn't we have a good time?
I know we had a real time now
Who could say we're not just as we were?
My, my I know
I don't want to describe something that I'm not
I don't want to hide the hopes that I have
I want to enjoy what's meant to enjoy
Not try to find slights and slurs to employ
Say what you will
I've a pretty sound mind to go
I know I could not go
Even if I had the eyes to try
You have your ways
I have my ways
We have our ways
And I'll call you my friend
And I'll call you my dream that I once had
Did I have it, anyway?
Seems that I once had
Now I'll have them all the time
Didn't I have a good time?
I know I had a real time now
Who could I say I'm not just as I was?
No one could deny
My, my
The lyrics to Panda Bear's song Last Night at the Jetty appear to be exploring the idea of nostalgia and questioning the reality of past experiences. The singer wonders if the dreams they once had were even real or if they only exist in their memory. The lyrics suggest that maybe it doesn't really matter if the past was real or not, as long as we can continue to have similar experiences and enjoy the present moment. The singer is also rejecting the idea of pretending to be something they're not or focusing on negativity, instead wanting to fully enjoy life and their friendships.
The repetition of the lines "Dreams that we once had/Did we have them anyway?/Seems that we once had/Now we'll have them all the time" create a dreamy and repetitive feeling in the song, emphasizing the idea of reflecting on the past and how it affects the present. The line "Not try to find slights and slurs to employ" suggests a desire to avoid negativity and to focus on positive experiences instead. The singer acknowledges that everyone has their own ways of seeing things, but ultimately values their relationships and connection to others.
Overall, Last Night at the Jetty portrays a wistful and introspective mood, while also celebrating the present and valuing positive experiences and relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Dreams that we once had
Did we really have dreams or were they just illusions?
Did we have them anyway?
Were those dreams worth having?
Seems that we once had
We thought we had dreams, but maybe they weren't real
Now we'll have them all the time
Now we'll never know if they were real or not, so they will be with us forever
Didn't we have a good time?
We enjoyed ourselves, didn't we?
I know we had a real time now
I remember it well, it was a genuine experience
Who could say we're not just as we were?
We're still the same people, even if time has passed
No one could deny
It's a fact, we can't change who we are
My, my I know
I'm certain of it
I don't want to describe something that I'm not
I don't want to pretend to be something I'm not
I don't want to hide the hopes that I have
I don't want to keep my desires a secret
I want to enjoy what's meant to enjoy
I want to appreciate life's good moments
Not try to find slights and slurs to employ
I don't want to focus on negativity
Say what you will
You can express your opinion
I've a pretty sound mind to go
But I'm confident in my own thinking
I know I could not go
I know where I stand
Even if I had the eyes to try
Even if I could see things differently
You have your ways
We're different, and that's okay
I have my ways
We have unique perspectives
We have our ways
But we can still be friends despite our differences
And I'll call you my friend
I value our relationship
And I'll call you my dream that I once had
You were an important part of my life, like a dream
Did I have it, anyway?
I'm not sure if our relationship was a dream or not
Seems that I once had
But it doesn't matter, it was meaningful to me
Now I'll have them all the time
And I'll cherish those memories forever
Didn't I have a good time?
I enjoyed our time together, didn't you?
I know I had a real time now
I'm sure it was a genuine experience
Who could I say I'm not just as I was?
I'm still the same person, and proud of it
No one could deny
It's just a fact
My, my
I'm content
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: NOAH BENJAMIN LENNOX
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@teal_moon
Dreams that we once had
Did we have them anyway?
Seems that we once had
Now we'll have them all the time
Didn't we have a good time?
I know we had a real time now
Who could say we're not just as we were?
No one could deny
My, my I know
I don't want to describe something that I'm not
I don't want to hide the hopes that I have
I want to enjoy what's meant to enjoy
Not try to find slights and slurs to employ
Say what you will
I've a pretty sound mind to go
I know I could not go
Even if I had the eyes to try
You have your ways
I have my ways
We have our ways
And I'll call you my friend
And I'll call you my dream that I once had
Did I have it, anyway?
Seems that I once had
Now I'll have them all the time
Didn't I have a good time?
I know I had a real time now
Who could I say I'm not just as I was?
No one could deny
My, my
@sean_moonju_kim
Heavily influenced by catholic hymn....
This track made me start seeking tracks that are spiritual yet atheist.
But, they all are definitely worshipping a kind of enlightenment or maybe the "universality" of love itself.
I find it comforting and self-assuring in this wild world.
Also, in some ways this feels like a graduation song.
Maybe, the author graduted from his own self-doubt or insecurity.
@drdickphd
Panda’s best, one of the most underrated pop albums of all time
@teal_moon
Dreams that we once had
Did we have them anyway?
Seems that we once had
Now we'll have them all the time
Didn't we have a good time?
I know we had a real time now
Who could say we're not just as we were?
No one could deny
My, my I know
I don't want to describe something that I'm not
I don't want to hide the hopes that I have
I want to enjoy what's meant to enjoy
Not try to find slights and slurs to employ
Say what you will
I've a pretty sound mind to go
I know I could not go
Even if I had the eyes to try
You have your ways
I have my ways
We have our ways
And I'll call you my friend
And I'll call you my dream that I once had
Did I have it, anyway?
Seems that I once had
Now I'll have them all the time
Didn't I have a good time?
I know I had a real time now
Who could I say I'm not just as I was?
No one could deny
My, my
@richd506
Pefect melodies. Deep sound. Beautiful lyrics. This song is immaculate and an instant favorite for me. I like to think that if the doo wops of the 50's hadn't died out, it would have evolved into something sounding much like this.
@goodmourning15
with such a highly anticipated album coming out so very soon, i have no idea how all of the videos for his new songs aren't being flooded with comments of endearment and joy. i'm so damn excited for this shit to drop. dont think ive been so excited for an album for the longest time.
@lilpuppet1992
It's been so long now. And it was a great album
@chankagogo12
i haven't been this excited for a new album SINCE "person pitch"! this man makes me believe that great, interesting, original and ridiculously catchy pop music can still be made. and yes, i said pop music because this song should be #1 on the billboard chart. alas, we live in a time when genius like this is neglected by the vast majority of the public.
@usernamecheckitout
this is the part of youtube where people are glad when people like this music and not argue about who is a bigger fan or who heard them first --i like it
@kepi-le9zn
I'm a bigger fan and I heard this album first.
@Seuspesos
I love to see 9 year old comments! Greetings 🖖 from the future!
@BudBonkerson
i am excited for the new panda bear and sonic boom album!