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.
You Can Count On Me
Panda Bear Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Know you can count on me
Know you can count on me
To get so up for it
Know you can count on me
I'll get so up for it
I know at least I'll try
Who am I if I'm not up for it
Where are you if I'm not up for it
Want to put a bubble round you
With a force field switch
Keep you secured just a little bit
But I know a secret child is just
A silly trick
Who grows up to lose a force field switch
In between a hands on and a hands off
Apprenticeship
Where are you if I'm not up for it
I'll get up for it
Know you can count on me
Know you can count on me
Know you can count on me
To get so up for it
Know you can count on me
I'll get so up for it
Know at least I'll try
The lyrics of Panda Bear's "You Can Count on Me" is a reflection on how we depend on each other and rely on others for support, encouragement, and companionship. The phrase "Know you can count on me" is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the importance of being there for someone who needs you. The verse "Want to put a bubble round you/With a force field switch/Keep you secured just a little bit/But I know a secret child is just/A silly trick/Who grows up to lose a force field switch" speaks to the idea of wanting to protect someone and keep them safe, but acknowledging that this is impossible, as everyone grows up and faces their own challenges.
The song also touches on the idea of personal growth and self-discovery. The line "Who am I if I'm not up for it/Where are you if I'm not up for it" suggests that our identity is shaped by our willingness to face challenges and overcome obstacles. The chorus, which repeats "I'll get so up for it/Know at least I'll try," encapsulates the message that while it may be difficult, we should always try to be there for each other and do our best to face whatever comes our way.
Overall, "You Can Count on Me" is a hopeful song that emphasizes the importance of human connection and support. It encourages listeners to reach out to others and offer help when needed, while also acknowledging the challenges that come with personal growth and change.
Line by Line Meaning
Know you can count on me
I want you to trust that you can rely on me
Know you can count on me
I want you to trust that you can rely on me
Know you can count on me
I want you to trust that you can rely on me
To get so up for it
I am willing to invest a lot of energy into this
Know you can count on me
I want you to trust that you can rely on me
I'll get so up for it
I'll become extremely enthusiastic about this
I know at least I'll try
I may not succeed, but I will make an effort
Who am I if I'm not up for it
If I'm not willing to give this my all, then who am I really?
Where are you if I'm not up for it
If I don't show up for this, where does that leave us as a team?
Want to put a bubble round you
I want to protect you and keep you safe
With a force field switch
Using a metaphorical switch that can turn on a force field
Keep you secured just a little bit
I want to provide some level of protection for you
But I know a secret child is just
But I am aware that pretending to be a child is just
A silly trick
A foolish tactic
Who grows up to lose a force field switch
When that person grows up, they will eventually lose their sense of security
In between a hands on and a hands off
I want to find a balance between being directly involved and giving space
Apprenticeship
I want to learn from you and help you learn from me
Where are you if I'm not up for it
If I don't show up for this, where does that leave us as a team?
I'll get up for it
I will make sure to show up and actively participate
Know you can count on me
I want you to trust that you can rely on me
Know you can count on me
I want you to trust that you can rely on me
Know you can count on me
I want you to trust that you can rely on me
To get so up for it
I am willing to invest a lot of energy into this
Know you can count on me
I want you to trust that you can rely on me
I'll get so up for it
I'll become extremely enthusiastic about this
Know at least I'll try
I may not succeed, but I will make an effort
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, BMG Rights Management
Written by: NOAH BENJAMIN LENNOX
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@eliotmassey9704
You Can Count On Me"
Know you can count on me
Know you can count on me
Know you can count on me
To get so up for it
Know you can count on me
I'll be so up for it
Know at least I'll try
Who are you if you're not up for it
Where are you if I'm not up for it
Want to put a bubble round you
Like a force field switch
Keep you secure just a little bit
But I know a secret child is just a silly trick
Who grows up to lose that force field switch
In between a hands on and a hands off apprenticeship
Where are you if I'm not up for it
I'll wake up for it
Know you can count on me
Know you can count on me
Know you can count on me
To get so up for it
Know you can count on me
I'll be so up for it
Know at least I'll try
@obdeisibcirrus993
Know you can count on me
Know you can count on me
Know you can count on me
To get so up for it
Know you can count on me
I'll get so up for it
I know at least I'll try
Who am I if I'm not up for it
Where are you if I'm not up for it
Want to put a bubble round you
With a force field switch
Keep you secured just a little bit
But I know a secret child is just
A silly trick
Who grows up to lose a force field switch
In between a hands on and a hands off
Apprenticeship
Where are you if I'm not up for it
I'll get up for it
Know you can count on me
Know you can count on me
Know you can count on me
To get so up for it
Know you can count on me
I'll get so up for it
Know at least I'll try
@EonarOWNS
Oh wow this video is now 10 years old, beautiful song <3
@pooch72
Yeah just yesterday was listening to spirit, here I am just got engaged and feeling this song 10+ yrs later
@Green.Blood.
The bass, drums, vocals… everything is perfect on this track
@Norovo
I can't stop hearing it as "No you can't count on me"
@SesameGhetto
we are pessimists
@NestMart
i can’t wait to sing this to my child
@hannahl.9614
I always thought this sounded like a lullaby!
@catsbats666
does the very beginning show a super close of shot of some dank nugs? lol
@greffvon
The visuals and audio married. Just perfect. My favorite album of the decade.
@albertchessa9232
Always thought the 'No-you-can-count-on-me' reminded me beautifully of 'R-E-S-C-U-E, rescue aid society...' from the Rescuers, the cartoon :) Makes me feel warm and happy inside