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.
slow motion
Panda Bear Lyrics
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So they say you can't touch me oh no
So they say that can happen
So they say better safe than sorry
That's what they always say
And when I swore it's down
It's clear just how
That's what counts
Deep down (what counts)
Step off step out
So they say practice makes you perfect
So they say you can't touch me oh no
So they say that can happen
So they say better safe than sorry
That's what they always say
And when I swore it's down
It's clear just how
It's what they don't say
That's what counts
It's counting
And be sure it counts
The lyrics to Panda Bear's song Slow Motion appear to discuss the notion of what people commonly say versus what is actually important. Throughout the song, the artist repeats phrases that are commonly used in conversation, such as "practice makes you perfect" and "better safe than sorry." These phrases are often seen as words of wisdom, yet the artist is questioning whether or not they actually hold true value. He suggests that it's not what people say that matters, but rather what they don't say. It's the underlying meanings and intentions that count, and he urges listeners to pay attention to these nuances.
The repetition of phrases throughout the song serves to emphasize the artist's point. By repeating these common sayings, he highlights how frequently they are used and how little thought is often put into them. The line "It's what they don't say that's what counts" suggests that there is more to communication than just the spoken word. The artist encourages listeners to pay attention to body language, tone of voice, and other non-verbal cues in order to truly understand what someone is saying.
Overall, the lyrics to Slow Motion serve as a reminder to question conventional wisdom and to pay attention to the deeper meanings behind what people say.
Line by Line Meaning
So they say practice makes you perfect
According to popular belief, persistent practice can lead to achieving perfection
So they say you can't touch me oh no
People claim that they are untouchable, meaning others cannot harm them
So they say that can happen
People suggest that certain things are possible to occur or exist
So they say better safe than sorry
It is believed that it is better to take precautions to avoid potential harm or danger than to risk it and regret it later
That's what they always say
This phrase implies that the artist is skeptical or critical of what people commonly say or believe
And when I swore it's down
The singer is insisting that they are certain of their position or decision
It's clear just how
The singer emphasizes that their intention or meaning is unambiguous or evident
It's what they don't say
The artist suggests that sometimes what people don't say or omit is more important than what they do say
That's what counts
The most significant or meaningful aspects are often what is left unsaid or unobserved
Deep down (what counts)
The true or essential qualities or values reside in the unspoken or internal realm of a person
Step off step out
This phrase is an imperative to the listener, implying that they should take action to distance themselves from a situation or change their perspective
It's counting
The artist is affirming that the unspoken or internal aspects are still valuable and relevant
And be sure it counts
The singer is urging the listener to ensure that their actions or words have meaning or significance
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: NOAH BENJAMIN LENNOX
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind