The debut album is the result of a young lifetime spent immersed in music. As a band member of Bon Iver from the very beginning, Carey endured a flip of his formal training to step firmly into a worldwide-touring rock band. His performance degree in classical percussion from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire and his love for jazz drumming prepared him for a central role in the inspiring force of the Bon Iver live show.
All We Grow is a convergence of Carey's Waltz For Debbie era Bill Evans inflected jazz tendencies, and traditional rock band experience, taking leads from Mark Hollis' Talk Talk. It also retests the waters of modern classical composition, investigating the moodiness generated by percussive repetition in a manner familiar to fans of Steve Reich. In his downtime on tour with Bon Iver, Sean would spend time pining for his soul-mate's arms, and in that context, dreaming and composing. During infrequent tour breaks at home he would patiently record these pieces, adding layers each time. Two years later, the parts converged to make an album.
For as much room to breathe as Carey allows his compositions, there are incredibly dynamic moments of bombast held right next to moments of subtle depth and texture. Engineered by Jaime Hansen and Brian Joseph, intermittently at home and at April Base (Justin Vernon's studio outside Eau Claire), All We Grow is an all-encompassing headphone experience as intimate as chamber music and as ambitious as a symphony.
While many are familiar with the cabin mythology of Bon Iver, the story behind Sean joining the band is equally kismet. After hearing through mutual friends that Justin was looking to put together a band, he spent two weeks in his bedroom listening to For Emma, Forever Ago on Myspace, dissecting and learning the drum and vocal parts so well that Justin invited him to join the band upon Sean's approach.
All We Grow is a classic album born without expectation and met with adoration - a cathartic result of Carey's extraordinary and vibrant life experiences that resonates loss, dreams and heart in a manner so instantly relatable, you feel as though you can touch it.
Move
S. Carey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Move all your maps to here
If I could run my fingers through your hair
If you could run along the shore and air
I would...
Keep all my mornings clear
Move all your bees to here
If I could run my fingers through your hair
I would...
Move
S. Carey’s “Move” can be seen as a love song that portrays the desire for physical presence and connection with another. The song opens with the dream of a vacant pier, which could symbolize an empty space, waiting to be filled with the presence of someone special. In the second line, the singer invites the beloved to move all their maps to this new location - perhaps suggesting a metaphorical fresh start. The first verse ends with the desire to run their fingers through the other’s hair, which could signify a yearning for intimacy and closeness.
The second verse begins with the desire to keep all mornings clear, which could mean the singer is willing to make room in their schedule for the beloved. The line “Move all your bees to here” may reference the phrase “busy bees,” meaning that the beloved is always occupied with various activities. By asking them to move all their bees to here, the singer may be suggesting that they wish to spend more time with the other person. Like before, the second half of the verse ends with the desire to touch and run fingers through hair.
The chorus of the song is simply the word “move,” and can be interpreted in different ways. Perhaps the singer is asking the beloved to physically move to be closer to them, or maybe they’re asking the beloved to move emotionally closer to them.
Overall, “Move” seems to be a song about longing for physical and emotional closeness with a beloved. The lyrics express the desire to be close to the other person, to touch them and be touched by them. The song’s simple yet emotive instrumentals only reinforce these themes, making “Move” a tender and lovely love song.
Line by Line Meaning
Dream of a vacant pier
Imagine a peaceful and empty pier, free of any distractions or crowds
Move all your maps to here
Forget your plans and uncertainties, and be present in the current moment
If I could run my fingers through your hair
Expressing a desire for intimacy and connection
If you could run along the shore and air
Encouraging a sense of freedom and movement, both physically and emotionally
I would...
Expressing a continuation of the previous thought or desire
Keep all my mornings clear
Ensuring that the beginning of each day is open and free for potential experiences or opportunities
Move all your bees to here
Similar to the previous line, let go of any distractions or obligations and focus on being present in the moment
If I could run my fingers through your hair
Repeating the desire for intimacy and physical touch
If you could run along the shore and air
Repeating the encouragement for movement and freedom
I would...
Repeating a continuation of previous thoughts or desires
Move
Expressing a desire for change or new experiences, and possibly a call to action
Contributed by Jason K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.