In 2008, Miller was waiting tables at a neighborhood Brazilian restaurant, Miss Favela, where he encountered Alexis and her mother. When he mentioned he was looking for a female vocalist to work with on a musical project, Krauss' mother immediately volunteered her. After steadily gaining popularity throughout 2009, Sleigh Bells signed to M.I.A.'s label N.E.E.T. in Spring 2010.
The duo released the 7-track EP Sleigh Bells. The EP received much attention and all but the last two tracks were re-recorded for their debut album.
Sleigh Bells issued the single "Tell 'Em" as a free download in April 2010. On 11 May 2010, they released their debut full-length album entitled Treats. Amidst blown-out drum beats, fuzzed guitars and synth-pop sensibilities, Krauss balances each song with a voice that is both forceful and elegant. Four other singles supported the album: "Crown on the Ground", "Infinity Guitars", "Rill Rill" and "Riot Rhythm".
Sleigh Bells began recording songs for their second studio album in June 2011. Describing the sound of the new album, Krauss said, "It sounds really huge, so there's going to still be tons of volume".
On 15 December 2011, the band released the single "Born to Lose", followed in January 2012 by "Comeback Kid". The second album, Reign of Terror, was released on 21 February 2012. They made their network television debut on the 18 February 2012 episode of Saturday Night Live, performing the songs "Comeback Kid" and "End of the Line".
Only a few months after the release of Reign of Terror, Sleigh Bells began writing a third studio album for a possible 2013 release. Before the end of 2012, the album was said to feature more writing from Krauss and with a cleaner sound. The album, titled Bitter Rivals, was released on 8 October 2013, through Mom + Pop Music. According to Krauss, several tracks would feature dynamic acoustic riffs and R&B-ish vocals. In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Krauss clarified the new style of the album, saying, "I was interested in doing something Beyoncé or Janet Jackson would do, these slow-winding, sparkling melodies."
On 7 December 2015, Sleigh Bells premiered a new song titled "Champions of Unrestricted Beauty", while announcing they were finishing up their fourth studio album. The duo released the single "Rule Number One" on 7 June 2016, followed by "Hyper Dark" on 19 July 2016. On 24 August 2016, Sleigh Bells released their fourth studio album Jessica Rabbit, marking the first release on the duo's own label, Torn Clean, in partnership with Sinderlyn. The mini-album Kid Kruschev followed on 10 November 2017.
Sleigh Bells released their sixth studio album, Texis, on 10 September 2021 through Mom + Pop Music. Music videos were released for album singles "Locust Laced" and "Justine Go Genesis".
Official site: https://tornclean.com/
Holly
Sleigh Bells Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Find a new face, pretty whores' namesake
Keep that set straight, Holly on the decay
Skip that Holocaust, hang it on the colored cross
Hey, hey
Holly went to heaven, Holly can't hate
Never need to ask, we'll tell you who's boss
Holly, on the six with a crossed out Pentecost
Hey, hey
The lyrics to Sleigh Bells's song Holly appear to be dark and mysterious, and could be interpreted in various ways. In the first verse, the singer seems to have wasted their entire day, possibly due to being caught up in violent activities, as they mention killing all the Capulets. "Capulet" could be a reference to Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, which is about two warring families. The next line talks about finding a new face, potentially suggesting either a desire for a fresh start or a literal act of changing one's identity. The phrase "pretty whores' namesake" is provocative and could be interpreted in multiple ways. The words "keep that set straight" may indicate a need to maintain a certain persona or group identity, while "Holly on the decay" appears to be symbolic of something or someone losing their shine.
Skipping the Holocaust and hanging it on the colored cross is an enigmatic line that could refer to either contextual or abstract things. The Holocaust was one of the darkest periods in human history, and having the ability to skip it could mean avoiding similar atrocities. The mention of a colored cross could possibly be linked to Christianity and racial discrimination, but it's uncertain what is meant by hanging the Holocaust on the cross.
In the chorus, it becomes clear that the singer is addressing a character named Holly, who is now in heaven and can't hate anyone. "Find a new face, pretty whores' namesake" is repeated from the first verse, perhaps suggesting that Holly is always changing. The line "never need to ask, we'll tell you who's boss" could mean that Holly is now in a position of power, with no need to exert her authority. "Holly, on the six with a crossed out Pentecost" is particularly cryptic, and it is difficult to determine the meaning. The line could refer to a subway train or a highway, or perhaps has a religious connotation of some kind. Overall, the meaning of the song remains open to various interpretations.
Line by Line Meaning
Wasted all day, killing all the Capulets
Spending the whole day destroying enemies and rivalries
Find a new face, pretty whores' namesake
Search for someone with an attractive appearance, common among prostitutes
Keep that set straight, Holly on the decay
Maintain order and structure, despite the decline of Holly's situation
Skip that Holocaust, hang it on the colored cross
Avoid confronting the atrocities of history, instead pointing the blame elsewhere
Holly went to heaven, Holly can't hate
Holly has passed on and holds no grudges or negative feelings
Never need to ask, we'll tell you who's boss
No need for questioning, as those in charge clearly display their power
Holly, on the six with a crossed out Pentecost
Holly is in a place of sin and debauchery, represented by the number six and crossed out church holiday
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Derek Edward Miller
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Pedro Cardoso
I had forgotten about this one. Their first EP was so hardcore
Penny
All Sleigh Bells songs give me a pulsating headache but i love it so damn much lol 🎶🎶
ItsBrittanyWitch
Actually someone uploaded this song to YouTube years ago. One day I randomly found it and was instantly addicted! But after about a year after I found it, it was deleted. I searched to find it somewhere else on here but couldn't. I'm really glad you uploaded it! Thanks. This is the first time I've heard it in a few years ❤
Diego Martinez
Dude, same fucking thing. It sounds silly but I used to play soul calibur with my brothers and who ever would win a fight would pick the next song, this was always mine. I was so bummed when it got deleted never bothered to look for it again until recently.
CurvyAries
This song is So Badass. Killer bassline.
jry
they finally put this on Spotify I can stop rioting lol
Claire St. Aubin
Trying to convince my friends to add this to their christmas playlists based on the name
crazybread
Thanks! This song for whatever reason was really hard to find in its entirety!
wasabidog
+crazybread I know right! This sounds awesome though.
ZelChicken_ _AliveAgain
Someone better make a God damn 10 hr version.