The Bear Quartet are Mattias Alkberg on vocals and guitar, Jari Haapalainen on guitar, Peter Nuottaniemi on bass guitar, Jejo Perkovic on drums and Carl Olsson on keyboards. Peter and Mattias write the lyrics, Mattias, Jari and Carl write the music.
The Bear Quartet have spawned many side projects, they can almost be seen as the "hub" of Swedish pop music. Mattias sings and plays in Mattias Alkberg BD, whose debut album Tunaskolan released in 2004 was very well received by the critics and audience. Punk in Swedish. Jari produces lots of other artists, such as Nicolai Dunger, Ed Harcourt, Kristofer Åström, The Concretes and Frida Hyvönen, and plays with Maria from The Concretes in Heikki. Carl has Paddington DC, some kind of noise electro pop.
The name "Bear Quartet" is taken from Klas Östergrens book Gentlemen.
The album titles follow an interesting naming scheme: every title is two words, of which the first ends with a "y".
All albums are released on Skellefteå-based independent label A West Side Fabrication.
Capable
The Bear Quartet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
for sad events
you were the one
I used to hurt someone else
I'm the bystander
the untrustworthy hand
now you see me
in everything you can't stand
how many times
must I repeat this:
I am capable
capable to love, I am
capable to give and to receive
I am capable
capable, I'm capable
I'm capable to love I am
capable of cruelty but I try
not to be cruel
a decade so lonely
only deathwishes grew
if you think it's a joke
or worse a lie then fuck you
guess that I needed
to say it out loud
that's how it was
the wrong language and time
I want to be held
and to hold back now
I am capable to love
capable to love, I am
capable to give and to receive
capable
capable, I'm capable
capable to love, I am
capable of cruelty but I try
not to be cruel
you can't take my dreams I repeat:
I am capable of love
capable to love I am
capable to give and to receive
I'm capable
capable, I'm capable
capable to love I am
capable of cruelty but I try
not to be cruel
i am capable of love
capable of love I am
capable to give and to receive
I'm capable
capable, I'm capable
capable to love I am
capable to give an to receive I am
The song "Capable" by The Bear Quartet appears to be a heartfelt reflection on the singer's ability to love and the challenges they have faced in expressing their emotions. The opening lines suggest a history of hurting others and being untrustworthy, possibly due to an inability to express emotions in a healthy way. The singer acknowledges their own capacity for cruelty but also emphasizes their willingness to try not to be cruel. The repeated refrain of "I am capable to love" seems to be a reminder to themselves and others that they are not defined by past mistakes and have the ability to love and be loved.
The middle verse hints at the singer's past struggles with suicidal thoughts, and the frustration of feeling like others aren't taking their struggles seriously. This may have contributed to a sense of isolation and loneliness, which the singer now seeks to break by reaching out and expressing their desire for connection and love.
Overall, "Capable" appears to be a song about self-discovery and growth. The singer has recognized their flaws and struggles, but is striving to overcome them and become a better person. At its core, the song seems to be a message of hope that even those who have made mistakes and suffered can find love and connection if they are willing to put in the work.
Line by Line Meaning
with a high tolerance
I can handle sad events better than most people
for sad events
I don't get overwhelmed by sadness easily
you were the one
I hurt somebody using your help
I used to hurt someone else
I've caused pain to others even with your assistance
I'm the bystander
I'm usually a mere spectator of things rather than an active participant
the untrustworthy hand
I'm unreliable and can't be trusted with someone's well-being
now you see me
My presence reminds you of negative things you can't stand
in everything you can't stand
You associate me with negative things that you dislike
how many times
I need to mention this repeatedly
must I repeat this:
This is something I have to emphasize again and again
I am capable
I can do some things successfully
capable to love, I am
I can love and be affectionate towards someone
capable to give and to receive
I'm able to give and receive love and affection
capable, I'm capable
I have the potential to do good or bad things
I'm capable to love I am
I'm able to love and show affection
capable of cruelty but I try
I have the potential to be cruel, but I try not to be
not to be cruel
I try to avoid acting in a hurtful and malicious manner
a decade so lonely
I've spent ten years feeling isolated
only deathwishes grew
During that time, my negative thoughts and emotions continued to grow
if you think it's a joke
If you don't take me seriously
or worse a lie then fuck you
Or worse, if you think I'm lying to you, I don't care about your opinion
guess that I needed
I feel like I needed
to say it out loud
To vocalize my thoughts and thoughts
that's how it was
That's the way things happened
the wrong language and time
My attempts to communicate were misunderstood, or I didn't address the issue at the right time
I want to be held
I desire physical and emotional comfort from someone
and to hold back now
But I'm afraid of showing vulnerability now
you can't take my dreams I repeat:
My aspirations and hopes are mine to keep
capable of love I am
I'm able to love and be loved
I'm capable
I have the potential to do things
capable to give an to receive I am
I'm capable of showing and receiving love and affection
Contributed by Anna F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.