All three of the band's albums were released on Johnson's influential Olympia record label, K Records.
Following a hiatus through the early 2000's, The Halo Benders reformed in March 2007 for a pair of shows at the Visual Arts Collective in Boise, ID. The band featured Doug Martsch, Ralf Youtz, Calvin Johnson, and Brett Netson.
The Halo Benders' music is characterised by untraditional sounds, movements, and song structures. Additionally, the vocals of the baritone Johnson and the pitchy Martsch overlap often, even though often entirely unrelated. Johnson has said that the two write lyrics for songs largely independently.
I Can't Believe it's True
The Halo Benders Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't believe it's true
You got me breathin fire
And there's nothing I can do
You
Always mining fools
You got me running blind
That's the worst kind of cool
Jack be quick
Stoned Fox tubin on the river Styx
You're such a flame jumper now
I
Nibling on the bait
You got me spittin fire
And I realized too late
You
Pull the same old tricks
I'm jumping through your hoops
And I never want to quit
You're shootin star across the north
I'll follow you for ever more
I'm just a comet's tail now
You
Pull the same old tricks
You got me breathin fire Step out of the car, start the car, park
And I never want to quit Step out of the car, start the car, park
I
Can't believe it's true
You got me runnin blind
And there's nothing I can do
The lyrics of The Halo Benders's song, "I Can't Believe it's True" depict a sense of being in a state of trance that is imposed by someone else. The opening line "I can't believe it's true" reflects the sense of disbelief or surprise that the singer is experiencing as they are in a spell caused by someone who has control over them. The lyrics also point out that the person who has put them under this spell knows how to manipulate and control them. They "always mining fools" means that they know how to exploit people's vulnerabilities and weaknesses. The singer is helpless in front of this mastery of the other person.
The lyrics further go on to describe the extent of the control that the person has over them. The line "you're shootin' star across the north, I'll follow you forever more" means that they are willing to be under the control of the other person for an indefinite period. They are like a comet's tail, always following the path created by the other person. Another line "you're such a flame jumper now" reflects that the other person has the ability to create temporary flames in the singer's life, which only last for a while but leave a lasting impact.
The song creates a feeling of being in a state of trance or losing control. The sense of helplessness that the singer expresses is relatable to anyone who has been under the control of someone else. It is an essential piece that reflects the emotions of someone who is struggling to break free from the control of someone else.
Line by Line Meaning
I
I am amazed beyond belief
Can't believe it's true
I can't accept the reality of the situation
You got me breathin fire
You have ignited an uncontrollable rage within me
And there's nothing I can do
I am helpless to prevent this reaction
You
You are the cause of my distress
Always mining fools
You continuously manipulate and take advantage of others
You got me running blind
You have blinded me with your deceit
That's the worst kind of cool
Your ability to deceive others is not admirable, but rather problematic
Jack be nimble
The character Jack is swift and agile
Jack be quick
The character Jack is quick-witted and resourceful
Stoned Fox tubin on the river Styx
An individual is under the influence and floating down a mythological river of the afterlife
You're such a flame jumper now
You are now recklessly taking risks without considering the consequences
I
I am sustaining a great deal of emotional pain
Nibbling on the bait
I am being lured into a trap
You got me spittin fire
You have made me incredibly angry and aggressive
And I realized too late
I only understood the implications of the situation after it was too late
Pull the same old tricks
You are utilizing the same manipulative tactics as before
I'm jumping through your hoops
I am complying with your unreasonable demands in order to please you
You're a shooting star across the north
You are fleeting and leave a trail of destruction wherever you go
I'll follow you forever more
I can't help but remain loyal to you
I'm just a comet's tail now
I am merely an insignificant accessory to your grandeur
You got me breathing fire
You have generated an unprecedented level of frustration within me
Step out of the car, start the car, park
To move forward or backward repeatedly without any real progress
And I never want to quit
I am committed to my pursuit, regardless of the obstacles
I
I am filled with disbelief and despair
Can't believe it's true
I can't accept that this is my reality
You got me running blind
You have deprived me of my ability to see things clearly
And there's nothing I can do
I am helpless in this situation
Contributed by Ethan F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.