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.
Snowfall
The Halo Benders Lyrics
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Snowfall
How can they be all
So very unidentical?
Sleigh Ride
Knocking icicles down
You're melting snow angels
All over town
She tried to explain
But also ices ages
And black acid rain
Having this words
She was caught in a jar
A hollow snow angel
She imploded a star
Snowfall
Why don't you come around?
We'll set the fire and get snowbound
Share our snowboots
And make soft snowy sounds
Snow falling down/snow on the ground
Snowfall
Snowfall
Calvin:
I fought it
The cold
You thawed it out
As it got wetter things got better
Didn't think you had it in you
Snowfall
You're all
As with most songs, Snowfall by The Halo Benders can be interpreted in multiple ways. One interpretation could be that it's about the unpredictability of life and how people can be so different yet so similar. The lyrics "How can they be all so very unidentical?" highlights the dichotomy of each person, while also alluding to their individuality. The line "From ashes come sunset, She tried to explain" seems to be a metaphor for things ending, yet there is always the promise of a new beginning. Similarly, the line "She imploded a star" could mean the end of something big and bright, but also a chance for something new to come out of it.
The chorus seems to be inviting someone to come and join in the snow fun, "Why don't you come around? We'll set the fire and get snowbound, Share our snowboots, And make soft snowy sounds, Snow falling down/snow on the ground". It seems to be a way of saying come and let loose, forget about life for a while and have some fun. Meanwhile, the line "You're melting snow angels all over town" could mean that someone is spreading joy wherever they go. This interpretation of the song's lyrics shows how despite life’s unpredictability, there’s always an opportunity to let loose and have fun.
Line by Line Meaning
Snowfall
The start of the song, possibly referring to the arrival of winter or snow
How can they be all
Questioning how snowflakes can be so unique and different from one another
So very unidentical?
Commenting on the fact that snowflakes are very different from one another
Sleigh Ride
Possibly referring to a ride on a sled or sleigh during winter
Knocking icicles down
Describing the act of knocking down icicles from a rooftop or other surface
You're melting snow angels
Referring to the creation of 'snow angels' in the snow which are then melted
All over town
Suggesting that people in the town are creating snow angels all over
From ashes come sunset
Possibly referring to a poetic idea of using destruction or the end of one thing to create something else
She tried to explain
Possibly referring to someone trying to explain the beauty of winter or snow to someone who doesn't appreciate it
But also ices ages
Referring to the fact that ice ages have occurred in the past, which may have been similar to the current winter conditions
And black acid rain
Commenting on the negative impact of pollution and other environmental factors on winter or snow
Having this words
Unclear what this line is meant to convey
She was caught in a jar
Metaphorically describing someone feeling trapped or confined during winter, possibly due to the cold or other factors
A hollow snow angel
Describing a snow angel which is not filled in completely, possibly suggesting that someone's experience of winter is not quite complete or fulfilling
She imploded a star
Unclear what this line is meant to convey
Snowfall
Repeating the start of the song, possibly to emphasize the arrival of winter or snow
Why don't you come around?
Inviting someone to come and experience winter or the snow with the artist
We'll set the fire and get snowbound
Suggesting that the singer and the other person will stay indoors and enjoy the snow from a cozy location
Share our snowboots
Possibly suggesting that the singer and the other person will share their winter clothing or gear
And make soft snowy sounds
Suggesting that the artist and the other person will enjoy the winter weather and the snow by creating soft, gentle sounds
Snow falling down/snow on the ground
Describing the fact that snow is falling and has accumulated on the ground
Snowfall
Repeating the start of the song, possibly to emphasize the arrival of winter or snow
I fought it
Possibly suggesting that the singer was not initially a fan of winter or the cold
The cold
Referring to the cold weather of winter
You thawed it out
Suggesting that someone (possibly the other person being invited to enjoy the snow) has helped the singer to appreciate winter or the cold
As it got wetter things got better
Suggesting that, despite the initial challenges of winter, the conditions have improved over time
Didn't think you had it in you
Commenting on the fact that the singer did not expect the other person to be a fan of winter or the cold
Snowfall
Repeating the start of the song, possibly to emphasize the arrival of winter or snow
You're all
Unclear what this line is meant to convey
Contributed by Zoe P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.