Chaz Bear's methods are constantly evolving. While heavily influenced by his parent's vinyl and tape collection, his contemporary influences are Animal Collective, Sonic Youth, J Dilla, and Daft Punk.
Toro y Moi started in 2007 as a bedroom project that quickly grew into live performance. The music is associated with the chillwave movement but the sound is influenced by freak folk, R&B, and French House.
Toro y Moi is signed to Carpark Records. The first full-length album, Causers of This, was released in January 2010.
Toro y Moi's second album Underneath the Pine was released in February 2011.
His EP titled Freaking Out was released in September of 2011.
A compilation of songs titled June 2009 was released in April of 2012.
His album "Anything In Return" was released on January 16, 2013.
His fourth album "What For?" was released on April 6 2015.
His fifth album "Boo Boo" was released on July 7, 2017.
2019 followed and with it, "Outer Peace" on January 18th- an infusion of French House and indietronica, with "Soul Trash" following on 29th October, containing unfinished and unreleased recordings dating back to 2015.
The next year saw Toro's biggest hit to date, Grammy-nominated collaboration with Flume "The Difference", as well as remixes for Caroline Polachek and HAIM.
Toro's sixth album "Mahal" was released on 29 April 2022, and in August 2023 he released a 5-track EP titled "Sandhills".
How I Know
Toro y Moi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Since when did you
Stop leaving your house
You don't seem sure
What you want to happen now
Are you having fun
(Am I having fun)
(I want to go home now)
You'll see me when I go back
I know it won't be hard
Can't tell you how I know
This is where I want you to
Take me when I die and I'm full of sleep
Underneath the pine on a bed of leaves
Sorry if I pass you by
I never saw into your eyes
I was only thinking of my home
And how it's so far
Get away
Since you don't know
How to be yourself
You don't seem sure
What you want to happen now
Can you leave us now
(I'm gonna leave you now)
?
(Alright I'll go)
Can't tell you how I know
This is where I want you to
Take me when I die and I full of asleep
Underneath the pine on a bed of leaves
Sorry if I pass you by
I never saw into your eyes
I was only thinking of my home
And how it's so far
The lyrics of Toro y Moi's song "How I Know" speak to feelings of uncertainty and uncertainty in relationships. The song appears to be directed at someone who is hesitant to leave their house and uncertain about what they want to happen in their relationship. The singer of the song tries to encourage this person to come out and have some fun, but ultimately decides to let them go when they express a desire to leave.
The second half of the song takes on a more wistful tone, with the singer expressing a desire to be taken to a peaceful place when they die. They apologize if they seem distant or disinterested, saying that they were only thinking of their own home and how far away it is.
Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of longing for connection and understanding that feels just out of reach. The singer tries to be present and supportive, but ultimately feels like they can't quite connect with the other person.
Line by Line Meaning
Come on out
Encouragement to someone who has been isolating themselves to come out of their house and participate in the world.
Since when did you
Stop leaving your house
A question and statement indicating surprise that this person has been staying home for so long.
You don't seem sure
What you want to happen now
Observing that the person in question is unsure of what they want to do next or what the future holds.
Are you having fun
(Am I having fun)
Can you have some fun
(I want to go home now)
A back-and-forth between Toro y Moi and the person being addressed, where they are questioning whether they are enjoying themselves and expressing a desire to leave.
You'll see me when I go back
I know it won't be hard
An assurance that they will be able to reconnect in the future and that it won't be difficult to do so.
Can't tell you how I know
This is where I want you to
Take me when I die and I'm full of sleep
Underneath the pine on a bed of leaves
Expressing a desire to be buried underneath a pine tree, surrounded by nature.
Sorry if I pass you by
I never saw into your eyes
I was only thinking of my home
And how it's so far
Expressing regret that they did not get to know the other person better, as they were preoccupied with their own homesickness and desire to return home.
Get away
Since you don't know
How to be yourself
You don't seem sure
What you want to happen now
A command to leave, as the person in question doesn't seem to have a clear sense of self or direction.
Can you leave us now
(I'm gonna leave you now)
?
(Alright I'll go)
Another back-and-forth between Toro y Moi and the person being addressed, where they are discussing whether the person should stay or go.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Chazwick Bradley Bundick
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@darion8476
I always start singing this out loud during the song
Can't tell you how I know
This is where I want you to
Take me when I die and I'm full of sleep
Underneath the pine on a bed of leaves
Sorry if I pass you by
I never saw into your eyes
I was only thinking of my home
And how it's so far
@nacho8560
Come on out
Since when did you
Stop leaving your house
You don't seem sure
What you want to happen now
Are you having fun
(Am I having fun)
Can you have some fun
(I want to go home now)
You'll see me when I go back
I know it won't be hard
Can't tell you how I know
This is where I want you to
Take me when I die and I'm full of sleep
Underneath the pine on a bed of leaves
Sorry if I pass you by
I never saw into your eyes
I was only thinking of my home
And how it's so far
Get away
Since you don't know
How to be yourself
You don't seem sure
What you want to happen now
Can you leave us now
(I'm gonna leave you now)
?
(Alright I'll go)
Can't tell you how I know
This is where I want you to
Take me when I die and I full of asleep
Underneath the pine on a bed of leaves
Sorry if I pass you by
I never saw into your eyes
I was only thinking of my home
And how it's so far
@mellowtron214
A decade later and that part at 2:15 still gets me every time. As a drummer, and enjoyer of music, when the drum break builds the climax and the grand piano comes stomping down it’s a glorious thing. And this music video/song is so lovely, it makes me sad in a way I enjoy.
@zillmopig
This is one of those songs that makes you super nostalgic, no matter when you first heard it.
@BeeMiingLee
2020 anyone? Still my favorite Toro song forever!
@marissanicole5554
2020 - 😁
@jeffreyduranii6235
Still hereee
@i.theworstguys298
2022 😭🖤
@justinkerr1288
22 and still upset this hasnt hit a million yet
@deadsteadysound8903
2022 listening to his discography for the first time. Oh man 🤯
@michaelwatkins9479
Heard this in 2011. Still sounds like a breathe of fresh air.
@darion8476
I always start singing this out loud during the song
Can't tell you how I know
This is where I want you to
Take me when I die and I'm full of sleep
Underneath the pine on a bed of leaves
Sorry if I pass you by
I never saw into your eyes
I was only thinking of my home
And how it's so far