By Band of Horses in 2006

I hadn’t thought of this song in ages, but hearing it in a television show, reminded me of how remarkable it is! The first verse gets stuck in my head. There is something about the clarity and the ring of Ben Birdwell’s voice that catches me.

“I’m coming up only to hold you under
And coming up only to show you wrong
And to know you is hard, we wonder
To know you all wrong, we won”

With every great song, I wonder about the meaning behind it. I tend to think beautiful songs like this originate from some mystic story, like feeling the presence of a loved one now past at a family gathering. I have come to learn that while sometimes that is true, many times it is far more basic and random.

If Wikipedia is correct as of August 26, 2024, this song was written by Birdwell because of his aversion to social holidays, comparing the coming of them to the dread that leads up to a funeral. Not quite mystic yet relatable.

Another aspect of this song that captivates me is the striking difference between the ethereal and stable intro and the powerful and chaotic instrumentation of the chorus. The timing is impeccable, allowing for an exhilarating experience that effectively conveys a profound sense of dread.

What I love about great songs like this, is that they paint another world that I can dive into and get lost in. I can feel what it feels. Its a beautiful experience, yet at times, a bit destabilizing, but usually worth it in the end.

If you have not seen the music video yet, I recommend it. It is done really well for the song. It contains: a man’s dog dying, the man drowning his sorrows in alcohol, and then perhaps tragically dying in a car crash while driving under the influence. You can definitely say that it captures the emotional depth well, mirroring themes of loss and sorrow. The memory of the dog in the glass of alcohol adds an interesting layered visual effect. Check it out: https://youtu.be/cMFWFhTFohk?si=0fz7iHomD–wxVGw

And…I think this dogs face says it all! Ha!

Let me know how this song makes you feel in the comments. 🙂