A long time ago I wrote a song with Brian Funck called "Brian Wilson's Room," with our friend Peter Beyer in mind. Peter is the biggest Beach boys fan I know, and prone, like Brian Wilson, and like me, to spells of hibernation. In the song I ask, "What do you see behind your eyes at night?" Peter wrote an answer song, in which he states "The answer is a big black bear." Later, Peter gave the bear his own song, called (of course) "Big Black Bear." I plan eventually to release a collection of acoustic versions of the songs from "Bright As You," with some other sun-centric songs added. I thought this song of Pete's, in which he addresses the sun as well as the titular bear, would fit in really well with that group of songs. You can check out more of his stuff here: www.catbirdman.com.
lyrics
Looks like you’re lumbering, lolling
Out from that damp, woozy hole in the ground
Where you slept sound
All through the winter
A week from now you’ll be loungin’
You’ll find a nook on that mountain somewhere
Just a black bear
Takin’ a cat nap
Sun, sun, get me over my head
Sun, sun, sing me softly to bed
Sun, sun, wake me up from the dead
Those storms, the darkness you slept through
Red berries blinded and kept you for months
Ate ’em up once
Lasted all winter
How much can your brain remember
It’s buried back in December a dream
What could it mean
Is it a bear trap
Sun, sun, get me over my head
Sun, sun, sing me softly to bed
Sun, sun, wake me up from the dead
credits
released July 19, 2012
Written by Peter Beyer. Played and sung by Jason Harrod, recorded by Colin McGrath in Brooklyn, on March 5, 2012.
“What singer-songwriter Jason Harrod does best is turn daily moments numinous. Quite simply, Harrod’s imagination is for
this world; he finds deep secrets in ordinary places.” — Image Journal
Shannon's a sometime touring buddy of mine who's got a voice like honey dipped in gold. I sang on "I'll Be Glad," which was later covered by Will Oldham. I'm excited for her forthcoming new album. Jason Harrod
Colin's a NY native who plays like he came from the Blue Ridge Mountains. He sounds like Paul Simon after a few bourbons. I'm proud to have sung on a few of these great tunes. Jason Harrod
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