When Robin Pecknold grabs his guitar, more than likely good and beautiful things are going to manifest themselves into reality. This man, who is the voice, and veritable life-force behind the incredible Folk-Rock band Fleet Foxes, can take ordinary human feelings and gain access to a place both raw and vulnerable. And he does it with a deftness and acuity that is comforting, unsettling and gorgeous beyond measure, and I love it. I admire how this man punches holes in the air of heartbreak just to breathe. And in doing so, he shows us how to breathe too. Through listening we gain the ability to resuscitate our own singular selves as well. The song, “Olivia, In A Separate Bed” is of course something personal, and I’m sure it’s stocked to the hilt with secret message enough to keep a cryptologist occupied for a lifetime. But to the ardent listener its tone and timbre are irresponsibly fragile, and we brush up against the blood bruises of sadness loud and feel them loud and clear. In the end, we know there is a path out of heartache, and there too is strength to be gained from experiencing much pain. Peace.
I listened to this song countless times just to get the lyrics, if they are incorrect I apologize in earnest. Enjoy.
“Olivia, In A Separate Bed” Lyrics (Unofficial)
So this is how it ends
In separate beds
A wall between us
And this is how it dies
Separate our lives
In hope it heals us
I chose the love of strangers
I chose the fickle crowd
And the woman I wagered
Won’t look at me right now, not now
I know I’ve been like a house cat
Give me this
Give me that
And I know I’ll be OK
But beg for my attention
Or work for my affection
I just stare and walk away
How can I show you
I’d do all that I could do
To show you I adore you, Olivia
And the days go by
In a supplicated style
Hand me the anodyne
Oh Olivia, I still love you
And I know I will, until I die
And this feels like, common madness
Why this wasted life, come to me
Hmmm Hmmm Hmmm Hmmm / Hmmm Hmmm Hmmm x2
The photographer is lucky
Does he even know my need
Does he know I’d give it all up
If I only could be him
But I used all my chances
And a few after that
Now I’m floating in the ashes, Olivia
And the days go by
In a supplicated style
Hand me the anodyne
Oh Olivia, I still love you
And I know I will, ’til I die
And this feels like, common madness
Why this wasted life, come to me.