"The Funeral" Band of Horses DEEPER Meaning | Lyrics Explained

[@air_voyager2306]

NO WAY, I’d never thought I’d had anyone talk about this legendary song. The band didn’t explode later on so they fizzled out and I never followed them but I always return to this song.

[@panhalt5604]

They didn't fizzle...

[@air_voyager2306]

Out of mainstream music they did.

[@Justin9740]

I was a counselor for a number of years with a focus on grief counseling, and this song was always a reminder to me that not all grief/loss is caused by a death. More times than I could count, unresolved grief symptoms were most common in patients who lost a loved one at sea, in war, abduction, a coma, went missing, etc. In this case, so many of them commented that they just want closure (or more specifically "A Funeral") to put their grief to rest. The recurring lines "In any occasion, I'll be ready for the funeral" speaks to me as someone who spend their days in the uncertainty of a loved one being alive or dead. They just desperately want closure in the form of a funeral, even if it confirms that the missing loved one has died. "To the outside, the dead leaves lay on the lawn..." strikes me as a commentary on how society often disenfranchises or does not socially recognize a grief or loss. In this case, society (the outside) sees the person's grief (the dead leaves on the ground) but does not understand why it is affecting them (no trees to shed leaves). Many grieving people with lingering complex grief symptoms are told to move on or just get over it, but I hope we all know that grief is not that simple.

[@kattimper3671]

Oh my, thank you for saying this.....I found out at 27 years old (on deployment) that my mom had cancer and the outcome was bleak. I had 3 years left of service in the military and I couldn't leave California fast enough to get back to the east, I needed to be with my mom. She had gone into remission (thankfully there was a period of reprieve of about 2 years) but 3 months prior to coming home, she was told she no longer had the original diagnosis but now had AML-i dont wanna spell it out, it's easier to use the acronym. But, I made it home and was soooo happy to be there where I could help my family, i wasn't helpless any longer-mom was hospitalized from November until March. I got home in February and she died on March 26-but the week before, we were only waiting for her T-Cell count to rise, that's it. I just got home, she hadn't gotten to ride in my brand new car, i was so proud to take her to get her Frappuccino she loved so much at Starbucks, we were going to celebrate my twin sister and my 30th birthday with her-what the fu£k just happened? That's how i still feel, and this was 2014. Then the same scenario (but even more surprising because he wasnt sick, dad had open heart surgery and was doing GREAT) in 2019 and we lost our dad. Sorry i spilled all that onto you, I'm trying to say that you are very correct about grief, and i know we had a funeral for both of our parents but it was so unexpected...for me at least, nobody wanted to probably make me stressed while in the military (??maybe¿? I was beyond stressed, more than most people know to be honest), but I can't seem to move on from this. Thank you though because I am going to look into grief counseling tomorrow. Be well.

[@Justin9740]

@@kattimper3671 Thank you for sharing your story! And of course, I am sorry for your losses. Grief is always complicated, and it seems especially so I’m your case as well. I hope that you are able to find therapy helpful and process however works for you! And feel free to keep us updated here! 🤗

[@Spyder22]

Oh my goodness 🥺🥹 I'm serious, I'll never hear this song and not hear what you just explained. If any song could speak for the countless left behind who have no closure, and are trapped in a limbo of "waiting for the funeral" It would be this song right here! I can't fathom losing my precious child period, let alone never knowing if they are alive, knowing in my heart they are not, no answers, no justice, no closure, not even a funeral. It's a horrifically painful day for most people, having a funeral for their friend, spouse, siblings, parent, friend, etc. Yet, there are people who are seeking something, some answers, closure of any kind, who just want to be able to have that honor. Oh my heart hurts so much right now 💔 Loving is such a risky, unbelievably risky gamble.... Thanks for your comment, it hit me so deeply.

[@ndrartphotography3744]

Loved this song. Found it through HIMYM and have loved it every since.

[@wokeupnew]

same. its gentle but powerful

[@lifamnisi5203]

Same

[@johnpulawski35]

Same bro

[@MatPearn]

Im a fan of Band of Horses this song was popular amongst skaters way back in 07 when FULLY FLARED came out. It was Guy Marianos song during his 1st part in the movie.

[@fullyfb3847]

My username doesn't have fully in it for nothing 😂

[@mfgojira]

he totally missed the obvious "wait until the morning to wake you" was a double entendre for a funerals wake

[@bettedavis45]

My understanding of this song is it's told from the perspective of an adult child of an alcholic parent/family member especially since the music video is a compilation of older men getting drunk at a bar: I'm coming up only to hold you under And coming up only to show you're wrong (I'm showing up to hold you accountable for your actions. I'm not going to let you get high aka hold you under. I think this is refering to an intervention that failed) And to know you is hard, we wonder To know you all wrong, we were (knowing a loved one with addiction is hard. Everyone thought they'd recover but they didn't, we were wrong) Ooh, ooh Ooh, ooh Really too late to call, so we wait for (its late at night and the family member is either passed out drunk or dead from overdosing/alcohol poisoning. Its too late to call so you have to wait til morning to know if they're okay) Morning to wake you is all we got But to know me as hardly golden Is to know me all wrong, they were (The constant worry about your alcoholic or addicted family member is always on their mind. They see happy on the outside but its just a mask to hide the pain) At every occasion, I'll be ready for the funeral At every occasion once more, it's called the funeral At every occasion, oh, I'm ready for the funeral At every occasion of one billion day funeral (every time they see this family member they are expecting it to be their last. They are waiting for the funeral from an overdose or alochol related death because they know it's coming and they cant stop it. The dread of it makes this family member's eventually passing a billion day funeral, not just a one day event but a many year struggle)

[@gotonewchannelshamelessanimals]

Dayum I think you nailed it. 👌 ❤ the timeline, the anger, the self-loathing failure cycle... the crushed outlook 🤯

[@stephanymilburn5773]

i think this song has more meaning than you can comprehend.

[@geekscene7187]

Yes! I have always loved this song, but never understood it.

[@user-sh7ko2cu1p]

The song is in "How I Met Your Mother", when Ted and Barney think they have found the loves of their lives, but do not really feel that way. So it gets along with your explanation.

[@davidborzi6259]

It's also used in "Criminal Minds".

[@kellyh8697]

This has always been one of my favorite songs. Very macabre but beautiful.

[@adrian_veidt]

I found this song because of How I met your Mother. But I truly fell in love with it on Tear along the Dotted line.

[@fossi31415]

It's almost like someone who is staying alive not for themselves but for others

[@phantomblue523]

Maybe being disenchanted by getting gifts is a frustration with expectations placed on him. Expectations to be happy, to show up and put on a certain face and feel a certain feeling, like in a funeral.

[@lawncuttingplusdelta]

I totally agree , the music creates a mood and allows u to apply it to what it means to you ….. that’s the key to a special song , it stimulates your imagination

[@jeffason69]

That’s how i’ve always interpreted the song.

[@St4rF411]

I enjoy the depth and interpretation- I feel the lyrics are completely understandable in many different forms

[@mikhailstewart]

I think the song is about someone who is anxious about a possible heartbreak.

[@Basethagod]

This song is crazy good

[@FossilHntr1]

I always thought it was about having an addicted friend or relative…

[@JohnDoe-vh5iu]

I always thought they did a morning as in mourning and wake as in a wake which happens after a funeral. But yea the singer said it's about family meetings

[@jcallaway1617]

Back in the day when all my music was played on my iPod and through iTunes, I always paid very close attention to what songs I had been listening to the most by checking the play count in iTunes. This song was always my most played. Funny thing is, I had no clue was they were saying most of the time. I just really liked their style and delivery.

[@kevinalford2165]

5:24 This explanation of the song is absolutely incredible,

[@jsmit5635]

I guess Clifford was just dying to explain this song.

[@lionsonthepath]

This seems like a deep depression where he puts on a facade. The happiest times, like birthdays and Christmas, are a job where you have to work to show you're happy, when really you're hopeless. The only joy he gets is pulling others down into the Hell he's stuck in.

[@CHUY-DRZ400s]

I brushed this a.m. before playing THE FUNERAL.

[@WeLuvHenny]

Can you do “The only difference between martyrdom and suicide is press coverage” by panic at the disco

[@erhan734]

One billion funeral meant to me like the singer is a funeral service guy. After so many funerals, he is also able to see through people and also while people thank him for his efforts in funerals, he thinks he is no golden as people would think :) that was a very basic and funny understanding anyway. Such a beautiful song though :)

[@ryonaicorp]

I can interpret this song many ways, I first thought he was talking to/of god and his own mortality, I found this years later after a breakup where I was abused as it resonates as never being good enough and knowing every day will hold some drama….now I have a different view which is still melancholy and a little grim 😅 great song guaranteed to plug hearts

[@ernestadamtey4859]

Could you make a video on 'The maze' by Manchester Orchestra

[@BeeKnown]

haven't heard this song before, will have to check it out now!

[@charleslupain]

gift = gratitude = real gratitude = being genuine = not typical = dreading hypocrisy

[@LostInTimeIndustries]

You don't want things that are just meaningless! To know who I am my negative thoughts and feelings will just bring you down...

[@erhan734]

And additionally can you also please talk about the song, when they came for us by Shiny Toy Guns?

[@tobyklase8179]

nice analysis now do Yungblud: The Funeral please! Also Brand New: I Believe You but My Tommy Gun Don’t.

[@firebolt95]

I’m giving you a heads up And Warning Prepare to be bombarded with comments about “Foundations of Decay”

[@WeShootBack1776]

Lol this song was written cause of Ben's aversion to social events, lol , he hated going to like holidays with his family 😂

[@kattimper3671]

I lost both my parents by 35. I'm 39 now, and if you grew up in a dysfunctional family (most of us probably did, but varying degrees), it still hurts like hell and even though you prepare for that billion day put it to rest, it doesn't work like that if you've got room left in your heart to see your parents as humans. I don't know what day is what sometimes, please think about mending bridges before it's too late. Yes, I know some of you really had a rough go of it, but if there is any part of you that can lay the sword down, you won't bleed later on for years to come. Hope this helps someone, anyone and I didn't waste my time telling ya'll my business. Hope everyone is well. ****oops I'm 38, not 39. Damn🙃

[@vernonsass7438]

read revelations 21

[@kattimper3671]

@@vernonsass7438 Hi there, I saw your response and I don't know much about the Bible but I got one out and read Revelations 21. I don't wanna appear dense lol but that may very well be the case on this matter. It unpacked a lot so my mind is going in several directions :)

[@vernonsass7438]

@@kattimper3671 and what do you think about it

[@mercychoke4475]

If you watch the video, the song makes a lot of sense. The metaphor of it becomes hella relatable... 🌬🕊🕯🕊🕯🥃

[@JosephLachh]

Pop song prof: maybe he’s longing for his childhood!!!…..that’s just my speculation. Bro has absorbed so much TwentyØnePilots he’s applying it to everything 😂

[@shubhangitiwary9916]

I have loved this song ever since i heard it on himym but then never really understood it. But recently this song seems to have a whole new meaning and a different feeling for me. I used to listen to this song quite often when I was away from my home for my mother's treatment. It was just me and my brother in an unknown town and she was in the hospital. We didn't get to meet her often. Few days down the road we lost her. So the part where he talks about "dreading it" makes more sense to me. She had an autoimmune disease and for a long time i had dreaded the condition she was in during her last few days but then we were also trying to accept the worst case scenario as it was inevitable. Unfortunately in our case quite literally the funeral. Is it too stupid to say that a song literally gave me strength to deal with a difficult situation?

[@vernonsass7438]

it was not the song it was Hebrew 11:1 read it...

[@michaelfurrow4138]

I thought he was speaking from death (the reaper) point of view

[@x-kid1848]

Can you do the meaning of Keane's Somewhere only we Know?

[@BoberMcBoberson]

These guys had some good songs. No one’s gonna love you, and Detlef Schrempf. Are probably my favorites. But there are more good ones :)

[@PokerPots]

Its about his dog passing away right?

[@mehrazinpanahi3349]

Pleaseeeeeeee do a tamino song, there haven't been any videos or explanations for his lyrics and they are so deep

[@markopetek9419]

The writer lied. What he meant is there and well structured, just hard to see.

[@davidabitbol4296]

It's about alcoholism

[@ldanner17111]

It's about my life

[@casperjensen4075]

Could you review the new chainsmokers album. I would be interesting to get your opinion on if they have gotten better or not.

[@Sunseekers05]

Could you check out let go by jay joseph

[@coolzone71]

I get the song. This explanation is kinda low level. The deep meaning is the faking of smiles amd like everythings great, you cant bring yourself to go to family gatherings or friend gatherings and act like everythings fine but you also cant tell the truth because if you did itd spoil the party and mood so u have to pretend its all golden

[@ryanhewison2615]

No

[@freeelectron8261]

Great song, very passionate sad and cryptic. Some of the lines used Yoda grammar - right? 😉 Just kidding - its a great song.

[@vugen]

Metamodernity, by Vansire!

[@markalbert9011]

Hi folks. He's going to "explain" to you what a song means. HE'S ALWAYS WRONG!!.....It's pretty simple really. Every person reading this has at one time in your life had a class that covered poetry. And what was the question you were always asked in that class? "WHAT DO YOU THINK THE AUTHOR WAS SAYING"....They never told you did, yet somehow this fellow thinks an internet search will reveal the meaning of song lyrics, which after all are just poetry. The point of poetry is to make you think, to expand your horizons, your understanding, also the meaning of the poetry will expand and change as you have more experiences in life. A huge part of the joy of music is the discovery, NOT BEING TOLD WHAT TO THINK!!! Think for yourself, talk among your friends and discover YOUR meaning to the poetry and just ignor this clickbait fool

[@RedRumble14]

Lazy with the thumbnail and deserved low views