Every now and then, we’re confronted with a such a beautiful piece of music that has somehow escaped from the confines of that small independent world of music and the few faithful gathered in the tiny clubs around the nation. Like small churches and temples.

“Systole” From the Painted Ruins (2017) – Grizzly Bear

“Systole – A rhythmically recurrent contraction; especially the contraction of the heart by which the blood is forced onward and the circulation kept up.” Merridam Webster Dictionary

“This is a song that began while I was living in Berlin and is my first time singing lead vocal in the band. Chris Bear and Dan helped flesh out the instrumental in some new directions resulting in a swirling, vibey track. It’s about people’s relationships to their vices and how we seem to all have them, and what can really be done about it, if anything at all sometimes.” Chris Taylor

Systole Lyrics

Once in a while
Come around and bleed it
This has got to end next time you’re needing more

They can take it up with me any time
You’re needing
Try once more, it’ll stop the bleeding

Try giving me a chance to get out
I want it
There ain’t nothing wrong
Every time I got it home

I could take one look at the things that we started
But you know that I lost that key that promised home

Give a little more as your eyes grow colder
Even if it’s all that you wanted, let it go

Take the sheets from the bed
Throw them all to the fire
Watch the room light up
As the flames grow warm and tired

Try giving me a chance to get out
I want it
There ain’t nothing wrong
Every time I got it home.

Grizzly Bear