Lyle Lovett — Bears
Album: Step Inside This HouseAvg rating:
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Length: 2:59
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Some folks say there ain't no bears in Arkansas
Some folks never seen a bear at all
Some folks say that bears go around eating babies raw
Some folks got a bear across the hall
Some folks say that bears go around smelling bad
Others say that a bear is honey sweet
Some folks say this bear's the best I ever had
Some folks got a bear beneath their feet
Some folks drive the bears out of the wilderness
Some to see a bear would pay a fee
Me I just bear up to bewildered best
And some folks even see the bear in me
So meet a bear and take him out to lunch with you
And even though your friends may stop and stare
Just remember that's a bear there in the bunch with you
And they just don't come no better than a bear
Some folks never seen a bear at all
Some folks say that bears go around eating babies raw
Some folks got a bear across the hall
Some folks say that bears go around smelling bad
Others say that a bear is honey sweet
Some folks say this bear's the best I ever had
Some folks got a bear beneath their feet
Some folks drive the bears out of the wilderness
Some to see a bear would pay a fee
Me I just bear up to bewildered best
And some folks even see the bear in me
So meet a bear and take him out to lunch with you
And even though your friends may stop and stare
Just remember that's a bear there in the bunch with you
And they just don't come no better than a bear
Comments (138)add comment
Not my favorite song but love his music.
Lyle and I both graduated two years apart from Klein High School. Mascot was the Bearkats.
We both went to Texas A&M as well, but no fun fact for that one.
We both went to Texas A&M as well, but no fun fact for that one.
Looking forward to seeing him tonight.
This song is dumb. That is all.
Betsy Devos' theme song.
I don't get Lyle Lovett.
To me, this tune sounds like a wannabe tune for the Nashville TV series but it wasn't good enough.
Sorry.
To me, this tune sounds like a wannabe tune for the Nashville TV series but it wasn't good enough.
Sorry.
Wie putzig, ein Bär!
Je mehr wir uns der Natur entfremden, desto unhaltbarer werden unsere Vorstellungen von ihr.
Je mehr wir uns der Natur entfremden, desto unhaltbarer werden unsere Vorstellungen von ihr.
This song was written by the late Steven Fromholz poet laureate of Texas in 2007, and is one of my favorite Lyle Lovett tunes.
Of course it doesn't hurt that my honey appreciates my bear-like qualities.
Of course it doesn't hurt that my honey appreciates my bear-like qualities.
Saw Lyle at Red Rocks last summer. Sublime.
Waking up, putting on some coffee and turning on Radio Paradise to hear this song. Perfect. Just perfect.
I've always loved this song. Simple, fun and a great sound. So glad to hear it on RP
I've always loved this song. Simple, fun and a great sound. So glad to hear it on RP
I see your boo boo and raise you some hair bears -->
Classic song. Bluegrass ring to it.
Classic song. Bluegrass ring to it.
If this consisted of more than 3 notes it might be interesting, but the sameness is aural Mogadon 
FYI, Lyle did not write this song. I believe Steve Fromholz did. I guess I could Google to make sure....nah.
stkman wrote:
...'strue!..tell your mom i said hi, stkman...
You don't? Texas is a small place we all know each other.
...'strue!..tell your mom i said hi, stkman...
MassivRuss wrote:
In no particular order:
Scott Joplin
Janice Joplin (no relation)
Willie Nelson
Roy Orbison
Ray Wylie Hubbard
Guy Clark
Stevie Ray Vaughn
Kris Kristofferson
Waylon Jennings
But yeah, I don't disagree with your opinion of Texas. Interestingly, some of the best songwriters in Texas come from some of the more particularly God-forsaken parts of the state. Lubbock springs to mind, although Port Arthur (JJ's home town) is no paradise either.
The hell that is Texas produces a few rare treasures. Lyle is one.
In no particular order:
Scott Joplin
Janice Joplin (no relation)
Willie Nelson
Roy Orbison
Ray Wylie Hubbard
Guy Clark
Stevie Ray Vaughn
Kris Kristofferson
Waylon Jennings
But yeah, I don't disagree with your opinion of Texas. Interestingly, some of the best songwriters in Texas come from some of the more particularly God-forsaken parts of the state. Lubbock springs to mind, although Port Arthur (JJ's home town) is no paradise either.
Reminds me of Mason Profit the Talbot brothers.
there's bears in boulder creek........
The hell that is Texas produces a few rare treasures. Lyle is one.
BBoyes wrote:
OMFG, that is so right on.
Sounds like he just read "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie"
OMFG, that is so right on.
Sounds like he just read "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie"
OK... When does Axel start singing ?
Wow this is remarkably bad! Better get that spotify subscription going again..
Could be a reference to burly gay guys( bears)!
ziggytrix wrote:
I see what you did there
Lyle Lovett grates on me most of the time, but this is almost more than I can bear.
I see what you did there
Da Bears!!
Lyle Lovett grates on me most of the time, but this is almost more than I can bear.
superfido wrote:
We'd introduce you, but you're from Sweden.
Why does everyone in this thread keep talking about "Lyle" like they know him?
We'd introduce you, but you're from Sweden.
I almost bought a used car from a bear once. I called off the deal because it smelled fishy.
darkhorse53 wrote:
What the 'dark' said.
Lyle always brings a smile to my face when I hear him sing.
What the 'dark' said.
Poo Bear?
Haven't read other comments (and not sure I want to, considering the topic) - but I love Lyle Lovett. I don't understand this song at all, unless it really just refers to bears (the big, furry, four-footed kind.) Maybe that's WHY I like it - it is what it is, and the harder we try to analyze it, the sillier we seem. Maybe a bear is just a bear.
Outstanding musicianship for sure!
University of Central (Arkansas) Bears
White River (Arkansas) deciduous bottom land bear emerging from den
West Memphis (Arkansas) truck stop Bears
Poorly informed, Mr. Lovett. Next, you'll be writing songs about questionable human-penguin relations.
White River (Arkansas) deciduous bottom land bear emerging from den
West Memphis (Arkansas) truck stop Bears
Poorly informed, Mr. Lovett. Next, you'll be writing songs about questionable human-penguin relations.
superfido wrote:
He's a close personal friend of ours.
Why does everyone in this thread keep talking about "Lyle" like they know him?
He's a close personal friend of ours.
MJMJ wrote:
Yeah, probably so.
Is this Andrew Sullivan's favorite song?
Yeah, probably so.
btilrn wrote:
Big noses can be very popular with the ladies on account of their usefulness in, erm, 'cunning linguistics'
Shame the song's so dull, though
Mr. Lovett has a big nose.
I'm only sayin'....
I'm only sayin'....
Big noses can be very popular with the ladies on account of their usefulness in, erm, 'cunning linguistics'
Shame the song's so dull, though
Testing new profile data... like the bear connection between songs.
Is this Andrew Sullivan's favorite song?
Mr. Lovett has a big nose.
I'm only sayin'....
I'm only sayin'....
superfido wrote:
You don't? Texas is a small place we all know each other.
Why does everyone in this thread keep talking about "Lyle" like they know him?
You don't? Texas is a small place we all know each other.
Source: https://www.tonybones.com/kids_parties/images/Clown-and-Dancing-Bear-Photo2.jpg
Why does everyone in this thread keep talking about "Lyle" like they know him?
This is one of my favorite songs by Lyle. He was in town last month and although he didn't play this song he put on one of the best shows that I've been to in the longest time. He was touring with his Large Band and Shawn Colvin and they played for close to three hours, just a great show.
Lyle is a very complex person.
?? wrote:
Hmm. I kept thinking he was talking about large hairy men who played for the visiting team.
lol
I think Lyle's a great guy. I just dislike his music.
Lyle always brings a smile to my face when I hear him sing.
jbtidwell wrote:
Ok, Here is the story. The song was writen by Steve Fromholz...
Fromholz wrote "Bears" during a road trip from Eureka Springs, Arkansas, to East Texas, inspired at a truck stop after hearing an elderly codger yell, "Hell, there ain't no bears in Arkansas." He jumped into the passenger seat and cranked out the song during the seven-hour drive to a show, then played it that very same night.
Thanks for the anecdote. I knew it was written by Steven Fromholz, only from reading the cd jacket. I didn't know anything about him or the song, otherwise. It's always nice to have a little more backstory.
I cherish this double album. As big a fan as I am of Lyle's, it's surprising even to me that one of my favorite works by him is one with no original songs. It's superb stuff though.
rowdydaisy wrote:
Lyle may be a great song writer and have great music but I am forever tainted by the memory of a concert in Santa Fe, NM (during the Julia Roberts period) where he came on stage and then walked off because he smelled pot(it was an outdoor venue). Held up the concert for at least 15 minutes. Left a bad taste in my mouth and I didn't quite enjoy the concert as much because of his theatrics. Personally I didn't see anyone smoking. He's a quirky guy.
We have seen Lyle a number of times, That Julia Roberts phase "bout" ruined it for me. He came out on stage said nothing played and left. Left me thinking, "huh dont let me trouble you pal". Years after that girl was out of his life, Totally diferent. Engaging the crowd, steller performance. Oh once Allison Krauss sang back-up and only revealed who she was at the end. I assume she was hanging out with her Brother Victor who is Lyles upright Bass player.
maxmox wrote:
That's nothing, I've seen musicians (who will remain nameless for legal reasons because they know me) who stopped the show and insisted everyone stop talking, joints or no.
I was told many years ago by one of Lyle's musicians that he liked the audience to remain seated and quiet during his shows. Not my kind of show.
gearfab wrote:
That's par for the course. Here in Austin, he stopped a concert at the Backyard because he smelled pot. When he mentioned smelling it, people laughed and some applauded. But he made it pretty clear he didn't like it. I'm not saying one has to roundly (and publicly) endorse pot use, but if some of your fans choose to do so at one of your concerts, you don't have to single them out for scorn. There were a lot of toe-up Shiner Bock drinkers there that night who weren't subjected to the same attitude.
I've seen him three times (most recently last Thursday) and never seen that happen. Of course, one COULD distinguish between the attitude toward pot smokers versus Shiner Bock drinkers by pointing out that one is illegal and the other isn't.
Just sayin...
Lovett and dobro...mmmmm!
I saw a bear once. Big fella in the campsite say about 400 lbs..
govna wrote:
i'm sure this song plays in steve colbert's nightmares.
ha.
i'm sure this song plays in steve colbert's nightmares.
"No they just don't come no better than a bear" (click here)
A secret personal preference? 
sutcliff wrote: 
That Bear better get his act together.
I watched a Bears game before the playoffs and saw him do something I'd never seen a QB do before. Chicago was near the 10 yard line of the other team and Grossman calls a time-out to talk it over with the coaches. He goes back to the huddle, lines up under the center...and tries to call another TO.
Unfortunately, you can't do that in the NFL. You have to run at least one play between TOs. Fortunately, there was no penalty for such a mistake.
I'm guessing that he won't finish next season as the Bears' starter. It wouldn't surprise me if he's out of the league within three years.
That Bear better get his act together. gearfab wrote:
That's par for the course. Here in Austin, he stopped a concert at the Backyard because he smelled pot. When he mentioned smelling it, people laughed and some applauded. But he made it pretty clear he didn't like it. I'm not saying one has to roundly (and publicly) endorse pot use, but if some of your fans choose to do so at one of your concerts, you don't have to single them out for scorn. There were a lot of toe-up Shiner Bock drinkers there that night who weren't subjected to the same attitude.
That's nothing, I've seen musicians (who will remain nameless for legal reasons because they know me) who stopped the show and insisted everyone stop talking, joints or no.
SchoepTone wrote:
I'm diggin' that mandolin!
That's Sam Bush. Jerry Dougles on the Resophonic Guitar.
Hmm. I kept thinking he was talking about large hairy men who played for the visiting team.
I'm diggin' that mandolin!
That's par for the course. Here in Austin, he stopped a concert at the Backyard because he smelled pot. When he mentioned smelling it, people laughed and some applauded. But he made it pretty clear he didn't like it. I'm not saying one has to roundly (and publicly) endorse pot use, but if some of your fans choose to do so at one of your concerts, you don't have to single them out for scorn. There were a lot of toe-up Shiner Bock drinkers there that night who weren't subjected to the same attitude.
rowdydaisy wrote:
Lyle may be a great song writer and have great music but I am forever tainted by the memory of a concert in Santa Fe, NM (during the Julia Roberts period) where he came on stage and then walked off because he smelled pot(it was an outdoor venue). Held up the concert for at least 15 minutes. Left a bad taste in my mouth and I didn't quite enjoy the concert as much because of his theatrics. Personally I didn't see anyone smoking. He's a quirky guy.
I've been nose to nose with a black bear and been charged by a Grizzly. Cops shot a black bear out of my front yard tree.
They eat garbage. Don't want to eat lunch with them. Don't want to entice them to hang around me and the kids at all in fact.
Sigh...life in the north ain't the same as Lyle's southern (?) experience.
Great tune - the emotion around the bear's plight hits me pretty good.
I've seen Lyle in concert a dozen times or more. Usually at the Tennessee Theater in downtown Knoxville. He always puts on an outstanding show, which is to say that there really isn't much show, its usually just Lyle and the band and they stand there and play music. But it's always a magical evening! This double album is his tribute to Texan songwriters. It is outstanding. If you don't like it or don't get it, then IMHO you're really missing out on some good music and you may want to seek out professional help because there is, in all likelihood, something very wrong with you.
Austin2Florida wrote:
Colbert is freak- love him.
And colbert is native South Carolinian. I can really love my native kind of crazy.
LL rocks. 
Colbert is freak- love him.
That Bear better get his act together.
I just don't get all the high ratings. I think this song is dilly, stupid, annoying, and a bunch of other things I could call it.
Go Bears!
kazuma wrote:
I'd like to hear this one remade with new lyrics about octopuses instead of bears.
That would be an instant 10
Ok, Here is the story. The song was writen by Steve Fromholz...
Fromholz wrote "Bears" during a road trip from Eureka Springs, Arkansas, to East Texas, inspired at a truck stop after hearing an elderly codger yell, "Hell, there ain't no bears in Arkansas." He jumped into the passenger seat and cranked out the song during the seven-hour drive to a show, then played it that very same night.
~https://www.seattleweekly.com/music/9839/music-cruger.php
Though I bet there are plenty of "Bears" at truck stops in Arkansas (if you know what you're looking for) 
RobK wrote:
But as for this double-album tribute to singer-songwriters from Texas, how anyone (let alone any fan of Lyle's) could not love it I will never understand. It's simply some of the best music he has ever recorded. Every aspect of the album is near flawless, both discs. His song selections were inspired, his singing is beautiful, the instrumentation is rich as glorious and the recording/production quality is as good as it gets.
Well said and ditto.
As Dan Akroyd once said, as the author of the book "Mauled" on SNL, "Don't ride the bears."
Mark1970 wrote:
LOL.... I know. I SO thought this song was going to be about something else..... ;-)
haha, yeah, I heard that right, and I've done a lot more with a bear than just take them out to lunch...some I've trained to ride a bike in a high-wire act. Or something like that...
twothingsatonce wrote:
It could be worse. I saw him in concert during this same period; after he walked off stage, he returned with Julia Roberts on his arm to thunderous applause. I thought I was going to barf.
For me, this song, the album "I Love Everybody", and this period in his life represent a low point in Lyle's career.
Well I for one couldn't give a shit about his marriage to JR...personal life stuff, who cares.
As for this song, this album and the I Love Everybody album being "low points" I totally disagree. To me they are some of his absolute best work. I Love Everybody is an acoustic masterpiece although so understated I can see how it missed a lot of people. But as for this double-album tribute to singer-songwriters from Texas, how anyone (let alone any fan of Lyle's) could not love it I will never understand. It's simply some of the best music he has ever recorded. Every aspect of the album is near flawless, both discs. His song selections were inspired, his singing is beautiful, the instrumentation is rich as glorious and the recording/production quality is as good as it gets.
polymath wrote:
Nashville is pretty far from "country" (at least the big labels). I have been fortunate enough to see Lyle in Nashville at the Ryman Auditorium several times, and can assure you that Lyle is indeed embraced by Nashville. His appearances are sellouts within hours. Trying to classify Lyle Lovett is an exercise in frustration.... just listen and enjoy (or not).
Very, very true.
I'd like to hear this one remade with new lyrics about octopuses instead of bears.
polymath wrote:
Trying to classify Lyle Lovett is an exercise in frustration.... just listen and enjoy (or not).
I've tried and the best description I've come up with is "a Texas Jimmy Buffet". I do listen and I do enjoy, especially this CD.
Marr wrote:
Typical and expected from PG. He just can't see the forest for his hand over his eyes.
Anyhow, Lyle is pretty far from what you could honestly call "country". That's why he's hardly been embraced by Nashville.
Nashville is pretty far from "country" (at least the big labels). I have been fortunate enough to see Lyle in Nashville at the Ryman Auditorium several times, and can assure you that Lyle is indeed embraced by Nashville. His appearances are sellouts within hours. Trying to classify Lyle Lovett is an exercise in frustration.... just listen and enjoy (or not).
Roverfish wrote:
Still outstanding. And to those that don't get it, I say, "Too bad."
I totally get! Saw LL in concert 3 weeks ago in ATL- the show was killer- the house was rockin and crying- That's right you're not from Texas- but Texas wants you anyway!
Still outstanding. And to those that don't get it, I say, "Too bad."
Now that is one dull song. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Lyle is officially On Notice.
(click here)
JohnErle wrote: 
A song about bears?
Lyle Lovett, you're dead to me!
Hilarious, indeed.
A song about bears?
Lyle Lovett, you're dead to me!i've never heard anyone say "there ain't no bears in Arkansas"...
Not Lyle's best but another strong outing from an artist with his own vision.
Boring Redundant
physicsgenius wrote:
No amount of marrying Julia Roberts will make this not country music, which is the worst kind of music there is.
Isn't the fad of being deliberately off-putting over yet?
physicsgenius wrote:
No amount of marrying Julia Roberts will make this not country music, which is the worst kind of music there is.
You're so down on almost every kind of music on this site. Why are you so negative?
May I suggest finding a good woman or putting more bran in your diet?
Austin2Florida wrote:
Colbert is freak- love him.
#1 Threat indeed.
Colbert is freak- love him.twothingsatonce wrote:
It could be worse. I saw him in concert during this same period; after he walked off stage, he returned with Julia Roberts on his arm to thunderous applause. I thought I was going to barf.
For me, this song, the album "I Love Everybody", and this period in his life represent a low point in Lyle's career.
I think it wise to give Lyle a break. If I were married to Julia (even for just a year or two) I'd probably do some goofy stuff too.
JohnErle wrote:
A song about bears?
Lyle Lovett, you're dead to me!
Colbert is freak- love him.
A song about bears?
Lyle Lovett, you're dead to me! Colbert is freak- love him.
rowdydaisy wrote:
Lyle may be a great song writer and have great music but I am forever tainted by the memory of a concert in Santa Fe, NM (during the Julia Roberts period) where he came on stage and then walked off because he smelled pot(it was an outdoor venue). Held up the concert for at least 15 minutes. Left a bad taste in my mouth and I didn't quite enjoy the concert as much because of his theatrics. Personally I didn't see anyone smoking. He's a quirky guy.
It could be worse. I saw him in concert during this same period; after he walked off stage, he returned with Julia Roberts on his arm to thunderous applause. I thought I was going to barf.
For me, this song, the album "I Love Everybody", and this period in his life represent a low point in Lyle's career.
Lyle may be a great song writer and have great music but I am forever tainted by the memory of a concert in Santa Fe, NM (during the Julia Roberts period) where he came on stage and then walked off because he smelled pot(it was an outdoor venue). Held up the concert for at least 15 minutes. Left a bad taste in my mouth and I didn't quite enjoy the concert as much because of his theatrics. Personally I didn't see anyone smoking. He's a quirky guy.
I've met a bear. I did not take him to lunch, but he tore up our campsite and had our dinner. Enough bear for me.
Like much by Lyle Lovett, an incredible song. Great musicians, and well delivered.
Who says "soul" is limited to R & B?
JohnErle wrote:
A song about bears?
Lyle Lovett, you're dead to me!
Holy crap! I just blew beer through my nose! Thanks!
A song about bears?
Lyle Lovett, you're dead to me!
A song about bears?
Lyle Lovett, you're dead to me!
Shaken_Bake wrote:
This is my favorite song about bears!
This is my favorite comment about songs about bears.
Nothing but good!!!!!
jbtidwell wrote:
It just don't get no better than the bear
Woof!
LOL.... I know. I SO thought this song was going to be about something else..... ;-)
I love that accent when he sings "so take a beer to lunch with you", and "it just don't get no better than a beer". It almost sounds like he's sayin' bear.
physicsgenius wrote:
No amount of marrying Julia Roberts will make this not country music, which is the worst kind of music there is.
Typical and expected from PG. He just can't see the forest for his hand over his eyes.
Anyhow, Lyle is pretty far from what you could honestly call "country". That's why he's hardly been embraced by Nashville.
This is one of my favorite Lyle tunes. "So meet a bear and take him on out to lunch with you, even though your friends may stop and stare."
physicsgenius wrote:
No amount of marrying Julia Roberts will make this not country music, which is the worst kind of music there is.
Frankly this kind of post is the worst kind of post there is.
xkolibuul wrote:
Are you kidding?! This is the tip of the iceberg for Lyle in terms of eccentricity. 'One-eyed fiona'? 'I love everybody?' 'If I had a boat'? 'That's right, you're not from Texas'?
The only thing stupid about LL's songs is taking them at face value.
the only tune even better than "Bears" on this album is "Lungs", which I dare say I prefer to Towns Van Zandt's recordings.
what an amazing line up of musicians on this album... Jerry Douglas on Dobro, among others...
I Like Lyle. His country is different.
No amount of marrying Julia Roberts will make this not country music, which is the worst kind of music there is.
diane wrote: 
This has got to be one of the stupidest songs ever. Lyle's okay, but this tune is a real thumb's down for me.
Get back in that cold water and chill! Eesh!
Better to keep your mouth closed...well, you know the rest.
Lyle's a bit subtle...Texas subtle. Outstanding tune.
This has got to be one of the stupidest Criticize Lyle for his *choice*, but not for the material itself, as it was written, not by Lyle, but by Steve Fromholz...personally, I love it, but then again, I *am* a bear...
diane wrote: This has got to be one of the stupidest songs ever. Lyle's okay, but this tune is a real thumb's down for me.
Are you kidding?! This is the tip of the iceberg for Lyle in terms of eccentricity. 'One-eyed fiona'? 'I love everybody?' 'If I had a boat'? 'That's right, you're not from Texas'?
The only thing stupid about LL's songs is taking them at face value.
This has got to be one of the stupidest This has got to be one of the stupidest This two record set is one of the best collections of covers and duets I have heard in a long time. Pick up a copy. I sound like a k-tel commercial, sorry.
The songs are great.
This is my favorite song about bears!
Lyle Lovett rules! If you ever have a chance to see him in concert, do not pass it up!
It just don't get no better than the bear
Woof!
laladex wrote:
I have traveled far and wide to see this man in concert and have never been diasspointed with anything he has done, even when he had Julia sing back up on "I Love Everybody." All of those guys in Austin who followed Townes Van Zant are amazing writers. I have to say that growing up in LA, "LA County" brings tears to my eyes every time I go back and drive "over the hill," but then again so does "Come a Long Way" every time RP plays it (long live KSCA and the cowboy).
I saw him with his large band a couple of years ago. Great show. He was extremely talkative and a great performer.