Service Bell

I dont think the bed should be taken so literally. I think it means she will do anything for him

The repetition of 'hold on' seems to produce both an internal mantra for the speaker and a chant to the subject of the songs lyrics. The lyrics intimate, for me, a Victorianesque love affair between a bed-ridden aristocrat secretly involved in a tryst with a maid-servant of some sort (perhaps this is indicated by the rather archaic and noble practice of using a service bell). The 'service bell', therefore, being the only manner that he can issue and declare his feelings (or to let the subject of the song know he is calling to him/her) to the other person. The utter simplicity of the lyrics, yet the abstractness of their meaning, indicate the intangible and grayish area that Grizzly Bear thrives in.

i think its about , is about him waiting for her to come around and he'll try as much he can to wait.Because he really likes hers.and he doesnt care about the other people shes been with , he will still be there for her.

or it can be about him waiting for sex.(bed)

I can't really tell if you're joking about the "I'm a whore" thing, so just in case... I emailed the band for the lyrics to this song, and what I posted is what they sent me.

don't think is about prositution at all certanly is about love not caring about the other ppl.. and yeah sex is involved in the song!

I think he's just saying that he's always waiting for her to come around - even if he's off doing something else (such as when people behind the counter are busy with something else & someone rings the service bell) he's still waiting to hear the sound of that bell that signals her coming back.

This song is on the compilation "Dark Was the Night" which was created for World Aids Day 2009. Feist and GB are both on the song and I think in this instance "hold on" is to be taken literally, the way he moans the lyrics is so dark, it seems like this is directly symbolic of a "deathbed." Though out of context it could be related to prostitution or even a forbidden love. I love this song, while short, it can take on so many meanings.

I think it's about them both waiting for each other and that whenever either of them is ready to commit, they'll be readily waiting. Like a "service bell"- they're not stopping they're lives to sit and wait for each other, but they will be when one of them initiates it.

I don't think he says "I will hold on." Rather, he says "I'm a whore." But I can see how it's hard to tell, the way he stretches the syllables. Also, Ed, the singer and writer of this song, is gay. So it's probably about a dude. And about being hooked on some good lovin'.

But of course the great thing about songs is that the most important interpretation is (usually) that of the listener. So you can pretend it's about a girl if you like.

pretty sure this song is about prostitution

quite heartbreaking