Pedro The Lion - Yellow Bike Lyrics






On a desert Christmas morning, 1981
One month shy of six years old
In the valley of the sun
My first two-wheel bicycle stood by the tree
My heart thumping in my chest
Though I'd tried, I couldn’t ride one yet

Out on our street when my dad let go of the seat
I rode off and down the road
Somehow I never went back home

But I remember what it was like
Astride my yellow bike
First freedom, second life
All the places I could ride
Leaving early packing light
That little ache inside
My kingdom for someone to ride with

Now a highwayman who traded in his handlebars
Going back and forth
In vans and rental cars
On the 10, the 5, the 90, and the 95
In love with every stretch of road
But when I drive them on my own

They remind me what it was like
Astride that yellow bike
My kingdom for someone

Some folks are loners
And you learn from them
If you've always been a joiner
On the move again
But if you keep your legs pumping
Despite everything
Well, you can take that sting
You can make it swing

Just remember what it was like
Astride that yellow bike
First freedom, second life
All the places I could ride
Leaving early packing light
That little ache inside
My kingdom for someone to ride with
I'd trade my kingdom for someone to ride with





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Pedro The Lion Yellow Bike Comments
  1. T.... G....

    Great Christmas song

  2. k.... k....

    wow........






    speechless.......

  3. S.... G....

    Frank Turner said if I don't cry at this, I don't have a soul. So here I am, finding out if I have a soul. Wish me luck.

  4. r.... ....

    Takin’ the sting and makin’ it swing.... yep.... Great Song🕊🎶🌷

  5. C.... C....

    I own a car the same as in the beginning of this video. 64 pontiac tempest. Every time i hear this song instead remembering a yellow bike, l remember my red pontiac tempest.. damn good car

  6. M.... M....

    63 and still riding my bike! — great song!

  7. K.... ....

    ouch...those lyrics at the end tho

  8. A.... L....

    THIS IS IN MEMORY OF TOM PETTY (for me) - He talks about his early "bike" stuff - this song could have been written by Tom -
    I LOVE THIS SONG - thank you guys.

  9. A.... H....

    someone tell David to read The Ra Material.

  10. R.... M....

    Trade in that cage in for a new yellow bike that fits.

  11. Z.... S....

    I love this song and the video so much!

  12. C.... J....

    Quickly becoming one of my favorite albums of the decade, maybe even my life. God damn this is good.

  13. B.... G....

    Don't know why but this song is making me cry.

  14. l.... ....

    And here we go, Bazan and his ‘Yellow Bike,’ conjuring memories of my own first two-wheel bicycle standing by the Christmas tree, drums thumping in my chest, guitar riffs rushing past my cheeks as I remember what it was like, speeding downhill, my own memories blurring in between Bazan’s words, then comes the lonely heartache he knows so well. Hoping for that astonishing, blatant, emotional scalping of Christianity I’ve come to expect from Pedro...: https://leckyland.blogspot.com/2019/02/when-god-created-pedro-lion.html

  15. T.... O....

    Is it just me or does this video foreshadow the lyrics in Circle K.......

  16. C.... K....

    Perfection.

  17. a.... ....

    instant classic

  18. D.... ....

    I really like this album (and this song). Thanks for doing this.

  19. Q.... C....

    IM NOT CRYING YOUR CRYING

  20. V.... H....

    This is nostalgia and hope, exquisite music.

  21. J.... L....

    Someone to explain the song? Im not american but wanna know, thanks!

  22. C.... W....

    He’s been able to strike nostalgia before you can even have nostalgia in mind. It’s something that’s just in his songwriting. So crazy

  23. G.... T....

    This video is amazing! Lovely song as well. We must have had some parallel creativity going on as the video for our single “If I Could” (which came out at around the same time) touches on a lot of similar themes. Something so Spielbergesque about cinematic shots of kids riding bikes. Love it, mad props to the creative team.

  24. K.... H....

    I absolutely love that he had to throw in a minor chord right at the end....

  25. P.... R....

    Watch the music video for the devastating "Quietest Friend" now: https://youtu.be/1goT7Sd4eME

    P.... R....

    Thanks for this. It's so good!

  26. c.... d....

    Lol West side niggas don't know what a yellow bike is in NY

  27. j.... g....

    Also how could any one give this a 👎

  28. j.... g....

    Can't get enough of this tune, I haven't been so excited for a record to come out in years!

  29. M.... ....

    Been clicking repeat, I ain't a bot, but I watch anyway.

  30. D.... L....

    Bazan, I'm from Brazil. I lost your concert in Vancouver last year because I got stuck in Mexico for a week before I get my Visa. I made good friends there, but it was very sad to not see you playing. Please don't stop playing, I want to try again to see you again somewhere. Thanks for the new songs!

  31. s.... ....

    "My heart thumping in my chest" (bass drum starts)

    "You can make it swing" (drum fill in swing feel)

    Someone gave the drummer the lyrics

  32. L.... C....

    Love this little tune!

  33. J.... N....

    I’ve been listening to Pedro since the mid to late 90’s. I hope they are making more music and blow up. He deserves it so much. So many beautiful and heartbreaking songs have been written by this wonderful man.

  34. J.... N....

    Please tell me that Pedro the Lion is back. Please, please, please.

    J.... N....

    yes boo! https://www.npr.org/2018/10/30/661855320/david-bazan-returns-to-pedro-the-lion-with-yellow-bike

    J.... N....

    PolyvinylRecords I’m very excited!

  35. T.... H....

    Is that Bazan documentary still happening?

    T.... H....

    I'll answer my own question - "Strange Negotiations" coming soon to a film festival near you.

  36. J.... A....

    When I heard this featured on a spotify ad it sounded a lot like VinterNoll2 by Kent lol

  37. A.... A....

    Please come to israel!! We love you here guys

  38. J.... B....

    God, I love you Dave. My absolute favorite living artist. I'm so happy so much is happening for you. So much love. And to all of you.

  39. 1.... ....

    1:25 Jimador Blanco? Nah, man. $4-5 more and you get really good Blanco.

  40. J.... W....

    Hooray David Bazan back again!

  41. D.... B....

    Damn, I can't get enough of this song! Hitting that repeat button!

  42. J.... M....

    Who is giving this thumbs down? Smh

  43. t.... g....

    I half expected the little young boy on his brand new bike to be hit by a moving van by the end of the first verse

  44. F.... Z....

    Come to Brazil! (seriously)

    F.... Z....

    yes, please

    F.... Z....

    say yes!

    F.... Z....

    Sério pacarai Pedro o Leão <3

  45. G.... J....

    don't ever stop making music. I don't want to live in a world where you aren't making music :)

  46. a.... ....

    Damn Tom Segura makes good tunes

  47. C.... G....

    I've heard this song like a thousand times now but I can't stop myself from playing it again as soon as it ends. I feel like somehow he captured a feeling inside me I never realized I had, its a sort of nostalgia mixed with loss and mellow contemplation of my life up to this point. It's great, thank you for this gift.

    C.... G....

    Carlos Gordo sounds like something I recently read about...saudade. Check out this potent Portuguese word. I wish we had it in English.

    C.... G....

    @Joell Marlowe funnily enough I know exactly what you're talking about. I'm Portuguese haha. I speak it fluently and you're absolutely right! Shame, there isn't quite a word that describes the feeling the same way in English.

    C.... G....

    I know exactly what you mean. Same!

  48. B.... J....

    Why the fuck does this have only 50k views

  49. D.... E....

    He's playing in Yakima on Saturday night! I'm going!

  50. D.... D....

    I totally love this.

  51. M.... D....

    This song gives me an emotion.

  52. R.... S....

    Another Bazan Banger. Love you Dave. Great track!

  53. S.... G....

    David is such an amazing song writer.

  54. M.... A....

    ♥️♥️♥️💗💗💗

  55. R.... I....

    yes! yes!

  56. :.... s....

    phoenix native here...love this

  57. C.... S....

    I’m a fan of Pedro, solo and headphones... but this doesn’t sound like Pedro the lion to me. Just sounds like his solo stuff with the Pedro label slapped on it.

    C.... S....

    It feels like that because David Bazan evolved as a song writer and singer as a solo artist in the last 15 years. I don't think Bazan went into Pedro The Lion thinking he had to go back to his old writing style and write another "its hard to find a friend"...or what is a Pedro the lion song sound? Control? Achilles Heel? This song actually wouldn't feel out of place on Achiles Heel. Seriously, Fewer Moving Parts, Curse your branches and Strange Negotiation really sound like Pedro the Lion albums to me. Blanco and Care are different beasts thought

  58. g.... ....

    Glad you are back... It's been too long!

  59. C.... I....

    Anyone here remember how terrifying and emotional Whole EP was when it first got released?

  60. C.... V....

    That looks like the place who used to sell liquor to me when I was underage.

  61. F.... M....

    Chords anyone?

  62. N.... A....

    "Yellow Bike" debuted at #14 on the New Alternative 40 Chart this week!

  63. r.... ....

    "I'd trade my kingdom..." Truer words haven't been spoken.

  64. E.... I....

    This is so nostalgic, very good song

  65. M.... C....

    🤘🤘🤘🤘YES🤘🤘🤘🤘

  66. K.... H....

    Don’t get in the van, kid

  67. p.... ....

    My name is Pedro, and i'm from the sign of leo.

  68. B.... L....

    Pre-ordered! Thanks for the decades of music David!

  69. �.... B....

    So coooool

  70. C.... B....

    He will be all over NPR and finally get his due...........good for him. Pop perfection,done the Bazan way...........about to Blow -up,big time.............been listening since the start and now big time for them and him esp. Well deserved!! Peace.

    C.... B....

    My thoughts as well. He deserves so much.

    C.... B....

    Indeed Jon. Will be nice to hear and see them soon and catch up,peace man

  71. H.... O....

    Sun city! I grew up in the area and recognized some of the locations. Love the 16mm

  72. J.... W....

    te amo, Davidzão da massa!

    J.... W....

    hahaha, olha quem tá aqui!

  73. E.... T....

    Well done David, what a fantastic way to bring back Pedro the Lion.

  74. K.... C....

    I had the pleasure to see them in Chicago on their last show and I watched as David came out and watched the opening act right in front of me. I finally got enough courage to go up to him and ask him to sign the copy of control I bought that night. Very nice, kind, gentle,and caring gentlemen and he had a real passion for his work. Can't wait to get the new album and see them again

    K.... C....

    David is a gift

  75. J.... G....

    They filmed this in the neighborhood I grew up in. Serious nostalgia.

    J.... G....

    Same, what a strange feeling.

    J.... G....

    The green pyramid church (formerly Capstone Cathedral) near Tatum and Shea caught my eye immediately.

  76. t.... ....

    Please do not skip Calgary this tour!!!

  77. F.... J....

    Oooh... hope to see him in Germany soon

  78. J.... S....

    It's like an old friend and picking up right where you left off. Loved David's solo albums too but it's nice to see Pedro the Lion active again.

    J.... S....

    Seconded. I've seen him many times solo, but only once recently as Pedro. This is great.

    J.... S....

    Just stumbled upon Pedro and the Lion earlier this year, awesome to know there's a lot of discography to explore. Any recommendations on where to start?

    J.... S....

    Achilles heal Enuff said guy can write a album.

    J.... S....

    @C Vandy I probably listen to "Blanco" the most, "Lo Tom" is a great record.

  79. M.... H....

    Saddest David Bazan song yet.

    M.... H....

    It's definitely in the top 100.

    M.... H....

    Sad, I'd agree...but "June 18, 1976" has got to take the "saddest" spot.

    M.... H....

    For me, still The Poison.

  80. C.... W....

    I knew it'd be a good day today

  81. i.... ....

    This means so much to me, I’m already preparing to get super earnest to this album.

  82. C.... B....

    On your way cats!! Great stuff! Can't wait to enjoy the rest!! Peace!

  83. B.... ....

    OH HELL YEAH

  84. y.... m....

    Lyrics:
    On a desert Christmas morning, 1981
    One month shy of six years old
    In the valley of the sun
    My first two-wheel bicycle stood by the tree
    My heart thumping in my chest
    Though I'd tried, I couldn’t ride one yet

    Out on our street when my dad let go of the seat
    I rode off and down the road
    Somehow I never went back home

    But I remember what it was like
    Astride my yellow bike
    First freedom, second life
    All the places I could ride
    Leaving early packing light
    That little ache inside
    My kingdom for someone to ride with

    Now a highwayman who traded in his handlebars
    Going back and forth
    In vans and rental cars
    On the 10, the 5, the 90, and the 95
    In love with every stretch of road
    But when I drive them on my own
    They remind me what it was like
    Astride that yellow bike
    My kingdom for someone

    Some folks are loners
    And you learn from them
    If you've always been a joiner
    On the move again
    But if you keep your legs pumping
    Despite everything
    Well, you can take that sting
    You can make it swing

    Just remember what it was like
    Astride that yellow bike
    First freedom, second life
    All the places I could ride
    Leaving early packing light
    That little ache inside
    My kingdom for someone to ride with
    I'd trade my kingdom for someone to ride with

  85. J.... V....

    So good, cant wait for the live show

  86. L.... S....

    awwww.... David!!!!

  87. C.... W....

    Finally:)

  88. J.... H....

    TEQUILA!!

  89. S.... L....

    just remember what it was like

  90. K.... D....

    This is everything good.

  91. d.... ....

    This makes me so indescribably happy. Thank you for this!

  92. i.... ....

    Guest starring Bazan's van and red hoodie. I love this so much already.

    i.... ....

    And son...

    i.... ....

    Wait that's his kid?!?! Oh man that's amazing. Loving this even more now.

  93. J.... K....

    Man, as a Phoenician this entire album is surreal. <3

  94. l.... ....

    from yellow bike to red hoodie... that's life

  95. B.... S....

    This is wholesome, beautiful and exactly what I need in these days.