The Bear With The Maiden Fair

Album: Single Release Only (2013)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song tells the story of a bear at a fair who seduces a maiden in search of a knight. It was recorded by The Hold Steady for Game Of Thrones with the lyrics written by the TV saga's writer George RR Martin and music by the show's composer Ramin Djawadi. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Game Of Thrones showrunners David Benioff and Dan Weiss explained the tune is "one of the most popular songs in Westeros, beloved by nobles and commoners alike, sung at taverns and feasts." The song was released on seven-inch vinyl on April 20, 2013 for Record Store Day.
  • So why was indie band The Hold Steady chosen to record the track? Benioff and Weiss explained: "We wanted our rendition to be bawdy and a little sloppy - drunken musicians getting up on the table and jamming while the rowdy party continues around them. There was no-one better for the job than The Hold Steady, and the song they delivered has been stuck in our heads for the last four weeks."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

The Truth Is Out There: A History of Alien Songs

The Truth Is Out There: A History of Alien SongsSong Writing

The trail runs from flying saucer songs in the '50s, through Bowie, blink-182 and Katy Perry.

"Private Eyes" - The Story Behind the Song

"Private Eyes" - The Story Behind the SongSong Writing

How a goofy detective movie, a disenchanted director and an unlikely songwriter led to one of the biggest hits in pop history.

Women Who Rock

Women Who RockSong Writing

Evelyn McDonnell, editor of the book Women Who Rock, on why the Supremes are just as important as Bob Dylan.

Angelo Moore of Fishbone

Angelo Moore of FishboneSongwriter Interviews

Fishbone has always enjoyed much more acclaim than popularity - Angelo might know why.

Glen Ballard

Glen BallardSongwriter Interviews

Glen Ballard talks about co-writing and producing Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill album, and his work with Dave Matthews, Aerosmith and Annie Lennox.

Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles

Timothy B. Schmit of the EaglesSongwriter Interviews

Did this Eagle come up with the term "Parrothead"? And what is it like playing "Hotel California" for the gazillionth time?