While creating Helplessness Blues, Pecknold broke up with his then girlfriend of five years.

Pecknold told Q magazine:

We ended up breaking up because of the record, it took all of my attention and my capacity for being present in the moment."

The break-up is reflected upon the lyrics of the song. Pecknold further explained to Q magazine:

‘Bedouin Dress’ is about how in relationships I’ve felt that I’ve had a lot of capacity to give back. And sometimes that’s because I’ve been so focused on music. If I wasn’t really driven to make records, I don’t even know if I would have those thoughts. It’s a weird self-fulfilling prophecy."