Signing with Indianola for their first album, And Their Name Was Treason (2005), Scruggs was replaced by Shelnutt in 2006. Later that year the band recorded For Those Who Have Heart (2007) for Victory. They embarked on several tours of the UK and U.S. and played at several festivals, before recording and releasing Homesick (2009). While promoting Homesick on tour, Denney was replaced by Skaff. Soon after releasing their next album, What Separates Me from You (2010), the band went on a worldwide tour to promote it. In 2011, the band was involved in a lawsuit with Victory over their recording contract, which was settled in October 2013. The band released their fifth album, Common Courtesy (2013), the same month.
Current Members:
Jeremy McKinnon – lead vocals (2003–present)
Neil Westfall – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2003–present)
Alex Shelnutt – drums (2006–present)
Kevin Skaff – lead guitar, backing vocals (2009–present)
Former members:
Joshua Woodard – bass guitar (2003–2004, 2004–2021
Tom Denney – lead guitar, backing vocals (2003–2009); session musician (2009–present)
Brandon Roberts – drums (2004)
Bobby Scruggs – drums (2003–2004, 2004–2006)
Jason – bass guitar (2004)
Discography
1. And Their Name Was Treason (2005)
2. For Those Who Have Heart (2007)
3. Homesick (2009)
4. What Separates Me from You (2010)
5. Common Courtesy (2013)
6. Bad Vibrations (2016)
7. You're Welcome (2021)
Sticks
A Day to Remember Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I paid the price, so I'll take what's mine
I bet you didn't see that one comin'
'Cause I do as I please and apologize for nothing
My time is flying but I'm still second to none
Always shining the brightest when I'm placed under the gun
So here I stand
I won't be held back
I can't be held down
Where were you
When my walls came falling down? (They came falling down)
You tried to hide, you stood close by
And didn't make a sound (say something)
Find you some paper and I'll go grab you a pen
You can start taking notes on this all starting again
Been dead last but found my way to the front
Said my inspirational quotes on why I never gave up
Where were you
When my walls came falling down? (They came falling down)
You tried to hide, you stood close by
And didn't make a sound
Where were you
When it all came back around? (It comes back around)
The reasons why you passed me by
Will always hold you down (say something)
If you can't stand the pressure
Stay the fuck out of my way (I know my place)
This one goes out to everyone who's lied to my face
My heart is filled with hate
I'm making a difference
I'm taking a chance (a chance)
You can say what you want about me
But no one can tell me I can't
Where were you
When my walls came falling down? (They came falling down)
You tried to hide, you stood close by
And didn't make a sound
Where were you
When it all came back around? (It comes back around)
The reasons why you passed me by
Will always hold you down (say something)
The lyrics of A Day to Remember's song Sticks & Bricks revolve around themes of perseverance, resilience, and overcoming adversity. The singer is fueled by his past failures and is determined to claim what is rightfully his. He takes pride in living life on his terms and refusing to apologize for his actions. Despite facing obstacles, he stands firm in his belief that he is destined for greatness and can never be held back. The chorus calls out those who were absent during their darkest moments and those who underestimated the singer's ability to succeed. The song concludes with a message of determination and triumph, as the singer affirms his ability to make a difference and take chances in his life.
The lyrics to the song stem from the personal struggles of A Day to Remember's lead singer, Jeremy McKinnon. The band was in a transitional period during the time of the song's creation, and McKinnon was facing writer's block and personal battles. The song's empowering message and lyrics were a response to these struggles, representing a type of musical therapy for the band.
Line by Line Meaning
I am fueled by all forms of failure
I draw motivation from past failures and use them to succeed in the present.
I paid the price, so I'll take what's mine
After enduring struggles and sacrifices, I deserve to claim what I've earned.
I bet you didn't see that one coming
I surprise others with my self-determined actions and decisions.
'Cause I do as I please and apologize for nothing
I am not subject to the opinions of others and will not apologize for being true to myself.
My time is flying but I'm still second to none
Although time passes quickly, I remain confident in my own abilities and worth.
Always shining the brightest when I'm placed under the gun
I excel and exceed expectations when put under pressure or in challenging situations.
So here I stand
I am confident in my position and standing in life.
The only son of a working class man
I come from humble beginnings and am proud of my roots.
I won't be held back
I will not allow anything or anyone to prevent me from reaching my goals.
I can't be held down
Nothing can keep me from rising up and succeeding.
Where were you
When my walls came falling down? (They came falling down)
When faced with hardship and failure, those close to me were absent and unhelpful.
You tried to hide, you stood close by
And didn't make a sound (say something)
Those who should have supported me instead chose to remain silent and uninvolved.
Find you some paper and I'll go grab you a pen
You can start taking notes on this all starting again
If you want to learn from my resilience and perseverance, take note of my actions as I begin anew.
Been dead last but found my way to the front
Despite starting from the bottom, I was able to overcome obstacles and reach the top.
Said my inspirational quotes on why I never gave up
Through sharing my experiences, I inspire others to persevere and never give up.
Where were you
When it all came back around? (It comes back around)
After succeeding, those who were not there for me during my struggles were still absent during my triumphs.
The reasons why you passed me by
Will always hold you down (say something)
The fact that you ignored or did not support me during my struggles will always weigh you down with guilt or regret.
If you can't stand the pressure
Stay the fuck out of my way (I know my place)
If you cannot handle the challenges or pressure of life, do not interfere with or hinder those who can.
This one goes out to everyone who's lied to my face
I am calling out and confronting those who have deceived or betrayed me.
My heart is filled with hate
I am consumed with negative emotions towards those who have wronged me.
I'm making a difference
I'm taking a chance (a chance)
I am making meaningful change and taking a risk to achieve my goals.
You can say what you want about me
But no one can tell me I can't
Others may criticize or doubt me, but only I have the power to believe in myself and my abilities.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Alexander Thomas Shelnutt, Jeremy Wade McKinnon, Joshua Steven Woodard, Kevin Skaff, Neil S Westfall
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kaiyang 01
[Intro]
I am fueled by all forms of failure
I paid the price, so I'll take what's mine
[Verse 1]
Oh, I bet ya didn't see that one coming
'Cause I do as I please, and apologize for nothing
My time is flying, but I'm still second to none
Always shining the brightest when I'm placed under the gun
[Pre-Chorus]
Goddamn! So here I stand
The only son of a working-class man
I won't be held back
I can't be held down
[Chorus]
Where were you when my walls came falling down?
They came falling down
You tried to hide, you stood close by
And didn't make a sound
Say something
[Verse 2]
Find you some paper, and I'll go grab you a pen
You can start taking notes on how this all started again
Been dead last, but found my way to the front
With my inspirational quotes on why I never gave up, what?
[Chorus]
Where were you when my walls came falling down?
They came falling down
You tried to hide, you stood close by
And didn't make a sound
Where were you when it all came back around?
It goes back around
The reasons why you passed me by
Will always hold you down
Say something
[Bridge]
If you can't stand the pressure
Stay the fuck out of my way, I know my place
This one goes out to everyone who's lied to my face
My heart is filled with hate
[Breakdown]
I'm making a difference
I'm taking a chance (a chance)
You can say what you want about me
But no one can tell me I can't
[Chorus]
Where were you when my walls came falling down?
They came falling down
You tried to hide, you stood close by
And didn't make a sound
Where were you when it all came back around?
It goes back around
The reasons why you passed me by
Will always hold you down
Say something
Caesar Ochoa
I am fueled by all forms of failure
I paid the price, so I'll take what's mine
Oh I bet ya didn't see that one coming
'Cause I do as I please, and apologize for nothing
My time is flying, but I'm still second to none
Always shining the brightest when I'm placed under the gun (God damn)
So here I stand
The only son of a working-class man
I won't be held back
I can't be held down
Where were you when my walls came falling down? (They came falling down)
You tried to hide, you stood close by, and didn't make a sound
Say something
Find you some paper, and I'll go grab you a pen
You can start taking notes on how this all started again
Been dead last, but found my way to the front
With my inspirational quotes on why I never gave up
Where were you when my walls came falling down? (They came falling down)
You tried to hide, you stood close by, and didn't make a sound
Where were you when it all came back around? (It goes back around)
The reasons why you passed me by will always hold you down
Say something
If you can't stand the pressure stay the fuck out of my way
I know my place
This one goes out to everyone who's lied to my face
My heart is filled with hate
I'm making a difference
I'm taking a chance (A chance)
You can say what you want about me
But no one can tell me I can't
Where were you when my walls came falling down? (They came falling down)
You tried to hide, you stood close by, and didn't make a sound
Where were you when it all came back around? (It goes back around)
The reasons why you passed me by will always hold you down
Say something
Sander Haraldseid
Still their best song in my opinion.
Johnny
I remember rocking out to this song freshman year when the RA of the college dorm wanted to charge me for “terrorism”. God bless
ViolentHuntsGaming
Definitely up there with last chance to dance, violence, looks like hell, and im made of wax
Eric Sullivan
They have too many best songs to count.
michael jones
I can’t make my mind up what my favourite song by them is, but this is definitely a contender
collin caulfield
Agreed bad assery to the next level.
ElGranticus25
Such an underrated ADTR song!! Stoked that I got to see them play it at least once 🤘🏻
M D
Honestly can't believe how 1:29 - 1:58 tugs straight at my soul. Like an anthem for all those that you expected to be there when you thought your world was caving in. In retrospect when I was 15 I was selfish and my world "caved in" daily...so at this point in my 30s I have respect for everyone back then and now that is dealing with their own shit daily and then going to bed every night planning to "rinse and repeat" tomorrow!! You guys are doing it right! Anyways sorry this turned into rambling, thanks for reading. Great song with powerful words!!
Moose
I love it. Sounds like their older stuff.
Atvena
they need to play this live more often...open the set with it.