The first ASU incarnation came together in 1996 when founding member Ian Eskelin decided to broaden his solo act and take a bunch of mates out on the road. The good old rock 'n' roll and notorious stage antics won them immediate acclaim.
Heady days ensued. The boys were signed to a leading record label, and after five No. 1 singles, watched their American youth group following grow into a legion of loyal fans. Over the past six years ASU has played more than 1000 shows. And only recently, during a rare yearlong break from the road in 2000, Ian took time to properly court and wed his new bride Peggy. The couple lives in Nashville, Tennessee, as do the newest faces in the ASU line-up.
Brothers Matt and Mike Payne, originally from Rockford, Illinois, have joined Ian on drums and guitar respectively, and Jeremy Hunter, a Seattle-native, is bassist and Revolution recording engineer. While the four-piece ASU team worked on the new album they took the time to rethink the ASU platform. Ian wanted to communicate something more personal. "I've written all kinds of songs, but the thing I really love and get most excited about is when I write songs that express my faith in three minutes in new and creative ways. That for me is an outpouring of my faith, my calling."
Certainly Ian's savvy use of metaphor, imagery and twisted cliché could charm a literature student for hours. His song-writing skills are clearly illustrated throughout the new record and particularly in songs like the Lennonesque "We Are The Future" and title track "Revolution". "Sweet Jesus" and the worshipful "Making It Beautiful" are perhaps more obvious in their spiritual message, but the common thread of all the tracks is the one thought-provoking challenge that Ian claims has never been more pertinent. "There are several songs on this new record that talk about change, the idea that we can make our lives better by helping to make the world better. Each of us, individually through Christ can make small differences. More than ever, I feel these songs are relevant — no matter what the circumstances of the day."
Revolution was two-and-a-half years in the writing and is the result of an artist honing his craft while personally living the themes of exploration, change, discovery and challenge. Ian has remained very "hands-on" in the production and long-term friend Mark Freegard (Manic Street Preachers, Del Amitri, and The Breeders) has mixed Revolution and ASU's self-titled debut album. Ian is not shy to express his satisfaction. "It's a ten song record and I really tried hard to trim the fat. I wanted the album to have a strong message and for people to be able to enjoy listening to every song. The guys are extremely talented musicians and really helped me with a fresh perspective on these songs."
Musically, Ian, Matt, Mike and Jeremy promise more emphasis on solid rock 'n' roll fundamentals without loosing the fun elements fans have come to love. "It's been easy to perform the songs on Revolution with the same excitement we had when we first started. The new material is written from the heart, and I feel extremely passionate about it. I want the music to be as important to the listener as it is for me. Whether in a car, living room or concert hall, I want people to leave an ASU experience reflective, energized and uplifted."
From http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/artists/allstarunited.html
If We Were Lovers
All Star United Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Conversing with the stars to fathom why
They're not afraid to burn
To lose themselves while turning into light
If we were Lovers
Like we were meant to be
Open arms, broken hearts All the world to see
If we were Lovers
Loving like we say
Oh the ghosts of doubt
Would crash and burn away
If we were Lovers
The obvious
Will be implied
From the simple implications of our lives
If we don't get it right
I guess they're gonna wait a long, long time
An extraordinary Love
offers heal for hurt and kind for cruelty
Words are not enough
Revolution might begin with you and me
[Repeat: x6]
If we were Lovers
Then we would Love
The lyrics of "If We Were Lovers" by All Star United speak to the idea of love beyond just the physicality of a relationship. The song starts off by talking about taking a walk into the sky and conversing with the stars to understand why they are not afraid to burn and lose themselves while turning into light. This metaphor of burning and losing oneself can be seen as a representation of the vulnerability and sacrifice that comes with truly loving someone. The chorus goes on to say that if they were lovers, they would love as they were meant to be, with open arms and broken hearts, and the world would see their love. The ghosts of doubt would crash and burn away if they were lovers.
The song speaks to the power of love to heal hurt and kindness to combat cruelty. The lyrics suggest that love can be revolutionary and that it starts with individuals, like the singer and their hypothetical lover in the song. The last verse suggests that while the idea of love and what it can do is obvious, it's not always easy to implement in real life. However, the chorus repeats that if they were lovers, they would love.
Overall, "If We Were Lovers" encourages listeners to embrace the vulnerability and sacrifice that comes with true love and to recognize the transformative power of love.
Line by Line Meaning
Let's take a walk into the sky
Let's think bigger and beyond what is expected or known to explore the unknown and unexplored possibilities of our lives.
Conversing with the stars to fathom why
Looking for answers and inspiration in the universe so vast, we seek to find our place and purpose in this world.
They're not afraid to burn
The stars remind us to embrace our fears and take risks that may come with a price but are worth the experience and learning we gain from them.
To lose themselves while turning into light
The stars show that shedding our old ways to transform into something more beautiful and meaningful is the path of enlightenment and growth.
If we were Lovers
If we were truly committed to loving and caring for each other, our lives would be changed forever in a positive way.
Like we were meant to be
The depth and intensity of our love is not something that can be measured or limited - it just is.
Open arms, broken hearts
To love fully is to also risk getting hurt, but having an open mind and heart is what allows us to experience meaningful connections with others.
All the world to see
Our love is not just confined to us - it radiates out to others and makes the world a slightly better and brighter place.
Loving like we say
True love is not something only expressed in words, but something we live out each and every day by showing compassion, generosity, and kindness to others.
Oh the ghosts of doubt
Doubts and fears often hold us back from experiencing true love and connection with others, preventing us from experiencing the richness and depth of life.
Would crash and burn away
If we face our doubts and fears with courage and take a leap of faith to love others, our anxieties would dissolve and make way for authentic and meaningful relationships.
The obvious
Although it may seem simple and straightforward, living out true love is far from easy and can be full of challenges and obstacles.
Will be implied
In showing love and care for others, we communicate our deepest intentions and values without needing to articulate these things to the world.
From the simple implications of our lives
Our actions and relationships communicate far more than our words ever could, showing others what we truly think and feel as we live out our daily lives.
If we don't get it right
If we fail to embrace and live out love in its fullest form, we risk living a life that is lacking in meaning and depth, leaving us feeling unfulfilled and unsatisfied.
I guess they're gonna wait a long, long time
The benefits of genuine and selfless love are not always apparent or immediate, requiring patience and perseverance to reap their rewards.
An extraordinary Love
The kind of love that is transformative and life-changing requires depth, intensity, and selflessness that is rarely seen in day-to-day life.
Offers heal for hurt and kind for cruelty
True love heals deep emotional wounds and replaces cruelty and violence with kindness, compassion, and understanding.
Words are not enough
Love requires more than just lip service - it requires action and a commitment to going above and beyond to show others that we care and value them.
Revolution might begin with you and me
By embracing and living out love in its fullest form, we have the power to inspire and transform the world around us, bringing about positive change and revolutionizing the world in which we live.
[Repeat: x6] If we were Lovers
The repetition of this phrase emphasizes the importance of love and the transformative power it has over our lives, communicating that true love is something worth striving for and embracing.
Then we would Love
If we fully embrace and live out love in all its forms, our lives would be forever changed for the better, allowing us to connect with others in a deep, meaningful way.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVE CLO, DOUGLAS KAINE MCKELVEY, IAN ASHLEY ESKELIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind