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
Thank You Goodnight
All Star United Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I have been a cause for concern
"Hallelujah" all the angels sing
When castaways choose to return
And so before this sun sets
I will rest with no regrets
I'm ending with a phrase
Thank You, goodnight
At the end of the day
You've taken me somewhere
Thank you, goodnight
All the love that You gave
Has taken me somewhere good
Gone is my eloquence
Apologies come easy for some
With a Saviour, this is making sense
I'm sotty for the things I've become
And so before I lay down
I'm making my rebound
By ending with a phrase
Tonight I'm crawling
Back from the fallen
Like a desperate stray
To where I was before I fell away
In All Star United's song "Thank You Goodnight," the singer acknowledges his faults and asks for forgiveness. The lyrics reveal a sense of vulnerability and reflect the singer's desire to start anew. The opening lines, "O Lord, it's embarrassing, I have been a cause for concern," indicate that the singer is ashamed of his past actions and wants to make amends. The following line, "Hallelujah all the angels sing, when castaways choose to return," suggests that even when someone falls short, they can always be redeemed and welcomed back with open arms.
As the song progresses, the singer continues to express his gratitude for the love and forgiveness he has received. He admits that his eloquence is gone and apologizes easily, but he has found solace in his faith. The line "With a Saviour, this is making sense, I'm sorry for the things I've become" reinforces the idea that the singer recognizes his flaws and wants to rectify them. The final lines of the song, "Tonight I'm crawling back from the fallen, like a desperate stray, to where I was before I fell away," show the singer's determination to make things right and return to a better version of himself.
Overall, "Thank You Goodnight" is a powerful message about redemption and the ability to start over. It encourages listeners to acknowledge their mistakes and seek forgiveness, and reminds them that it is never too late to make a change.
Line by Line Meaning
O Lord, it's embarrassing
I feel ashamed for my actions and mistakes
I have been a cause for concern
My behavior and choices raised concerns in others
"Hallelujah" all the angels sing
There is rejoicing in heaven when people return to God
When castaways choose to return
People who were once lost can find their way back to God
And so before this sun sets
Before the day ends
I will rest with no regrets
I will be at peace with my decisions and reconcile with God
I'm ending with a phrase
I'm concluding with a statement
Thank You, goodnight
Expressing gratitude and bidding farewell
At the end of the day
When everything is said and done
You've taken me somewhere
God has led me to a better place
All the love that You gave
God's love is what has saved me
Has taken me somewhere good
The result of God's love and guidance is a positive outcome for my life
Gone is my eloquence
I am no longer able to express myself effectively
Apologies come easy for some
It is easy to admit when I'm wrong and ask for forgiveness
With a Savior, this is making sense
Through Jesus, everything has become clear and purposeful
I'm sotty for the things I've become
I am repentant for my past mistakes and behaviors
And so before I lay down
Before I go to bed
I'm making my rebound
I am taking steps to turn my life around
Tonight I'm crawling
I am humble and on my knees before God
Back from the fallen
Returning to God after straying away
Like a desperate stray
Feeling lost and in need of guidance
To where I was before I fell away
Returning to a previous state of being connected to God
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: IAN ASHLEY ESKELIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind