The band has released four EPs and two albums, titled Never Happy, Ever After, which was released by Fearless Records on 20 of April 2015 in Europe and on 21 April 2015 in the US. and okay., which was released on 20 January 2017.
As It Is has been described as a pop punk band with a "melodic, earnest, emo-inspired" sound, compared to the early material of Taking Back Sunday and The Starting Line. Their album Never Happy, Ever After has been described as emo and pop punk, while their album okay. takes a slightly heavier turn, while still keeping with their roots.
In October 2017, it was announced that Andy Westhead was no longer a member of As It Is, and the band would continue as a fourpiece into the future.
In 2018 the band released the emo and post-hardcore inspired album 'The Great Depression'.
Ronnie Ish joined As It Is as touring guitarist for Warped Tour but was eventually made a permanent member
As of January of 2021 both Ben Biss and Patrick Foley have stepped down as members.
In August of 2022, bassist Alistair Testo also left the band
Pretty Little Distance
As It Is Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wage a war on the world outside
Brace the barricade in my mind, but that's alright
I stretch the truths 'til they lose shape
As support beams bend and break
Watch reality's slow cascade, but that's alright
And I've been thinking…
Ain't life swell from a pretty little distance?
Why look twice at a beautiful existence?
I watch the sun dry out the grass
Hear the silence shatter glass
Feel perfection swerve and crash, but that's alright
Close my eyes, hope it all ends well this time
The lyrics of As It Is's song "Pretty Little Distance" reflect the contrasting desires of wanting to escape from reality and wanting to stay in the comfort of a peaceful existence. The opening lines, "I want to cross stitch shut my eyes, wage a war on the world outside, brace the barricade in my mind, but that's alright," express the desire to shut out the chaos of the world but also accepting the fact that the barricade is in their mind.
The following lines, "I stretch the truths 'til they lose shape, as support beams bend and break, watch reality's slow cascade, but that's alright," reflect the ways in which the harshness of reality can be molded into a more comfortable form, even if it's not entirely true. The idea of "watch[ing] reality's slow cascade" demonstrates the slow decay of their sense of reality.
The chorus, "Ain't life swell from a pretty little distance? I don't want to leave, I don't want to stay, why look twice at a beautiful existence?" speaks to how the singer acknowledges the beauty of a peaceful existence but also struggles with the fear of letting go of the comfort that comes with the distance. The final lines of the song, "Close my eyes, hope it all ends well this time," express the desire for a peaceful and positive future.
Line by Line Meaning
I want to cross stitch shut my eyes
I want to close my eyes tightly shut and not acknowledge what's happening.
Wage a war on the world outside
I want to fight the world outside to protect myself.
Brace the barricade in my mind, but that's alright
I'm trying to prepare myself mentally, and it's okay because I'm used to it.
I stretch the truths 'til they lose shape
I distort reality to fit my own needs and eventually it becomes unrecognizable.
As support beams bend and break
As the foundation of reality gradually falls apart, I lose my footing.
Watch reality's slow cascade, but that's alright
I'm seeing my perception of reality crumble, but I'm okay with it.
And I've been thinking…
I've been pondering recently...
Ain't life swell from a pretty little distance?
Life seems great when you're looking from afar without examining the details.
I don't want to leave, I don't want to stay
I don't want to commit one way or another.
Why look twice at a beautiful existence?
Why analyze or scrutinize something that looks great at first glance?
I watch the sun dry out the grass
I'm watching the world go by without truly experiencing it.
Hear the silence shatter glass
The silence is so powerful that it's disrupting the surroundings.
Feel perfection swerve and crash, but that's alright
The idealistic view is breaking down, but I'm okay with that.
Close my eyes, hope it all ends well this time
I'm hoping that things will turn out fine, but I'm not convinced.
Writer(s): Michael Joseph Green, Patrick Foley, Benjamin Langford-Biss, Patty Walters, Alistair Testo, Andrew Westhead
Contributed by Audrey K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Johnnie Guilbert
This song is some A+ stuff guys awesome job on it.
Jasmine Chavez
Hey johnnie here is your cheese pizza for my pizza party enjoy ☺️
landynistrash
Heeey Johnnie
Nisi
Johnnie Guilbert this guy sounds like a prepubescent 14 year old boy, he got the looks tho
cat boy liker
i see you everywhere lol <3
RoomieOfficial
Whoa I love this! So catchy!
R0tt1ng R0d3nt
ROOMIE?!
Onefinity Animations
My favorite youtuber, Joel from RoomieOfficial, listens to As It Is? A W E S O M E
JDub
Woah that is crazy
cryin with ryan
WHOA I DIDNT EXPECT YOU TO LISTEN TO THIS