Augustana is an alternative rock (or piano rock) band that originally met a… Read Full Bio ↴Augustana is an alternative rock (or piano rock) band that originally met and formed at Greenville College in Greenville, Illinois, United States. The original band members included Dan Layus, Josiah Rosen, Simeon Lohrmann, and Kyle Baker. The band recorded Midwest Skies and Sleepless Mondays on campus in early 2003. After locally releasing their Mayfield EP, the band parted ways with drummer Kyle Baker and bass player Simeon Lohrmann; and added Josh Calhoun (drums) and Jared Palomar (originally keys, moved to bass guitar) to the lineup. Soon after, the band decided to quit school and head to Los Angeles in search of a label. Augustana quickly signed by Epic Records in California during 2004. Josh Calhoun was replaced by Justin South. Their first major-label album, All the Stars and Boulevards, was produced by Epic Records and catapulted them into the spotlight. The band is perhaps best known for its single, Boston, whose music video features the lead singer on a beach full of pianos and was featured on the WB show "One Tree Hill." Their music has also been largely played on NBC's comedy, Scrubs. Characterized by piano lines and the breathy vocals of Dan Layus (the lead singer), Augustana's sound is at once contemplative and slow, but also captivating. Josiah Rosen left the band in April of 2006. Chris Sachtleben replaced Josiah. David Lamoureux also parted ways with the band end of 2006/early 2007. John Vincent replaced David.

In early 2014 the band announced that they had signed with Razor & Tie. On April 22, 2014, Augustana released the album, Life Imitating Life. On September 2, 2015, Augustana release three new tracks ("Climb", "Must Be Love" and "You Can Have Mine").

In 2016, they began touring as an opener for the Dixie Chicks on their DCX MMXVI World Tour. On August 3, 2016, Augustana's social media sites changed their named to Dan Layus, the name of the sole remaining founding member and lead singer/songwriter. Dan Layus released the album, "Dangerous Things," on October 21, 2016.

The band members are:
Dan Layus (lead vocals, piano, guitar)
Jared Palomar (bass, keyboards, vocals)
Chris Sachtleben (lead guitar, mandolin)
Justin South (drums)
John Vincent (keyboards, vocals)

Former band members include:
Simeon Lohrmann (bass, vocals)
Josiah Rosen (lead guitar, vocals)
Kyle Baker (drums)
Josh Calhoun (drums)
David Lamoureux (keyboards, vocals)

Either Way I'll Break Your Heart Someday
Augustana Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

All I have are the way things go
Well I don't know
I just don't know
Make up some simple lies
And compromise
How I live

[Chorus]

Cuz' either way I'll break your heart someday
But leaving you is the last thing on my mind
So when I call
Baby kiss me slow so I don't forget my way back home
When its cold

Sail away
On a wayward ship
With candy lips in my grip
Cheap perfume
Oh it never lies
It can't surprise
Any good advice

[Chorus]

Well I miss you in the winter
Your friends say I should listen
Can't you see I've loved you all along
Well if America don't like me
You can say I finally
The kind of man who only likes the gun
Shoot anyone, shoot anyone

[Chorus]

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Augustana's song "Either Way I'll Break Your Heart Someday" reflect the struggles of a man who, despite his best intentions, knows that he will eventually hurt the person he loves. The opening lines "All I have are the way things go, Well I don't know, I just don't know" show that the singer is uncertain about his ability to control the fate of his relationship. He is at a crossroads, hesitant to speak openly and honestly about his feelings, and instead resorts to telling "simple lies and compromise" to keep up appearances. The chorus, "Either way I'll break your heart someday, But leaving you is the last thing on my mind, So when I call, Baby kiss me slow so I don't forget my way back home, When it's cold" highlights the theme of inevitability in his situation. The singer knows he's going to hurt his partner, but he can't help but keep their romance going.

The second verse juxtaposes an idyllic image of being on a "wayward ship" with a more sordid reality of holding "candy lips in [his] grip" and the "cheap perfume" that deceives him into thinking everything is alright. The lines "Can't you see I've loved you all along, Well if America don't like me, You can say I finally, The kind of man who only likes the gun, Shoot anyone, shoot anyone" speak to a deeper insecurity within the singer. He knows he can't change the path he's on but still wants to be loved, to the point where he's willing to act out in dangerous ways.

In conclusion, "Either Way I'll Break Your Heart Someday" is a poignant song about navigating the difficulties of love and the heart-wrenching sacrifices people sometimes have to make. The song is a reminder that sometimes, no matter how much you care for someone, you can't help but break their heart.

Line by Line Meaning

All I have are the way things go
All I have is the knowledge that life is unpredictable

Well I don't know
I am unsure of the future

I just don't know
I'm completely uncertain about what will happen next

Make up some simple lies
I tell white lies to protect your feelings

And compromise
I am willing to make concessions to keep the relationship going

How I live
This is how I choose to live my life

[Chorus]
Refrain

Cuz' either way I'll break your heart someday
I know that eventually I'll hurt you

But leaving you is the last thing on my mind
I want to stay with you even though I know I'll hurt you eventually

So when I call
When I contact you

Baby kiss me slow so I don't forget my way back home
Kiss me so I remember how much I need you