The band endured many line-up changes throughout its existence, leaving Hoare as the only original member. In July 2012, Tony Gambino announced he was stepping down as lead vocalist with Sam Ryder taking his place.
The band was formed as a concept band in 2003 by Tyler Hoare. The original line-up consisted of vocalist Hugh Charron, bassist Joel Sauvé, guitarists Robbie Hart and Hoare, drummer Frank Shooflar, and keyboardist Simon Foxx. Their first album, All Is Fair in Love and War, was released on Blood and Ink Records in 2004.
Joel Sauvé and Hugh Charron departed in 2005. Hoare switched to bass and shred-style guitarist, "Shred" Sean Maier, from Long Island, joined. The band then began to change to a more 80s glam metal sound.
In January 2007, after the addition of vocalist Tony Gambino, they signed with Century Media Records. They recorded their second studio album, Pedal to the Metal, at The Farm in Vancouver, with producer Garth Richardson and engineer Ben Kaplan. The rest of 2007 was spent touring the US.
In early 2008, after a UK tour, rhythm guitarist, Robbie Hart and keyboardist Simon Foxx, both original members, were kicked out of the band. In mid 2008 they were joined by rhythm guitarist Casey Jones and keyboardist Slater, and took part in on the first annual Scream the Prayer Tour.
"Pedal to the Metal" was released by Century Media in Europe in August 2008 and the US in September 2008. After their headlining late 2008 European tour, original drummer Frank Shooflar left to pursue his career as a record producer and songwriter, Slater then moved to drums and former Still Remains keyboardist Ben Schauland was added, under the moniker "Rex Krueger".
Keyboardist Ben "Rex Krueger" Schauland left the band in mid 2010. Sam Ryder, then a member of The Morning After, played rhythm guitar on the band's European tour while Casey Jones stayed home to be present for the birth of his first child.
On June 24, 2011, Tooth & Nail Records released a video officially welcoming Blessed by a Broken Heart to the label's roster, in which the band announced that they were recording a new album. On September 30, the band announced that a song called "Deathwish" would be released on October 17, 2011 for the cost of a tweet, and would be the first single from the new album, Feel the Power, which was at the time planned for release on January 24, 2012. A second single, "Forever", was released on December 6, 2011, with an accompanying video premiering on January 17, 2012.
In July 2012, Gambino, announced his departure and rhythm guitarist Sam Ryder was announced as new vocalist. Ryder appeared on a standalone single, "Out of Control", released July 24, 2012.
On September 7, 2013, guitarist Sean Maier announced that the band was breaking up due to repeated legal struggles with record companies and lack of support from booking agencies. The post also stated that singer Sam Ryder would continue working as the frontman for Close Your Eyes and Maier would continue to work on his new project Shred Starz. Ryder left Close Your Eyes in December 2014, and found success as a solo artist.
The band reunited to play Montebello Rock Fest on June 24, 2017. The reunion lineup was Tony Gambino (vocals), Tyler Hoare (bass), "Shred" Sean Maier (guitar), Ian "Slater" Evans (drums), and Joel "Casey" Jones (guitar).
The band released a one-off re-recording of "Another Day Another War" on September 20, 2020.
Courting Mary
Blessed By A Broken Heart Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Aren't you tired of coming back for more
Can't you see that comfort is just a prayer away
So let your feet shatter the pavement
As you run from this pain
Racing your pulse beats faster
Don't look down you're almost there
vacant eys and shallow graves
A soul of lust controlled by flesh
An urge to be nothing more is sickening
They want to rape your sanctity and it's sickening
Shallow shallow moods to suit you,
deadly deadly looks to move you
Using a killer time with a touch of indescretion
The lyrics to Blessed By A Broken Heart's "Courting Mary" are an impassioned plea to someone who keeps falling into the same pattern of destructive behavior. The singer questions why this person feels the need to continually reduce themselves to their lowest point, and begs them to recognize that they don't have to keep coming back for more. Instead, the singer urges them to seek comfort through prayer and to run away from the pain they're experiencing.
The imagery in the song is evocative, with the singer describing someone racing toward a goal ("racing your pulse beats faster, don't look down you're almost there"), only to be disappointed by what they find ("searching but always finding vacant eyes and shallow graves"). The singer also touches on the themes of lust and control, noting that someone's desire to be nothing more than a vessel for pleasure is sickening. The song is a powerful call to break free from self-destructive patterns and seek out a better path.
Line by Line Meaning
Why must you reduce yourself to this
Why do you continue to subject yourself to this level of low self-worth and poor decision-making?
Aren't you tired of coming back for more
Don't you ever tire of repeating the same mistakes and experiencing the same pain?
Can't you see that comfort is just a prayer away
Realize that solace can be found easily with a simple plea for help.
So let your feet shatter the pavement
Let your determination to leave behind the past be reflected in every step you take.
As you run from this pain
Flee from the source of your suffering and seek out better circumstances.
Racing your pulse beats faster
Feeling adrenaline surge through your body as you hurry towards an uncertain future.
Don't look down you're almost there
Don't let momentary doubts distract you from the progress you've made and will continue to make.
Searching but always finding
Continuously searching for fulfillment, but never quite achieving the satisfaction you seek.
vacant eys and shallow graves
Surrounded by people with empty, shallow gazes and the grave reality of unfulfilled lives.
A soul of lust controlled by flesh
Consumed with desire and carnal impulses, neglecting the spiritual and emotional facets of human existence.
An urge to be nothing more is sickening
The desire to remain stagnant and never grow or change is a repugnant notion.
They want to rape your sanctity and it's sickening
Others wish to violate your personal convictions and values, which is a reprehensible act.
Shallow shallow moods to suit you,
Emotions and attitudes that are convenient for you, but devoid of genuine substance.
deadly deadly looks to move you
Facial expressions and body language that convey malice or danger, intended to intimidate or coerce you.
Using a killer time with a touch of indescretion
Participating in reckless, dangerous behavior for the sake of entertainment and with a disregard for the consequences.
Contributed by Julia N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Gary Coolboobs
im sad about how they changed their style. even if it wasnt the best sounding, they kinda had a tone that makes you wanna listen to them more. and what they write is deep. the reason why theres sighlence for a long time is because theres a mini song at the very end of the song but its on part two n starts at around 14 er something
NathanJ Rodey
Love the cleans in this one. Btw, one question dude, do you still love Geniene?
Iceman3524
how so? i think it rocks.