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.
Deathwish
Blessed By A Broken Heart Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She's like a psycho and she's ready to snap
Out for the thrill, shoot to kill
She's goin' down and there's no turning back
And now she's runnin'
But you know she won't get too far
And now she's gunnin'
You know your walls are closing in
Your shining light is drowing dim
Mama sold her soul to the devil
Traded a kiss for a birthday deathwish
Mama sold her soul to the devil
Traded her pain for the love of cocaine
Mama sold her soul to the devil
Traded a kiss for a birthday deathwish
Mama sold her soul
She sold her soul to the devil
Back for the attack
She's goin' hard and she's ready to track
You roll the dice
Pay the price
She's hit the bottom and there's no turnin' back
And now she's stumblin'
But you know she's far too gone
And now she's crumblin'
Death is callin' mama, please hold on
You know your walls are closing in
Your shining light is drowing dim
Mama sold her soul to the devil
Traded a kiss for a birthday deathwish
Mama sold her soul to the devil
Traded her pain for the love of cocaine
Mama sold her soul to the devil
Traded a kiss for a birthday deathwish
Mama sold her soul
Yeah, she sold her soul
I knew it was a problem
But not to this extent
I closed my eyes and mouth for way too long
I remember when you held me
And told me everything would be ok
Now all I have are these memories
And hopes for better days
You know your walls are closing in
Your shining light is drowing dim
Mama sold her soul to the devil
Traded a kiss for a birthday deathwish
Mama sold her soul to the devil
Traded her pain for the love of cocaine
Mama sold her soul to the devil
Traded a kiss for a birthday deathwish
Mama sold her soul
Mama sold her soul
She sold her soul to the devil
Mama sold her soul
SOLD HER SOUL
SOLD HER SOUL
SOLD HER SOUL
MAMA SOLD HER SOUL TO THE DEVIL
The song "Deathwish" by Blessed By A Broken Heart deals with the story of a woman who is completely consumed by her addiction and will do anything to get her fix. She is described as a psychopath who will stop at nothing to fulfill her addiction, even if it means putting her life in danger. The lyrics speak about how she has sold her soul to the devil and traded her pain and suffering for the love of cocaine. The theme of the song is how addiction takes hold of a person and slowly destroys everything that they once held dear.
The lyrics also touch upon the feeling of helplessness and despair that the singer feels as he watches his loved one spiral out of control. He remembers how she used to be, and how everything seemed perfect, but now all he has left are memories and hopes for better days. The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "She sold her soul to the devil" multiple times, adding a sense of finality and a warning of the destructive power of addiction.
Overall, the lyrics of "Deathwish" are a cautionary tale about the dangers of addiction and how it can consume a person's life completely. The bleak and melancholic tone of the song perfectly captures the emotions of the singer and the desperation of the situation.
Line by Line Meaning
Burn down the track
Start moving quickly and with great energy
She's like a psycho and she's ready to snap
She is behaving in a dangerous, irrational manner and is close to losing control
Out for the thrill, shoot to kill
She is seeking excitement and is willing to take dangerous risks
She's goin' down and there's no turning back
She is headed for disaster and cannot change course
And now she's runnin'
She is trying to escape the consequences of her actions
But you know she won't get too far
Her efforts to escape are unlikely to succeed
And now she's gunnin'
She is aggressively pursuing her goals
Just a matter of time before she loses it all
Her reckless behavior will catch up to her and result in her downfall
Your shining light is drowning dim
Your positive qualities and outlook are fading away
Mama sold her soul to the devil
She made a deal with the devil and gave up her values and morality
Traded a kiss for a birthday deathwish
She sacrificed her own well-being for a short-term pleasure that will ultimately lead to her demise
Traded her pain for the love of cocaine
She turned to drugs to escape her emotional pain, but only made things worse
Back for the attack
Returning with renewed energy and aggressiveness
You roll the dice
Taking a chance or risk with uncertain outcomes
Pay the price
There will be consequences for your actions
Death is callin' mama, please hold on
The consequences of her actions are catching up to her and she is on the brink of destruction
I knew it was a problem
I recognized that there was an issue or concern
But not to this extent
I did not realize the full extent or severity of the situation
I closed my eyes and mouth for way too long
I ignored the problem for a long time and failed to take action
Now all I have are these memories
I am left with only memories of better times
And hopes for better days
I still have optimism for the future
SOLD HER SOUL
Repeated emphasis on the fact that she made a deal with the devil and lost her moral compass
MAMA SOLD HER SOUL TO THE DEVIL
The central theme and message of the song
Contributed by Bentley L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.