Current members of Blue October include Justin Furstenfeld (lead vocals), Ryan Delahoussaye (violin/viola, mandolin, keyboards, and vocals), Jeremy Furstenfeld (drums, percussion), Matt Noveskey (bass guitar) and Will Knaak (guitar).
Popularized by their platinum-certified album Foiled (2006), which features the hit singles “Hate Me” and “Into the Ocean,” the group has continued to evolve… shifting from a far more pensive sound to one that is more optimistic and reflective of lead singer/songwriter/guitarist Justin Furstenfeld’s transformation—which will also be the focus of his soon-to-be-released documentary film, I Want It.
Once known for their stormy dynamic and self-destructive tendencies, Blue October couldn’t be more distinct from the band it once was, which is why their latest studio album, I Hope You’re Happy, looks to push the envelope even further with a whole new approach. Justin Furstenfeld is quoted as saying "I think Blue October should never be limited to the instruments we have in the band. I’m always about bringing in whoever can play what’s best for the song in. I’m also a huge fan of Peter Gabriel, and if you were to him all you can have is a guitarist a bassist and a drummer, he’d go “what?!” That’s how I feel. We took all the tools we had gotten from working all these kinds of people over the twenty-year span and made a really good album and we’re super proud of it. It’s nice and colorful and positive and universally themed. It’s something you can really sink your teeth into and not get sick of. You can always discover little new secrets about it along the way."
Their latest album, I Hope You're Happy, was released on August 17, 2018 on the band's own Up/Down Records label and was produced by Justin Furstenfeld and engineer Eric Holtz.
Previous band members have included Liz Mulally, Brant Coulter, Dwayne Casey, Piper Dagnino, Julian Mandrake, CB Hudson and Matthew Ostrander.
Blue October has an official site www.blueoctober.com/.
For the British band, please see Blue October UK
Graceful Dancing
Blue October Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That choked your reality
It's all in your mind, he said
You have to keep graceful dancing
I close the door on the war
I started last Halloween
I'm gonna be fine again
I have to keep graceful dancing, oh
Here we are
And you're a superstar on your own
And I'm looking over your shoulder
Getting older, and God only knows
Here we are
And you're a superstar on your own
Yeah, here we are
The sunset rains like a bullet-hole
Trees only seem for hanging
The moon is a target range
And rivers seem only for drowning
You bawl the blame
Then you starve to finish your painting
It's gonna take time, my friend
You have to keep graceful dancing, oh
Here we are
And you're a superstar on your own
And I'm looking over your shoulder
Getting older, and God only knows
Here we are
And you're a superstar on your own
Now, here we are, yeah, yeah
Who knows?
Here we are
And you're a superstar on your own
And I'm looking over your shoulder
Getting older, and God only knows
Here we are
And you're a superstar on your own
Now, here we are
Oo-oo
It's what I gotta keep telling myself
It's what I gotta keep telling myself
What I gotta keep telling myself
Ah, ah-ah, ah-ah, ah
Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah
Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah
In Blue October's song "Graceful Dancing," the lyrics describe the struggle to overcome past pain and maintain a positive mindset. The first verse talks about the struggle to overcome the pain that "choked your reality," which is all in your mind, according to someone else. Despite this, the singer has to keep "graceful dancing" and move past the pain. The second verse describes the feeling of getting older and looking up to someone who has become a "superstar." The sunset is a symbol of violence, and the trees seem only for hanging, alluding to the hopelessness of the situation. Despite this, the singer tries to continue being graceful and focusing on their art, which will take time to finish.
The chorus repeats the theme of being on your own and feeling like a superstar but also getting older. It's a bittersweet feeling, acknowledging that you've accomplished something but also realizing that time is fleeting. The bridge repeats the same lines about being a superstar but with added emphasis, almost as a reminder to the singer to believe in themselves. The song ends with the singer telling themselves they have to keep telling themselves everything they've just sung about, as if trying to reinforce the lesson.
Overall, "Graceful Dancing" is a song that deals with the struggle to keep moving forward despite past trauma and the difficulties of life. The imagery of the sunset, trees, and rivers all evoke feelings of hopelessness, but the singer tries to remain graceful and hopeful in the face of everything. It's a reminder that life isn't easy, but we have to keep going and dancing through the pain.
Line by Line Meaning
Describe the pain
Share the emotional hurt that you're experiencing
That choked your reality
That caused life to become overwhelming
It's all in your mind, he said
Someone told you that the pain isn't real and it's just your perception
You have to keep graceful dancing
Despite the pain, you need to keep moving forward with poise and grace
I close the door on the war
I am putting an end to the internal struggle that began last Halloween
I started last Halloween
The battle within oneself began on Halloween
I'm gonna be fine again
I will recover
Here we are
We are both present
And you're a superstar on your own
You are amazing and talented, even without anyone else's validation
And I'm looking over your shoulder
I am watching and supporting you
Getting older, and God only knows
With time, we age and the future is uncertain
The sunset rains like a bullet-hole
The beautiful scenery is marred by past pain and hurt
Trees only seem for hanging
Nature appears to only offer opportunities for ending life
The moon is a target range
Even the moon provides a setting that feels like a warzone
And rivers seem only for drowning
Even the peaceful rivers seem to offer tragic endings
You bawl the blame
You cry and lament that you're at fault
Then you starve to finish your painting
You work through the pain, sacrificing for your passion
It's gonna take time, my friend
Recovery and progress take time
Who knows?
The future is uncertain
Oo-oo
Inarticulate vocalization, serves as a bridge between lines
It's what I gotta keep telling myself
I frequently remind myself of this fact
Ah, ah-ah, ah-ah, ah
Vocalization, serves as a refrain
Contributed by Peyton G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
BlizzardBeaches
on Congratulations
Spent many nights in 2006 crying myself to sleep listening to this song from Blue October's Foiled album. Although different than the interpreted mean, It helped me realize that often times a relationship is dead long before it's over.