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
HRSA
Blue October Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just to get over you
My belly aches blue
Lorazepam flu
I'm down for the count
Always three times a day
Sometimes four, sometimes four
A bee stings right through the arm
My eyes can't quite focus on
The nurse with my Lucky Charms
Well a two step was just a laugh
Our boundaries were broken in half
It's a good thing to know
As you walk into group for the show
Knock-knock on the window pane
My smoke break, the hour rang
My quiet roommate sleeps the same
Woke up when dinner came
The man's no more then forty old
Arrived scared two days ago
A family of earth and gold
But still nonetheless alone
I learned quick. Knew what to say
Three angels walked my way
In Spanish tongue they knelt to pray
And said "God, keep him safe
From screaming voices."
They became my family
Outstretched their hands on my head
You know, boy, I can feel them breathing
They actually knelt down and prayed for me
They actually knelt down and prayed for me
Don't you dare put me on HRSA.
Does self abuse extend your hospital stay?
I think I'll lie a bit
Lord I won't cry over anything
Over anything at all
Over anything at all
Over anything at all
I won't cry over anything
I won't cry over anything, no
No, I won't cry over anything
Over anything at all
The lyrics to Blue October's song HRSA tell the story of someone who has been admitted to a hospital, possibly for mental health reasons. The singer is going through a difficult time, likely related to a recent breakup, and is taking medications like lorazepam to cope with the pain. The vivid imagery of a bee sting and Lucky Charms cereal sensory experiences highlights the singer's detachment from reality and their struggle to cope.
The second verse tells the story of the singer's time in the hospital, where they encounter a new roommate who is also struggling with their own issues. However, the singer finds comfort and kinship in the form of three angels who pray for them in Spanish. This moment of connection and empathy becomes a defining moment in their hospital stay.
The chorus reveals the singer's fear of being placed on HRSA, which likely refers to a hold or restriction put on someone's discharge from a mental health facility due to self-harm or suicidal ideation. Despite this fear, the singer declares their resistance to crying over anything, even in the face of such intense emotions and experiences.
Overall, the lyrics of HRSA are a powerful and poignant exploration of mental health, love, and human connection.
Line by Line Meaning
Committed at twenty two
I was admitted to the psychiatric hospital when I was twenty-two years old.
Just to get over you
I was experiencing heartbreak and thought that the hospitalization would help me get over it.
My belly aches blue
I feel anxious and upset, like something is gnawing away at my insides.
Lorazepam flu
I'm experiencing withdrawal symptoms from taking the anti-anxiety medication Lorazepam.
I'm down for the count
I'm in a state of emotional defeat and exhaustion.
Always three times a day
I take medication three times a day to manage my mental health.
Sometimes four, sometimes four
Occasionally, I need to take my medication four times a day.
A bee stings right through the arm
I'm experiencing physical pain and discomfort.
The high swing I ride upon
I'm experiencing a range of intense emotions that are difficult to control.
My eyes can't quite focus on
I'm having trouble concentrating on anything.
The nurse with my Lucky Charms
The nurse brought me a box of Lucky Charms cereal, which is a small bright spot in an otherwise difficult time.
Well a two step was just a laugh
Dancing and laughing felt like a distant memory.
Our boundaries were broken in half
I've lost a sense of stability and normalcy.
It's a good thing to know
It's reassuring to know that I'm not alone in this experience.
As you walk into group for the show
Going to group therapy provides some sense of structure and purpose to my day.
Knock-knock on the window pane
Someone is knocking on the window to remind me to come back inside from my smoke break.
My smoke break, the hour rang
I'm taking a quick break from the hospital routine to smoke a cigarette before my next therapy session.
My quiet roommate sleeps the same
My roommate is sleeping and doesn't appear to be having a particularly difficult time compared to me.
Woke up when dinner came
My roommate woke up when the orderly brought dinner to our room.
The man's no more than forty old
There is a man in the hospital who is no more than forty years old.
Arrived scared two days ago
The man arrived at the hospital two days ago and appeared to be scared and anxious.
A family of earth and gold
The man is supported by a loving and loyal family.
But still nonetheless alone
Even with the support of his family, the man feels isolated in his mental health struggles.
I learned quick. Knew what to say
I've picked up on the norms and behaviors of the hospital relatively quickly.
Three angels walked my way
Three nurses approached me and provided some emotional support.
In Spanish tongue they knelt to pray
The nurses prayed for me in Spanish, which was comforting even though I didn't understand the language.
And said "God, keep him safe
From screaming voices."
The nurses prayed that I would be safe and protected from the intensity of my own thoughts.
They became my family
The nurses provided me with a sense of belonging and care that felt like family.
Outstretched their hands on my head
The nurses literally laid their hands on me for comfort.
You know, boy, I can feel them breathing
The nurses' touch felt so real and powerful that I could imagine the warmth of their breath on my skin.
Don't you dare put me on HRSA.
I don't want to be put on the HRSA (health services research and administration) list, which would mark me as someone with chronic mental health issues.
Does self abuse extend your hospital stay?
I'm questioning whether engaging in self-destructive behaviors would cause me to stay in the hospital longer.
I think I'll lie a bit
I might not be entirely truthful with my therapist because I don't want to stay in the hospital any longer than necessary.
Lord I won't cry over anything
I'm trying to remain emotionally stable and not let anything get to me.
Over anything at all
I'm not going to let myself get too emotional about anything, even if it's difficult.
I won't cry over anything
I refuse to let my emotions get the best of me, no matter how hard things get.
No, I won't cry over anything
I'm determined not to let anything break me down or make me cry, even in the face of adversity.
Over anything at all
I'm not going to let anything get to me, no matter how big or small the issue may be.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Justin S. Furstenfeld
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Christopher Katich
Been in the psychiatric hospital 3 times in my 30 years of life. This song hits home hard. Especially since self harm was a major part of it. To anyone out there thinking that giving up is an easy way out stop that, working on yourself is better than giving in to the darkness.
notyoursavior78
I need to get this actual album/cd sometime. I just adore this song. I own a couple others (Foiled and History for Sale).
J P
Very good albums I have all of the album's
darian symphorien
It just pains me how underrated this great band is
sidewalk381
i love this song. it one of my favorates
lidan666
this deserves so many more views and likes :I lets work on that together ppl!!!
Nachtwaechter
love their more agressive songs
Anthony Human
The guys just make it okay not to be okay.
69gummiworm
If you've ever been hospitalized for mental issues, this song hits fucking hard
Brian
been to 5 rehabs and no other song get's the jist of it better then this one.....