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
Independently Happy
Blue October Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I feel there's the water. Should I sink or dive?
An empty plate, fill up my sentimental morning star.
I steal the art of putting truth in a lie.
I still want the girl that really caught my eye.
But, she lives in Oklahoma City, far away from me.
An empty hope chest.
Quit the dope quest,
I'm finally happy ... happy ... independently happy ...
I deal with that fact that I've forgotten the worst.
I feel that my social behavior may seem somewhat unrehearsed.
Another page,
A sullen rage,
And I'll be back to my normal self.
And I'm finally happy ... happy ... independently happy ...
I drive to the edge of my considerable plain.
I apologize to the people I hurt on the way.
I wipe the slate clean
I kick the daydream,
And remain independently happy.
I'm finally happy ... happy ... independently happy ...
In Blue October's "Independently Happy," the singer grapples with difficult feelings and choices about letting go of the past and present. The opening lines express the difficulty of saying goodbye and the fear of making the wrong choice. The singer feels as though sinking or diving is the only path ahead, as in, there is no neutral position to take. The idea of an empty plate being filled with a sentimental morning star suggests that the singer wants to remain optimistic that things will get better, even if it takes time.
However, the next line seems to directly contradict it. Speaking of stealing the art of putting truth in a lie, it suggests that the singer is not completely honest with himself or others. The line about the girl who lives far away is another point of conflict - the singer still wants her, but acknowledges that being together may not be possible. The empty hope chest and quitting the dope quest both seem to suggest that the singer is trying to let go of certain things that were holding him back before, perhaps paving the way for him to be independently happy.
The second verse begins on an interesting note - that the singer has forgotten the worst. It's unclear exactly what "worst" refers to here, but it seems that the singer is trying to move forward from something difficult. Social behavior feels unrehearsed, which could suggest that the singer is struggling to find his footing in social situations, or even just in life in general. The sullen rage line is somewhat ambiguous, but could suggest that the singer is dealing with intense emotions that he isn't sure what to do with.
Finally, the singer is driving to the edge of their considerable plain - it's unclear if this is a physical or metaphorical place. The line about apologizing to those hurt along the way suggests that the singer recognizes that they may have caused pain to others along the way, but is moving past that now. By wiping the slate clean and kicking the daydream, the singer is making a conscious effort to move forward and remain independently happy.
Line by Line Meaning
I feel that it's hard enough to say goodbye
I find it difficult to bid farewell to things that matter to me.
I feel there's the water. Should I sink or dive?
I am at a crossroad and unsure whether to succumb to the pressure or take a leap of faith.
An empty plate, fill up my sentimental morning star.
I feel empty and want to fill the void with something that reminds me of better times.
I steal the art of putting truth in a lie.
I am capable of twisting reality to make myself or a situation look better than it actually is.
I still want the girl that really caught my eye.
I am still infatuated with the girl who left a lasting impression on me.
But, she lives in Oklahoma City, far away from me.
Unfortunately, she resides in another city, separating us by distance.
An empty hope chest.
I feel hopeless and discouraged.
Quit the dope quest,
I need to let go of my search for temporary solutions and quick fixes.
And remain independently happy.
I choose to find happiness on my own, independently, without any external sources.
I'm finally happy ... happy ... independently happy ...
I have finally found inner peace and happiness on my own terms.
I deal with that fact that I've forgotten the worst.
I have come to terms with the fact that I have forgotten the negative things that haunted me in the past.
I feel that my social behavior may seem somewhat unrehearsed.
I tend to come across as awkward and unpolished in social situations.
Another page,
I am ready to turn the page and move on.
A sullen rage,
I am feeling angry and bitter about something specific.
And I'll be back to my normal self.
I will return to my usual, balanced self after overcoming the current situation.
I drive to the edge of my considerable plain.
I explore the boundaries of my own capabilities and potential.
I apologize to the people I hurt on the way.
I reflect on my actions and take responsibility for any pain I may have caused others.
I wipe the slate clean
I strive to leave the past behind and start anew.
I kick the daydream,
I let go of unrealistic fantasies and focus on reality.
And remain independently happy.
I choose to find happiness within myself and not depend on others for it.
I'm finally happy ... happy ... independently happy ...
I have found true happiness and contentment, on my own terms, without relying on anyone else.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JUSTIN S FURSTENFELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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.