Chris recorded his first album, The Swiss Army Romance, in 2000. The following year, he recorded Further Seems Forever's debut album The Moon Is Down. However, he left the band soon after the album's release, instead recording and releasing his sophomore album The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most, as well as a follow-up EP titled So Impossible.
By 2002, three other musicians had joined the band, including former Further Seems Forever band mate Jerry Castellanos and started the process of recording the band's next album. After the success of his second album, Carrabba was asked to perform on MTV Unplugged, and the subsequent release marked the first time many of the songs were recorded with a full band.
Also in 2002, the music video for "Screaming Infidelities" won the coveted MTV2 award at the MTV Video Music Awards, beating out Norah Jones, The Strokes, The Hives, Nappy Roots and Musiq. This video starred Chris in both the performance and the storyline. The video was directed by Maureen Egan and Matthew Barry.
In 2003, the band released its third album A Mark, A Mission, A Brand, A Scar. Peaking at #2 on the United States Billboard charts, the album proved to be the band's most commercially-viable album yet. In the summer of 2004, Dashboard Confessional recorded the song "Vindicated" for the film Spider-Man 2. The song was featured on the soundtrack and played over the film's end credits. Because of this, the band gained a sizable audience for their next release the following summer.
In May of 2005, Dashboard Confessional entered the studio to record their fourth album with acclaimed producer, Daniel Lanois. The album was released on June 27, 2006; its first single was "Don't Wait". Following the release of Dusk and Summer, Dashboard Confessional went on a summer tour of the U.S. with special guests Say Anything and Ben Lee, followed by a co-headlining arena tour with alternative rock band Brand New.
In 2007, the band released its follow-up to Dusk and Summer, The Shade of Poison Trees.
During an interview with Billboard posted on September 11, 2007, Carrabba stated that he is 14 tracks into what would be the band's sixth studio album. He is also unsure about when it would be recorded, but plans to have 30 tracks to draw from. It may be a concept album: "only with the last three has it become, like, 'All right, these have a continuity and there's something going on,' so I'm excited to see where that leads".
The album, titled 'Alter The Ending', was released November 10 2009 (US). A two disc version of the album is available. In this edition, the first disc consists of full band workings of the twelve tracks while the second disc features acoustic versions akin to the first two Dashboard Confessional albums.
Carry This Picture
Dashboard Confessional Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tucked in your collar, close to your chest.
Make it a secret, shown to the closest friends.
And meet me at quarter to seven,
The sun will still shine then, at this time of year.
We'll head to the inlet. And we'll share a bottle there.
It's the most genuine thing I've ever seen.
I was so lost, but now, I believe.
And follor me south of the big docks, where they tether the boats,
And the rich men revere as so important, they hire our fathers to steer.
And down to the edge of the water,
Where we'll spill our guts,
And we'll name our fears. I'll give you this picture.
Kepp it and don't be scared.
And color the coast with your smile.
It's the most genuine thing I've ever seen.
I was so lost, but now, I believe in the coast,
Your smile is the most genuine thing I've ever seen.
I was so lost, but now, I believe
The song "Carry This Picture" by Dashboard Confessional tells the story of two individuals who are planning to meet and spend time together. The song's lyrics depict a moment in time where two people are experiencing a sense of openness and vulnerability with each other. The first verse tells the recipient of the message to carry a picture with them for good luck. The picture is kept secret and only shown to the closest friends. The two individuals plan to meet at quarter to seven, and the singer notes that the sun will still shine at that time of year. They plan to head to the inlet, where they'll share a bottle together.
The second verse takes the listener on a journey south of the big docks to the water's edge. The two plan to spill their guts and name their fears. The singer then gives the recipient the picture in question and encourages them not to be scared. The chorus reinforces the sincerity and genuineness of the recipient's smile, with the singer noting that they were lost, but now they believe in the coast (which is likely a metaphor for the person's inner being) and in their companion's smile.
Line by Line Meaning
Carry this picture for luck. Kept in a locket, Tucked in your collar, close to your chest.
Keep this picture with you as a symbol of good luck. Keep it close to your heart in a locket that's hidden from sight.
Make it a secret, shown to the closest friends.
Don't reveal this picture to just anyone. Share it only with your closest and most trusted friends.
And meet me at quarter to seven, The sun will still shine then, at this time of year.
Let's meet at 6:45 pm when it's still bright outside during this time of year.
We'll head to the inlet. And we'll share a bottle there.
We'll go to the inlet and share a bottle of something there together.
And color the coast with your smile It's the most genuine thing I've ever seen. I was so lost, but now, I believe.
Your smile is so genuine and beautiful. It has the power to brighten up even the darkest of places. I used to be lost, but now I believe.
And follow me south of the big docks, where they tether the boats, And the rich men revere as so important, they hire our fathers to steer.
Come with me to the south side of the big docks where the rich men command our fathers to steer their boats.
And down to the edge of the water, Where we'll spill our guts, And we'll name our fears. I'll give you this picture. Keep it and don't be scared.
Let's go down to the water's edge and open up to each other. We'll share our deepest thoughts and fears. I'll give you this picture as a reminder to not be scared.
And color the coast with your smile. It's the most genuine thing I've ever seen. I was so lost, but now, I believe in the coast, Your smile is the most genuine thing I've ever seen. I was so lost, but now, I believe
Once again, your beautiful smile has the power to bring light and color to even the most mundane of places. I used to be lost, but now I believe in myself and the world around me.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHRISTOPHER ANDREW CARRABBA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind