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.
Living in Your Letters
Dashboard Confessional Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But you're going on nonetheless
And there's nothing to cushion your heart
Let it fall
Letters from further away
Keep pulling me close to home
And there's something to cushion my callus size
Long, good goodbyes
Embracing for forever
And falling in your eyes, in your eyes, your eyes
Pouring over photographs
I'm living in your letters
Breathe deeply from this envelope
It smells like you
And I can't be
Without that scent
It's filling me with
All you mean to me
To me
Continually failing these trials
But you stand by me nonetheless
And you won't let me sink
Though I'm begging you, I'm begging you
Phone calls from further away
And messages on my machine
But I don't ever tell you this distance seems terrible
And there's no need to test my heart
With useless space
These rows go on forever
There'll always be a place
For you
In my heart
So I'll hit the pavement
It's gotta be better
Than waiting
And pushing you far away
'Cause I'm scared
So I'll take my chances
And head on my way
Up there
'Cause turning to you
Is like falling in love when you're ten
The song "Living in Your Letters" by Dashboard Confessional talks about the difficulties of being in a long-distance relationship. The singer confesses to always assuming the worst but understands that their partner is moving on despite the distance. The lyrics express the struggle to deal with an emotionally taxing relationship and the yearning to be with someone they love.
The lyrics say that the letters sent by the partner is a way of keeping the singer connected to home. The fragrance of the letters reminds the singer of their partner and fills them with what their partner means to them. The singer also talks about how they fail in trials continuously, but their partner still supports them. The song reflects the internal conflict of the singer about pushing their partner away or taking chances and being with them, which feels like falling in love at the age of ten.
The song's lyrics give a melancholic vibe about the difficulties of being in a long-distance relationship, making them relatable to many who have experienced the same. The song expresses the power of memories and how they can bring people close in a situation where there is physical distance. Overall, the song is a powerful expression of long-distance relationships and the challenges that come along.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm always assuming the worst
I tend to have negative thoughts and anticipate unpleasant outcomes.
But you're going on nonetheless
Despite my negative thoughts and predictions, you continue with your actions and decisions.
And there's nothing to cushion your heart
You're taking risks and making choices that expose your heart to possible pain and disappointment.
Let it fall
Embrace the impact of your choices and face whatever comes.
Letters from further away
I receive letters from a distance that separates us physically.
Keep pulling me close to home
The letters serve as a reminder of home and give me a sense of closeness to you.
And there's something to cushion my callus size
The letters serve as an emotional cushion for my hard, indifferent exterior.
And I know that you hope for
I'm aware of your desire for
Long, good goodbyes
You want our goodbyes to be long and meaningful.
Embracing for forever
Wanting to embrace each other for eternity.
And falling in your eyes, in your eyes, your eyes
Losing myself in your gaze and falling in love with you over and over again.
Pouring over photographs
I'm studying photographs of us, examining every detail.
I'm living in your letters
I'm able to live and relive moments with you through the letters.
Breathe deeply from this envelope
Inhaling the scent of you from the envelope brings me comfort.
It smells like you
The scent is distinctively yours, reminding me of your presence.
And I can't be
I can't exist
Without that scent
Without the scent of you, my existence would feel incomplete.
It's filling me with
It's imbuing me with
All you mean to me
All that you signify to me.
To me
Personally and profoundly.
Continually failing these trials
I keep stumbling in these challenges and tests.
But you stand by me nonetheless
Despite my failures, you remain supportive and loyal.
And you won't let me sink
You won't let me descend or fail completely.
Though I'm begging you, I'm begging you
Even though I plead with you
Phone calls from further away
I receive calls from far away
And messages on my machine
My answering machine records messages from you.
But I don't ever tell you this distance seems terrible
I don't share with you how difficult it is to be apart from you.
And there's no need to test my heart
There's no reason to verify or challenge my devotion and love.
With useless space
With unnecessary distance between us.
These rows go on forever
These lines of distance seem endless and infinite.
There'll always be a place
I'll always reserve a spot
For you
For you and our relationship.
In my heart
In my deep affection and attachment.
So I'll hit the pavement
I'll take action and move forward
It's gotta be better
It has to result in a better outcome
Than waiting
Rather than being passive and waiting for things to happen.
'Cause I'm scared
Because I'm afraid.
So I'll take my chances
I'll take a hopeful risk
And head on my way
I'll move forward and strive towards my goals.
Up there
Towards new heights
'Cause turning to you
Because relying on you
Is like falling in love when you're ten
Feels innocent, pure and truly genuine.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CHRISTOPHER ANDREW CARRABBA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind