The band was formed almost five years ago by Mike Eli who grew up just outside of Houston and James Young who hails from Irving, TX. After playing together as a duo they were later joined by drummer Chris Thompson of Colleyville, TX and bassist Jon Jones of Omaha, NE who all met while students at the University of North Texas at Denton, about 50 miles north of Dallas/Forth Worth. After graduating the group decided to stay in Denton and to this day make their home in the town.
Late in 2003 producer Frank Liddell (Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert, Chris Knight) attended a show at the Gypsy Tea Room where EYB was playing on the bill with Miranda Lambert. He was blown away by the show and wound up signing them to Carnival Recording Company soon after. In April 2005, the Eli Young Band released Level, marking their debut on Carnival.
Level has drawn comparisons to The Jayhawks in the plaintive "When It Rains". The band members, all in their early 20s, have proven to be adept at blending their musical influences into a cohesive sound on this effort. You can hear the heartland rock of John Mellencamp in the autobiographical "Small Town Kid" and the crying-in-your-beer band on the road saga "Highways and Broken Hearts." There's the grinding blues of the Black Crowes in "Bring It on Home," and the romantic lament of "That's the Way" and "Everything Is You."
Even If It Breaks Your Heart
Eli Young Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The fire got lit inside a bright-eyed child
Every note just wrapped around his soul
From steel guitars to Memphis, all the way to rock and roll
Oh, I can hear 'em playin'
I can hear the ringin' of a beat up ol' guitar
Oh, I can hear 'em singin',
Downtown is where I used to wander
Old enough to get there but too young to get inside
So I would stand out on the sidewalk
Listen to the music playin' every Friday night
Oh, I can hear 'em playin'
I can hear the ringin of a beat up ol' guitar
Oh, I can hear 'em singin,
"Keep on dreamin', even if it breaks your heart"
Some dreams stay with you forever
Drag you around but bring you back to where you were
Some dreams keep on gettin' better
Gotta keep believin' if you wanna know for sure
Oh, I can hear 'em playin'
I can hear the ringin of a beat up ol' guitar
Oh, I can hear 'em singin',
"Keep on dreamin', even if it breaks your heart"
Oh, I can hear 'em playin'
I can hear the ringin' of a beat up ol' guitar
Oh, I can hear 'em singin'
"Keep on dreamin, even if it breaks your heart"
Keep on dreamin, even if it breaks your heart
Oh oh oh, oh oh oh, keep on dreamin', oh oh oh
Oh oh oh, don't let it break your heart
The lyrics to Eli Young Band's song "Even If It Breaks Your Heart" tell a story of a musician who finds his passion for music at a young age and spends his nights listening to live bands in downtown bars. The opening lyrics refer to going "way back on the radio dial", indicating that the song takes place in the past, when live music was still prevalent on the airwaves. The young boy listens to a variety of styles, from steel guitars to Memphis to rock and roll, and becomes enamored with the power of the music.
As the song progresses, the musician grows up and can finally attend shows downtown, but is still too young to get inside the bars. Instead, he stands outside and listens to the music, letting it wrap around and fill him up. The chorus encourages the musician to keep dreaming, even if it breaks his heart, and to never give up on his dreams of playing music.
The final verse touches on the idea that some dreams never leave us and keep us coming back to where we started. Despite the ups and downs of pursuing a dream, the chorus repeats the message to “keep on dreamin', even if it breaks your heart.”
The song overall is a powerful anthem about perseverance and the unfailing drive to pursue one's passion, even when the odds are against them.
Line by Line Meaning
Way back on the radio dial
Back in time when radio was the only source of music
The fire got lit inside a bright-eyed child
The kid's passion for music was ignited
Every note just wrapped around his soul
The music was getting into his very being
From steel guitars to Memphis, all the way to rock and roll
He was inspired by all the different types of music
Oh, I can hear em playin'
The memories of the music are still vivid
I can hear the ringin' of a beat up ol' guitar
The sound and rhythm of the guitar is still with him
Oh, I can hear em singin'
The lyrics of the songs are still in his heart
"Keep on dreamin', even if it breaks your heart"
The message of the song is to never give up on your dreams
Downtown is where I used to wander
He would go to the city to experience the music
Old enough to get there but too young to get inside
He was underage and couldn't enter the clubs
So I would stand out on the sidewalk
He would wait outside and listen to the music
Listen to the music playin' every Friday night
He would make it a habit to enjoy the live music
Some dreams stay with you forever
Certain dreams are so powerful that they never fade away
Drag you around but bring you back to where you were
It may be a struggle, but you always end up where you belong
Some dreams keep on gettin' better
Certain goals become even more rewarding over time
Gotta keep believin' if you wanna know for sure
You have to continue to pursue your dreams to see if they come true
Oh oh oh, oh oh oh, keep on dreamin', oh oh oh
Never stop dreaming
oh oh oh, don't let it break your heart
Don't let anything discourage you from following your dreams
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Spirit Music Group, Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: Eric Paslay, Will Hoge
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@marqgonzaleznavarrete5602
2024 here and still listening!!!
@MidnightplaysDBD
Same
@irafinkelstein423
Has it really been 12 years???
@Dr.Gainzzz
This is one of those songs that will find you in the exact time you need it to. “Keep on dreaming even if it breaks your heart”
@travissloan5296
This song came on when we were on the bus on the way to family night at basic training. Everyone on the bus was singing. It was one of the most genuine moments I’ve had in my entire life, I think about it every time I hear this song.
@jamesmartinez6767
Thank you for serving
@DariusWolfePlaysGames
😆Bunch of dumbasses... I recently found a bunch of pictures I took in OSUT, and seeing those young faces, pretty much all of whom I've long since lost touch with, brought a smile to my face, even if I was never super popular. I wonder how many of them went the full 20+ like I ended up doing, and I wonder how many of them died along the way.
@joanngrace6514
Ok kjjll8oouuuuuku ky ukluku
@maryannproffitt44
Thanks for serving this country.
@TyDomi
Just WTH is that spose 2 ,ean