Upon the band's formation, they released one extended play (EP) in 2007, titled This Is Your Way Out, and shortly after, the group underwent significant line-up and sound changes, dropping their metalcore influence and leaning towards a more rock sound. The band released their debut studio album, Relativity (2008), which featured vocalist Jonny Craig and rhythm guitarist Jonas Ladekjaer. Their second studio album, Emarosa, was released in June 2010, to critical acclaim, and was Craig's final album with the group.
Following Craig's departure, the band toured briefly with a fill-in vocalist before entering a period of inactivity. Eventually, Craig was formally replaced by Walden. Emarosa then released their third studio album, Versus, on September 9, 2014, which peaked at No. 61 in the Billboard 200. The band signed to Hopeless Records and released their fourth and fifth studio albums, 131 (2016) and Peach Club (2019). A sixth, Sting, is set for release in January 2023.
===Current members===
ER White – lead guitar (2006–present); rhythm guitar (2014–2016, 2022–present); bass (2022–present)
Bradley Walden – lead vocals (2013–present)
===Past members===
Chris Roberts – lead vocals (2006)
Mike Bryant – rhythm guitar (2006)
Chris Roetter – lead vocals (2006–2007)
Madison Stolzer – rhythm guitar (2006–2007)
Jonny Craig – lead vocals (2007–2011)
Lukas Koszewski – drums (2006–2014)
Jonas Ladekjaer – rhythm guitar (2007–2014)
Will Sowers – bass (2006–2016)
Jordan Stewart – keyboards (2006–2018)
Matthew Marcellus – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2016–2022; touring member 2014–2016)
Robert Joffred – bass, backing vocals (2018–2022; touring member 2016–2018)
Cliff Notes
Emarosa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This isn't courage
This isn't how you're supposed to be
And all the things keeping you awake
Are leaving me afraid
This isn't war
This isn't courage
And I don't believe that you're okay
When you're next to me
I feel you're going to leave
When birthdays are suicide days
And waking up it's hard to stay
I want to see you when you come down
So save yourself for me
I want to see you when you come down
So save yourself
The weight of loves forever trying
And it's enough to bury me
All the things keeping you awake
Are leaving finally
When birthdays are suicide days
And waking up it's hard to stay
I want to see you when you come down
So save yourself for me
I want to see you when you come down
So save yourself
Always said the same way I'm okay
Always walk away in chains
You know we wish you'd come around
Because nothing's changed
But it doesn't feel the same
I want to see you when you come down
So save yourself for me
I want to see you when you come down
So save yourself
The opening lines of Emarosa's song "Cliff Notes" are about someone who is struggling with their mental health, but they are not seeking help or showing any courage towards fighting their demons. The singer is worried about their loved one and is also afraid of the things that are keeping them up at night. The phrase "This isn't war, this isn't courage" is a way of saying that the person's current state of mind is not admirable or brave. The singer is pleading with them to seek help, as they don't believe that the person is okay.
The chorus talks about how difficult it can be to wake up in the morning and face the day when you feel like giving up. The line "When birthdays are suicide days" is particularly powerful as it shows that even happy occasions can be difficult for someone who is struggling. The singer wants to be there for the person when they finally hit rock bottom, to save them from themselves. The line "The weight of loves forever trying" is about the pressure that love can put on a person to be strong and stay together, but it is also enough to crush them.
The bridge of the song is about how the person always says that they are okay and walks away, but nothing has really changed. The singer is still waiting for them to return and be the person they used to be. The song ends with the chorus of "I want to see you when you come down, so save yourself for me" which emphasizes the love and concern that the singer has for the person who is struggling.
Line by Line Meaning
This isn't war
The situation is not a battle
This isn't courage
There is no bravery in this situation
This isn't how you're supposed to be
You are not acting the way you should be
And all the things keeping you awake
The worries that are preventing you from sleeping
Are leaving me afraid
They are causing me to feel scared
And I don't believe that you're okay
I doubt that you are doing well
The reason why I forget to close my eyes
Why I cannot bring myself to sleep
When you're next to me
Is because you being near makes me worry about you leaving
I feel you're going to leave
I sense that you might abandon me
When birthdays are suicide days
Birthdays are difficult times
And waking up it's hard to stay
It is challenging to wake up and maintain a sense of hope
I want to see you when you come down
I would like to be with you when you are not at your best
So save yourself for me
But please try to take care of yourself for my sake
The weight of loves forever trying
The struggle to keep a relationship going is overwhelming
And it's enough to bury me
It feels suffocating and unbearable
Always said the same way I'm okay
I always insist that I am fine, even if I am not
Always walk away in chains
But in reality, I feel trapped and unable to leave
You know we wish you'd come around
We want you to be present in our lives
Because nothing's changed
Despite everything, everything still feels the same
But it doesn't feel the same
Although everything seems familiar, something is different
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Bradley Walden, Brian McTernan, Ernest White, Jonas Ladekjaer, Jordan Stewart, Lukas Koszewski, Will Sowers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Real Feels
This album just keeps getting better with each track. Those harmonies bring this band to a new level. Not afraid to progress and try new things is going to make this band last.
Fernando Barreto
Hope they renew their contract after this. If not, we're gonna hear a lot of Walden anyways.
Danny Snyder
this album deserves so much more praise than it has.
hodor
I love this....... I was a fan of Emarosa back then, and now. The transformation is a beautiful one, and when people stop thinking of Jonny and start really listening to this album, they'll know how great this album really is. I'm not trying to start any arguments. It just seems that people are so hooked on Jonny that they don't here the value in this album, and it is formidable.
Julian Sierra
What youre saying is true in my book. At first i wrote off the album because jonny craig wasnt involved but a little before july 12 th my local warped date i decided to listen through versis with a clean mind. I loved it. I ended seeing them live at warped. I met bradley after.
hodor
I'm glad knowing there's people like you who decided to give it another chance. This album is one of my favorites, and Bradley is a great guy and great vocalist. What they did was create an amazing album, and it's sad knowing some people still hate it solely because it's not Jonny's voice singing those lyrics. Kudos to you, sir.
Jay Aguilar
+Ian Reyes I liked this album as well.. specially this song.. thumbs up
Brian Cartagena
Im digging the new album. Mellow, chilling, harmonious and lawdy, the new singer. This is perfect.
Adam
I didn't realize it at the time it was released, but this album is a masterpiece- Emarosa's best work.
e m m a
I'm so late to hear this band, but I'm not even fifteen minutes into listening to their music and I've already created a playlist. 👍👍👍
Some good stuff right here.