Formation and Early Years (2000 – 2001)
Emery formed in 2001 in Rock Hill, South Carolina but moved to Seattle, Washington in search of a better musical environment. The band was named after a first grader that Toby Morrell met while working as an intern for a teacher in college. The four members in the band at the time, Toby Morrell (vocals/guitar), Devin Shelton (drums), Matt Carter (guitar/keyboards), and Joel "Chopper" Green (bass) actually left Rock Hill, South Carolina for Seattle on September 11, the day of the terrorist attacks; they found out about the attacks when they stopped at a local diner in South Carolina. Most of the members are from the bands Sachul, Joe 747, Simply Waynes and Oogie Brown. After a little while Seth Studley, who was one of the original members of the band, broke out of a serious relationship and followed them to Seattle and resumed his post as drummer. Since Seth took over drums, Devin went ahead and took the position of guitarist.
The Weak's End (2002 – 2004)
After making Emerald City their new home in Seattle, Washington, Emery signed a record deal with Tooth & Nail Records, also of Seattle, in 2002. Wasting no time, Emery paired up with producer/engineer Ed Rose and worked on their debut album, The Weak's End. It was produced at the Black Lodge Studio in Eudora, Kansas. The record was released in January 2004 by Tooth & Nail Records. Emery toured extensively to promote their new release.
The Question (2005 – 2006)
While touring, Seth Studley decided to leave the band in order to get married and Emery had to look for a new drummer. While touring with Haste the Day, Dave Powell was brought out to audition. Powell was officially put in the band on November 2005. Powell originally played in the Indianapolis-based metalcore/hardcore band The Bowels of Judas.
Soon after touring, Emery went back into the studio to record their next record with production done by Aaron Sprinkle this time around. The band took five weeks in recording sessions. The Question was released on August 2, 2005. "Studying Politics" was released as the album's first single with a video emerging on June 29, 2005. On November 21, 2006, Emery re-released The Question, adding a DVD, five acoustic versions of previously recorded songs and two new demo tracks, which were produced by Matt Carter. The DVD included a documentary film of Emery, live songs and bonus footage.
After the re-release, Joel "Chopper" Green decided to leave the band. On September 19, 2006, Emery posted a blog on their website explaining the departure. Devin and Toby since then switched bass parts in concerts and in the studio.
I'm Only A Man (2007 – 2008)
While touring with Underoath in Australia, Emery announced that they were releasing a new album. The album, I'm Only A Man, leaked onto the internet before its official release on October 2, 2007. The album was produced by Ryan Boesch and Matt Carter and recorded at Dark Horse Studio in Tennessee. It received mixed reviews. Emery released a deluxe edition of the album as well, which featured four acoustic songs that were recorded while on the Take Action Tour with The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus and DVD with a live footage and a documentary. The iTunes version of the deluxe edition also added a bonus track called "Whoa! Man".
While Broken Hearts Prevail and ...In Shallow Seas We Sail (2008 – 2010)
Emery announced in an interview on TVU that they finished a new 8-track EP entitled While Broken Hearts Prevail, which was released on October 28, 2008. They began premiering some of the new material while on tour opening for The Almost, including a song entitled "Edge Of The World".
In an interview with Toby Morrell, Emery announced that would be releasing a new album called ...In Shallow Seas We Sail. Up until the announcement of Emery resigning to Tooth & Nail Records, it was unsure if the band would seek a new label, since their contract had expired. They re-signed with Tooth & Nail and soon gave out information on their new release.
On April 7, 2009, Emery released a new song entitled "Cutthroat Collapse" on their Myspace, Purevolume, and iTunes. On May 29, 2009, Emery put ...In Shallow Seas We Sail in its entirety up on their Myspace. On June 2, 2009, ...In Shallow Seas We Sail was officially released.
During their headlining U.S. tour, Emery had selected dates filmed for a DVD in the works. The release date is unknown at this time. Emery set out on tour supporting Underoath on their fall/winter headlining tour for the rest of the year. In the summer of 2010 they went on the "Scream it Like You Mean it" tour with Silverstein, Ivoryline, Dance Gavin Dance, We Came as Romans, Sky Eats Airplane, and I Set My Friends On Fire.
We Do What We Want (2011- 2012)
On January 26, 2011 it was announced that the band's fifth album We Do What We Want is set to be released on March 29, 2011. The band also released a clip of a song titled "Scissors". Another song titled "The Curse of Perfect Days" has been released to Christian rock radio stations.
On January 31, 2011, vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and bassist Devin Shelton announced he was taking an "indefinite hiatus" from Emery.
On February 1, 2011 a song titled "The Cheval Glass" was released on the band's Facebook, Youtube and Myspace page. On February 17, 2011, the band announced that We Do What We Want would be released through both Tooth & Nail and their hardcore/metal subdivision Solid State Records reflecting the heavier sound of the album.
In 2012, Toby Morrell and Matt Carter formed a side project duo, simply called Matt & Toby, with a more acoustic/electronic type sound. The duo released a self-titled album in November of that year via Tooth & Nail.
Bad Christian Music (2013 - present)
In 2013 Emery did not resign with Tooth & Nail records, subsequently leaving the label. Later that year, they founded Bad Christian Music, a blog & podcast website, as well as an indie record label.
In 2014, the band released two books, Bad Christian, Great Savior, and The M Word.
On May 19th, 2015 Emery released their sixth full length album, their first album via Bad Christian Music, You Were Never Alone. The album peaked at No. 69 on the Billboard 200, No. 1 on Top Christian Albums, No. 6 on Independent Albums, No. 8 on Alternative Music[ No. 10 on Top Rock Albums and No. 31 on Top Album Sales.
Bands such as Abandon Kansas and The Classic Crime have also joined the artist roster of Bad Christian Music.
Members
Toby Morrell: lead vocals, guitar
Matt Carter: guitar, aggressive vocals
Josh Head: keyboard, vocals, aggressive vocals
Dave Powell: drums
Former Members
Devin Shelton: guitar, lead vocals (on indefinite hiatus now)
Seth Studley: drums
Joel Green: bass
Joey Svendsen: bass
Listening to Freddie Mercury
Emery Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Take it to the bank
I believe every word I say
Then again this is when you start your prying
But there's a thought it could be true
But this just isn't how I imagined it would be
With these random people just asking the most personal things
And you shake your head just like you know what I mean
You're a Christian tell the sinner find repentance it's you last chance
You believer, where's your patience?
Answer questions, put on faces
What about god?
For you and for me
All have fallen short
(To see if it's right or wrong to listen to this song
I don't want you too
To see if you're okay with all the words I say
It can't be this way)
Somehow, someone is more equal than others
Depending on the words we choose to say
A glance at her too long tonight
But everything I am saying is right in your ears
We are all the sisters and the brothers
Until we find we don't believe the same, like…
Gary is getting drunk to forget Sarah
Sarah is stealing money from her parents
Aaron is lying straight to Jon
About Megan and the things that went on
Jessica is a gossip
Laura is a slut
Derrick hits Bridget and
Ben deals drugs
Seth spends all his money gambling
Joey stopped praying
It is all the same thing
We are all the same people
With sinning hearts that make us equal
Here is my hand, not words said desperately
It is not our job to MAKE anyone believe
The lyrics to Emery's song "Listening to Freddie Mercury" describe the struggles of being a public figure who is expected to constantly live up to certain standards and answer personal questions about their beliefs and opinions. The singer seems conflicted, at times feeling certain about what they believe and at other times uncertain or defensive when faced with scrutiny from others. The song touches on themes of religion, judgment, and human fallibility. Through the various examples of flawed individuals, the song reinforces the message that everyone shares in the burden of being imperfect and that it is not anyone's place to force their beliefs onto others.
The chorus highlights the hypocrisy of some religious individuals who espouse values of forgiveness and patience, yet exhibit impatience and judgement towards others. The line "What about God? For you and for me, all have fallen short" speaks to the idea that nobody is perfect, and that it is up to individuals to find their own path to belief and repentance. The final line, "It is not our job to MAKE anyone believe" implies that true faith can only be found through self-reflection and inner conviction, rather than through outside pressure or coercion.
Line by Line Meaning
Every one in a while I think I'm lying
Occasionally, I question my own honesty
Take it to the bank
My words should be trusted
I believe every word I say
I sincerely mean everything I say
Then again this is when you start your prying
However, this is when people begin to inquire
But there's a thought it could be true
Although there's a suspicion that my words might hold truth
But this just isn't how I imagined it would be
This situation is not what I hoped it would be like
With these random people just asking the most personal things
Strangers asking me invasive personal questions
To think that somehow I could always come clean
Believing that I could always be honest about everything
And you shake your head just like you know what I mean
Others nod in agreement, as if understanding my predicament
You're a Christian tell the sinner find repentance it's your last chance
Christians are responsible for urging sinners to repent before it's too late
You believer, where's your patience?
As a believer, why don't you display more patience?
Answer questions, put on faces
We're expected to answer questions and mask our true feelings
What about god?
What is God's stance on all of this?
For you and for me
This affects all of us, regardless of our beliefs
All have fallen short
We've all failed to meet certain expectations
(To see if it's right or wrong to listen to this song
(I don't want to influence whether or not you feel it's appropriate to listen to this song
I don't want you too
I don't want to influence your opinion
To see if you're okay with all the words I say
Nor do I want to sway your feelings about my lyrics
It can't be this way)
Ultimately, the listener must make their own decision on how to feel about my words
Somehow, someone is more equal than others
Certain individuals are viewed superior to others in some way
Depending on the words we choose to say
This inequality is based on our choice of language
A glance at her too long tonight
Perhaps I looked at a woman for too long recently
But everything I am saying is right in your ears
Regardless, everything I say doesn't sound wrong to you
We are all the sisters and the brothers
We're all siblings and comrades
Until we find we don't believe the same, like…
Except when we disagree with each other
Gary is getting drunk to forget Sarah
Gary is using alcohol to avoid thinking about Sarah
Sarah is stealing money from her parents
Sarah is stealing money from her own parents
Aaron is lying straight to Jon
Aaron is deceiving Jon through falsehoods
About Megan and the things that went on
Specifically about Megan and certain events
Jessica is a gossip
Jessica spreads rumors and shares secrets
Laura is a slut
Laura is promiscuous and has numerous sexual partners
Derrick hits Bridget and
Derrick physically abuses Bridget
Ben deals drugs
Ben sells illegal drugs
Seth spends all his money gambling
Seth wastes his money on gambling
Joey stopped praying
Joey has ceased to pray
It is all the same thing
All of these things are equally immoral and sinful
We are all the same people
Regardless, we're all human and capable of sinning
With sinning hearts that make us equal
Our shared capacity for sin makes us equal
Here is my hand, not words said desperately
Here's my hand, a genuine offer instead of platitudes
It is not our job to MAKE anyone believe
However, it's not our responsibility to force others to believe what we believe
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Capitol CMG Publishing
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind