What happens when dreams become real life?
The three Hume brothers of Evermore have come a long way since the release of their debut album Dreams. With over 300 live shows, an MTV Award, a NZ Music Award, the APRA Silver Scroll, five ARIA nominations, and hung a platinum record plaque on the wall of their home studio. It's a far cry from their humble beginnings in rural New Zealand, and it all culminates in their second album, Real Life.
The writing and initial recording took place in the isolation of their Central Coast abode, an isolation the boys were not only used to, but actively encouraged. Separating into different rooms, they each had their own private recording studio in miniature, working on tracks solo before bringing them together for the Evermore polish.
After two months in the warm environs of the Australian summer they leapt into the freezing winter of inland Massachusetts, USA. Actually, the term freezing is an understatement, we're talking temperatures of minus 25 degrees and below. Keeping true to their rural roots, they recorded in the oldest studio still operating in the US, Longview Farm. Artists such as Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones and Aerosmith have all frozen their butts off there in the past. Respected engineer John Alagia (who mixed Dreams, and has worked with acts like John Mayer, Dave Matthews Band and Ben Folds) was chosen for the job for his twiddling tenacity and his striking good looks.
"I ended up doing a lot of the recording myself," explains Jon, speaking of their time at the farm. "We liked working with John Alagia because he believes in letting the artist have freedom rather than forcing ideas on to you. Plus he's a really funny guy. And when you're in the studio for months on end your sense of humor goes a little haywire!"
Allowing themselves freedom was also high on the agenda, with the two younger Humes contributing to the songwriting a lot more heavily than on Dreams. "Instead of me writing almost everything, we suddenly had three writers coming up with a lot," Jon says. "We could have made two albums simultaneously."
"Dann wrote nearly a song a day," echoes Peter. "He had over one hundred songs - which is insane! We definitely didn't have a lack of songs."
But perhaps the main difference between the two albums is in the songs themselves. From the epic energy of Running, the band's first single off the album, to the melodic harmonies of Never Let You Go; from the dynamic rock of Unbreakable to the uplifting lyrics of Light Surrounding You, this second album has seen the band's songwriting grow and diversify.
"Dreams was very atmospheric and mood-based," explains Jon. "This one jumps out of the speakers at you. The songs are more positive and sonically, it's more direct."
"Its louder and more to the point," agrees Dann. "We're going to grab people's attention, and leave them with something to think about."
With the likes of the Beatles, David Bowie and Bob Dylan on high rotation throughout the recording process, their shift to a focus on song writing seems only natural. "We've taken so much inspiration from classic songs," explains Pete. "We wanted to be sure all the tunes sounded great just played simply on a guitar, that way you know you have a great song."
"We're the kind of band that is going to change with every record," adds Jon. "We will always sound like us, but we'll utilise our strengths as three writers."
A new journey has just begun for this talented trio, whose sounds and lyrics have taught us how to dream.... Welcome to Real Life.
For Evermore management queries - info@scorpiomusic.com.au
Everybody
Evermore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You think you've got it all but there is so much more
You hit the wall, you fall, and then you learn to crawl again
There's worlds to explore
Because there's no danger
Do I look like a stranger?
Just look left, look right, everybody's doing it
Haven't you seen?
Everybody's doing it
Where have you been?
Everybody's doing it
Everybody's doing it now
Everybody's doing it now
The Party faithful are all here
So join the ranks among the dance-floor volunteers
Because you'll find yourself in being the same as everybody else
You ain't got a thing to fear
Because it might sting the first time
It's always the worst time
Do you feel sick from the pinprick?
Everybody's doing it
It can't be wrong
Everybody's doing it
Just play along
Everybody's doing it
Everybody's doing it now
Everybody's doing it now
Everybody's doing it now...
Just get in line
Everybody's doing it now
Ignore all the signs
Everybody's doing it
Everybody's doing it now
Everybody's doing it now
Give it a whirl
Everybody's trying it
Believe truth of the world
Because everybody's buying it
Everybody's doing it now
Everybody's doing it now
Everybody's doing it now
And now a word from our sponsors,
"We've got the miracle cure"
The song "Everybody's Doing It" by Evermore is a critique of conformity and societal pressure. The lyrics are an appeal to individuals who feel a sense of alienation or isolation because they do not conform to societal norms or expectations. The song's opening lines serve as an acknowledgement that the listener has probably been in the same predicament before, and that it is not enough to simply "have it all" because there is "so much more" to life.
The chorus "everybody's doing it" is a rhetorical device used to persuade listeners to conform to the latest trend or hype. The singer asks in the second verse of the song "where have you been?" and reinforces the idea that everyone is doing it, so you should too. The song's central message is that it's easier to conform than to be yourself and that there is safety in numbers. Evermore provides a critique of these ideas, suggesting that conformity can be a trap and that it's essential to resist the pressure to conform and do what is right for you.
Overall, the song encourages the listeners to be brave and resist the pressure to conform. The song's playful melody is in contrast to the underlying message and highlights the important tension between the desire to fit in and the desire to be unique.
Line by Line Meaning
I've seen your face here before
I am familiar with you and have seen you in this situation previously
You think you've got it all but there is so much more
You believe you have everything you need, but there is still more to be gained
You hit the wall, you fall, and then you learn to crawl again
You will experience difficulties, setbacks and failures, but they will teach you to pick yourself back up
There's worlds to explore
There is an abundance of opportunities and experiences to be discovered
Because there's no danger
There is no risk involved in this activity
Do I look like a stranger?
You are familiar with me and know that there is no reason to doubt me
Just look left, look right, everybody's doing it
This behavior is very common and accepted, so you should participate too
Haven't you seen?
Have you not noticed that many people are engaging in this behavior?
The Party faithful are all here
People who are loyal supporters of this activity are present
So join the ranks among the dance-floor volunteers
Become a part of the group of people who are already participating
Because you'll find yourself in being the same as everybody else
By doing this, you will fit in and become similar to others
You ain't got a thing to fear
There is nothing to be afraid of, regarding this activity
Because it might sting the first time
There could be some initial pain or discomfort in engaging in this behavior
It's always the worst time
The first time is always the hardest
Do you feel sick from the pinprick?
Are you feeling unwell after trying this activity?
It can't be wrong
This activity must be acceptable, because many others are doing it too
Just play along
Participate in this activity, even if you are uncertain about it
Just get in line
Join the queue of people doing this
Ignore all the signs
Overlook or dismiss any warnings or indications that this behavior may be dangerous
Everybody's trying it
Many people are experimenting with this behavior
Believe truth of the world
This activity is commonly believed to be true, so it must be valid
Because everybody's buying it
This behavior is popular and many people are accepting it
And now a word from our sponsors, "We've got the miracle cure"
This message is brought to you by people who are promoting this behavior as a solution to your problems
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Alexander Paul Kapranos Huntley, Nicholas John McCarthy, Paul Robert Thompson, Robert Hardy
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Graham Bergroth
Chaotic at the end. I love it!
Kolton
LAST!
Alex Strange
FIRST!