In November 2004 Five Times August’s song “Better With You” was featured in MTV’s hit show Laguna Beach. The series’ music supervisor had found the song at random via online web portal CDBaby.com. By the end of the year that exposure had snowballed into an underground following for the one-man band, catapulting Myspace listens and iTunes sales. By Spring ’06 Five Times August was a national touring artist, performing solo acoustic shows across the country (to date FTA has performed in 43 of the 50 states). More song placements soon followed, with features on networks ranging from The CW and MTV to ABC, FOX and Lifetime, among many others. In 2007 Five Times August became the first unsigned act in history to accomplish national distribution through Wal-Mart stores.
It doesn’t stop there. Most recently you may have heard Five Times August in a national GMC commercial promoting their big summer savings event. Also, if you own any of HBO’s 2009 DVD releases, you’ll most likely be hearing the song “Do It Again” in a quick ad before the menu pops up.
“Life As A Song” is a twelve-track collection of Five Times August’s most popular songs in recent years. Based on fan favorites and the most licensed songs, Skistimas went back into the studio with Grammy Award winner Andy Zulla (Kelly Clarkson, Jessica Simpson, Rod Stewart) to polish and shine each song for more commercial success, re-recording many of the tune’s instrumentation and vocals from the ground up. “It’s an album of growth and change,” Skistimas says about the quazi “best of” album. “At the start of the album you’ll find me where I was as a songwriter, more innocent and raw. By the end you’ll see I’m not the same songwriter anymore, there’s a deeper outlook on life in the newer songs.”
The album includes new mainstream versions of underground college cult-hits like “Up To Me” and “Better With You” (the latter has sold 58,000 digital singles to date). Alongside those fan favorites, the album also includes a few new songs, one being the stand out piano ballad “Break,” which shadows influence from Nilsson’s classic hit “Without You.” Brad explains “the beauty of this album is that even though a lot of my fans may know the songs already, it’s going to be a brand new listening experience for them. They are going to hear these songs as if for the first time.” Skistimas’ mind rests knowing songs like “Wherever” and “The Lighting” finally sound like he had always envisioned.
Brad is furthering the expansion of Five Times August with a new concrete touring band. After spending the last three years touring solo, Skistimas is changing gears on the road, transitioning his intimate set list into a full on concert experience. Five Times August will be on several national tours surrounding the release of “Life As A Song,” in stores October 13th, 2009.
It's Not Over
Five Times August Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don?t disappoint, you know just where to start
So many times the song that?s sung
You know it goes somewhere where you belong
And you might feel the complication
And disappoint with aggravation
But settle down there?s always home
So take a deep breath and let it go
It?s about time that you should know
There?s no point in hanging on
She is flying out that door, he is dying for some more
And they?re calling out to you
Did you ever think love could make it through?
The things you do come around so it?s not over now
So you might fall and never stand
Or you could fly and never land
And you might feel your soul is broken
If you leave it unspoken you won?t understand
So take a deep breath and turn around
There?s a brighter side if you?re turned down
There?s no point in hanging on
She is flying out that door, he is dying for some more
And they?re calling out to you
Did you ever think love could make it through?
The things you do come around so it?s not over now
She is flying out that door, he is dying for some more
And they?re calling out to you
Did you ever think love could make it through?
The things you do come around so it?s not over now
The song starts with a request for a story of the heart that doesn't disappoint. The singer acknowledges that love can be complicated and disappointing, but reminds us that there is always a place that feels like home. It encourages taking a deep breath and letting go of things that don't serve us. The singer assures us that we're not alone, and that things can always work themselves out.
The chorus repeats twice, emphasizing the idea that love isn't over. Even when things seem to be falling apart and people are leaving or wanting more, there is still hope that love can prevail. The second verse states that we might fail or feel broken, but we shouldn't leave things unspoken. Instead, we should turn around and look for the brighter side of the situation.
Overall, the song is a message of hope and resilience. Regardless of how difficult our love lives may seem, there is always a chance that things will work themselves out if we keep moving forward and not giving up.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me every story of the heart
Open up and share all the emotions and experiences related to love and relationships
Don?t disappoint, you know just where to start
Don't hold back, because you are aware of what to say and how to begin this conversation
So many times the song that?s sung
Love stories have been told again and again throughout history
You know it goes somewhere where you belong
Love takes you to a place where you feel accepted and content
And you might feel the complication
Love can be complex and challenging
And disappoint with aggravation
It can be frustrating and disappointing at times
But settle down there?s always home
Take a moment to calm down and remember that you have a place where you feel safe and comfortable
You can never be somewhere where you?re alone
You always have someone to lean on and support you
So take a deep breath and let it go
Relax and release any negative feelings or worries you have
It?s about time that you should know
It's time to understand and accept this truth
There?s no point in hanging on
Holding onto negative emotions will not benefit you in any way
She is flying out that door, he is dying for some more
This love is complicated and uncertain as one person wants out while the other wants to keep going
And they?re calling out to you
They are seeking help and advice from someone they trust
Did you ever think love could make it through?
Do you believe that love can overcome obstacles and be successful?
The things you do come around so it?s not over now
The actions you take have consequences, so there is still hope for this love to continue
And you might fall and never stand
You may struggle and fail to pick yourself up
Or you could fly and never land
You may become too swept up in love and never come down to reality
And you might feel your soul is broken
Love can cause emotional pain and leave you feeling shattered
If you leave it unspoken you won?t understand
If you don't express your feelings, you won't be able to comprehend or resolve the situation
So take a deep breath and turn around
Take a moment to collect yourself and change direction
There?s a brighter side if you?re turned down
There are positive outcomes even when things don't go as planned
She is flying out that door, he is dying for some more
The situation is still uncertain and precarious
And they?re calling out to you
They still need advice and guidance
Did you ever think love could make it through?
Do you still believe in the potential of love despite the challenges?
The things you do come around so it?s not over now
Your actions and decisions can have lasting effects, so there is still hope for love and all involved
Contributed by Harper S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.