Their debut full-length, Background Music, was recorded for Equal Vision Records in 2001 and was released to much acclaim. In 2003, the band faced a legal battle with a similarly named band from Philadelphia. The band then changed their name briefly to the initials "A.N." then to American Nothing for a brief period. After the other American Nightmare threatened to press charges again, they changed their name to Give Up the Ghost (which was intended to be the name of their second album). Their second full length, We're Down Til We're Underground released on Equal Vision Records, displayed the band experimenting with their sound, with longer songs that didn't follow the typical hardcore songwriting formula they had adhered to in their previous releases.
The band broke up suddenly in June 2004, a day after announcing the cancellation of a European tour. The band issued a statement which cited "health and personal reasons" for the split. Give Up the Ghost's success, combined with the success of contemporary Boston bands like The Suicide File, cemented the position of the Boston scene as the bellwether for new trends during the early 2000s. Members went on to join / form other bands such as Cold Cave, Some Girls, XO Skeletons, Ye Olde Maids, Head Automatica, Bars, and The Hope Conspiracy. Wes also went on to start a publishing company called Heartworm Press and co-owns Philadelphia based bookstore/performance space Juanita And Juan's. Give Up the Ghost came back into the headlines in 2007 under accusations that Fall Out Boy had taken lyrics from Wes Eisold, the band's lyricist, resulting in an out-of-court settlement and a credit in the liner notes of both the multi-platinum selling From Under the Cork Tree and Infinity on High.
After seven years of disbandment, Give Up the Ghost played two reunion shows in December 2011. The band performed in Revere, Massachusetts (just outside of Boston) on December 29, and in Los Angeles on December 31. Deathwish Inc. reissued Give Up the Ghost's albums Background Music (2001) and We're Down Til We're Underground (2003) to coincide with the reunion dates. Tickets for the two reunion shows went on sale on October 29, 2011 and both shows sold out in under a minute. As a result, a special ticket package was announced to go on sale November 7, with all proceeds going to Shirts For A Cure Project, which benefits the Syrentha Savio Endowment. The package included two tickets and two t-shirts for $100, which in turn also sold out in under a minute.
Give Up the Ghost played additional reunion shows on July 20 and July 22, 2012 at Webster Hall in New York City. In addition, Give Up the Ghost performed at the FYF Fest in Los Angeles, California in September 2012 under their original name American Nightmare. They scheduled two more shows under the American Nightmare name in June 2013 in Chicago and Toronto. Shows in Anaheim CA and Seattle WA are also scheduled for December of 2013.
Wes Eisold - vocals
Tim Cossar - guitar
Brian Masek - guitar
Josh Holden - bass
Alex Garcia Rivera - drums
http://screaminggetsyounothing.com/
FAREWELL
Give Up The Ghost Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Whatever words I say
We are the fortunate ones...
And when the days are done
I won't forget
All I see in you and me
Is a light in the dark of humanity
I won't forget
Timid steps - come walk with me
And with your useless words
Come talk to me
There are broken hearts
Now on your stereo
But the broken beats are just too slow
You'll cry - it doesn't change a thing
Kill the lights - and let the rain fall
Recall - the memories
Of yesterdays and better ways
And know - the innocence is gone...
Move on - from this day on
We'll never be the same...
The saddest songs
Make sense to me...
So with your sunken eyes
Come talk to me
Two hour drives
Are two hours alone
But two hour drives
Are better than home
You'll die - it doesn't change a thing
You will - kill the lights
And let the rain fall - recall
The memories of yesterdays
And better ways
And know - the innocence is gone...
Move on - from this day on
We'll never be the same...
Faster words - and faster kids
Faster songs - and faster ends
The one thing that's stayed the same...
I've lived through days
I've lived through nights
I've had my loves
I've had my fights
You gotta know - you have my heart
The lyrics of Give Up The Ghost's song "Farewell" is an emotional journey of reflection and acceptance. The singer is aware that no matter what happens, things are going to change, and life will move on. They contemplate on the fortunate aspect of being alive and being able to experience love, heartbreak, and growth. The chorus, "And when the days are done, I won't forget, all I see in you and me, is a light in the dark of humanity," depicts the glimmer of hope even in the darkest of times. The singer urges their listener to walk with them, talk to them; even though the memories might be painful, they are worth reliving.
As the song progresses, the singer acknowledges that certain memories are attached to certain songs, and most times, while listening to these songs, one is bound to be emotional. They also address how a broken heart can become a soundtrack playing in one's head, but it doesn't change anything. The song's overall theme is one of moving on, though it might be tough to do, it's necessary if we are to grow and become better versions of ourselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Whatever this becomes
No matter how this situation plays out
Whatever words I say
No matter what I say
We are the fortunate ones...
We are lucky to have each other
And when the days are done
When everything is said and done
I won't forget
I will always remember
All I see in you and me
All I see in us
Is a light in the dark of humanity
We are a shining example of goodness in the world
Timid steps - come walk with me
Take hesitant steps and walk with me
And with your useless words
Even if you have nothing important to say
Come talk to me
Just talk to me
There are broken hearts
Some people have broken hearts
Now on your stereo
Now you can hear their sadness through your speakers
But the broken beats are just too slow
The music doesn't match their pain
You'll cry - it doesn't change a thing
Even if you cry, it won't make a difference
Kill the lights - and let the rain fall
Turn off the lights and let the rain pour down
Recall - the memories
Remember the good times
Of yesterdays and better ways
Think of the past when things were better
And know - the innocence is gone...
Realize that the world has lost its innocence
Move on - from this day on
Start to move forward
We'll never be the same...
Things will never be like they were
The saddest songs
The most melancholy music
Make sense to me...
I understand them
So with your sunken eyes
With your eyes that show sadness
Come talk to me
Speak to me
Two hour drives
Two hour car rides
Are two hours alone
Are two hours by myself
But two hour drives
But taking long car rides
Are better than home
Feels better than being home
You'll die - it doesn't change a thing
Even if you die, it won't make a difference
You will - kill the lights
You will turn off the lights
Faster words - and faster kids
People speaking more quickly and having kids young
Faster songs - and faster ends
Music becoming shorter and more intense
The one thing that's stayed the same...
The one constant
I've lived through days
I've had good and bad times
I've lived through nights
I've made it through dark periods
I've had my loves
I've had people I've loved
I've had my fights
I've had conflicts
You gotta know - you have my heart
You need to realize: You have my love
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dahveed62
Recall!!☝️
@livingace
TIMID STEPS
COME WALK WITH ME
@rhettgreenfield4549
The saddest songs make sense to me, yeah
So with your sunken eyes
Come look for me
@xrideforthebrandx
While Background Music is one of my least favorite AN releases (fighting words for sure), this is hands down my favorite AN song.
@samarnold1839
How? It was so raw! I'll admit, they been more raw had more grit on other albums, but background music was a statement. And it delivered. What was the album after? When they changed their name to give up the ghost? That one was my least favorite. But yes, hands down, this song is the best. Next in line for me is either please die! Or fuck what fireworks stand for
@bhaktabilly4669
As long as you don’t call them “Give Up The Ghost”.. 👀
@jedisok13
I'm with you to some degree, but background is their master work.