1. A pop … Read Full Bio ↴There are at least two artists which have used the name Hanson
1. A pop rock group from Oklahoma, United States
2. A funk rock group from the United Kingdom active in the 1970's.
1. Hanson is an American pop rock band from Tulsa, Oklahoma. The band consists of guitarist and vocalist Isaac Hanson (born November 17, 1980) pianist and vocalist Taylor Hanson (born March 14, 1983), and drummer and vocalist Zac Hanson (born October 22, 1985). Their work has spanned many different genres, including rock, blues, folk, and pop. They are most noted for their Grammy-nominated 1997 hit single, “MMMBop.” Their 1997 album Middle of Nowhere (the band’s third recorded album and first major studio album, also nominated for a Grammy) was met with critical acclaim and went on to achieve multi-platinum status. The group’s subsequent major effort, This Time Around showcased the brothers’ considerable talent and artistic growth, receiving wide critical acclaim for its bluesy/classic-rock and soulful pop harmonies. The album failed to repeat the commercial success of Middle of Nowhere however, only achieving gold status. The album has since been considered a trend-setter and precursor for such acts as Michelle Branch, John Mayer, Avril Lavigne, Paramore, Vanessa Carlton and Eisley.
After many promotional and artistic conflicts with Island/Def Jam, Hanson split from the label in 2003 and started their own label, 3CG Records. In 2004, they released their third major studio album, Underneath, independently. The album reached #1 on Billboard’s Independent Album Chart and has since been noted as one of the biggest-selling independent albums of all time. The single “Penny & Me” reached #2 on Billboard’s Top 200. Like This Time Around, Underneath was well-received and well-reviewed for its more mature classic rock/pop sound.
The band continues to have a dedicated fan base and Internet presence, and recently completed a tour of college campuses, showing a documentary, Strong Enough to Break, made about their struggle to form their own label and release Underneath. The documentary http://www.last.fm/music/Hanson was also shown at the Hollywood Film Festival in October 2006.
A live album (The Best of Hanson; Live & Electric), recorded in Melbourne on the Australian leg of the “Underneath: Live & Electric” tour was released in October 2005.
The band released of their fourth major studio album, The Walk in North America on July 24th, 2007. They have released a second documentary, titled Taking The Walk as a continuation of their struggles and successes of writing, recording and producing their own album. After spending some time in Africa, Hanson released a single “Great Divide” for World AIDS Day, with 100% of the download proceeds going to the Perinatal HIV Unit at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto, South Africa.
During the making of The Walk, Hanson made a trip to Africa to record some tracks with the African Children's Choir. They were so inspired by their experiences there that they have since teamed up with TOMS Shoes--a california-based company who donates a pair of shoes for each pair sold to a child in poverty who does not have shoes.
In order to raise awareness for this charity and the daily things we take for granted, as well as small and impactful ways to help those in need, Hanson organizes one mile barefoot walks before each of their shows. As of 10/30/08 they have walked a total of 100 miles together with their fans. They are donating $1 for each person who walks with them to one of 5 causes to help children and monthers in Africa battling AIDS and poverty. The fans are invited to organize their own walks and Hanson will also donate a dollar to whatever cause they are walking for. The goal is to Walk around the World and as of 2/4/2009 have walked 19,236 miles and have 5,666 to go.
More information is available at www.takethewalk.net
Hanson released their 5th studio album entitled "Shout It Out" on June 8, 2010. Leading up to this release they performed all of their albums at 5 sold out shows at the Gramercy Theater in New York City.
2. Hanson is a funk rock band formed in 1973 by reggae musician Junior Marvin. The group released two albums - "Now Hear This" (1973) and "Magic Dragon" (1974) before disbanding in 1974.
Strong Enough To Break
Hanson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just a figure in a big monopoly game
Struggle is the price you pay
You get just enough just to give it away
I'm sinking, but I'm floating away
Throw me a line so I can anchor my pain
The fabric is about to fray
The fabric is about to fray
[Chorus]
Maybe you could take a look at yourself lately
Maybe you could take a look at yourself lately
Maybe you could take a look at yourself lately
Things keep coming and I keep wondering
I start feeling the walls close in
Things keep coming and I keep stumbling
I start feeling I'm strong enough to break
Oh, I start feeling I'm strong enough to break
Been running through my mind today
Scenarios to add to your hypocrisy
No one ever takes the blame
But everyone is searching for a cure to the pain
Nothing ever seems to change
Oh, nothing ever seems to change
We just play like broken records in a deaf man's charade
[Chorus]
Carry on just a pawn and the same old song
I'm still holding on
The fabric is about to fray
Maybe you could take a look at yourself lately
Maybe you could take a look at yourself lately
Things keep coming and I keep wondering
I start feeling the walls close in
Things keep coming and I keep stumbling
I start feeling I'm strong enough to break
Things keep coming and I keep wondering
I start feeling the walls close in
Things keep coming and I keep stumbling
I start feeling I'm strong enough to break
Oh, I start feeling I'm strong enough to break
The lyrics of Hanson's song Strong Enough To Break appear to be about feeling both overwhelmed and underappreciated. The singer feels like they're just a pawn in a big game, fighting to keep their head above water but never really gaining any ground. They reference struggling as being the price you pay, which could be interpreted as the cost of trying to succeed in a highly competitive world. The line "you get just enough just to give it away" suggests that success is not always fulfilling, because once you have it, you're expected to share it with others.
The chorus seems to be a plea for the listener to take a long, hard look at themselves and their lives. The singer wonders why so many people seem to be searching for a cure to their pain, but no one ever takes the blame. They feel like nothing ever changes and everyone just goes through the same motions day in and day out. The metaphor of playing like broken records in a deaf man's charade is a powerful one, suggesting that all our struggles and striving might be futile.
The final verse is perhaps the most introspective. The singer admits to running scenarios through their head, adding to the hypocrisy they see in the world. They seem to be questioning their own motives and actions, wondering whether they're part of the problem or the solution. The chorus repeats, but the ending is left open-ended, suggesting that the struggle continues.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't feel myself today
Feeling disconnected and out of place
Just a figure in a big monopoly game
Feeling caught up in a system with little control over one's own fate
Struggle is the price you pay
The challenges one faces are a necessary part of the journey
You get just enough just to give it away
The rewards of success are often fleeting, as they must be reinvested into the struggle
I'm sinking, but I'm floating away
Simultaneously feeling overwhelmed and detached
Throw me a line so I can anchor my pain
Seeking support to help alleviate emotional burden
The fabric is about to fray
Feeling on the verge of breaking down
Maybe you could take a look at yourself lately
Encouraging self-reflection to promote personal growth
Things keep coming and I keep wondering
Continually grappling with life's challenges and uncertainties
I start feeling the walls close in
Sensing a loss of control and feeling trapped
I start feeling I'm strong enough to break
Believing in oneself despite adversity
Been running through my mind today
Reflecting on past events and emotions
Scenarios to add to your hypocrisy
Imagining alternative outcomes to situations where others have been disingenuous or insincere
No one ever takes the blame
A sense of injustice and responsibility avoidance
But everyone is searching for a cure to the pain
Recognizing that everyone is struggling and searching for solutions
Nothing ever seems to change
Feeling stuck in a cycle of hardship and suffering
We just play like broken records in a deaf man's charade
Feeling like a participant in a meaningless and futile game
Carry on just a pawn and the same old song
Feeling insignificant and powerless, stuck in a never-ending cycle
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: GREG WELLS, CLARKE ISAAC HANSON, JORDAN TAYLOR HANSON, ZACHARY WALKER HANSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind