The band played independently in Peterborough, Ontario for a few years before they signed with Tooth and Nail Records, largely on the recommendation of Trevor McNevan, the lead singer of fellow Tooth and Nail bands Thousand Foot Krutch and FM Static. McNevan, also from Peterborough, is credited with discovering the band. In July of 2004, Hawk Nelson released their major label debut Letters to the President. It was produced by Aaron Sprinkle and McNevan, who also co-wrote the album's fourteen songs. He has also appeared on some of the band's songs, as well as in their video for the song "California". In October 2005, the band re-released Letters to the President, with new material including their cover of The Who's My Generation, three acoustic versions of some of their hits, and a limited edition cover. Dave Clark was replaced by Jonathan Steingard on guitar in 2004.
The band released their second studio album, titled Smile, It's The End of the World, on April 4, 2006. The album's first single, "Everything You Ever Wanted", went on to hit #1 for 9 weeks on the R&R Christian CHR chart, and was the fourth most played song of 2006. Hawk Nelson released a 3-track Christmas EP titled Gloria on November 21, 2006.
In 2007, Aaron Tosti (who had joined the band to replace Matt Paige on drums) left the band to pursue other musical ventures and was replaced by Justin Benner. Justin had previously toured with Hawk Nelson before with The Send. Hawk Nelson's third full album, Hawk Nelson Is My Friend was released on April 1, 2008, and featured songs co-written by Trevor McNevan of Thousand Foot Krutch, Raine Maida of Our Lady Peace, and Richard Marx. The album was nominated for a 2009 Grammy Award in the category for Best Recording Package.
On July 21, 2009, Hawk Nelson released their second single from their fourth album Live Life Loud called "The Meaning Of Life", and on August 8, the song "Alive" began to be played on Christian Radio. They released the album in September of the same year.
Their fifth studio album, Crazy Love, which was released in stores February 8, 2011.
On February 1, 2012, lead vocalist Jason Dunn announced he would be leaving the band, in order to pursue his solo project, Lights Go Down. He is currently recording an album tentatively titled Abandon Progress. On March 11, 2012 in Fresno, California, frontman Jason Dunn performed his final US show with Hawk Nelson.
On December 11, 2012, Hawk Nelson announced they had signed with Fair Trade Services. Made was released on April 2, 2013. The album's release was preceded by the release of the album's debut single on January 15, 2013, "Words", featuring Bart Millard of MercyMe,while "Faithful" was released on September 12, 2013.
Tours
The band spent the summer of 2006 touring the major Christian music festivals. In the winter of 2006, they toured with TobyMac's Winter Wonder Slam tour along with The Afters, Family Force 5, and Ayiesha Woods. In 2007, Hawk Nelson performed at Winter Jam with a wide variety of other Christian bands, which were Newsong, Jeremy Camp, Steven Curtis Chapman, Sanctus Real, and Britt Nicole. Also, Hawk Nelson toured with MxPx, Run Kid Run, Project 86, The Fold, and The Classic Crime. In January 2008, the band headlined their own tour, that they called the Green T Tour, which also featured Capital Lights and Run Kid Run. In the summer of 2008, Hawk Nelson played their second annual Faith Nights Baseball Tour.
Mainstream Success
The band has achieved some success in the mainstream as well. They portrayed The Who on an episode of the NBC drama American Dreams, and they recorded a song named "Bring 'Em Out" for the 2005 motion picture Yours, Mine, and Ours featuring Drake Bell. This song and another hit song "The Show" were used on Sunday Night Football commercials. "Things We Go Through" from Letters to the President was also featured in Yours, Mine, and Ours. Bulletproof Records and Producer Ralph Sall have assembled the compilation Charlotte's Web (Music Inspired By The Motion Picture) in December 2006, which features "Everything You Ever Wanted" by Hawk Nelson, as well as music by Amy Grant and Billy Ray Cyrus. In 2008, the band also contributed a cover of "Don't You (Forget About Me)", originally by Simple Minds, off the JCPenney Presents: Don't You Forget About Me. The Covers (EP). The song was also featured in back-to-school commercials for J.C. Penney. The song "Live Life Loud" was featured in the trailer for the movie, "Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2: Rodrick Rules," and was available in the Rock Band store during the first week of April 2010.
Alleluia
Hawk Nelson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I died 8 years ago I'm still a legend at my high school
I stole a Chevy and I wrapped it round a tree
But that's OK cause no one's gonna make the next century
I'm up in heaven now they say I'm here to stay
Where the clouds are really puffy and the angels sing every day
Alleluia Alleluia Alleluia, Wo-oh . . .
Cause it looks just like a big Hawaiian party that my mother had
It's like the worst Elvis film I've ever seen
Technicolor luau all on technicolor green
There's camping trips and donkey rides and singing round the fire
And they signed me up for surfing
But they can't get me in the choir
Alleluia Alleluia Alleluia, Wo-oh . . .
But there she was this morning getting fitted for her wings
Leather boots magenta hair and saying nasty things
I'd say she was an angel but it's stupid and it's obvious
I said you'll hate it here cause we're the only ones like us
It's crypto-fascist mania it's silicon deliria
Yeah, she said, you're right, but I like the cafeteria
Hey God we're the bad kids we're so nasty mean and vile
God looks like a guidance counselor God's got that smile
God says, how could this be, that's really odd
I guess I'll have to check my records, silly me, you know, I'm only
God . . .
The waves are perfect and the sun will always shine
But there's got to be more to death than surfing all the time
I know the signs of self-destruction so I try to stop each new kid
Don't be like me, forever young, forever stupid
Yeah, I found love here but I'll bet you'll find it there
Where they don't always make the same joke
Gee you make a heavenly pair
Alleluia Alleluia Alleluia Alleluia
Alleluia Alleluia Alleluia Alleluia
Alleluia Alleluia Alleluia
Alleluia
The song Alleluia by Hawk Nelson depicts a unique perspective on heaven. The lyrics describe a rebellious teenager who has passed away but remains a legend in his high school. The adolescent encounters an environment in heaven that does not meet his expectations. The cafeteria, for instance, has a Hawaiian theme, and the adolescent's mother had a similar party with flowers and leis, which irritates him. Moreover, there are camping trips, donkey rides, and singing around the fire, which seems too wholesome for him.
Despite the adolescent's frustrations in heaven, he witnesses a teenage girl getting fitted for her wings. She has magenta hair, wears leather boots, and says nasty things. She too finds heaven underwhelming, but she likes the cafeteria. God appears as a guidance counselor with a smile and is surprised to see "bad kids" in heaven. However, he acknowledges that he is "only God" and will check his records to confirm their place there.
In summary, the song Alleluia takes an unusual perspective on heaven, depicting it as a disappointment to rebellious teenagers who are surprised to find themselves there. However, it also shows that heaven is an inclusive place where even people society regards as bad or evil can have a place.
Line by Line Meaning
Ron and Nancy got the house but Sid and Nancy rule
Comparing life in Heaven to earthly relationships, where the popular ones may not be the most successful.
I died 8 years ago I'm still a legend at my high school
Reflecting on how the choices made in life can have a lasting impact even after death.
I stole a Chevy and I wrapped it round a tree
But that's OK cause no one's gonna make the next century
Realizing the regret of past mistakes and knowing that in Heaven, there's no need to worry about the future.
I'm up in heaven now they say I'm here to stay
Where the clouds are really puffy and the angels sing every day
Expressing the comfort and joy in being in Heaven with its soft clouds and constant singing.
Alleluia Alleluia Alleluia, Wo-oh . . .
Repeating the song's uplifting chorus.
The cafeteria's got everything it's gonna drive me mad
Cause it looks just like a big Hawaiian party that my mother had
Finding the overwhelming excitement of Heaven's abundance similar to an impressive party.
It's like the worst Elvis film I've ever seen
Technicolor luau all on technicolor green
Comparing the gaudiness of Heaven's offerings to an over-the-top movie.
There's camping trips and donkey rides and singing round the fire
And they signed me up for surfing
But they can't get me in the choir
Listing the variety of activities in Heaven and poking fun at the idea of not being a good enough singer for the heavenly choir.
But there she was this morning getting fitted for her wings
Leather boots magenta hair and saying nasty things
Noticing the presence of someone who feels out of place in Heaven but still remains unique and vibrant.
I'd say she was an angel but it's stupid and it's obvious
I said you'll hate it here cause we're the only ones like us
Admitting the difference in personality and feeling like an outsider even in Heaven.
It's crypto-fascist mania it's silicon deliria
Yeah, she said, you're right, but I like the cafeteria
Describing the overwhelming abundance of heavenly offerings as borderline authoritarian, but still finding it enjoyable.
Hey God we're the bad kids we're so nasty mean and vile
God looks like a guidance counselor God's got that smile
Acknowledging the contrast between the behavior of some people in Heaven and the eternal peace that surrounds them.
God says, how could this be, that's really odd
I guess I'll have to check my records, silly me, you know, I'm only
God . . .
Playing with the idea of confusion in Heaven and highlighting the humor in the omnipotent nature of God.
The waves are perfect and the sun will always shine
But there's got to be more to death than surfing all the time
Reveling in the perfection of Heaven but wondering if there's more to the afterlife than just enjoying recreational activities.
I know the signs of self-destruction so I try to stop each new kid
Don't be like me, forever young, forever stupid
Using personal experience to offer guidance and prevent others from making similar mistakes.
Yeah, I found love here but I'll bet you'll find it there
Where they don't always make the same joke
Gee you make a heavenly pair
Confessing love found in Heaven but expressing belief that others can find it elsewhere with a diverse group of people.
Alleluia Alleluia Alleluia Alleluia
Alleluia Alleluia Alleluia Alleluia
Alleluia Alleluia Alleluia
Alleluia
Repeating the song's uplifting chorus.
Contributed by Nolan F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ray Larivee
One of my favorite Christmas songs
Anti Globalist Agenda
Looooove this song. This is a Christmas staple imo 👍🏼👍🏼🙏❤️
Kevin Carrier
Joy to the world for He has come
Hear the voices singing
The King of Kings is here tonight
Eternal life He's bringing
Upon with hay He lowly lies
In the filty manger
This is the way to treat the Christ
The child we call our Savior
Hear the angels sing:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
Praise the Lord
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
Praise the Lord
People rejoice for He has come
The silent night is singing
The Lamb of God, the Son of Man,
Eternal life He's bringing
Oh little town of Bethleham
Have you heard the story?
Of hark the angels in the night
Telling of His glory
derk swim
I didnt even now this song!!