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.
Somebody Else
Hawk Nelson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Would you hop on a bus and leave just because would you
Are these dreams overrated?
Running from myself
[Chorus]
I used to be somebody else
People around me, they all seem to tell me that I tend to change like the seasons
I used to be somebody else
This dream that I chose is too big for us both it's true
It hurts me the most now I feel like a ghost around you
Are these dreams overrated?
Running from myself
[Chorus]
If I sold this guitar and a piece of my heart for you
Would you hop on a bus and leave just because would you
Are these dreams overrated?
Running from myself
[Chorus: x2]
I used to be somebody else
I used to be somebody else
The lyrics of "Somebody Else" speak to the vulnerability of pursuing one's dreams and the possibility of losing oneself in the process. The singer is questioning if their dreams are worth sacrificing their identity and heart for, asking if their partner would leave them behind because of it. Perhaps, the reference to selling the guitar and a piece of the heart is a metaphor for selling a part of oneself to chase after a dream. The constant questioning of the worth of these dreams emphasizes the struggle between following one's passion and maintaining a sense of self.
The chorus emphasizes the theme of change and personal evolution that comes with pursuing one's dreams. The singer feels that others see them as someone who is constantly changing and unable to stay true to themselves. It highlights the difficulties of maintaining relationships while pursuing personal growth and change. The song's overarching message appears to be about staying true to oneself, but also acknowledging that personal growth comes with change.
Line by Line Meaning
If I sold this guitar and a piece of my heart for you
If I gave up everything I love for you
Would you hop on a bus and leave just because would you
Will you abandon me for no reason at all?
Are these dreams overrated?
Are the aspirations I have for us too grandiose?
Running from myself
Avoiding the harsh reality of who I really am
I used to be somebody else
I wasn't like this before
I'm holding out for a good reason
I'm enduring for a significant purpose
People around me, they all seem to tell me that I tend to change like the seasons
Others notice how often I shift my behavior and beliefs
This dream that I chose is too big for us both it's true
My goals are too unrealistic for both of us
It hurts me the most now I feel like a ghost around you
Being with you hurts more than anything; I feel invisible
If I sold this guitar and a piece of my heart for you
If I gave up everything I love for you
Are these dreams overrated?
Are the aspirations I have for us too grandiose?
Running from myself
Avoiding the harsh reality of who I really am
I used to be somebody else
I wasn't like this before
I used to be somebody else
I wasn't like this before
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: DANIEL BIRO, JASON DUNN, MICHAEL MAIDA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind