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.
Up on the Housetop
Hawk Nelson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Out jumps good old Santa Claus
Down through the chimney with lots of toys
All for the little ones, Christmas joys
Ho, ho ho! Who wouldn't go?
Ho, ho ho! Who wouldn't go?
Up on the housetop, click, click, click
First comes the stocking of little Nell
Oh, dear Santa fill it well
Give her a dolly that laughs and cries
One that will open and shut her eyes
Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn't go?
Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn't go?
Up on the housetop, click, click, click
Down through the chimney with old Saint Nick
Next comes the stocking of little Will
Oh, just see what a glorious fill
Here is a hammer and lots of tacks
And also a ball and a whip that cracks
Ho, ho ho! Who wouldn't go?
Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn't go?
Up on the housetop, click, click, click
Down through the chimney with old Saint Nick
The song "Up On the Housetop" by Hawk Nelson is a Christmas classic that tells the story of Santa Claus and his reindeer as they make their way to deliver presents to children on Christmas Eve. The first verse sets the scene as the reindeer pause on the rooftop while Santa Claus jumps out of his sleigh to deliver toys to the children below. The chorus expresses the excitement and anticipation of going on this magical journey with Santa Claus, as they sing "Ho, ho ho! Who wouldn't go?"
The second verse focuses on the stocking of little Nell, with the hope that Santa Claus will fill it with a dolly that laughs and cries, and one that will open and shut its eyes. The third verse features the stocking of little Will, with the hope that he receives a hammer, tacks, ball, and a whip that cracks. The song ends with the repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the joy and wonder that comes with the Christmas season.
Overall, this song celebrates the magic of Christmas by portraying the spirit of gift-giving and the joy it brings to children, families, and communities all around the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Up on the housetop reindeer pause
The reindeer have stopped on the roof of the house
Out jumps good old Santa Claus
Santa Claus jumps out of the sleigh onto the roof
Down through the chimney with lots of toys
Santa goes down the chimney and brings many toys
All for the little ones, Christmas joys
The toys are for the children to bring joy on Christmas
Ho, ho ho! Who wouldn't go?
Santa's famous laugh accompanied by an invitation to join him
Up on the housetop, click, click, click
The sound of the reindeer's hooves on the rooftop
Down through the chimney with old Saint Nick
Santa traveling down the chimney
First comes the stocking of little Nell
The first stocking belongs to little Nell
Oh, dear Santa fill it well
Requesting Santa to fill the stocking with lots of presents
Give her a dolly that laughs and cries
Asking for a doll that can laugh and cry for Nell
One that will open and shut her eyes
Asking for a doll that can also open and close her eyes
Next comes the stocking of little Will
The second stocking belongs to little Will
Oh, just see what a glorious fill
Exclaiming at the amazing amount of presents in Will's stocking
Here is a hammer and lots of tacks
Will is given a hammer and many tacks as presents
And also a ball and a whip that cracks
Will also receives a ball and a whip that makes a cracking sound
Ho, ho ho! Who wouldn't go?
Santa's laughter and invitation again
Up on the housetop, click, click, click
Reindeer's hooves on the roof again
Down through the chimney with old Saint Nick
Santa going down the chimney once more
Writer(s): Reba Mcentire
Contributed by Mateo H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.