Hawthorne Heights developed a huge MySpace following that became a catalyst that would launch them from underground to international awareness. The band became regulars on MTV, their signature hit Ohio Is For Lovers the anthem for the new wave of “emo”. Their debut album The Silence In Black And White soon went Gold, and with their second album If Only You Were Lonely, the band scored Victory Records’ biggest ever debut, landing at #3 on the Billboard 200 in 2006. The band appeared on Conan O’Brien and Jimmy Kimmel, and became magazine cover stars, sending sales of The Silence… to Platinum status.
In November 2007, whilst in the midst of legal disputes, tragedy struck within the Hawthorne Heights family. Casey Calvert, the much loved guitarist and resident “screamer” of the band, lost his life while on tour, due to an accidental overdose of medications prescribed by his doctor and dentist, which proved to be lethal combination. The effects on the band were evident, both personally and musically.
On August 5 2008, Hawthorne Heights return with Fragile Future, a brand new album. Although the sound is still distinctly Hawthorne Heights, the music, as with the band, has understandably evolved.
“After spending the last 2 years in a deep dark place, we decided to try to find the bright lights again with Fragile Future,” noted singer J.T. Woodruff. “We, as a band, noticed that everyone has tremendous ups and downs, so we wanted this record to communicate that. We chose the title Fragile Future, because it sums up the current state of our band, as well as what is going on in the outside world. We must all make good choices to create a better situation in our lives.”
"With the loss of Casey, and no plans to replace him, we've had to make some obvious changes to our sound on this record,” added drummer Eron Bucciarelli. “Originally there were less screams planned for this record than the second one, but sadly we never got the chance to do even that. This forced us to take a creative approach to certain songs. We've beefed up the guitars in parts, added gang vocals, choirs and all sorts of effects to still capture some of the energy that Casey brought.”
Current Members
JT Woodruff: Vocals/Guitar
Mark McMillon: Guitar
Chris Popadak: Drums
Matt Ridenour: Bass
Previous Members:
Casey Calvert(deceased): Guitar/Backup Vocals
Eron Buciarelli: Drums
Micah Carli: Guitar
For more information, visit: http://www.hawthorneheights.com
Drive
Hawthorne Heights Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
just enough to get your attention
here I am, I'm on display
pass me by without a mention
you never said this would be easy
but does it have to be so hard
my eyes are burning, my head is dizzy
a thousand miles doesn't seem so far
drive a thousand miles, it doesn't seem so far
what you leave behind makes up who you are
drive, just drive
roll the windows down and feel alive
all night, all right
I'll drive until the morning light
I need the silence to escape your violent eyes
just drive away, just drive
spend an hour or a day
just enough to get my attention
as the wolves begin to play
here's a knife to cut the tension
all the nights seem dark and dreary
the morning sun begins with hope
sometimes I wonder if you can hear me
or have I reached the end of the road
drive a thousand miles, it doesn't seem so far
what you leave behind makes up who you are
drive, just drive
roll the windows down and feel alive
all night, all right
I'll drive until the morning light
I need the silence to escape your violent eyes
just drive away, just drive
my voice is shaking from the risk I'm taking
I can't stop driving, the sun is rising
drive, just drive
roll the windows down and feel alive
all night, all right
I'll drive until the morning light
drive, just drive
roll the windows down and feel alive
all night, all right
I'll drive until the morning light
I need the silence to escape your violent eyes
just drive away, just drive
The lyrics of "Drive" by Hawthorne Heights seem to be about escape from a difficult situation, possibly a toxic relationship. The opening lines, "If you cut me, I will bleed/just enough to get your attention" suggest that the singer feels like they're constantly giving everything they have to someone else, and it's not enough. They are "on display," always trying to please, but facing rejection and invisibility in return. The sentiment "you never said this would be easy/but does it have to be so hard" echoes the frustration of feeling like you're trying your best, but it's just not enough.
The chorus, "drive a thousand miles, it doesn't seem so far/what you leave behind makes up who you are," is an uplifting mantra about the power of escape and self-discovery. The singer is choosing to leave behind what's weighing them down, and in doing so, they are rediscovering who they are as an individual. The repetition of "just drive" seems to push the listener to action - to take control of their life and escape the things that are hurting them.
The second verse adds a new layer to the story with the line "as the wolves begin to play/here's a knife to cut the tension." This sudden violence adds a feeling of danger to the escape. The singer is trying to escape both a complicated emotional situation and a literal dangerous one. The line "sometimes I wonder if you can hear me/or have I reached the end of the road" suggests a feeling of hopelessness and the fear that the singer is alone on this journey. But the chorus repeats, urging the listener to "drive" - to keep going, even in the face of fear and uncertainty.
Overall, "Drive" presents a story of escape and self-discovery. The lyrics remind the listener that they have the power to leave behind toxic situations and find a new sense of self.
Line by Line Meaning
If you cut me, I will bleed
I am vulnerable and can be hurt
just enough to get your attention
But only enough for you to notice me
here I am, I'm on display
I am putting myself out there
pass me by without a mention
But you can easily ignore me
you never said this would be easy
I know you never promised it would be simple
but does it have to be so hard
However, why does it have to be so difficult?
my eyes are burning, my head is dizzy
I am exhausted and feeling overwhelmed
a thousand miles doesn't seem so far
Driving far away seems like a good option
drive a thousand miles, it doesn't seem so far
One can travel far to start fresh
what you leave behind makes up who you are
Your past shapes who you are
drive, just drive
Driving is a way to escape
roll the windows down and feel alive
Driving with a sense of freedom
all night, all right
Driving without a destination
I'll drive until the morning light
Driving far away for hours
I need the silence to escape your violent eyes
I need to escape from your abusive gaze
just drive away, just drive
I just need to keep driving to get away
spend an hour or a day
Even a small break can be helpful
as the wolves begin to play
In a dangerous environment
here's a knife to cut the tension
A weapon is needed to survive
all the nights seem dark and dreary
Life feels bleak and miserable
the morning sun begins with hope
But the next day always brings new possibilities
sometimes I wonder if you can hear me
I question if anyone is listening to me
or have I reached the end of the road
Perhaps there is no escape from this situation
my voice is shaking from the risk I'm taking
I am taking a leap of faith
I can't stop driving, the sun is rising
I am driven by hope and the desire for a new start
Contributed by Lucas J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ryan Wood
This has honestly gotta be one of their best albums to date, and i'm still a HUGE fan of Silence and Lonely. Love this new style.
Matteo Mannara
I just looked them up after not hearing them for years. New sound, but i still love them. The band still speaks to me.
Kevin
Effin love those harmonies on the verse, and that chorus is beyond catchy. Even loving the electro synth weird computer riff thing.
KingDushDiver TheShitTalker
amazing<3 hawthorne heights you always seem to get better=)
Trevormcgoldrick
@MarissaIsazombeh No, they've definitely progressed.... just cause you're stuck in the past doesn't mean the band hasn't progressed. They've changed their sound (Which, in case you didn't know, is called progressing), and as a fan since 2004 I can safely say this album is just as great as the past albums.
mike rodriguez
(sigh) this is nothing like the original hawthorne heights but i still cant stay away from their sound. i love it!!
Elise Makenna
this is the second song ive heard by them in i love it :]
Julien
Childhood memories with fireburst
Spec Ops Omega
I remember when me and my sister loaded up Fireburst and were completely enthralled with this song
RaiXVortex
awesome band love em