Vocalist Doug Robb met with guitarist Dan Estrin in a high school battle of the bands competition and decided to form a band. They recruited Markku Lappalainen and Chris Hesse to form Hoobastank. In an interview with Yahoo's Launch, Doug Robb said the name had no particular meaning. "You're going to ask me what it means. It doesn't mean anything. And it's really cool, it's one of those old high school inside-joke words that didn't really mean anything." Rob Bourdon of Linkin Park attended the same high school as the members of Hoobastank.
Hoobastank started playing gigs in their local area and, with their unique saxophone section headed by Jeremy Wasser, recorded a self-released album called They Sure Don't Make Basketball Shorts Like They Used To in 1998. By this stage, they had developed a strong reputation in Southern California. This attracted interest from Island Records who signed the band in 2000. The bands reputation grew further on tours with the similar sounding band Incubus who come from the same area of Los Angeles and Alien Ant Farm.
Hoobastank released their self-titled debut in November 2001. The first single was Crawling in the Dark which was a breakthrough hit reaching #68 on the Billboard Hot 100, #3 on the modern rock chart, #8 on the mainstream rock chart and #1 on an MP3.com download chart in early 2002. The second single Running Away was even more successful reaching #44 on the Billboard Hot 100, #2 on the modern rock chart, #9 on the mainstream rock chart and #3 on the MP3.com download chart. The Hoobastank album went platinum on the back of these hits and reached #25 on the Billboard 200 album charts and #1 on the Billboard Heatseeker chart. The album also achieved recognition internationally with the album touring in Europe and Asia in support of the record. Remember Me, the third single, was a moderate hit reaching #23 on the modern rock charts and #9 on the mainstream rock charts.
The band entered the studio in 2003 with producer Howard Benson who has produced records by P.O.D., Cold and The Crystal Method. However, recording was disrupted for a month when Dan Estrin was seriously injured in a freak minibike accident in August. Estrin had recovered by October and the band headed off on a Nokia Unwired Tour with The All-American Rejects and Ozomatli in November.
Their second album The Reason was released in December 2003. The first single Out of Control was made available for download on the band's website. Doug Robb says on the band's website: "A lot of it is about asking questions or questioning all that people see. It's not all about religion. 'Out of Control' is about that and about opening your eyes after being blinded by being devoted to anything." [2] "Out of Control" would reach #9 on the US modern rock chart, #16 on the mainstream rock chart and #16 on a composite world modern rock chart (based on the US, Germany, the UK, Sweden, Finland, Canada and Australia). The Reason initially reached a peak of #45 on the Billboard 200.
The title track was released as a single in the first half of 2004. It became a massive hit reaching #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 (chart proof), #1 on the US and world modern rock charts, #1 on a world airplay chart in May 2004, #10 in Australia and #12 in the UK. The Reason album received a new lease of life on the US album charts reaching #3 on the Billboard 200.
Additionally, on 15 June 2009, the band played a prank on Iranian protesters and their supporters during the 2009 Iranian election protests using the popular Web 2.0 service Twitter and the shock image Goatse, featuring a naked man stretching his anus to a large size with both hands, with the inside of his rectum clearly visible. While thousands of protesters used the Twitter service to rapidly spread information on street level protests and the shocking behavior of pro-government militias and security forces, Hoobastank allegedly spread links to the image disguised as relevant news items and twittered them to thousands of their fans and followers. The punk rockers have since announced their satisfaction with the number of the political enthusiasts having viewed the image unintentionally (over 2 million, according to the site's usage statistics). As of June 2009, Twitter's verification system for celebrities has not officially validated either twitter account.
Seven Amazingly Fascinating Things About Hoobastank
1) Guitarist Dan Estrin has a great story involving brain surgery and a catheter.
In 2003, during the band's tour for its multi-platinum second album The Reason, Estrin made a fateful purchase. "Everyone in the band rides street bikes and motocross bikes," says the guitarist. "I was fucking around on a mini-bike that I just bought. I was riding one around after a show ... and I smashed my head into concrete." The result? "They had to cut my head open. I just remember, before the surgery, I had two fears: they'd have shave my head and I'd wake up with a catheter in me. So I wake up, and lo and behold, my head's shaved and there's a tube in my dick."
2) There are flutes and seven minute songs on the new album (blame Pink Floyd).
If you liked the infectious pop-rock stylings of the last two Hoobastank albums, you'll enjoy Every Man for Himself just as much, if not more. That said, Every Man does offer up some variety, even while maintaining the band's core sound. The epic "More Than a Memory", for example, features flutes, accordion, chimes and trumpets. "I was listening to a lot of Pink Floyd at the time, especially The Wall," remembers Estrin. "I like albums, and songs, that take you on a journey, that almost come across as a movie. And that song definitely does - it's like Floyd, the Beatles, and even tails off like "Sir Psycho Sexy," that old Red Hot Chili Peppers song. I just like applying lessons from bands I admire."
3) Did we mention the Journey influence?
Listen to "Moving Forward" and prepare to recognize a very familiar classic rock refrain. "We wrote that song when Doug was driving one day and heard Journey's 'Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin' on the radio," says Estrin. "We like Journey; we're not huge fans, but I really liked that 'na na na na' part of the song." He laughs. "I don't think it's stealing. We made it our own style."
4) Music critics despise them. The feeling is mutual.
"The album comes out in April. I expect we'll do some shows, meet fans, and have critics ready to tear it apart," says Robb. "Honestly, I want to go 'fuck it, it's not for you, it's for me and the guys in the band.' If we're happy with it, that's what counts. We get a lot of shit because we don't go out of our way to be 'different' ... we're just trying to be who we are. And that's actually the theme of the album - being yourself."
5) Speaking of message boards, you can find a lot of fun, weird stuff about Hoobastank on theirs... and some of it might be true.
* Dan used to be a roadie for Incubus.
* Chris worked in a plant nursery for 5 years.
* Doug and Dan used to be counselors at the YMCA.
* The name of the band? It's the "H" in Jesus H. Christ. At least, that's what Doug will tell you.
6) That's a real drill sergeant on the album. He's there for a reason.
"Born to Lead" features the barking cadence of Sgt. Dale Guy. "I wouldn't want him there all the time, but he was cool," says Robb. "The song was about people wishing and praying for things instead of doing something to accomplish their dreams. It's about getting off your ass, and I think the Sarge added a lot to the song's vibe."
7) They recorded Every Man for Himself in a really backward, inefficient, grueling kind of way.
The band started work on the album during Hooba's last mega-tour. Estrin would come up with musical ideas during sound checks, then record a demo later, hand it off to Doug for melodies and lyrics, and finally, fly home with the whole band to record the finished product during non-tour weekends. "It wasn't an ideal way of doing things," admits Robb. "But I think, strangely, it affected us in a positive way. Maybe it was the energy of being on tour, but I think the results came out far better than our previous two records."
If I Were You
Hoobastank Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You look for all that's wrong, instead of all that right
Does it feel good to you? to reign on my parade
You never say a word, unless it's to complain
It's driving me insane
If I were you, holding the world right in my hands.
The first thing I'd do, is thank the stars for all that I am
Look what's around you now, more than you ever dreamed
Have you forgotten just, how hard it use to be?
So what's it going to take? for you to realize
That all could go away, in one blink of an eye
It happens all the time
If I were you, holding the world right in my hands.
The first thing I'd do, is thank the stars above, tell the words I love
That I do
Yea if I were you,
Whoa, yea if I were you
If I were you, whoa
Yea if I were you
So what's it going to take? for you to realise
It all could go away, in one blink of an eye it happens all the time!
If I were you, holding the world right in my hands.
The first thing I'd do, is thank the stars above, tell the words I love
Take a breath and enjoy the view
Live the life that I wanted to
If I were you if I were you if I were you!
The lyrics to Hoobastank's "If I Were You" describe the frustrations of dealing with someone who always focuses on the negative aspects of life despite having much to be grateful for. The opening lines suggest that this person has a tendency to seek out darkness amidst brightness and that they only speak up to complain. The singer is exasperated by this behavior and wonders if it feels good for them to "reign on [their] parade."
However, the song shifts into a hypothetical scenario in which the singer imagines themselves in the other person's shoes - someone who seemingly has the world at their feet. The first thing they would do is express gratitude for all they have, but the implied message to the original person is that they are taking their good fortune for granted. The singer urges this person to appreciate what surrounds them, reminding them perhaps they seem to have forgotten how hard things used to be.
The repeated bridge, "So what's it going to take for you to realize it all could go away in one blink of an eye? It happens all the time" serves as a wake-up call - a reminder that nothing is guaranteed, and things can change quickly. The closing lines encourage the person to take a breath, enjoy the view, and live the life they want to. This repeating chorus is a direct admonishment for the person to understand that while they have many things to be upset about it's ultimately better to enjoy what you have.
Line by Line Meaning
You seem to find the dark, when everything is bright
You tend to focus on the negative aspects of situations, even when everything else appears to be going well.
You look for all that's wrong, instead of all that right
You have a tendency to concentrate on what's bad rather than what's good.
Does it feel good to you? to reign on my parade
Does it make you happy to spoil my enjoyment?
You never say a word, unless it's to complain
The only time you speak is when you are expressing displeasure.
It's driving me insane
Your attitude is really bothering me.
If I were you, holding the world right in my hands.
If I were in your shoes, having the power to control everything.
The first thing I'd do, is thank the stars for all that I am
I would express gratitude for all that I have and all that I am.
Look what's around you now, more than you ever dreamed
Take a moment to appreciate everything that you have and everything that you have accomplished.
Have you forgotten just, how hard it use to be?
Have you become oblivious to the hardships and struggles you faced in the past?
So what's it going to take? for you to realize
What will it take for you to recognize and appreciate all that you have?
That all could go away, in one blink of an eye
Everything that you have could disappear in the blink of an eye.
It happens all the time
This is something that occurs frequently.
Yea if I were you, Whoa, yea if I were you, If I were you, whoa, Yea if I were you
If I were in your place, I would have a different perspective.
Take a breath and enjoy the view
Take a moment to relax and appreciate your surroundings.
Live the life that I wanted to
Live a life full of happiness and contentment.
If I were you if I were you if I were you!
If only you could understand where I'm coming from.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Douglas Robb, Daniel Estrin, Chris Hesse
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Yuri Novan
You seem to find the dark when everything is bright
You look for all thats wrong instead of all thats right
Does it feel good to you to rain on my parade?
You never say a word unless it's to complain
Its driving me insane
If I were you
Holding the world right in my hands
The first thing I'd do
Is thank the stars for all that I have
If I were you
Look what surrounds you now
More than you ever dreamed
Have you forgotten just how hard it used to be?
So what's it going to take for you to realize?
It all could go away in one blink of an eye
It happens all the time
If I were you
Holding the world right in my hands
The first thing I'd do
Is thank the stars above
Tell the ones I love that I do
If I were you
If I were you
If I were you
If I were you
So what's it going to take for you to realize?
It all could go away in one blink of an eye
It happens all the time
If I were you
Holding the world right in my hands
The first thing I'd do
Is thank the stars above
For the ones I love
Take a breath and enjoy the view
Live the life that I've wanted to
If I were you
Andrew Christianson
They perform pretty well live. Good job guys!!!
Romi González
It reminds me when i just had my baby and i felt awful about my life even though i had it all to be happy... Thanks hoobastank for being the soundtrack of my life :)
Sang Thalib
This song always take me back to my memories when i was kid
Shaddoedenise
These lyrics really know to hit. This song is a masterpiece!
Patty Perney
Perfect song, voice, band, case closed
Kang Kane
Great song!
Yuri Novan
You seem to find the dark when everything is bright
You look for all thats wrong instead of all thats right
Does it feel good to you to rain on my parade?
You never say a word unless it's to complain
Its driving me insane
If I were you
Holding the world right in my hands
The first thing I'd do
Is thank the stars for all that I have
If I were you
Look what surrounds you now
More than you ever dreamed
Have you forgotten just how hard it used to be?
So what's it going to take for you to realize?
It all could go away in one blink of an eye
It happens all the time
If I were you
Holding the world right in my hands
The first thing I'd do
Is thank the stars above
Tell the ones I love that I do
If I were you
If I were you
If I were you
If I were you
So what's it going to take for you to realize?
It all could go away in one blink of an eye
It happens all the time
If I were you
Holding the world right in my hands
The first thing I'd do
Is thank the stars above
For the ones I love
Take a breath and enjoy the view
Live the life that I've wanted to
If I were you
Camila Silva
❤❤
Megumi
Ty
Maryoto 10
Love this song 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍