Day eventually signed a recording contract with major label Epic Records in 2002 and has since re-released his debut as well as producing a follow up, Stop All The World Now. Despite initially sluggish sales, Stop All The World Now was certified gold in early 2005 and has produced a number of singles, including "Collide", Day's most successful to date, and the hit "She Says". The track became Epic Records’ first platinum single, eventually selling 1.5 million downloads.
After a five year tour before the release of Stop All The World Now followed by a three year tour, Day took some time off and focused on writing music. Since then Day released his Be There EP in May 2009 which will be followed by Sound The Alarm in September 2009.
Stop All the World Now (2003–2008)
After the EP's release, Day relocated to London, England to record Australia's follow up, which was provisionally titled From a Northern Sky. The album, which would eventually become Stop All The World Now, was recorded in London's famous Olympic Studios with Martin "Youth" Glover, the bassist for British band Killing Joke, whose previous production credits included The Verve's Urban Hymns, one of Howie's favorite albums.
While certain tracks on Australia had featured session musicians, Stop All The World Now saw Howie joined for the first time by a permanent backing band, consisting of multi-instrumentalist Les Hall, drummer Laurie Jenkins and ex-Verve bassist Simon Jones. In addition, the majority of the album's songs were co-written with either Better than Ezra frontman Kevin Griffin or Jump Little Children's Jay Clifford.
A full band tour to promote Stop All the World Now began on September 27, 2003. Due to other commitments, Simon Jones was unable to tour with the group and was replaced by Jeremy Curtis. The album was released one week and three days later on October 7 to tepid critical reactions. Rolling Stone's Pat Blashill referred to Stop as "not bad" but "indistinct", but Popmatters' Devon Powers noted that though Australia had been an album one falls for passionately, "Stop All the World Now is an album you have a crush on, not one you fall deeply, complexly, and foolishly in love with. And crushes have a way of disappearing suddenly, without a trace."Stop
Sales of Stop were initially sluggish, but slowly began to rise beginning in late 2004 with the single release of ballad "Collide", which became a popular radio hit and was featured on TV shows such as Scrubs, Grey's Anatomy, Bones, and One Tree Hill as well as soundtracking a promotional trailer for the 2005 film adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Stop was finally certified gold in early 2005. Fan favourite "She Says", which was first released on 1998's White EP, was released as a follow-up to "Collide", although as of 2006 it has not achieved the same success, it became a mid-level hit.
Boosted by the slow burning success of Stop All the World Now, Epic released the Live From... EP on December 6, 2005. The 7-track EP contains live renditions of songs from Australia and Stop All the World Now as well as a cover of Crowded House's "Don't Dream It's Over". The EP has not been widely reviewed, though Allmusic referred to the release as "holiday market product," "tepid", and "directionless".
Sound The Alarm (2009)
Howie Day released his third full length, "Sound The Alarm", under the Epic music label on September 8, 2009. After an extensive tour schedule following the release of "Stop All The World Now", Day decided to take some time off, during which he sorted through his emotions by writing songs, many of which have made their way onto Sound the Alarm. “I toured for five years straight before Stop All The World Now came out, then for three years non-stop after it was released," Day says.
To get his desired range of sounds and moods, Day recorded in a variety of locations, including Los Angeles, New York, London, Minneapolis, and Bloomington, Indiana, between the spring of 2006 and fall of 2008. He also collaborated with several musicians and producers, including Martin Terefe (Jason Mraz, KT Tunstall), Mike Denneen (Aimee Mann, Fountains of Wayne), Mike Flynn (The Fray, Augustana), Warren Huart (The Fray, Augustana, Better Than Ezra]) and Better Than Ezra frontman Kevin Griffin — each one of them an expert in pulling superlative performances out of the artists they work with.
Kristína
Howie Day Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
where did you go?
'cause the tequila from your kiss is still around
and you're down
to remind me
i know that you're away
but you're not gone
she wants to call
she can spin my motivation
like a record off the wall
don't you try
for anyone but yourself?
you do for me - don't you
i can feel it in your mind
kristina falls down to the floor
she is fine and it's alright
she said you're broken drowned and drunk
no one had ever felt like she did before
before you
did you know that if you go down to planeside
i will be there waiting for you
at the top of the stairs
and you will be so beautiful
kristina said
let's have your party december
i don't know why she trys to be so real
kristina said
let's have your baby in september
i don't know why you try to be so real
The song "Kristina" by Howie Day is a poignant story of lost love and personal struggle. The opening lines set the stage for the emotional turmoil that the singer is experiencing; he is on the phone trying to reach someone, but they are not answering. He remembers their last encounter and the tequila kiss that still lingers on his lips. Even though this person is physically away, they are not gone from his mind. The singer is clearly yearning for them, even if they are not around.
The second verse is a conversation in the mind of the singer. He is speaking to himself and questioning why he would try to change for someone else when they should be true to themselves. He is feeling vulnerable, and this person has the power to "spin his motivation like a record off the wall." The chorus brings us deeper into the turmoil as Kristina falls to the floor, overcome by her emotions. The singer is still considering her and aware of her pain; she says that no one has ever felt the way she does before he entered her life.
The final verse shows a glimmer of hope as the singer dreams of meeting Kristina at the airport after an absence. She is going to be so beautiful, and the singer is clearly still in love with her. In the final line, Kristina suggests throwing a party in December and having a baby in September, indicating that she is looking for something more profound than just physical passion.
Line by Line Meaning
on the phone to saturday
Talking to Saturday (possibly a person) on the phone
where did you go?
Asking Saturday where they went or possibly why they're not here
'cause the tequila from your kiss is still around
Implying that the memory of their kiss (possibly under the influence of tequila) still lingers
and you're down
Perhaps feeling down or not doing well
to remind me
Reminding the artist of the memory of the kiss
i know that you're away
Acknowledging that Saturday is not present
but you're not gone
Highlighting the fact that while they are not physically present, they are still remembered
reeling inside
Feeling disturbed or shaken inside
she wants to call
Referring to Kristina who wants to make a phone call
she can spin my motivation
Referring to Kristina's influence over the artist's drive or inspiration
like a record off the wall
Illustrating how easy it is for Kristina to manipulate or influence the singer
don't you try
Asking a rhetorical question to someone, possibly Kristina
for anyone but yourself?
Questioning Kristina's motives and intentions
you do for me - don't you
Reaffirming the idea that Kristina puts the singer's needs first
i can feel it in your mind
Suggesting that the singer can sense Kristina's thoughts or feelings
kristina falls down to the floor
Describing Kristina's physical reaction to something happening or being said
she is fine and it's alright
Contrasting the physical response with the idea that Kristina is still okay
she said you're broken drowned and drunk
Paraphrasing a statement made by Kristina about someone's condition
no one had ever felt like she did before
Emphasizing that Kristina experienced something unique or intense
before you
Linking the intense experience with the artist's influence or presence
did you know that if you go down to planeside
Asking a question related to a specific location or activity
i will be there waiting for you
Stating a promise by the artist to be present for someone
at the top of the stairs
Providing a specific location where the singer will be waiting
and you will be so beautiful
Complimenting the person who will be arriving
let's have your party december
Suggesting to have a party in December
i don't know why she trys to be so real
Wondering why Kristina is trying to be authentic or genuine
let's have your baby in september
Suggesting to have a baby in September
i don't know why you try to be so real
Addressing someone who is trying to be authentic or genuine
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HOWIE DAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind