[edit]Early career
In August 1997, the band started approaching their music from a more ministry-oriented standpoint. One of the results of this change in view was the decision of Brian to become a Christian. Originally performing in a side project known as The Wedgeez, Brian was asked to play second guitar for The Rockers, and began performing with them in November 1999.[citation needed]
After recording their first album, T.I.N. (Time is Now) in February 1998, the band began a forty day prayer fast, hoping to be signed by one of the many record labels they had contacted. On the thirty-seventh day, Screaming Giant Records (home of Lugnut) contacted the band, claiming that they wanted to sign the band "yesterday". The label's exuberence led to the band's first national tour. The band was also featured on the Trinity Broadcasting Network program G-Rock, giving them international exposure. Because of this national and international exposure, the band would sell ten thousand copies of T.I.N. The lead singer, Hero, considers the band to be one of the last bands of the "pre-Internet" generation. The band initially contacted Screaming Giant because they saw their name in a zine, and like other bands of their time, were often touring "blindly", with no contact with a venue other than a few phone calls.
In 1999, after several tours, Brian left the band and settled down. The band continued as a three-piece touring throughout the summer of 1999, and recorded their second album, Madison Road, as a trio. While touring to support the album, Jason Roach joined as the new rhythm guitarist. Shortly afterwards, Larry Rox quit, and "The Name" joined to play keyboards for the group. After a few months, "The Name" left the band. Mitchell Gooden joined as the band's new rhythm guitarist, and the band began touring again. Around this time, Hero met his wife on a Rockers tour at a show in Mississippi, and they now perform together under the name Justin Hero.
[edit]Late career
In 2000, the band began to form a new style, and as a result they left Screaming Giant Records. They re-formed under the name Heaven not Spaceward, and after releasing one E.P., broke up to pursue other interests.
In 2002, the band briefly regrouped as a trio (consisting of Hero, Rocket, and Mitch) and released a free E.P. and toured throughout the Southeast. This was a final farewell for Rockers fans.
Better Off
Jesse and the Rockers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I didn't have to
Everything I have done
Oh, i've done it for you
All of my world felt like
It was crashing down
And all i was thinking
Is who do I go to now
And then you stepped on it
While i was crying
Oh, you did nothing to stop it
All of the love i have gave
Oh it went to waste
When you did that
It gave you a bitter taste
The shadows of you
Are fading away
I really don't think
I can handle the pain
I've made the decision
And it might be major
But I've realized
We're better off as strangers
I know this is hard
And I wish you the best
But I've really needed
To get this off my chest
If we keep doing this
We'll both end up in danger
But I've realized
We're better off as strangers
The fact of the matter
Is that you won't be yourself
Your minds telling you
If you did that you'd burn in hell
I disagree with the way
You are treating me
Oh do you not just see
The things that you are doing
Why are you arguing with me
Oh baby
Do you not see
That this isn't going anywhere
I'm getting tired
Of having to wait on you
Can you say sorry
For the shit you put me through
The shadows of you
Are fading away
I really don't think
I can handle the pain
I've made the decision
And it might be major
But I've realized
We're better off as strangers
I know this is hard
And I wish you the best
But I've really needed
To get this off my chest
If we keep doing this
We'll both end up in danger
But I've realized
We're better off as strangers
Some days I wish
I never even met you at all
I would've never thought
That this would be the downfall
Sometimes I lay in bed
And cry about missing you
But i'm tired of thinking
About our rendezvous
To keep it a secret
It's saying you want it to die
I don't get how you're keen
On keeping such a big lie
If i stayed with you
It would have driven me insane
I love you
But i can not keep going on this way
The shadows of you
Are fading away
I really don't think
I can handle the pain
I've made the decision
And it might be major
But I've realized
We're better off as strangers
The shadows of you
Are fading away
I really don't think
I can handle the pain
I've made the decision
And it might be major
But I've realized
We're better off as strangers
I know this is hard
And I wish you the best
But I've really needed
To get this off my chest
If we keep doing this
We'll both end up in danger
But I've realized
We're better off as strangers
These lyrics tell the story of a failed relationship and the singer's realization that they are better off being strangers than continuing to be together. The song starts with the singer expressing their willingness to give their partner a second chance, highlighting their efforts to make things work. However, they acknowledge that their efforts were in vain as their partner betrayed their trust and caused them immense pain.
The chorus reveals the singer's decision to distance themselves from the relationship, recognizing that the pain outweighs the benefits of staying together. They acknowledge the difficulty of this decision and wish their partner the best, but emphasize the importance of expressing their true feelings and the necessity of ending the cycle of pain they have been experiencing together.
In the next verse, the singer addresses their partner directly, pointing out the negative changes they have witnessed in their behavior. They express disappointment in the way their partner has treated them and question why they continue to argue without any resolution. The singer highlights their exhaustion from waiting for their partner to change and seeks an apology for the pain they have endured.
The third verse reveals the internal struggle the singer faces. They admit to sometimes longing for the relationship they had, but also realize that dwelling on it is not healthy. They mention the pain and frustration caused by keeping their relationship a secret, as well as their partner's willingness to maintain a lie. The singer concludes that staying in the relationship would have eventually driven them insane, despite their love for their partner.
The song ends by reiterating the chorus, emphasizing the fading shadows of their partner and their own realization that they are better off as strangers. The singer acknowledges the difficulty of their decision and the desire to express their emotions honestly. They caution that continuing the relationship would only lead to danger for both parties involved. Ultimately, they have recognized that their best course of action is to let go and become strangers once again.
Line by Line Meaning
I gave you a second chance
I offered you another opportunity to make things right
When I didn't have to
Even though it wasn't necessary or expected of me
Everything I have done
All of my actions and efforts
Oh, I've done it for you
Were solely for your benefit
All of my world felt like
My entire existence seemed
It was crashing down
To be falling apart and collapsing
And all I was thinking
My only thoughts were
Is who do I go to now
To whom can I turn for support or comfort
I watched you rip out my heart
I witnessed you figuratively tearing my heart out
And then you stepped on it
And callously stomping on it
While I was crying
While tears streamed down my face
Oh, you did nothing to stop it
You made no effort to prevent it
All of the love I have gave
All the love I have given
Oh, it went to waste
Was futile or unappreciated
When you did that
When you committed that act
It gave you a bitter taste
It left you with a sense of bitterness
The shadows of you
The remnants or memories of you
Are fading away
Are slowly disappearing
I really don't think
I genuinely believe or feel
I can handle the pain
I can endure or bear the emotional suffering
I've made the decision
I have come to a firm conclusion
And it might be major
And it could be a significant change
But I've realized
But I have come to understand or comprehend
We're better off as strangers
We are in a better situation if we don't have any connection or familiarity
I know this is hard
I understand that this is difficult
And I wish you the best
And I hope for the best for you
But I've really needed
However, it has been crucial for me
To get this off my chest
To express my thoughts and feelings openly
If we keep doing this
If we continue with this behavior or pattern
We'll both end up in danger
We will both be at risk or harm
The fact of the matter
The truth or reality of the situation
Is that you won't be yourself
You will not be true to your own nature or character
Your mind's telling you
Your thoughts or inner voice is suggesting
If you did that you'd burn in hell
If you were to commit that act, you would face severe consequences or punishment
I disagree with the way
I have a differing opinion on the manner or approach
You are treating me
You are acting towards me
Oh, do you not just see
Oh, don't you understand or realize
The things that you are doing
The actions or behaviors that you are exhibiting
Why are you arguing with me
Why are you engaging in a dispute or disagreement with me
Oh baby
Oh my love or dear
Do you not see
Don't you perceive or recognize
That this isn't going anywhere
That our relationship or situation has reached a dead end
I'm getting tired
I am becoming weary or exhausted
Of having to wait on you
Of continually needing to be patient for you
Can you say sorry
Are you capable of offering a sincere apology?
For the shit you put me through
For all the hardships or difficulties you have caused me
Some days I wish
On certain occasions, I desire
I never even met you at all
I had never encountered you in the first place
I would've never thought
I could have never expected
That this would be the downfall
That this would be the cause of our ruin or failure
Sometimes I lay in bed
At times, I lie in bed
And cry about missing you
And weep because I long for you
But I'm tired of thinking
But I am weary of constantly pondering
About our rendezvous
About our secret meetings or encounters
To keep it a secret
To maintain confidentiality or concealment
It's saying you want it to die
It implies that you want our relationship to come to an end
I don't get how you're keen
I don't understand why you are enthusiastic or eager
On keeping such a big lie
About persisting with such a significant deception
If I stayed with you
If I remained in a relationship with you
It would have driven me insane
It would have caused me to become mentally unstable
I love you
I have deep affection and care for you
But I cannot keep going on this way
But I am unable to continue in this manner
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Jesse Watson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind