To vocalist and songwriter Jesse Barnes, this comes as no surprise. After his previous efforts with his brother Shane had earned over 110,000 plays online and the attention of Fearless Records, it was only a matter of time before the Barnes tandem would be back at it again. This time around however, they would gain the metal influenced core of brothers Drew and Ryan English as well as lifelong friend Corey Yoder who had been in talks with the brothers about a project for 3 years.
The name of the game with these guys is quite unique. By combining heavier undertones with delicate melodies and infectious choruses, it's undeniable that Key to the Midway have the much needed breath of fresh air rock enthusiasts have been searching for. It's not often that you can mention Justin Timberlake, Boys Like Girls, and Misery Signals in the same sentence let alone the same breath of air. But somehow Key to the Midway have done it and by boasting their plans of “hit[ting] the road in a beat up van, show to show” it's quite obvious that they're already making the full time commitment of being a successful name in the pop-rock game.
Jesse Barnes - Vocals/Acoustic Guitar
Shane Barnes - Bass/Vocals
Drew English - Guitar/Vocals
Corey Yoder - Guitar
Ryan English - Drums
FAREWELL
Key to the Midway Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was lost in the middle of a stupid town
Where everything just seems to repeat
Over and over again
And then it hit me like a spear right through my chest
I realized then
That this life is only a test
To make us feel, to make us break,
Here's farewell
To everything I've ever known
And here's goodbye
To everyone I've ever known
As of tonight I'm gone
I'm moving on, I've won
And I don't want to stand
In this moment here forever
So goodbye
Sometimes I think that I determine the ending
of everything
and every day I'm still thinking about her
it's just a blur
I had one chance to make it right
to make it work and
I blew it all away
it feels like I'm running around in a race
and the cold wind keeps smacking me right in the face
but this doesn't make any sense
the road keeps on going
So goodbye time to go
I'm driving through these state lines
finally made up my mind
is it wrong to want something more?
I'm on a crash course headed
for a New York setting
and I hope it turns out just right
maybe then I can feel alive
for the first time
In the opening lines of Key to the Midway’s “Farewell,” the singer announces that they have it all "figured out," but quickly takes a turn, revealing that previously they were "lost in the middle of a stupid town” where everything seemed to repeat over and over. The singer comes to the realization that life is a test, it is meant to make us feel, break and want to give up but that giving up is not an option. The chorus is a goodbye to everything and everyone they have ever known as the singer declares that they have won and are moving on. The lyrics are full of confusion and uncertainty, yet at the same time, the singer is resolute to move on to something different, something more fulfilling.
The second verse of the song is about regret as the singer reveals that they are still thinking about a woman who they had one chance to make it right with but blew it all away. The singer is running around in a race, and the cold wind keeps smacking them right in the face, and they can't make sense of it all. The chorus repeats the goodbye sentiment once again as the singer declares that it's time to go, they are driving through state lines, and they’ve finally made up their minds. The bridge expresses a simple desire to feel alive for once.
Overall, this song paints a vivid picture of confusion and uncertainty but also of a desire to escape and find something kinder if not more certain.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got this whole thing figured out*
I thought I knew what life was all about
I was lost in the middle of a stupid town
I felt trapped in a mundane and unfulfilling environment
Where everything just seems to repeat
Nothing ever changes and every day is the same
Over and over again
Repetition is constant and unrelenting
And then it hit me like a spear right through my chest
Suddenly, I had a profound realization that shook me to my core
I realized then
I came to the understanding that
That this life is only a test
Life is fleeting, and we have a limited time to make the most of it
To make us feel, to make us break,
Life challenges us to experience a range of emotions and face adversity
To make us want to give up (but we can't give up)
Life can be overwhelming, but we must keep pushing forward
Here's farewell
I say goodbye
To everything I've ever known
To the people, places, and routines that have been my life
And here's goodbye
Another farewell
To everyone I've ever known
To the people who have been a part of my life up to this point
As of tonight I'm gone
I am leaving right now
I'm moving on, I've won
I am transitioning to a new chapter of my life and embracing new opportunities
And I don't want to stand
I refuse to stay in the same place
In this moment here forever
I don't want to remain stagnant, stuck in this moment forever
So goodbye
Farewell
Sometimes I think that I determine the ending
I often feel in control of my destiny
of everything
The outcome of various situations and relationships
and every day I'm still thinking about her
My mind often drifts to memories of a past love interest
it's just a blur
The memories are hazy and indistinct
I had one chance to make it right
I had a single opportunity to reconcile the relationship
to make it work and
To reconnect and patch up the issues
I blew it all away
I squandered my chance
it feels like I'm running around in a race
My life feels like a hasty dash without purpose or direction
and the cold wind keeps smacking me right in the face
Life often presents hardships and difficulties that are unbearable
but this doesn't make any sense
This all feels illogical and senseless
the road keeps on going
Life never stops moving forward
So goodbye time to go
I am saying my farewell and departing
I'm driving through these state lines
I am traveling across multiple states
finally made up my mind
I have decisively chosen this new path
is it wrong to want something more?
Is it greedy or selfish to desire greater things in life?
I'm on a crash course headed
I am barreling towards my new destination without regard for obstacles
for a New York setting
For the city of New York as my new locale
and I hope it turns out just right
I am optimistic that this new venture will be successful
maybe then I can feel alive
Perhaps then, I will feel truly fulfilled in life for the first time
Contributed by Juliana W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
jimgalaxy34
This is some really impressive stuff. You guys have the chops to hit the bigtime. Keep believin' -
Chloe Marie March
Absolutely love this guys good job Still listening to it and feeling the same way almost a month later -3
giulii
amazing voice guys♥
Hannah Lawson
Good job guys! <3
MoonWitch Baby
I'm gonna try out to be their vocalist, ugh, excited but nervous :), wish me luck everyone! Yes I'm a girl, but whatever <3
BoyPrototype
I like hear this song while I'm go to the downtown in the night (:
Victoria Ann
Ugh, why are they awesome, I can't handle it, I'm such a band whore.
tazbrianna
you guys are great how did i not know about you!!!
DREWBIE117
Nice work!!
laced0216
I really like it. I saw you guys in January when you played with Hawthorne Heights.