The band holds its roots in California, where Lifehouse's founding members first came together under the name Blyss in 1999. Blyss released a demo album entitled Diff's Lucky Day. Shortly after in 2000, the boys were signed onto a record deal with DreamWorks Records. Five of the twelve tracks from Diff's Lucky Day were re-recorded for No Name Face. This debut album went multi-platinum, standing behind the hit single Hanging by a Moment, which became the most played radio track of 2001. The song became the theme of the 2000 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, UT.
In 2002, the members of Lifehouse consisted of foreman Jason Wade, bassist Sergio Andrade, drummer Rick Woolstenhulme and Woolstenhulme's younger brother, Sean Woolstenhulme, on guitar. At this time, Lifehouse released their second album Stanley Climbfall. After a few years of touring, Sergio Andrade left the band on good terms in 2004. Sean Woolstenhulme soon followed, leaving the band to pursue personal projects.
With only Wade and Woolstenhulme remaining, Lifehouse picked up a third member, ex-AM Radio bassist/vocalist Bryce Soderberg in late 2004. The band also signed off with Geffen Records, releasing their third self-titled album in 2005. With their style of melodic rock maturing over the years, the album's feature single You and Me remained on the Billboard hot 100 chart for over 60 weeks.
Further developing their image as a band that has overcome stereotypes and endured change, the Lifehouse trio came back quickly, releasing their latest album Who We Are in June 2007. The new single First Time has since been released on radio and television.
It was announced on October 15, 2010 that the new album is called Smoke & Mirrors and would be released on December 8, 2009. However, on November 13 the band stated on its web page that Smoke & Mirrors would be released on February 2, 2010. The first single was "Halfway Gone", which was released on October 27. The Halfway Gone music video premiered on the VH1 Top 20 on VH1.com at the end of November. On December 22, Tommy2.net reported that the album had been pushed back once again, this time to February 23, 2010. The album was then delayed again, but was released on March 2, 2010. The album came in a standard, deluxe, and two-disc deluxe edition.
The album Smoke and Mirrors debuted at # 6 on the Billboard Top 200 chart with 54,203 sold. This marks the highest chart debut of their ten year career beating out first week chart position for their 2002 sophomore set “Stanley Climbfall” which debuted at # 7. On iTunes, Smoke and Mirrors was #1 on the Rock Album chart for one week. After Halfway gone, two more songs from this album were released: All In (June, 2010) and Falling In (January, 2011).
In the spring of 2010 Lifehouse toured with Daughtry and Cavo. They also did a short European tour in September, 2010. After the European tour, the US the Smoke and Mirrors tour took place (October, 2010 and November, 2010). June 11, 2011 Lifehouse stated that they are working on a new album and that they will get back in the studio in the fall. June 12 and June 13, 2011 the band played two shows in the UK. During these shows, they played a new song called 'Angeline.'
Discography:
No Name Face (2000)
Stanley Climbfall (2002)
Lifehouse (2005)
Who We Are (2007)
Smoke & Mirrors (2010)
Almería (2012)
Out of the Wasteland (2015)
Clarity
Lifehouse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This silence is as cold as this winter night
I'm not looking for answers, just picking a fight
Not pulling my punches this time
Delusion walks up and sits down for a while
Says "son you'll make it through this if you just wave and smile,
You can fool the whole world for a while,
And so help me, I'm gonna find Clarity
I've been chasing her down on my knees
She's always running,
Slipping through my hands like a dream
Leaves me like a book with no theme
I'll be waiting for you to come back to me,
Clarity
I'm walking the streets past the old promenade
I smell whiskey and cigarettes, identity fraud
People on the corner all trying to play God
Over all the butterflies
I feel disconnected from the rest of the world
I see an old woman with hair white as a pearl
I see thousands of people but I don't see my girl
I need her to open my eyes
And so help me, I'm gonna find Clarity
Been chasing her down on my knees
She's always running,
Slipping through my hands like a dream
Leaves me like a book with no theme
I'll be waiting for you to come back to me,
Clarity
As I drive in my car, I'm between here and there
Just my life, I'm so well-aware
This freeway's as empty as the open air
I'm waiting for the sun
My mind is at home but both eyes on the road
My shoulders are carrying a heavy load
I wish someone would tell me which was I should go
'Cause all the signs bleed into one
And so help me, I'm gonna find Clarity
I've been chasing her down on my knees
She's always running,
Slipping through my hands like a dream
She's a song that I can never sing
I'll be waiting for you to come back to me,
Clarity
The lyrics to Lifehouse's song Clarity are about the desperate search for answers and understanding amidst confusion and chaos. The singer is grappling with his own internal struggles and the external pressures of the world around him, which have left him feeling lost and disconnected. He is searching for clarity, for a way to make sense of his life and find a sense of peace.
The first verse describes the singer's feelings of confusion and isolation. He is not looking for simple answers, but is searching for something more profound. The second verse is more desolate, with the singer wandering the streets but feeling disconnected from the world around him. He sees an old woman who reminds him of his lost girlfriend, and wishes she could open his eyes to the world.
In the final verse, the singer is driving and trying to find his way. He is aware of the weight of his life and the burden he carries, but is searching for a way forward. The song ends with the repeated refrain of his desperate search for clarity, a sense of purpose that he hopes will guide him through the darkness.
Overall, Clarity is a powerful exploration of the human experience of uncertainty and doubt. The lyrics are beautifully crafted and offer a window into the cycles of hope and despair that we all experience in our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Confusion sets in and is holding me tight
Mental chaos takes over and becomes all-consuming.
This silence is as cold as this winter night
The stillness is as chilling and desolate as the coldest season.
I'm not looking for answers, just picking a fight
Instead of seeking solutions, creating confrontations seems preferable.
Not pulling my punches this time
This battle will not be fought with restraint.
Delusion walks up and sits down for a while
Fantasies take over and stay for a while.
Says "son you'll make it through this if you just wave and smile,
Fantasy tells me that I can get through this hardship by pretending everything is fine.
You can fool the whole world for a while,
Deceiving others is possible temporarily.
All that you'll lose is your mind"
But ultimately, the cost will be sanity.
And so help me, I'm gonna find Clarity
I am determined to gain mental clarity.
I've been chasing her down on my knees
I have been diligently seeking this clarity.
She's always running,
However, clarity always seems to remain elusive.
Slipping through my hands like a dream
It's like trying to grasp a passing illusion.
Leaves me like a book with no theme
It feels like an aimless story with no plot or direction.
I'll be waiting for you to come back to me,
I'll continue to wait for this clarity to return to me.
Clarity
This mental state of understanding and clear thinking.
I'm walking the streets past the old promenade
I am strolling through the city's oldest streets.
I smell whiskey and cigarettes, identity fraud
I detect the scent of deceit and meaningless decadence in the air.
People on the corner all trying to play God
The passersby are all attempting to exert control over their own little worlds.
Over all the butterflies
Despite the beauty of the surroundings.
I feel disconnected from the rest of the world
I feel isolated and apart from others.
I see an old woman with hair white as a pearl
An elderly woman with white hair catches my eye.
I see thousands of people but I don't see my girl
Even though there are crowds all around, I am still seeking my loved one.
I need her to open my eyes
I am hoping that my missing partner can assist me in seeing things more clearly.
As I drive in my car, I'm between here and there
While driving, I am in a state of in-betweenness.
Just my life, I'm so well-aware
I am keenly conscious of my own existence.
This freeway's as empty as the open air
The driving route seems as empty as the sky above.
I'm waiting for the sun
I am hopeful for a brighter future.
My mind is at home but both eyes on the road
I am presently driving, but my thoughts are elsewhere.
My shoulders are carrying a heavy load
I feel weighed down by the burdens of life.
I wish someone would tell me which was I should go
I yearn for guidance about the best path to take.
'Cause all the signs bleed into one
All the signals and signs seem to blur and overwhelm me.
She's a song that I can never sing
Clarity is like a beautiful song that I can never quite play myself.
I'll be waiting for you to come back to me,
I'll continue to wait for this clarity to return to me.
Clarity
This mental state of understanding and clear thinking.
Contributed by Callie K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.