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)
Wrecking Ball
Lifehouse Lyrics
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Waiting for a sign of life
Looking so out of place
Then you whisper to me, it doesn't matter what you say
I feel the weight against the wind
The demolition of me caving in
And I'm always swinging on this wrecking ball
You push and pull, you give and take
And through it all I gravitate to you
I'm a fool, a mechanical tool for you
You've got all the switches and levers to blow my cool
And when you know I'm broken
That's when you come shining through
You set me up to knock me down
And leave my shattered pieces on the ground
And I'm always swinging on this wrecking ball
While you're building up and breaking down my wall
(I'm not ready to break)
You push and pull, you give and take
And through it all I gravitate to you
You set me up to knock me down
And leave my shattered pieces on the ground
And I'm always swinging on this wrecking ball
While you're building up and breaking down my wall
(I'm not ready to break)
You push and pull, you give and take
And through it all I gravitate to you
The lyrics to Lifehouse's "Wrecking Ball" describe a tumultuous relationship between two people where one person feels constantly torn down by the other. The singer describes feeling alone and out of place, waiting for a sign of life, while the other person seems to have all the power and control over them. Despite this, the singer gravitates towards the other person, even though they know they are being used and broken down. The metaphor of the wrecking ball is used to describe this relationship, with the singer feeling like they are constantly swinging back and forth between being torn down and built up by the other person.
The lyrics suggest that the other person is manipulating and using the singer, setting them up to be knocked down and leaving them shattered on the ground. However, the singer seems unable to break away from this toxic dynamic, gravitating towards the other person even as they continue to be torn down. The use of mechanical imagery - with the singer describing themselves as a "mechanical tool" - adds to the sense that this relationship is one-sided and lacking in genuine emotional connection.
Overall, "Wrecking Ball" is a powerful song that captures the emotional turmoil of a toxic relationship, where one person holds all the power and control over the other.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm alone, wandering in your space
Feeling isolated and disconnected, I am aimlessly moving about in your environment
Waiting for a sign of life
Hopeful for any indication of vitality or activity from you
Looking so out of place
Appearing clearly different and displaced among the surroundings
Then you whisper to me, it doesn't matter what you say
When you speak softly to me, I am comforted even if your words are inconsequential
I feel the weight against the wind
I sense the impact of the obstacles that are pushing against me
The demolition of me caving in
I am gradually collapsing and crumbling from outside pressure
And I'm always swinging on this wrecking ball
Like a pendulum, I am continuously swaying back and forth on this destructive force
While you're building up and breaking down my wall
As you construct and dismantle my defenses, alternatingly strengthening and weakening them
You push and pull, you give and take
You exert contradictory and inconsistent influence on me, vacillating between generosity and selfishness
And through it all I gravitate to you
Despite the turmoil you cause, I am compelled to come closer to you
I'm a fool, a mechanical tool for you
I am foolishly and mechanically functioning to fulfill your desires
You've got all the switches and levers to blow my cool
You know exactly how to make me lose control, manipulating every button and dial
And when you know I'm broken
Once you realize that I am damaged and vulnerable
That's when you come shining through
That's when you suddenly appear and save me
You set me up to knock me down
You intentionally create conditions for me to fail and falter
And leave my shattered pieces on the ground
Resulting in me being completely broken and ruined, lying on the floor
I'm not ready to break
I am not prepared or willing to completely fall apart
You push and pull, you give and take
You continue to exert controlling and influencing power over me
And through it all I gravitate to you
Despite the turmoil you cause, I am compelled to come closer to you
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: Jude Anthony Cole, Bryce Soderberg, Jason Wade, Rick Woolstenhulme
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind